Showing posts with label Rainmaker Network. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rainmaker Network. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The 'write' way to cyberspace
10:29 AM | 
Posted by
Erin Louise 
Working in company development and marketing requires that I am online everyday contacting new partners and dealing with new technologies. I've found it is important to brush up on internet skills because, let's be honest, it is the most common way to communicate and network.
In today's workforce you make your first and hopefully not last impression on the internet. There are many different ways to contact employers and network via linkedin, facebook, twitter, skype, myspace or personal e-mail. So first, make the distinction between personal and professional social media networks. Facebook and Myspace are for your entertainment with your friends so set it to a private profile. If you use twitter, decide if you would like to use it in a professional manner or for personal entertainment and set it up accordingly. Your goal is to make sure you present yourself in a manner so as to gain respect from everyone.
When addressing prospective employers and companies there are hundreds of other applicants, so it is important to set yourself apart and make sure you take the time to develop a professional presence online. Companies aren't hiring a resume or an email, they are hiring you. Show them who you really are!
Here are your internet communication tips:
- Regardless of the emails you receive, maintain a professional attitude with the person you are mailing! (No "Hey Dude" emails).
- Never (and I mean NEVER) use texting abbreviations when you are emailing someone important.
- Capitalize the correct information (this is my big faux pas!).
- Read and re-read. There shouldn't be any errors in your letter. Send it to a friend for a fresh pair of eyes!
- Respond to emails within 24 – 48 hours. Negligence in this area conveys a negative message.
A job isn't going to just find you- you need to be proactive! So, don't forget your 'netiquette' when you start talking with prospective employers! Always remember to make the best impression you can with words, your emailing style creates an image, make it a good one!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Meet Briana: CSULB Campus Ambassador
Hello world, or at least our fans. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Briana Ford, with numerous amounts of aliases (let's stick with Briana for now). I'm an incoming sophomore at California State University Long Beach. I'm a pre-marketing major, considering a public relations minor, and also the new intern / CSULB Campus Ambassador for The Rainmaker Network!
I found this great opportunity through the infamous Twitter (be careful who you follow; it just may change your life). Long Beach Breaking News tweeted about a Marketing/PR internship opportunity through CSULB and it directed me to a CraigsList post. After reading everything the position would include, I was immediately interested. First I needed to know exactly who were these people who I would be working with. I looked up The Rainmaker Network and wished I had stumbled upon them before hand, but was nevertheless excited.
Long story short, I got the internship, which is how I'm writing to you all today. It's only my first week but I'm already in love with the job. I was interested not only because it's right up my alley as far as marketing and PR, but because they're mission is to connect students with companies. It's funny because this is what I've been doing already. Although I'm not quite a sophomore yet, The Rainmaker Network is actually my 4th internship that I've accepted (I've been offered more but turned them down because there's only 24 hours in a day and only 1 me). My friends have been asking me to help them acquire internships as well, but I didn't want to limit my expertise to only my friends.
In these times, I think college students should not only be required to intern before they graduate, but intern often. There's so much competition out there, and you should always look for ways to stand out above the crowd (even if you gotta shout out loud). Interning not only gives you work experience to put on your resume and keep with you forever, it gives you a preview of what you want to pursue as a career, which is definitely important. After my first internship with Mint Julep Social Events, I knew I wanted to stick with event coordination in my future. It also gave me hands on experience coordinating events, handling event production, vendor relations, and what to expect with clients.
Not all internships work out unfortunately. Some companies have extremely high demands and are not exactly considerate of your schedule (school or personal). It's always good to research the company before signing your life away to be their non-paid slave (or indentured servant) for the next few months. Familiarize yourself with company policy and make sure their ideals are aligned with yours. It's always important to be comfortable at your place of work, whether you're being paid or not.
Never choose internships based on if they pay or not. Many internships that are not paid pay off in different ways like lifelong connections and networking opportunities. Although everyone needs extra cash here and there, don't dismiss an opportunity because they have no monetary value; you could be missing out on a chance of a lifetime.
I think I've rambled on long enough and I'm pretty sure you know nothing much about me besides I'm a workaholic student. We'll be able to elaborate more on me later, for this is only the beginning. I'm really excited to be part of the Rainmaker Network. Although my internship is set for 6 months, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be looking forward to trying to keep my foot in this door.
Labels:
career development,
college,
CSULB,
event coordinator,
internship,
marketing,
public relations,
Rainmaker Network,
student
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