Christmas Season

December has finally arrived, which means Christmas is coming.  Christmas is probably one of my favorite holidays.  It is one holiday where a majority of people celebrate and decorate their homes.  At my house, we have a Christmas tree along with a train surrounding it.  We put up a few decorations throughout our living room including a manger scene in the front window.

One thing I really enjoy about the holiday decorating is the light displays.  Many people decorate their houses and many parks put up a display.  Every year my family walks through a path decorated in a variety of lights.  Organizations can enter their individual display into a contest for the chance to win a prize when the competition is officially over.  It’s always interesting to see the creativity and time put into the unique displays. 

With Christmas coming, finals are approaching and the semester will be ending.  I am excited to finish the semester and spend a little time with family.  Christmas is a great time to catch up with family and friends while enjoying the holiday atmosphere.  In addition, I love the Christmas cookies that only get baked once a year.  Overall, I love the various aspects of the holiday season and cannot wait to be home again for Christmas.

Facebook Improves Again

Facebook is continually looking for ways to keep the user happy and using the social media tool.  In this technological age, people want to engage in real-time.  Facebook is adopting this strategy by introducing live videos.  These live videos allow people to see what you are doing in the current moment.  Users can now show instantaneously what they are doing in their life.  For instance, users can stream the places they visit or simply share their thoughts with their friends. 

Currently, this is being introduced slowly though iPhone users specifically in the United States.  While broadcasting, the number of live viewers will be displayed along with the names of your friends.  In addition, you can subscribe and get alerts when the next broadcast goes live.  I am looking forward to seeing this new addition to Facebook.  I think it will resemble Snapchat to an extent, but will allow videos to be longer and kept.  In addition, the videos are live and allow you to feel like you are in the moment experiencing everything with your friend.

Facebook is also adding a new collage feature.  You can use the photos you take and create a scrolling, moving collage.  By utilizing this new update, people will be able to put together a story of their adventure.  Overall, I want to see how this change impacts how people post pictures to Facebook.  With this new feature, people will be able to understand and follow the journey of their friends.  Facebook is continually trying to keep up with changing society.  I am looking forward to seeing these improvements in the future on my individual feed.

Books Completed

Throughout my social media class at Ohio Northern University, I have read a few books.  Each book looked at the various aspects of social media and the importance of utilizing this tool.  Social media is a growing topic and is becoming very prevalent in society today.  After looking at the books we utilized for class, “Real-Time Marketing & PR” by David Meerman Scott was probably my favorite.

While reading this book, you learn the importance of using social media in real-time.  People are constantly using technology so it’s imperative to respond with speed and accuracy.  This book gives great examples to illustrate this point like the incident with United Airlines.  Because of the examples given, I was able to understand the concepts and make connections throughout reading. 

Many textbooks I use for college are simply a reference guide due to the complexity of the language.  However, this book is easy to follow and gives practical advice for anyone wanting to utilize social media.  Graphics are used when applicable which also led to a fast and easy read.  Overall, I enjoyed this book the best.  It gives great insight into the social media world and the importance of speed and accuracy in this technological age.

Thanksgiving Break

This past week was Thanksgiving break for a majority of college students.  Luckily, Ohio Northern University gives us the entire week off compared to a few days like other colleges.  My week was relaxing and uneventful, which is just how I like it.  I was able to sleep in multiple days without having to get up for morning classes.  When the opportunity to sleep in presents itself, I definitely take advantage because as a college student you are always tired.

The majority of the week I spent working at Giant Eagle.  The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year and it can get pretty hectic really fast while working.  Thankfully, I worked with my favorite coordinator and was able to see many of my co-worker friends.  Seeing these people made the long hours not too terrible.  I also spent a great deal of time watching Netflix and hanging out with my family and friends.  On the last day of break, my friends and I spent a little bit of time at Sky Zone relaxing and having fun.

Additionally, I found out my rotation location for my next set of pharmacy intern hours.  I completed my preference rankings at the beginning of the semester so finally getting my next location was exciting.  I already have my schedule and will be completing my hours over the next break from college.  I am looking forward to learning new things and gaining some hospital pharmacy experience.  Overall, break was successful and relaxing but now it is time to finish the semester off strong. 

Measuring in Higher Education

As I finish “Measure What Matters” by Katie Paine, the challenges of measuring in higher education was discussed.  Universities must measure appropriately in order to make changes to attract new students to the institution.  Without the proper use of social media tools, prospective students may not know what the college has to offer.  By having a measuring system in place, universities can gauge the effectiveness of its efforts.

