In accordance with Lent, I've decided to apply for a job every day for the next 40 days.
So for my first job, I present:
The Gannett Talent Development Program
This one is secretly my favorite (although not so secret anymore). They're looking for graduating seniors with journalism backgrounds to come work for community newspapers around the country and learn the ropes to successfully function in today's digital journalism environment. It starts out as a full-time internship-esque experience that eventually develops into a full-time employment opportunity with a Gannett newspaper.
If you're interested, you'd better get on it. The last day to apply is Friday (February 27, 2009). There are many different areas to focus in - marketing, multimedia journalism, sales, finance - and four different regions to choose from - Northeast, South, Midwest and West. And the only real requirement you need in order to apply is a driver's license.
Sound too good to be true? To me, yes. But that didn't stop me from applying anyway!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Protecting you is a big job...
but somebody's gotta do it.Be careful on Google Talk this week. There's a phishing scam spreading like wildfire out there. So if someone you haven't heard from in a long, long time starts chatting with you about checking out a link, think twice before you give out any emails and passwords.
Along the lines of protecting yourself, next week is National Consumer Protection Week. I must say, they have a pretty jazzy website this year.
The folks with NCPW are focusing on seven main ways to help consumers this year:
Banking
Credit
Consumer Rights
Identity Theft and Fraud
Investments
Money
and Mortgages
Each topic has information ranging from audio clips to websites to PDFs meant to educate today's consumers in an economically insane world. If any one of these things jumps out at you as an issue you struggle with, check it out. Your bank account will thank you.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Social media = social responsibility?
Mashable posed an interesting question in a blog post yesterday: Does social media make us better people?
At first I thought it might pertain to a topic that my friends and I discussed last week. We were debating whether social media brings us closer to our friends or farther away, and whether our relationships with people become more meaningful or less due to social networking. While it's probably clear which sides I took, I can see benefits and disadvantages of each, and I certainly don't mind sending the occasional letter via snail mail whenever possible.
But the article I read yesterday was more along the lines of social responsibility. Are we becoming more responsible and aware of our actions now that social media allows for scrutiny by our peers?
I would say the answer may be yes, as in the case of "Dog Poop Girl" in South Korea.
However, it also lends for people to become tattle-tales, so it's important to know where to draw the line between being judgmental and being responsible.
At first I thought it might pertain to a topic that my friends and I discussed last week. We were debating whether social media brings us closer to our friends or farther away, and whether our relationships with people become more meaningful or less due to social networking. While it's probably clear which sides I took, I can see benefits and disadvantages of each, and I certainly don't mind sending the occasional letter via snail mail whenever possible.
But the article I read yesterday was more along the lines of social responsibility. Are we becoming more responsible and aware of our actions now that social media allows for scrutiny by our peers?
I would say the answer may be yes, as in the case of "Dog Poop Girl" in South Korea.
However, it also lends for people to become tattle-tales, so it's important to know where to draw the line between being judgmental and being responsible.
Job-hunting made easier, hopefully
Fortunately, I haven't been laid off. However, I am struggling to find a job, so I can use all the help I can get.
Mashable posted an article today about the 30+ Websites to Visit When You're Laid Off. And if there's anything I need right now, it's a guide to finding a job.
Mashable posted an article today about the 30+ Websites to Visit When You're Laid Off. And if there's anything I need right now, it's a guide to finding a job.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Switch? What switch?
Although Congress voted to postpone the DTV switch to June 12, already 40% of TV stations in the nation have made the switch to digital.
Because the bill was delayed (President Obama has yet to sign it), TV stations had the option of switching to digital on the planned February 17th date rather than wait until June, which 681 stations decided to take advantage of. The reason? The stations say they spent millions of dollars educating viewers and preparing them for the date, so they'd rather go through with the switch than put it off another few months.
Because the bill was delayed (President Obama has yet to sign it), TV stations had the option of switching to digital on the planned February 17th date rather than wait until June, which 681 stations decided to take advantage of. The reason? The stations say they spent millions of dollars educating viewers and preparing them for the date, so they'd rather go through with the switch than put it off another few months.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Hug a journalist every day
Apparently I missed Hug a Journalist Day.
February 15th was unofficially named Hug a Journalist Day on Facebook. And while I'm certainly not drowning my sorrows with a bottle of vodka or developing a cocaine addiction, like SFist seems to think most journalists are doing, I could definitely use some journalist love.
February 15th was unofficially named Hug a Journalist Day on Facebook. And while I'm certainly not drowning my sorrows with a bottle of vodka or developing a cocaine addiction, like SFist seems to think most journalists are doing, I could definitely use some journalist love.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
To Tweet or not to Tweet
Just when you thought you'd figured out Twitter's purpose in life, a group of people turns the social network into a virtual Globe Theater.
For @AmwayShakes, all the world's a stage. Literally. Beginning February 14, a 19-person Twitter cast will perform Twitter of the Shrew, a Twitter adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. The group will act out one scene per day on its Twitter account until the cast takes its final bow on February 25.
