Taking a Step Back to Introduce Myself

Since I’ve been talking a whole lot about Social Media but haven’t taken the time to introduce myself, I figured now is a perfect time!

Kick-Off To My College Career

After graduating high school after three years at the age of sixteen, I chose to immediately begin my higher education. I am currently a student at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana planning to graduate in August of 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and a certificate in the Professional Pilot Program. The first question I always get is: Media and aviation – how does that work? The Professional Pilot Certification is a two-year program designed to give students an opportunity to attain at least a private pilot’s license as well as an instrument rating alongside basic aviation knowledge while studying a major of their choice. Knowing my passion for media, I chose to study in the four-year Media Studies program. While aviation has a place in my heart, I hope to pursue a career in the Social Media Industry. In preparing for this big step from college to the working-world, I have had the privilege of working alongside Professor Patrick Vargas at the University, studying the topic of Social Media Marketing for Self-Promotion.

The Beginning of My Passion For Media and Marketing

My interest in marketing, media, and social media has grown over the years. It began at the age of sixteen and continues through today as I have been doing independent contracting work as a promotional representative through various agencies working with a variety of companies including Cadillac, Lexu, Axe, Pantene Pro-V, Target, and many other well known organizations. This jumpstarted my passion for marketing and the means of communication that contributed to brand awareness.

At the end of my high school career I was honored with the title of Rose Queen 2006, allowing me to speak publicly at many schools about the D.A.R.E. program, deliver speeches at town events, and serve as a role model to the community. Although public speaking had never been an issue for me, this event helped guide me even further towards a focused study full of communication, demonstrating to me that, to the public, every sentence you speak can have an impact.

Impact of My Corporate Experience

I gained corporate experience, seeing the inter-workings of a large, multinational corporation while interning for three consecutive summers for Bosch Rexroth. As a Human Resources Intern I was given the opportunity to create research compilations, design training programs, spend a summer working abroad in Germany, assist in event planning, and help with other various company tasks.

Putting Social Media Knowledge to the Test

Having set a goal of promoting support for senior citizens during my reign as Miss Roselle, I took the knowledge I had gained thus far on social media and marketing and used it help create, promote, and generate interest for a charity organization I created in honor of my grandmother called Purple Roses. With the help of the members of Kappa Alpha Theta and my family, Purples Roses gained enough publicity for our organization and our 3-on-3 volleyball tournament that we were able to exceed my goal and raise $1000 for Alzheimer’s research, support, and awareness.

A Big Year of Experiences

My Junior Year of college was a big year for me filled with many experiences that solidified my chosen field. It began with my promotion to Brand Manager of Marketing at Illini Media. Although I had already used social media for promoting the University Concert Choir, Purple Roses, and various other activities and organizations, Illini Media was a big step towards learning the full capacity of online media. I was able to incorporate social media platforms, such as Facebook fan pages and youtube, as well as our company website, the217.com, into our marketing efforts alongside the usual promotional events to generate brand awareness.

Later that year I hoped to continue my work on Alzheimer’s awareness and decided to compete in a Miss America Organization Scholarship competition with a platform of Alzheimer’s Awareness. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the community with the title of Miss Champaign Urbana 2009 from which point I continued to use media to leverage my position within the public eye. Through the use internet communications, social media, and basic face-to-face communication I was able to arrange opportunities to volunteer at the local nursing home, assist in raising money for the Make A Wish Foundation, support local philanthropic activities, and aid in many other community events. Although that era of my life ended, I continue to stay enthusiastic about Alzheimer’s Awareness and encourage all to learn more and engage in this worthy cause.

Future Plans

Finishing up my last few classes this summer, I am very excited to enter the world of Social Media in less than a month. I have encountered numerous helpful blogs, a great array of twitters to follow, and wonderful books guiding me in my studies of Social Media. Each of these resources have helped me feel more confident in my abilities, motives, and selection in career path. I have many people to thank for their support and guidance through this important chapter in my life.