When conducting research, there are many challenging elements.  First off, you are dealing with many experts.  You are working with professors who perform research on a daily basis.  Because of this, they take numbers very seriously and aren’t afraid to challenge the information presented.  In addition, statistics are known by a variety of members of the university.  They don’t need to take the extra time to look up the facts because they have them memorized.  These types of people can range from professors to even the university president.

A final challenge when evaluating information for a measuring program is the audience that will be addressed.  You aren’t dealing with one specific group of individuals.  Instead the students, faculty, parents and staff will need to be included as part of the audience.  This poses a challenge because it’s hard to please every individual while listening to their various needs.  Overall, measuring in higher education is needed but not without overcoming challenges in the process. 

Week in Review

This week was once again hectic and crazy at Ohio Northern University. First, Kappa Epsilon (KE) inducted their potential new member class.  I have been involved with KE since freshman year and love the numerous experiences with my sisters.  With the incoming class, I am looking forward to getting to know the new sisters and sharing my experiences and advice with them.

In addition, it was very busy with projects and exams.  Thankfully, I completed everything on time and studied for my exams.  With the end of this week completed, it means it is time for the needed break.  After driving a few hours on Friday night, I was finally home ready for a relaxing week.

Sitting at home on my couch while watching Ohio State football was the perfect way to be spending my Saturday evening.  It has been a long time since I have been able to watch the games without doing homework simultaneously.  It is nice not being overly stressed with classes and homework for once.  I still have things I need to complete, but I have a longer time period to complete the assignments.  Overall, I am looking forward to this week at home and enjoying the holiday with my family.

New Facebook Tool

Facebook is once again testing a new tool to improve the social media site.  This new feature deals with relationships, especially when changing your specific status.  Currently, many people use Facebook in order to show the relationship is official.  Once a relationship is official, people will be able to comment and like the post. 

A major problem and concern for people is when their relationship status changes due to an old relationship ending a new one forming.  Individuals don’t want to see their feed full of their former partner’s name with their posts and pictures.  With this new tool, a person can achieve this without having to block or unfollow their past partner.  There a variety of settings to choose from including limiting the photos and status updates the past partner will be able to see.

Overall, I am looking forward to seeing how this new tool is used throughout the Facebook community.  Currently, these tools are being tested in the United States on mobile devices.  Based on the feedback from users, Facebook will continue to tweak and improve the tool.  This tool is an optional feature with the goal of giving individuals a sense of control over their relationships.  

Communities

As I continue to read Measure What Matters by Katie Paine, the importance of a community was discussed.  When I think about the word community, I see it as individuals in my area where I have close contact on a regular basis.  I have my work, college and pharmacy communities.  When looking at a business, a community may include stakeholders and most importantly the customers.  In addition, one has to consider governmental agencies and other parts of the community where a relationship can be established.

Typically, businesses will focus on the key members of its community.  However, they often forget about the other pieces of the public who are influential in a business.  Sometimes it takes a problem, like a protest towards a product, to raise awareness to the other components of the community.  Areas associated with a company expect some type of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to be in place in order to be considered part of that specific community.  This typically can be accomplished through community outreach programs and other events. 

Overall, it is imperative for businesses to establish relationships with the community and communicate when appropriate.  If members of a community can’t easily contact you, then they may turn to social media to express their frustration.  It only takes one post to hurt a company image quickly.  By establishing and maintaining a relationship, a business can thrive in a variety of settings.  

White Coat Ceremony

Today was the official White Coat Ceremony at Ohio Northern University (ONU) for the third year pharmacy majors.  This ceremony is where the P3 class comes together to commit to the profession of pharmacy.  We receive our white coats and take a pledge of professionalism during this time. 

The day begins with a breakfast with the students and their mentors. I did not have a mentor in mind for the ceremony, so ONU matched me with an alumni for the day.  Breakfast was a great time to talk to your mentor and hear them talk about their journey in the profession.  After breakfast, it was time for the ceremony.  During the ceremony, speeches were made and each student was called to the stage.  Once on stage, your mentor placed the white coat on you.  After the ceremony, it was time to spend the day celebrating with family and friends.

In addition, reaching this point in my education is a milestone.  The white coat symbolizes the professional phase of my education beginning at ONU.  I am almost halfway done with my doctorate degree and on my way to becoming a pharmacist.  Overall, I am looking forward to practicing in a growing profession and seeing where the future takes me.

