Robert Pearl Starks

Susan, Keep in mind that if you have multiple goals, your group may not be the best means to accomplishing all. It sounds like you established the group to create a supportive community to address the feelings of "isolation" as you mentioned in a previous post. Additionally, the community can act as a resource for students/alumni to help each other. With a group, you must take the role of community builder - facilitate and guide discussion and ask for community support. There are no magic bullets with how to respond to all posts but as an example, if an individual… >>>

Susan, This is a great example to share a few things. One, you'll notice in the course, that it is recommended to monitor what is published on social media by creating listening posts. It isn't full proof but if you create listening posts, you can be notified of when you (or your school) is mentioned on the internet so that you can appropriately respond. This is one instance in which a listening post may have helped to keep you informed. A listening post is simply a means to monitor what is published on the internet and there are various tools… >>>

Susan, Your purpose for using social media as a means to build a sense of community and support among alumni and current students is a great intervention strategy to overcome the challenge of isolation. This purpose will guide how you use social tools. For instance, it makes sense that you form a Facebook Group vs. a Facebook page if your idea is to build an active community where members feel connected through their alma mater affinity. You'll find that you will have to lead by example and instruct members on the purpose of the group. For example, when I would… >>>

Mary , It sounds like you have a very clear purpose to facilitate discussion based on two key statements in your forum post - "It's best to engage in a way that will ramp up discussion with everyone involved..." and "I can use feedback from them all to continue asking discussion based questions." Can you elaborate for us all on what greater purpose you have in facilitating discussion? What is this a means to accomplishing for you? How do you measure its effectiveness in accomplishing your intended outcome? I think this is a discussion that could help all who read… >>>

Susan, Do you do any competitions or other strategies to use the Facebook platform to drive goals such as increased one-on-one appointments, increased event participation, earlier completion of resumes or portfolios, peer job search assistance to expand career center capabilities, etc.? Could you share your experience in using platforms to drive career center goals in various areas such as the examples mentioned? It sounds like you are doing a great job using the platform for rapport building, career center awareness and marketing - I'm wondering if you could talk about your "conversions." For instance, contest A resulted in a 30%… >>>

Susan, You may be interested in the concept of reverse job searching which is an inbound marketing technique that requires the strategic use of social media platforms to attract interest and opportunity vs. only seeking opportunity. The primary idea is that one's virtual presence in virtual communities already allows them the opportunity to have dialogue and form relationships with targeted audiences. For instance, if my goal is to become employed in the graphic design industry, I may join virtual communities of graphic designers such as LinkedIn Groups, or niche social network platforms that allow me opportunities to engage with my… >>>