Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tools, skills and characteristics for college students to cultivate
My Word-of-Mouth Communication class's last project before spring break consisted of brainstorming about the social media tools that ad/PR students should know how to use, as well as the skills and characteristics that they should cultivate, in order to be prepared for 21st-century jobs.
Do you like what they came up with?
Social Media Tools (for themselves or their employers/clients)
Do you like what they came up with?
Social Media Tools (for themselves or their employers/clients)
- Blogging
- YouTube
- Podcasting
- Flickr
- Facebook, MySpace (social networks)
- Wikipedia
- Google docs, chat, groups, etc.
- RSS feeds and aggregators
- Social bookmarking (del.icio.us)
- Search engines including blog searches
- Second Life
- VoIP, such as Skype
- Mobile media
- Interactive gaming
Skills/characteristics to cultivate
- Ability to pitch effectively (mainstream and social media)
- Online research skills
- Use of appropriate language and etiquette
- Knowledge of ethics, law
- Technological understanding, comfortable with both Mac and PC
- Online identity management and networking skills
- Online security
- Adventurousness, learning agility
- Knowledge of branding
- Keeping up with current events
- Understanding word of mouth -- filters, why some things go viral
- Interaction between online and mainstream media
- Ability to learn on the job
- SEO
- Being personable in person, not just online
- Transparency, authenticity
- Writing ability
- Knowledge of measurement tools and ability to apply them (Feedburner, Google Analytics, etc.)
Now there's no excuse for them not to get out and learn what they need to know! As soon as spring break ends, that is.
Labels: education, social media, students
// posted by Karen Miller Russell @ Wednesday, March 12, 2008 
Comments:
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I think I'm comfortable with 12/15 of the Social Media Tools and have (arguably) cultivated about 15/18 of the skills/characteristics.
Not bad, but I wonder just how many PRos can tick them all off - especially senior practitioners!
Not bad, but I wonder just how many PRos can tick them all off - especially senior practitioners!
# posted by 
: 3/12/2008 12:19 PM
: 3/12/2008 12:19 PM 
This is a wonderful starter list for new graduates looking to pursue careers in PR. I think also this is a good checklist for recruiters to have when talking with PR candidates, both new and experienced.
I'm glad you blogged this! I'm looking forward to reading more of the comments & additions to the list.
I wonder what professionals would rank as the top skills/tools to master?
I wonder what professionals would rank as the top skills/tools to master?
Ben, Amybeth, and Lizzie. I'm not worried about any of you, you're doing just fine. ;)
Elizabeth, I had been thinking about doing a "group resume" but decided to go this route instead -- although I'm a big fan of collaborative learning, I also want them to take responsibility for their own careers.
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Elizabeth, I had been thinking about doing a "group resume" but decided to go this route instead -- although I'm a big fan of collaborative learning, I also want them to take responsibility for their own careers.
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"More important than the curriculum is the question of the methods of teaching and the spirit in which the teaching is given" --Bertrand Russell