Cup Controversy

Unless you have been living under a rock lately, you have seen and read about the news regarding Starbucks.  I am constantly seeing my Twitter and Facebook pages filled with posts and comments regarding the change of the holiday cups.  This year, Starbucks decided to use a red cup with only its logo on the side.  There are no snowflakes or snowmen, it’s simple.  Some individuals are saying the change in cup design is attacking the religion of Christianity.  In my opinion, that is just crazy.

Personally, I don’t see a problem with the red cups.  They are red, which fits into the Christmas season.  In addition, you just throw the cup away after you finish the coffee.  The previous cups weren’t really collectible and not much use once the day was over.  I find it amazing people are boycotting the company because of this little change.  It doesn’t change the taste of the coffee and it still has the holiday feeling.

Overall, the change in the design of the cup at Starbucks will not change my routine.  When I am at home, I typically stop by Starbucks on my way to work.  The employees are always friendly, and I love having my daily dose of coffee.  In addition, I am ready for the cup controversy to end.  It is a minor change to the holiday cups.

Ready to Relax

Well, I have hit the point in the semester where my list always gets longer but never seems to shorten.  Group projects, papers and exams are in full swing.  I don’t think I have one easy week the rest of the semester.  With two major exams this week and a project coming due, life is very stressful.  I am constantly looking at my calendar to see how much longer until Thanksgiving break.

Break can’t come soon enough.  Yes, I will be working at Giant Eagle during the week.  It’ll be good to work for a few days so I can catch up with my co-workers.  In addition, I am ready to spend some time in my own house surrounded by family and friends.  I want to be able to sleep in my own bed and pet my two kitties.  Also, I look forward to Black Friday shopping.  I have gone shopping on Black Friday for many years with my dad and will continue the tradition again this year.  I’m not sure what we are looking for quite yet, but I enjoy the crazy and hectic experience.

Overall, I think most college students are ready for a break no matter their major.  We need that time with our family before dreaded finals begin.  Even though this semester is not going quite how I planned, I have some great friends and family who have helped me through the rough patches.  I just have to remember to take one day at a time.  Thanksgiving break will be here very soon.

Sports and Social Media

Social media has become a huge platform when looking for news and updates on sporting events.  Twitter is a great place to find updates to games, as well as breaking news in the sports world.  Recently, NBA basketball has begun.  There are too many teams to try to follow if you are a true basketball fan. What teams are playing well?  What players are breaking records?  You can typically find these answers on your Twitter timeline.

One Twitter account that does a great job is SportsCenter.  I follow SportsCenter in order to get quick facts about what is going on in the numerous games.  I get a quick synopsis of who won the major games, what players are injured and other news relating to the variety of sports.  I have always grown up watching sports, especially the Cleveland Cavaliers.  With this account, I am able to stay current on everything in sports while having a busy college schedule.

Personally, I think the Twitter account is very clean and organized.  The information posted is to the point and gives the basic information you need.  In addition, there is typically a picture with a comment to help you put a name with a face if talking about a specific player or team.  What I really like is you get the news you desire without having to dig for the information.  If something greatly interests me, then I have the option to look up more information through the Internet.  Overall, there is a great deal of information regarding sports.  By following social media accounts, one can follow the news revolving around the various sports and teams.  

Engagement

As I continue to read Measure What Matters by Katie Paine, the idea of engagement has been brought up in numerous occasions.  Engagement can have many definitions while taking into account a variety of components.  For example, engagement can mean the number of retweets of a Twitter account, the number of comments on a blog or the number of times the site is actually visited.

Katie Paine explains there are different levels and intensities of engagement.  These include lurking, casual, active, committed and loyalist.  In my opinion, many consumers fall within the first two categories.  I definitely fall under the category of lurker.  When utilizing Facebook, I may like the specific page of a business.   I may have heard good things about the company or are interested in what the company has to offer.  By doing this, a relationship has been formed.  However, with this relationship I have no commitment or loyalty to the company or brand.

Another category that I fall into is casual engagement.  Many people partake in this category by following an account on Twitter or subscribing to a blog.  An individual has passed the lurking stage and is interested in the brand.  Again, no further expectation is involved.  The downfall with this stage is most relationships end here.  I am guilty of this habit.  I follow an account on Twitter but don’t do anything past reading the occasional tweets.  I become passive in my engagement which ends the relationship.  Overall, engagement is a hot topic in social media.  In order to properly measure engagement, one must understand the various types and levels.  By gaining this understanding, a business can implement a strong social media strategy.  

