My boyfriend is one of many who sneer at Twitter. In a discussion we had months ago, he referenced the phrase "fail whale." I gave him a blank look. As he usually does when I'm dumbfounded, he gestured emphatically and pronounced shock at my ignorance.
I figure, the man's a genius--so what if he's a little cocky. It's not like he's wrong...
In any case, I was pondering my Twitter use today. I signed up for it several years ago on a whim. My roommate at the time told me he had signed up so he could follow a singer he was attracted to. The thought occurred to me I could do the same.
I've never been one to follow celebrities and gossip, but if I can access everything with a couple clicks, why not?
Naturally, I never actually used the account. I wanted to follow some of my favorite actors and find out what kind of people they are. (Which is something I have done. Turns out Ian Somerholder, one of the stars of Vampire Diaries, is a major environmentalist. Awesome.)
Instead of diving into Twitter myself, I waited until I completely forgot about it. One ordinary day in my Eng213 class, I was inspired to sign up for Twitter because it would connect me to the world--a relationship that can go both ways." The thought intrigued me, so I dove. A few clicks later I found I already had an account.
It's almost exactly a year later. Now that I'm not using Twitter to commune with my classmates and makes jokes with our prof during class, I use it to read.
--I should make the side note that the professor who inspired me to get involved in Twitter and many other great ventures is Dr. Brian McNely. He's one of the best teachers I've had.--
Here's where I tie the whole Twitter thing to my post-college life** lol
Follow the news. It's a practice that can keep anyone, particularly young people like myself, several paces ahead of everyone else. Don't just follow YokoOno or DalaiLama. Follow NewYorkTimes and pitchforkmedia, HuggingtonPost and eonline. Vary your information between philosophical, current events and gossip. Keeping fingers in many pools allows you to swim gracefully in many waters.
While people like my boyfriend (gotta love him) are sneering at Twitter, I am filling myself with information to give like shiny red apples on a tree. Information is "food for thought" and information that is both thought-provoking and humorous sticks like "white on rice." lol
Keeping yourself informed and full of information is a great way to prepare for conversation. Conversation after all is the best way to land a job. Others call it networking, which is a negative term connoting opportunism.
Conversations on the other hand happen everywhere at every time. Start talking to the guy next to you on the bus about his newspaper article. From following Spinuzzi, you could talk about Spinuzzi's running commentary on his morning bus route. There** the plunge and you've made an acquaintance.
I find this technique works best in tense situations such as silent elevators. The first one to break the silence and rouse interest is the winner. Be that one. I do this a lot when I'm working with guests at the store. Women shopping for clothes usually feel uncomfortable and frustrated; their self-esteem starts to drop. I distract them one crumb at a time. Fashion--> Designing for Plus Size--> Studies about obesity--> my project on obesity in the media--> I'm [FULL NAME], a recent graduate with a BA in Creative Writing and a minor in Professional Writing--> Tough job market--[move through sale]-->
"It's been a pleasure working with you today."
"Thank you so much! You've made my day."
"That's great to hear, [her name]. Please come back and visit me." [find a chance to re-state your full name]
This isn't plain opportunism, which connotes purelly selfish desires. Women do this with me every day and I'm flattered they think I might be helpful some day. The one thing I have learned from them is to STATE MY FULL NAME. Business professionals do not go by cute nicknames that end with -ie. Carrying a business card is another great way to remind people of you.
I'm reading the news and shaking hands, giving my name and getting hers, telling the tales that make everyone laugh. Humor sticks.
I figure, the man's a genius--so what if he's a little cocky. It's not like he's wrong...
In any case, I was pondering my Twitter use today. I signed up for it several years ago on a whim. My roommate at the time told me he had signed up so he could follow a singer he was attracted to. The thought occurred to me I could do the same.
I've never been one to follow celebrities and gossip, but if I can access everything with a couple clicks, why not?
Naturally, I never actually used the account. I wanted to follow some of my favorite actors and find out what kind of people they are. (Which is something I have done. Turns out Ian Somerholder, one of the stars of Vampire Diaries, is a major environmentalist. Awesome.)
Instead of diving into Twitter myself, I waited until I completely forgot about it. One ordinary day in my Eng213 class, I was inspired to sign up for Twitter because it would connect me to the world--a relationship that can go both ways." The thought intrigued me, so I dove. A few clicks later I found I already had an account.
It's almost exactly a year later. Now that I'm not using Twitter to commune with my classmates and makes jokes with our prof during class, I use it to read.
--I should make the side note that the professor who inspired me to get involved in Twitter and many other great ventures is Dr. Brian McNely. He's one of the best teachers I've had.--
Here's where I tie the whole Twitter thing to my post-college life** lol
Follow the news. It's a practice that can keep anyone, particularly young people like myself, several paces ahead of everyone else. Don't just follow YokoOno or DalaiLama. Follow NewYorkTimes and pitchforkmedia, HuggingtonPost and eonline. Vary your information between philosophical, current events and gossip. Keeping fingers in many pools allows you to swim gracefully in many waters.
While people like my boyfriend (gotta love him) are sneering at Twitter, I am filling myself with information to give like shiny red apples on a tree. Information is "food for thought" and information that is both thought-provoking and humorous sticks like "white on rice." lol
Keeping yourself informed and full of information is a great way to prepare for conversation. Conversation after all is the best way to land a job. Others call it networking, which is a negative term connoting opportunism.
Conversations on the other hand happen everywhere at every time. Start talking to the guy next to you on the bus about his newspaper article. From following Spinuzzi, you could talk about Spinuzzi's running commentary on his morning bus route. There** the plunge and you've made an acquaintance.
I find this technique works best in tense situations such as silent elevators. The first one to break the silence and rouse interest is the winner. Be that one. I do this a lot when I'm working with guests at the store. Women shopping for clothes usually feel uncomfortable and frustrated; their self-esteem starts to drop. I distract them one crumb at a time. Fashion--> Designing for Plus Size--> Studies about obesity--> my project on obesity in the media--> I'm [FULL NAME], a recent graduate with a BA in Creative Writing and a minor in Professional Writing--> Tough job market--[move through sale]-->
"It's been a pleasure working with you today."
"Thank you so much! You've made my day."
"That's great to hear, [her name]. Please come back and visit me." [find a chance to re-state your full name]
This isn't plain opportunism, which connotes purelly selfish desires. Women do this with me every day and I'm flattered they think I might be helpful some day. The one thing I have learned from them is to STATE MY FULL NAME. Business professionals do not go by cute nicknames that end with -ie. Carrying a business card is another great way to remind people of you.
I'm reading the news and shaking hands, giving my name and getting hers, telling the tales that make everyone laugh. Humor sticks.
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