Crazy? Absolutely. And although Shakespeare is probably rolling in his grave right now, I kind of like the idea. It's new. It's different. It's stretching the limits.
Every day more and more people are developing new ways to exercise their creativity online. I find it an intoxicating and inspiring atmosphere, no matter how crazy the concepts.
For @AmwayShakes, all the world's a stage. Literally. Beginning February 14, a 19-person Twitter cast will perform Twitter of the Shrew, a Twitter adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. The group will act out one scene per day on its Twitter account until the cast takes its final bow on February 25.
Crazy? Absolutely. And although Shakespeare is probably rolling in his grave right now, I kind of like the idea. It's new. It's different. It's stretching the limits.
Every day more and more people are developing new ways to exercise their creativity online. I find it an intoxicating and inspiring atmosphere, no matter how crazy the concepts.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Twitchhiking the globe
Today I was overwhelmed by the amount of social networking sites and applications available worldwide right now. Seriously. I can't keep up. Just when I think I'm on top of things, I realize that there are at least three or four more social media that have popped up while my back was turned.
Unfortunately, I'm still getting used to Twitter and trying to figure out how to best use it to suit my needs. I know how it works for newspapers and for social junkies, but as far as what I can use it for - well, that answer is still eluding me.
However, it's not a challenge for Paul Smith, writer for the UK's Guardian.
Smith, known to Twitter-goers as @twitchhiker, will travel around the world in 30 days. But here's the catch: he's going to use nothing but Twitter to find lodging, food, destinations, and anything else he might need along the journey.
If it sounds like a crazy idea, that's probably because it is. It'll be worth it to keep an eye on this guy starting March 1.
Unfortunately, I'm still getting used to Twitter and trying to figure out how to best use it to suit my needs. I know how it works for newspapers and for social junkies, but as far as what I can use it for - well, that answer is still eluding me.
However, it's not a challenge for Paul Smith, writer for the UK's Guardian.
Smith, known to Twitter-goers as @twitchhiker, will travel around the world in 30 days. But here's the catch: he's going to use nothing but Twitter to find lodging, food, destinations, and anything else he might need along the journey.
If it sounds like a crazy idea, that's probably because it is. It'll be worth it to keep an eye on this guy starting March 1.
25 random ways to boost traffic
I wish I had spent this morning tribal dancing under a mango tree. Instead I was stranded in the office with a slow computer and a faulty wireless network - neither of which were conducive to getting my work done.
There's a trend on Facebook right now to participate in a meme known as 25 Random Things About Me, and then send it to everyone you know. If you've happened to log into Facebook at some point in the past two or three weeks, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
While usually I find chain mail-type things like this rather intrusive and annoying, I read an article today about how this meme is actually helping Facebook by sending a huge increase in traffic to its "Notes" section, which had been lagging behind in popularity. It's also providing psychologists and sociologists with useful new information about today's generation.
However, Hell will freeze over before I fill one of those things out. There already aren't enough hours in the day.
There's a trend on Facebook right now to participate in a meme known as 25 Random Things About Me, and then send it to everyone you know. If you've happened to log into Facebook at some point in the past two or three weeks, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
While usually I find chain mail-type things like this rather intrusive and annoying, I read an article today about how this meme is actually helping Facebook by sending a huge increase in traffic to its "Notes" section, which had been lagging behind in popularity. It's also providing psychologists and sociologists with useful new information about today's generation.
However, Hell will freeze over before I fill one of those things out. There already aren't enough hours in the day.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Riding the WOTY wave
Every year, the American Dialect Society chooses a Word of the Year, usually a well-known term or phrase that most Americans can instantly connect with.
GovGab brought up an interesting point: this year's word bailout has a much more serious tone than 2005's word truthiness (coined by Stephen Colbert) which led me to do a little research and comparison of my own.
Take a look at this list of Words of the Year from Wikipedia.
From 1990 to 2008, you can determine the tone and comfort of Americans from Words of the Year.
Compare 1999's Y2K and 2000's (hanging) chad to 2001's 9-11 and 2002's weapons of mass destruction. The carefree attitude of the prosperous late '90s is evident. People were excited about technology and the future. However, the year 2001 brought everyone down to a very careful, very serious level very fast.
By 2003, the jovial words return with metrosexual, and my personal favorite, 2006's plutoed. However, in 2007, subprime takes the cake, followed by last year's bailout.
Times are tough in 2009. People aren't as lighthearted or spontaneous about their habits or their lives. But the Word of the Year cycle is evidence that when things are bad, they do get better and we do learn to laugh again and appreciate the people and opportunities around us.
GovGab brought up an interesting point: this year's word bailout has a much more serious tone than 2005's word truthiness (coined by Stephen Colbert) which led me to do a little research and comparison of my own.
Take a look at this list of Words of the Year from Wikipedia.
From 1990 to 2008, you can determine the tone and comfort of Americans from Words of the Year.
Compare 1999's Y2K and 2000's (hanging) chad to 2001's 9-11 and 2002's weapons of mass destruction. The carefree attitude of the prosperous late '90s is evident. People were excited about technology and the future. However, the year 2001 brought everyone down to a very careful, very serious level very fast.