Barrett Suspended

Twitter has become a tool that allows individuals to get breaking news fast.  Many times I get this information straight from my phone.  This past weekend, I was scrolling through my Twitter timeline in the morning.  I read that J.T Barrett was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.  For those who are not college football fans, Barrett is a quarterback for The Ohio State University (OSU) and recently was given the starting position.  Because of the arrest, Barrett will be suspended for the next game.

I was not expecting to read this news when I woke up in the morning, especially on Twitter.  It was Halloween weekend and the Buckeyes had a bye week.  This means that the team probably had extra free time to enjoy the holiday since they weren’t forced to travel or play in a game.  Every college student needs that time to relax and enjoy life.  Relaxation can range from staying in and watching a movie to going out and partying.

Personally, I think Barrett should have been a little more careful while enjoying his night.  He chose to go out and enjoy the night.  There is nothing wrong with this, but it’s the choices that were made that are the problem.  There had to be people willing to give him a ride back to his intended location.  On top of getting pulled over, he legally shouldn’t be drinking.  This does not set a good example for kids who look up to college athletes.  Coach Urban Myer gave him the chance of starting quarterback in the game last week.  Barrett executed well, but he will not receive this opportunity in the upcoming game.  Yes, everyone makes mistakes.  However, we sometimes need to think about the outcomes of our decisions.  Even though it is only one game, the suspension impacts Barrett, the OSU football team and the loyal fans.  Overall, OSU fans were not expecting to find out about the arrest and suspension of J.T. Barrett when waking up Saturday morning.  

Creating a Video

Once again for my social media class I am trying something a little different.  I had filmed videos before but never really took part in the editing process.  For a project, we had to create a short how to video.  The topic of the video was pretty much open to interpretation, which was really nice.

I decided to create a video on how to feed the ducks on the campus of Ohio Northern University.  Feeding the ducks is an activity that I really enjoy.  Some people don’t think about this simple activity, but I always find myself over by the pond.  In addition, the video had to be around a minute so I wanted to stay away from topics that were complicated.  Before the filming of the video took place, I wrote an outline of the script and tried to figure out the best way to shoot the various scenes.  It was a gorgeous day in Ada, so I chose to shoot every scene outside and enjoy the fall day.  I ended up being the focus of the video, so my roommate helped to shoot a few scenes and added a little commentary.  For the most part, I was able to shoot many scenes and add them to the appropriate parts of the video.

Once I had all the video clips and photos that I needed, it was time to sit down and edit the video.  This was definitely a new process for me.  I used the iMovie app to help piece together the video clips.  It actually wasn’t too difficult. After spending a few minutes playing on the app, I found it fairly simple to use and navigate.  I was able to create a fairly smooth video without much difficulty.  I think the hardest part was getting it uploaded to YouTube.  I couldn’t figure out why the upload kept failing, but after a little googling I found the source of my problem.  I eventually got the video uploaded successfully.  Feel free to take a look at my YouTube video and leave any comments below.  Overall, creating and editing the video was not as hard as I thought it would be and I ended up enjoyed this small project.  

Measurement

The next book we have started reading in class is Measure What Matters by Katie Paine.  This book focuses on using measurement as a tool to help a business grow and flourish.  There are a variety of guidelines and steps needed in order to properly execute this process. 

Measurable is a word that has numerous elements associated with it.  First, the campaign needs to have goals and objectives that can actually be measured.  These goals should have a final outcome that should and can be reached.  In addition, a deadline or date needs to be set in order for a timetable to be established.  Personally, I think a date is great because it helps to visualize the specific plan and possible help motivate change.  If able, establishing a budget and target audience will allow an individual to measure progress more effectively.  All these elements will allow the goals and objectives of a campaign to be properly measured. 

When creating goals and objectives, it is important to not have mixed objectives.  An example given in the book deals with target audience.  If you don’t specifically say the target audience, like seniors or children, then it will be hard to measure the outcome of the goal effectively.  In order to avoid this problem, one should create a separate objective for each specific audience or population.  Overall, creating goals and objectives can be very difficult but are important in order to properly measure a campaign.

Happy Halloween

Halloween is a holiday that many people enjoy.  People dress up in costumes, attend haunted houses and other festivities.  It is a time where children can dress up and collect candy in their neighborhoods from various houses.  Personally, I don’t really like Halloween.  I don’t enjoy being frightened at haunted houses and don’t really like to dress up.  Even though I don’t like the holiday, I still enjoy seeing the children get excited and have fun. 

