Social Media Equals Social Life

Social media is my official way stay in touch, stay informed, and stay educated. Social media is the newest way to keep up with what is going on in the world and what your friends and family members are up to. It is a way to meet new people with whom you can network, and form relationships. It is a way to get information on prospective job opportunities. In our fast pace world, social media has become a very useful tool for companies to use and benefit from.

I personally use Facebook and Twitter. I use Facebook to stay in touch with friends and family members, and to see what is going on with certain organizations and companies that I am interested in. I use Twitter to get up-to-the-minute information on news, job opportunities, and, of course, celebrities.

These are just two forms of social media that I use daily. With so much going on in my life, I use both cites frequently. Both forms of social media are available to anyone, and are free— why wouldn’t someone want to utilize these tools? They are easy, and have so much to offer. My advice: if you aren’t using them, it’s time to start!

Internships: The Starting Point

Internships: we all here about the importance of having an internship when we are in college. In some cases, internships are a graduation requirement, like in the Marquette Diederich College of Communications, in other cases internships are just strongly suggested in order to get an upper hand in the job search upon graduation. Regardless of the reason why you apply for an internship position, the bottom line is that internships are the starting point in your professional career, and the lessons that you learn and the experiences that you encounter will be the basis for your future career.
I am currently hunting for an internship in the Public Relations field. When I first began to look, I really had no idea where to begin. At first I was overwhelmed by the idea of finding an internship on my own; however, after talking with a few people who were also looking to apply for an internship, I discovered that the Marquette University website acts as a guide to a number of companies looking for someone to fulfill a spot. The requirements to fulfill the position are listed on the page, as well as a link to read about the company—the origin of your future is literally a click (and an application) away.

Networking at Marquette

Within the Public Relations industry, there is an obvious undertone of competitiveness that illustrates the importance getting an ‘upper hand.’ This ‘upper hand’ can be defined by a single word: networking. Networking is making various contacts throughout the industry that can be utilized in a number of different ways—for example, instead of simply sending out a resume, a person can utilize their networks to get an interview with a potential employer.

The value of networks is exemplified everyday as more people are seeking careers within the Public Relations industry. As the value of networking rises, more people are beginning to understand the worth of this PR tactic—including Marquette University. Marquette recognizes the magnitude of making contacts, and because of this recognition, they offer a mentor program to help students network and, at the same time, get a feel for what the industry is all about.

The Diederich College of Communication mentor program enables students to meet people involved in various aspects of the PR industry, and then pairs students with a mentor who is involved in an area of PR corresponding with the students’ field of interest. The student and the mentor will then meet and discuss what the each person is seeking out of the newly founded relationship. One of the main gains that students seek out of this relationship is employing the mentor as a network. The student can meet other people through their own mentor, as well as meet other mentors involved within the program at the University.

I have recently become an active member in this mentor program sponsored by Marquette University. I plan on meeting with my mentor for the first time within the next week, and although I am in the early stages, I can already see the potential benefit that this program has to provide. This program can enhance not only my resume, but also my skills, and I am very excited to begin!

The mentor program is just an example of how a person can begin to network in the competitive world of Public Relations. Whether you are involved in the program or not, I believe creating relationships with people in the industry is extremely important, and individuals should start networking as early as possible to create the biggest ‘upper hand’ for themselves.

"THEE" New Way to Communicate

Twitter. Nowadays, it seems as if you can't go through a day or even an hour without somebody mentioning this new way of communication. From who people are "following" or what people are "tweeting" about, twitter is a useful new sensation that is sure to stick around.

Ever since I began to tweet, I found that my means of communication has become faster and more efficient. I can get in touch with people by a simple click of a button. I can ask quick questions to a broad public instead of e-mailing a question to just one person. I can voice my opinion and share different information that I find interesting or important with others.

My horizons have also been broadened through my use of twitter, and it has been easier for me to network. Through twitter, I have found people and companies that I am now following that list different public relations internships that I can apply for. I have also been able to find out information about the field of public relations through others' tweets and posts.

Overall, I have found twitter to be a very effective and beneficial tool. I believe that the more I use and learn about twitter, the more useful of a tool it will become. The world of communications is changing with the technological advancements, it is our duty to keep up!

All About Me

What’s your full name? Rebecca Nicole Tristano

Were you named after anyone? No

Do you have a nickname? People call me Becky or Bex

What’s your astrological sign? Scorpio

Are you a morning person or a night owl? I'm both

Do you wish on stars? Yes, sometimes

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Nope

Do you have tattoos ? Yes, I have a cross on my inner wrist and a star on the back of my neck

What do you do most often when you are bored? go on twitter and facebook!

Donkey or Elephant or Neither? Neither- I vote for who I think would be best in office

What makes you angry? Being overwhelmed by schoolwork and/or work projects

What did you do last night? Homework!

What frightens you? Not knowing where I will end up in life

How many keys are on your key ring? Three

What do you do to relax? Listen to music, watch movies, or just talk to friends

Do you believe in superstitions? Yes!

Have you attended a church or religious event outside of your own? Yes

Name a foreign language that you know. I know some Italian... very little

Name three things most people don’t know about you. I had an emergency appendectomy, I have gone trapezing, and my birthday is my ultimate favorite day of the year

Family, Pets, & Friends

Do you have any siblings? Yes, four sisters- Meghan, Stphanie, Chrissy, and Nicole. I am the middle child

Who was your best friend in high school? my sister Chrissy

Do/did you have any pets? Yes, a dog named Bubba.

Cat person or dog person? Dog

Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? My dad

Travel

What states have you been to? I'm really not sure how many I've been to or even which ones, but over the years I believe I've been to about 24 states

What countries have you been to? Mexico

In how many states have you lived? Two... Illinois and Wisconsin

When is the last time did you take a train? Over the summer

Food

What do you like to eat for breakfast? A fruit smoothie

What is your favorite food? sandwiches... turkey with avocado and veggies

What foods do you dislike? tuna

What ethnic food do you like and dislike? I generally enjoy most ethnic foods

What is your favorite chip flavor? Barbeque or Plain

What is your favorite sandwich? turkey with avocado and veggies

What is your favorite drink? Diet Coke

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie Dough

What’s your favorite salad dressing? Ranch

Plain, buttered or salted popcorn? Buttered

What’s your favorite pie? French Silk

What’s your favorite fast food place? Subway

Media

Which Harry Potter characters are you? Hermione Granger

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Proposal

What is your favorite TV show? It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Friends,and Law and Order SVU

Last book you read. Twilight: Breaking Dawn

What picture is on your computer wallpaper? It's a picture of my and my friends

What is your ring tone? Techno- it came on the phone

What are three favorite songs on your iPod? Best Days by Matt White, Everything by Michael Buble, and You are the Best by Ray LaMontagne

Do you have a Facebook page? Yes

Do you have a Twitter account? Yes

Do you have a blog? Yes

Wishes

Where would you retire to? Somewhere warm, but close to my family

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Australia or Croatia

Would you ever bungee jump? Skydive? Yes, but I would be extremely nervous!

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red... not because it is my favorite-that's pink-but because the meaning of the color red mostly defines my personality

What Writing Means To Me

Writing, to me, means freedom. It means self-expression; it means having a voice. Writing means a thought process- it allows you to sit back and really reflect on your feelings, emotions, and opinions.

Writing means creativity expressed through lyrics and poetry and through stories and fairy-tales. Writing means intelligence embodied in reports and documents and in essays and manuscripts.

Writing is meaningful, thankful, and apologetic. Writing means inspiration. It is a way to reach out to others and look into their minds. Writing means personality; it is your trademark. Writing is a manifestation of who you are.