By 2003, the jovial words return with metrosexual, and my personal favorite, 2006's plutoed. However, in 2007, subprime takes the cake, followed by last year's bailout.
Times are tough in 2009. People aren't as lighthearted or spontaneous about their habits or their lives. But the Word of the Year cycle is evidence that when things are bad, they do get better and we do learn to laugh again and appreciate the people and opportunities around us.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Marketing gone sour
Contrary to what we've been told over and over again for the past two years or more, analog television will not cease to exist on February 17.
While I don't consider this a smart marketing move, I'm certainly not the U.S. Congress. Apparently the need to extend the date was greater than the need for clarification and familiarization. Now, analog will disappear June 12, 2009. A new date to memorize.
While I don't consider this a smart marketing move, I'm certainly not the U.S. Congress. Apparently the need to extend the date was greater than the need for clarification and familiarization. Now, analog will disappear June 12, 2009. A new date to memorize.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Always a newspaper-woman
As a jaded young journalist, I found this excerpt from Steven A. Smith's Still a Newspaperman comforting:
"It’s always great fun to work with young journalists. Idealism AND energy are a great combination. I am heartened to see that the angst that is so debilitating to old-fart veterans doesn’t seem to have infected young journalists, at least those with whom I have been working. They are dedicated to the craft, fully realize the old career tracks are gone or soon will be and are just looking for the new paths."
It's nice to know I'm not the only one who's overly hopeful about my future.
"It’s always great fun to work with young journalists. Idealism AND energy are a great combination. I am heartened to see that the angst that is so debilitating to old-fart veterans doesn’t seem to have infected young journalists, at least those with whom I have been working. They are dedicated to the craft, fully realize the old career tracks are gone or soon will be and are just looking for the new paths."
It's nice to know I'm not the only one who's overly hopeful about my future.
The love of the game
I'm fortunate enough to be able to say that I'm 22 years old and I've already met one of my life goals.
A group of UGA students came to visit the Capitol today, and we (the aides) had to show them around, give a tour, introduce our reps, and talk about all the wonderful experiences we're having up here. We went into the House and Senate Chambers, the Senate Mezzanine, the Coverdell Legislative Office Building (my office). We were in our element. Or at least I was.
It wasn't until I was walking down the north stairs of the Capitol with a box laden with folders and booklets and other information for the students that I realized that I made it. I did it. The one thing that I've consistently wanted to do since my senior year of high school - I'm doing it.
I am a legislative aide. I came to UGA wanting to be one, and I'm going to leave having been one. It's probably the most satisfying feeling - to have a goal and to reach it.
But I'm not just carrying around boxes and taking phone calls. Every day, I don't just check Rep. McKillip's mail and maintain his schedule. I am the head contact for his legislation. I make calls and talk to other reps about it. I talk regularly with the county clerk of commission, county attorney and superintendent. When Rep. McKillip has a question, I can usually answer it. If I can't, I can certainly find someone who can. I know his bills backwards and forwards. I know where they are. I know what they are. I know who they affect, who will be against them, who will be for them. How does a bill becomes a law? I'm living it.
I'm a pawn in the game of politics, but I'm in the game nonetheless. And while I will always have a passion for journalism, it seems that by the end of session, politics will come in at a close second.
A group of UGA students came to visit the Capitol today, and we (the aides) had to show them around, give a tour, introduce our reps, and talk about all the wonderful experiences we're having up here. We went into the House and Senate Chambers, the Senate Mezzanine, the Coverdell Legislative Office Building (my office). We were in our element. Or at least I was.
It wasn't until I was walking down the north stairs of the Capitol with a box laden with folders and booklets and other information for the students that I realized that I made it. I did it. The one thing that I've consistently wanted to do since my senior year of high school - I'm doing it.
I am a legislative aide. I came to UGA wanting to be one, and I'm going to leave having been one. It's probably the most satisfying feeling - to have a goal and to reach it.
But I'm not just carrying around boxes and taking phone calls. Every day, I don't just check Rep. McKillip's mail and maintain his schedule. I am the head contact for his legislation. I make calls and talk to other reps about it. I talk regularly with the county clerk of commission, county attorney and superintendent. When Rep. McKillip has a question, I can usually answer it. If I can't, I can certainly find someone who can. I know his bills backwards and forwards. I know where they are. I know what they are. I know who they affect, who will be against them, who will be for them. How does a bill becomes a law? I'm living it.
I'm a pawn in the game of politics, but I'm in the game nonetheless. And while I will always have a passion for journalism, it seems that by the end of session, politics will come in at a close second.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Keep your friends close...
The next medium for identity theft?Facebook.
Yes. Identity thieves are always one step ahead of us and unfortunately have already infiltrated perhaps the biggest social network of our generation.
If you don't already have a profile on Facebook, here's your excuse to make one. Identity thieves are creating profiles in the names of people who don't currently have an account with Facebook and could be adding people as friends, posting comments, and writing on people's walls under your name. Scary? Heck yeah.
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