This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to help with the Halloween party at the Ada Public Library.  A group of sisters from Kappa Epsilon volunteered to help the librarians run the event. At the library, there was pizza, snacks, a haunted hallway and a costume contest.  It was a great location for parents and kids to get warm between houses since it was a very chilly and windy night.  The haunted hallway included a variety of things for kids to touch including guts and hearts.  They weren’t actually guts, but the librarians used food to simulate the feeling.  Many of the kids were grossed out by what they touched.

Overall, the kids and parents had a fantastic time at the library.  They were smiling and really enjoyed the night.  In addition, I had a great time seeing the children.  During one point of the evening, a little girl climbed on my chair and sat on my lap for a little bit.   I had made a friend with Minnie Mouse for the evening.  Even though I don’t really like the holiday of Halloween, I still enjoy seeing the kids get excited for the festivities of the day.

KIND Campaign

Ohio Northern University (ONU) is participating in the KIND campaign.  A public relations (PR) group at ONU is in charge of promoting the brand, as well as creating activities to bring more awareness to the various products.  If you don’t know, KIND is a brand of snacks that are wholesome and delicious.  They are made from gluten free ingredients and are a healthy option when choosing a snack.  It is important to keep in mind that ONU is a college campus with busy college students.  We don’t always choose the healthiest snack because of our hectic schedules and time commitments.  With KIND, it is easy to grab the snack when you are leaving for class and put it in your bag for later consumption.

The PR group at ONU has been holding a variety of events and presentations in order to bring awareness to KIND.  They have talked to numerous teams including football and cross country.  At these presentations, the PR group talks about the healthy options available and shares fun facts about being healthy.  In addition, a selfie contest has begun throughout campus.  You need to take a selfie with a KIND product and post it to twitter using the hashtag of #KINDbears.  In addition, you need to tag @KINDsnacks in your post in order to be eligible to win.  The random winner of this contest will win a gift certificate to the ONU bookstore. 

Overall, the mission of the KIND brand is to bring awareness to the characteristic of kindness into the minds of people.  The brand wants people to remember to bring kindness to others and look for ways to spread it throughout the day.  So if you attend ONU, look out for more KIND presentations and information about KIND.  In addition, if you are looking to try something healthy and different for an easy snack then try a KIND bar.

Fall Weekends

Fall is officially in full swing.  The leaves are changing colors and the temperature is getting cooler.  This weekend definitely fell within this category.  It was chilly and cloudy, which is the perfect weather to curl up in your bed and watch some Netflix.  I accomplished this activity while taking breaks between doing my homework and studying.  Also, it was Harry Potter weekend on television.  This is one of my favorite marathons because I never get tired of watching Harry Potter even though I have seen every movie numerous times. 

Also, this weekend I was able to finally attend an Ohio Northern University (ONU) football game.  One of my friends and I normally try to attend the home games.  Because of our busy schedules this semester, we have not been able to root on the polar bears lately.   It was a chilly game, but not terribly cold since the sun made an appearance for parts of the game.  ONU played Capital and ended up winning the game that was dedicated to bringing awareness to breast cancer.  Players and fans added pink to their clothes and jerseys in order to support and bring awareness to breast cancer.  I love watching football with people who also understand the game.  It is a fun and relaxing atmosphere for everyone involved.

Overall, fall is one of my favorite times of the year.  The weather is cool and the leaves are gorgeous.  Also, it is not fall without some football games and late movie nights.  I have to take advantage of being outside because the weather will become bitter real soon.  I am not ready for the snow and cold to come, but it is all part of living in Ohio.  

Storytelling

Share This brings up a topic relating to the importance of storytelling in a campaign.  When working in public relations, it is important to learn how to tell a story.  People don’t want to simply read the facts about a product or business because that is boring.  Let’s face it, people want to be engaged and excited about what you’re promoting.  Consumers want to learn about the brand and what they stand for as a business. 

Storytelling can be difficult if you don’t practice and develop the skills necessary to be great.  Developing this skill takes a large amount of time.  In order to be a great storyteller, it is imperative to gain knowledge about the subject matter.  This requires research of the product and business to develop an understanding of the brand that is being promoted.  Also, information about the customer is important in order to understand the demographic you want to reach through advertising and marketing.

