A Checklist For Seniors

As the summer winds down, I can’t help but reflect on the fact that I will be entering my final year of college. Just as many freshman entering college for the first time set goals for getting involved, trying new things and making an impact, it is crucial for seniors to have a similar mentality. Even though time in college may be nearing its end for seniors, it is now that motivation should be at its highest! Here is a basic checklist for seniors to follow entering their final year as an undergraduate.

1.  It’s Never Too Late:

I’ve seen countless friends and peers become hesitant of joining new clubs and organizations in school simply because they will be upperclassmen and feel it is too late. It is never too late to join something new! A full school year is plenty of time to make an impact!

2.  Don’t Lose Motivation:

By now, most seniors have only a handful of classes left to take. It is easy to fall into the trap of going on “cruise control” for the final two semesters of school. Strive to do better than ever before and you will be better prepared after graduating to take the leap into the professional world!

3.  Mentor:

As a senior you have lots of offer. You’ve had a great deal of experiences socially, scholastically and emotionally during your first few years of college. Use that experience and wisdom to help underclassmen by taking on leadership positions or by simply being willing to lend a helping hand to younger students.

4.  Enjoy It!

If there is anything in college that I’ve noticed the most, it is that time will fly by. Don’t take a single day for granted in your senior year and make each day count!

For those entering senior year, enjoy the final weeks of summer and embrace this final opportunity to make a lasting impact in your school community!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Chris Krochak.

The Internet Never Forgets

While social media can be an extremely beneficial tool for networking and reconnecting with others, I can’t help but think of the possible negative implications of making ourselves so visible online through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to name a few. One of the wisest (and perhaps most cynical) expressions I’ve heard is, “The Internet never forgets.”  I hear all the time that it is safe to assume that once something is posted online, it will be seen by somebody, and perhaps more alarmingly, could be seen by anybody.

Therefore, it is essential to use some helpful practices with our social media accounts such as using restraint and thinking things through before posting. In March of 2009, Dan Leone, a stadium operations employee for the Philadelphia Eagles was fired for voicing his opinions on Facebook regarding a trade the Eagles had made. This violates the rule of thinking about it before posting. If you work for the Eagles, perhaps posting a negative opinion about a decision the Eagles made is not the wisest of ideas. Using some restraint and a little bit of thought could have gone a long way for Dan Leone.

In the professional world today, social media has become almost expected in certain professions. Many professionals in the arts, entertainment, sports, and business industries use their Twitter account as a means for others to follow them and to connect. It may not be a poor choice to have separate Twitter or Facebook accounts for professional and personal purposes. The drawback for this strategy is that it can become tiresome to filter their thoughts through two accounts. If you find it too overwhelming to have separate accounts, simply remember the adage that the internet never forgets and be mindful and careful of what you post! Somebody, anybody can – and most likely will – see it.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Chris Krochak.

Getting the Most Out of Networking

Springtime for many college students means searching for or finalizing that coveted summer internship. Once you’ve, hopefully, been successful in this search, the journey is far from over! Networking constantly, and networking well, is an absolute must for those looking to establish themselves as a prominent figure in their field. 

Here are some easy ways to make the most out of networking:

1. Keep Your Head Up: Just because someone is not interested in connecting or does not make time for you should never be taken personally. Many professionals are simply just caught at a bad time or are extremely busy and this is no slight to you. 

2. More Is Better: When it comes to networking, there is never such a thing as too much. Set goals for yourself and get in the habit of making frequent connections. If you take it upon yourself to reach out and connect with one person every day of the week, you can easily see your connections soar into the hundreds by the years’ end!

3. Two-Way Street: Remember, you want to make your connection valuable for the other party as well. You want something from them (that’s why you are making the connection, after all) but remember to show what you have to offer them as well! Let the other person speak instead of you running the conversation and see what they are working on. Offering advice or assistance in their projects can be extremely beneficial to both parties!

4.Always Be Prepared: Some of the best networking opportunities could come when you least expect it. Try to always keep a business card handy when you are out!        

5. Diversify: Go beyond your industry; you do not need to network exclusively in your field. Down the road, you might need the assistance of someone in a different field!

6. Follow Up: Maintain your relationships! Following up and keeping in touch with the connections you make is important. If you connect with 100 people and never keep in touch or follow up, all of your hard work could have been for naught!

Remember, it isn’t enough to just make the attempt to network with other professionals, but rather to know how to network well to maximize your opportunities and connections.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Chris Krochak