To best see what’s coming next, it’s helpful to examine the next generation workforce.
Right about now it’s spring break, and that means that some students finally have enough time to shake off the late night party buzz and think about their careers. I know this, as I’m getting more emails from students and college professors that are teaching our young minds about social media, marketing, web marketing and other related topics.
More than ever, they need to think their career through as they’ll be competing for entry level positions with more qualified individuals. In my opinion, where they lack in experience they can make up with enthusiasm and perhaps even more relevant. What would that be? Being digital natives, they’re born with technology and specifically, the web in their hands, this could be more natural to them than a CMO. (take a look at their technographics, they lead in adoption)
Perhaps they’ve seen this list of professionals that are either corporate social media strategists, or community managers, or want to work at a social media vendor, interactive agency, or are enamored with the thought of working at a top blog like Techcrunch, RWW, or Mashable.
Let’s kick off a dialog, one that can both help students understand a career in this space, as well as help future employers understand what to look for.
Students and teachers, let’s hear your thoughts:
1) Are you interested in a career in social media, or a related field? What attracts you?
2) What are you doing now to get skilled, experienced, and educated in this field?
3) What will you look for in an employer? What would make you not want to work for an employer?
4) Feel free to leave your contact and school info
Professionals and Employer, let’s hear your thoughts:
1) What attracts you to the social media space, why do you do this for a living? Sure, you may not have ‘social media strategist’ in your title, but you’re certainly involved.
2) How should students prepare for a career in this social space?
3) Please give your title, industry, and number of years working, followed by number of years (or months) in the social space
I hope we can both learn a bit from both of us, heck, perhaps some may find some job or internship opportunities.
Update: LinkedIn has this site for students who want to build their career.
I agree with Patrick that a code/network dual threat is a real asset for someone entering the workforce but the real dollars will be there for those who can demonstrate and deploy the knowledge they have in understanding how social media changes everything else. That is why I have focused my Baruch class on developing the muscles to create business strategy inspired by the transformation. A triple threat, I’m hoping.
Peter
I initially started using social media for personal branding. I am passionately driven to be a positive influence in other people™s lives, no matter how small the impact may be. Social media is a great way to go about it. My mission is to give value, there are various tools to choose from. I try to implement it into my normal routine, am open-minded, and strive to continuously improve wherever I can.
I read blogs from popular social media sages like Jeremiah Owyang, Chris Brogan, Guy Kawasaki and others. I learn from their use of Twitter, Facebook, and other tools. I try to emulate the basic fundamental principle: giving value. Like @pistachio mentioned in a webinar one time, Influence was attracting attention to yourself. Influence [now] is providing attention and value to others. Both Facebook and Twitter are used to communicate useful information that I come across, whether it™s a random personal experience that causes an impact or relaying useful media sources that I felt useful to share. Like @jowyang and others have touched on, personal minutia is stale and not very intellectually enlightening. Among the student body at Kingsborough Community College (KCC) in New York, not many seem to be thinking about what they can do for others; always about what they are doing. The constant spam of not wanting school to start tomorrow and is¦ummmm¦? are not my idea of being progressive and informative with the people that are in your immediate area of influence. Creating awareness is a first step in communicating the message across; providing value as opposed to creating attention.
I want to work AND continuously learn about social media trends. It will never be static, so I would like to work with other professionals in social media to learn more. Knowledge helps me give value, which is my fundamental principle.
I am highly interested in internships while continuing my education. If there is any room for growth in social media use and your company has a foward-thinking and progressive attitude, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am based in New York.
Thank You for your consideration,
Steven A. Rodriguez
Email: steven.rodriguez[at]student.kingsborough.edu