Because the use of social media is growing, professionals will want to use the public to aid in their storytelling technique.  By using the public and their experiences, one can make the story real for individuals.  Everyone enjoys a good fairy tale, but they also want the necessary information about the brand.  People will be able to relate to information if they see a connection of the product to an actual consumer.  Because of this, it makes it real and understandable.  Consumers like the truth about a product and don’t want to be given irrelevant or false information.  In this technological age, everyone has the power to look up facts and information.  By being truthful and engaging in an advertisement, a consumer is more likely to buy into a specific product.   

Try KIND

If you have a hectic life and are always on the run, then you value a quick and delicious snack.  For me, a snack is essential in order to get through my busy day of classes and meetings when I don’t have the time to sit down and eat lunch.  Typically, I grab a granola bar or an unhealthy option because it fits easily into my bag.  Next time you go shopping and are thinking about what to purchase, consider buying a box of KIND bars. 

KIND is a brand that incorporates ingredients that are healthy for you.  KIND bars are non GMO and gluten free.  In addition, you can actually pronounce the ingredients.  In my opinion, that is pretty impressive.  Many times the ingredient list seems exhaustive.  Usually, I don’t even know the purpose of the ingredients or if they are actually healthy or not.  Some of my friends purchase KIND bars because of this fact.  They say they are delicious and a great alternative to an unhealthy option. 

With the KIND brand, there are numerous options including breakfast bars, savory snacks and granola bars.  If you don’t like a bland snack like some granola bars, there are options like peanut butter berry and caramel macchiato.  At Ohio Northern University, a KIND campaign has recently been started by PRSSA to bring awareness to this product.  College students have a demanding schedule, and we often don’t think about what is actually in our snacks.  One thing that was recently done to promote KIND is a survey that went to all students.  It asked questions about how well you know the KIND brand.  Through this, it gave information about the KIND bars to the students showing that healthy options are available.  Personally, I did not realize what the KIND brand incorporated.  I thought it was just another granola bar.  However, I now realize that it is much more than that and will probably buy a box of KIND bars in the future.

Volleyball Podcasting

Once again I am trying something new for a class assignment.  This time it is a short podcast regarding any topic of my choosing.  A podcast is an audio recording that people can listen to online.  An RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed is typically burned so people can listen to the episode most recently posted. 

For this project, I decided to focus on volleyball and the impact it has had on my life.  Volleyball has played a large role in the life of my family for numerous years.  During grade school and high school, I played competitively at numerous positions on the court.  Even though I enjoy playing the sport, I also like to pass on the knowledge to upcoming players.  This is where coaching came into the future for my family.  My parents and I completed our certifications for coaching and had a great time with the girls.  I had a short interview with my dad and coach regarding the experience.  Below are the questions that were phrased, as well as a short synopsis of the answers. 

So, what made you want to coach a group of girls from the 4^th-grade until 8^th-grade level?

Well, he had coached volleyball with my team previously and enjoyed the experience.  Having numerous coaches would allow the fundamentals of volleyball to be taught.

What was the most frustrating part of coaching girls at a fairly young age?

The most frustrating part would have to be when you try to correct a mistake or give constructive criticism.  He talked on how the players sometimes forgot that they were still learning and needed to be open to trying new things. 

On the flip side, what was your favorite part of coaching?

He loved coaching the sport.  Practices were fun because he could interact with the players, while watching them have fun.  In addition, the team was undefeated for numerous seasons and won many tournament trophies. 

You said the team was fairly successful, so what is the key to this success?

In order to be successful, you need to be very patient with the players.  Each one is unique and you have to learn the habits and personality of each individual player.  In addition, organization is needed to have a successful team.  For instance, you need to have a small outline of what drills you want to try in practice so the time flows appropriately.  Also, paperwork should be filled out ahead of time.  By filling it our ahead of time, you can eliminate that stress before a game and can focus on the warm ups and coaching the game that will be starting very soon. 

Finally, what is it like seeing some of the girls you coached, play at a competitive high school level?

He thoroughly enjoyed coaching volleyball.  Our family has always watched and supported volleyball, so to see them play and improve is a great feeling.  After many of the high school games, the players will come over and ask how they played.  This just shows that we impacted their career, and they value our opinion. 

Personally, I love coaching volleyball and miss the interactions with the girls.  They looked up to me and never hesitated to ask questions.  These girls are currently in high school, and I wish I had the opportunity to see them play more often.  Coaching with my parents was a great experience.  I learned a great deal of information about myself and the importance of working together and communicating.  Feel free to check out my Podcast for more detailed answers to the above questions, as well as my insight into coaching.  There is a link on the side of my blog as well.  Let me know what you think!

A Much Needed Break

Fall break is the perfect opportunity for college students to take a few days off and try to relax.  You have probably just finished midterms and completed numerous assignments.  Late night studying and stressing out has seem to become the normal routine.  Even when life gets hectic, it is important to take a breath and try to relax.  This is where fall break plays a pivotal role in order to rejuvenate and try to find that motivation to continue the semester strong.

For me, fall break is about catching up with family and friends.  I don’t have to get up early in the morning and can watch an episode of Netflix without that guilty feeling.  Even though it should be a relaxing weekend, that doesn’t mean I can forget about college completely.  Depending on your major, you may have assignments due shortly after the break ends.  Sadly, this is the case for me.  Coming back from break I have a project due and a huge exam.  In addition, the Wednesday I get back is packed full of events until the late evening.  So even though I get to enjoy the perks of being home, I can’t become too lazy and complacent.

It is always hard trying to find that balance between college and a social life.  If you manage to find that balance, I would say you have a decent grasp on your life.  I constantly have to remind myself to take a breath and find a moment to relax.  Often, I get too caught up in the next exam and assignment and forget to take a little personal time.  This is the goal of fall break, trying to relax while attempting to not fall behind on coursework.  Overall, fall break is meant to give you a few days away from campus to take a break.  When I do return to Ohio Northern University after a few days, I hope to have found some motivation while feeling ready to dominate the last half of the semester.  

Live Tweeting

Twitter is a great tool that allows people to follow what is happening, especially through hashtags.  For a class assignment at Ohio Northern University (ONU), I had to live tweet an event.  I am not an avid user of Twitter or have ever live tweeted before.  So this was going to be a new experience.  The event I live tweeted was the ONU PRSSA meeting.  PRSSA stands for Public Relations Student Society of America.  For me, it was sometimes hard to keep the tweet under the 140 character limit.  In addition, I used the hashtag of #onuprssa in every tweet so people could follow the meeting if they wished.  Hashtags are a great way to express what is happening at an event to people who could not attend.  This meeting featured Mary Lendzion, who is director of Media Relations at Summit Motorsports Park.  You can check out my Storify for a recap of the meeting.

ONU PRSSA utilizes Facebook and Twitter to keep members and others interested involved.  First, let’s look at the Facebook page.  There was only a tweet relating to the meeting held on Tuesday.  It was a thank you to the speaker for taking the time to present.  In the month of October, there are not too many posts but the month recently began.  In previous months, the meeting date and time seemed to be publicized through this channel.  In addition, the design of this page is really user friendly.  Overall, I think the Facebook page could be utilized a little bit more in the future.  Upcoming regional and national events could be posted there for members to view and like.  In addition, I think Facebook would be a great place for meeting minutes if someone was to miss the meeting and announcements.  The members of PRSSA all probably use Facebook to engage with one another.  By using Facebook more, members could share articles and other news to bring more awareness to their profession.

Twitter was utilized heavily during this meeting.  This makes sense because you can tweet the highlights and key points of the event very easily.  Numerous tweets with hashtags were posted regarding the presenter and what her job entails.  This was done in real-time allowing people who follow the account to keep up with the important aspects of the meeting.  The only thing missing from the Twitter account was a tweet promoting the meeting earlier in the week.  There was no promotional tweet talking about the date, time or speaker.  These details would have been nice so that followers could be reminded of the meeting and what to expect if they did attend.  Overall, the Facebook and Twitter sites for ONU PRSSA are being utilized very well.  I think slight improvements could be made to both in order to increase the effectiveness of the social media channels.  

Social Media and Public Affairs

As I finish reading Share This, the idea of using social media with public affairs was brought into light.  Social media is being integrated into public affairs more frequently than ever before.  The main reason for this is because people spend their free time on social media sites.  People are constantly checking Twitter and Facebook when they have a chance.  I am one of those people checking Facebook during my breaks between classes or when I need a quick study break.  It is a quick way to catch up on what is happening in the world, as well as my family and friends. 

In addition, social media allows relationships to be developed.  Higher engagement can be seen because people are always on these channels communicating in real-time.  This makes social media a preferred route of communication over traditional methods.  These traditional methods can be proven effective.  However, they can take a great deal of time and work to find the correct answers.  Journalists and policy makers can utilize social media as a source of information.  For instance, journalists can use posts from individuals to enhance their stories, whether it be pictures or quotes. 

Even though social media is a great tool, one must be ready for the comments and criticism that can be posted to the site.  For example, during public speeches people can tweet their views on the issue and criticize the official.  This can be seen during political campaigns and debates.  Individuals have the ability to look up information about the argument, and then post their findings.  When using social media in public affairs, it is imperative to be prepared for these circumstances and know how to respond.  Everyone has the right to an opinion, so one must be open to the criticism that can be received.  Social media is a great tool, but you must be prepared and open to whatever might get posted.  

Kappa Epsilon Recruitment

At Ohio Northern University, I am a sister of Kappa Epsilon.  Kappa Epsilon is a professional pharmacy fraternity that promotes women pharmacists.  We have numerous social and service events, including making breast cancer baskets and holiday parties.  In addition to our events, we participate in outreach opportunities that focus on women’s health.  Primarily, we focus on bringing awareness to breast and ovarian cancer. 

One thing I am involved with in Kappa Epsilon is the recruitment committee.  I talk to potential new members about Kappa Epsilon and what we encompass.  Since I am on this committee, I am required to attend the new member events and get to know the new sisters.  This past Tuesday we held a scavenger hunt and bonfire for the new members.  Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate and the bonfire was cancelled.  However, that did not stop us from having a great time.  The potential new members completed a scavenger hunt throughout the pharmacy building.  The clues were cleverly written and led to numerous locations throughout the building.  My team was the first to complete the scavenger hunt and return to the designated location.

After the scavenger hunt, sisters were invited to mingle with the potential new members.  It was great seeing the potential new members talk to current sisters.  This allowed the potential new members to meet more people and get a sense of the sisterhood.  Personally, I enjoy being a sister of Kappa Epsilon.  I love what we stand for and have fun attending the numerous events.  In addition, it is a great way to relax when life gets hectic.  Overall, the recruitment event was a success with everyone having fun and smiling.  I am looking forward to meeting and interacting with all the new sisters soon.    

Captivating an Audience

As I continue to read Share This, social media news releases were brought up.  Social media allows individuals to stay current on breaking news and other events happening in the world through the numerous channels.  Share This brought up elements that should be included in order to publish a successful release.  In order to be a good press release, it needs to be based on facts and have a well-targeted audience. 

After the content has been established, a headline is key in order to captivate the audience.  Personally, I think this is crucial to creating a good news release.  People will often skim the headlines before they decide which article to read.  If the headline isn’t short and captivating, it probably won’t get very much attention.  The headline should tell a story, as well as contain keywords that allow the article to be searched.

Another element that is critical in creating a successful news release is the introductory paragraph.  If done right, the audience should already be enticed based on the headline.  Because of this, you don’t want to let your audience down with the content.  The introductory paragraph should express the main message while answering key questions.  You don’t want the reader to get bored and stop reading.  By having a strong introductory paragraph, the audience will want to finish reading the release to learn all the details of the event.  I know if I am reading an article and get bored, then I typically will not continue reading the story.  By starting with a strong headline and introductory paragraph, the social media news release may get read in its entirety.  

Tragedy Strikes

This past week a tragedy struck the state of Oregon.  A shooter opened fire at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College.  Students and even teachers were shot and injured with some casualties.  Before the gunman shot, he would ask the victims if they were Christian.  Because of this, investigators believe that the shooter was targeting Christians specifically.

Tragedies can affect numerous people and communities.  It doesn’t matter if you know the victims personally or not.  Social media has been allowing individuals to take a stand and honor the victims of this traumatic event.  Because of this, a new hashtag on Twitter of #YesIAmAChristian has been trending.  People can include this hashtag to support the families who were affected, as well as stand by their specific faith.  When I saw this, I was slightly surprised.  I knew people looked to Twitter to stay updated on any incoming information, but I didn’t realize the impact it could have in providing support for anyone involved.  By tweeting with this hashtag, people can see that they are not alone in this situation and many are standing by to provide support.  I couldn’t imagine having to express my faith knowing consequences may ensue.  You never know the religious or personal background of the individuals you encounter.

Personally, I couldn’t imagine being at that Oregon college during the shooting.  I would be scared, upset, and nervous not knowing the status of my life.  Because of this, I am so grateful for the life I do have.  Those students had no idea what was going to happen that day.  They expected a normal day of classes and activities before tragedy struck.  This just shows that each day is precious and unique.  We must live in the moment and try to take full advantage of situations.