As a film/tv school, we use all social media platforms that have video capability, including; Youtube, Facebook, Vine, Vimeo, Instagram. By having students upload their projects to all these platforms and promote by way of Facebook and Twitter, this has helped our students grow followers and promote themselves as video professionals.
we currently use facebook because that is the media that our graduates and students uses. it is effective for communication and posting events
we use facebook, because we fined that more of our students are more interative there.
As this point, our training center primarily utilizes the following social media platforms: facebook, twitter and constant contact. Facebook and Twitter is a great tool to keep in touch with current students and alumni. It is a quick and easy way to stay in contact with them and get up-to-date information as well. Constant contact is an email marketing campaign that we utilize to keep in touch with our students, referrals, community partners and so forth.
We are interested in having a stronger presence in social media and it is a strategy that we hope to implement one day.
Hi Robert,
At this time, Career Services is does not have a social media strategy or presence. Our Campus Director has created a Facebook page where events are posted but it is not actively managed and therefore does not have active student participation. Again, it comes back to commitment to a strategy and then ensuring that someone will have the time and interest in the implementation and management ofo that strategy.
LinkedIn as it contains a large number of professionals who are on the platform for the purposes of career development.
Hello Amy,
Using social media to post events (and other information) can certainly amplify your reach in your marketing efforts. Because you have identified that you are using social media in this fashion, I'm wondering if you can explain the following...
1. Are you using a Facebook page, profile or Group? What factors were considered in making the decision?
2. How are you marketing your Facebook presence to students so that they participate?
3. Have you established how to measure the success of your social media strategy? If it is information dissemination, what metrics could you review? What other goals do you want social media to help you achieve and what metrics could you use to measure success attributable to your social media campaign(s)?
Thanks.
Robert Starks Jr.
We use Facebook primarily to post school events and to connect with students/grads. We have a lot ahead of us to expand upon our presence in social media, and this course is already giving me direction toward that goal. Thank you!
We really only use facebook.
Hi Mendy,
When you say "Facebook for Alumni," can you explain in what way Facebook is being used and why Alumni? How is your usage tailored to an alumni audience? When you say "LinkedIn" for networking, can you elaborate? Do you mean you and other Career Advisors are using LinkedIn to build your employer network, that you help alumni network with other alumni through a LinkedIn group, or something else? All platforms are used for "networking" so if you could elaborate on your strategy vs. your activity, this would help me understand your intended purpose for using social media tools in your department. Remember, you are trying to accomplish business goals with these tool - you use the telephone for talking with people but is this the way you would describe your phone communications strategy with different audiences such as how you use the phone with employers, graduates, students, etc.? I challenge you to think more deeply about your strategy and how it determines how you use certain tools at your disposal - social media being one.
Robert Starks Jr.
Facebook for alumni
Linkedin for networking
Helen,
I couldn't help but notice that there is no mention of the use of any social platforms for the long-term strategies of student/alumni engagement, employer outreach and engagement, or building one's network in niche fields. When you say you are using LinkedIn for "job orders," in what way? How is your social media use differentiated from other tools used in the career center? The course emphasizes relationship-building and building affinity with constituents, transforming students to advocates of the department and using social tools to improve student participation. Can you speak to specific ways in which any of this is being done?
Robert Starks Jr.
I mainly use LinkedIn for the following reasons:
Job orders, job openings, job fairs, open houses, etc., We get immediate attention and a great response. I use facebook, but not as frequently as LinkedIn.
We are currently utilizing Facebook (I am able to connect with a majority of our students and graduates on this platform); and LinkedIn. We have a surprising number of students who do not have Facebook accounts and a larger number who do not know what LinkedIn is ~ so there is a big learning curve for them when the discussion turns to LikedIn. Sometimes we find classes who will create a Facebook group and maintain communication for years post graduation. However, they tend to not be the norm.
I use Facxebook and LinkedIn. I like the format of both, especially facebook Instant messagaging to see who is on at the time & converse with them right there & then.
LinkedIn is great for getting graduates business info, especially for what they are endorsed.
Kristine,
It is true that LinkedIn brands itself as a "professional" network while Facebook has a brand more associated with "social" and less "professional." The truth is any network can be used for professional purposes. It is not the platform that determines how one should use it so keep this in mind when using any platform - you are in control and can use it with purpose based on your goals. Facebook can certainly be leveraged for professional use. For example, I often tell job seekers to not only look for jobs but to look for people and the right people can lead to the jobs. Thus, networking as a job search strategy (and a perpetual career development strategy) really is dependent on building a quality, targeted network. So, social media expands one's capabilities to strategically architect a quality, targeted network no matter the platform (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) Sometimes, it isn't the big networks that make the most sense - it depends on your audience.
I'd like to play devil's advocate here. Rather than "using Facebook for graduates because of it's more 'professional' aspects," as the stated reason for choosing this platform, what is the greater objective? What is LinkedIn being used to accomplish with the alumni audience? The same applies to the use of Facebook. What are you trying to accomplish among your student audience that drives the intent of using the Facebook platform? Can you reflect on this and provide your thoughts regarding the goals you'd like these social media tools to help you achieve?
Robert Starks Jr.
We are using Facebook and Linkedin. I've been learning more about both but especially new at utilizing Linkedin. We have recently been told by our corporate office to use Facebook for graduates because of it's more 'social' aspects and Linkedin for students for it's more 'professional' aspects. As I said, I'm learning how best to use each platform as I go. This webinar has been very informative and helpful.
Susan,
Please keep in mind that while you are learning the full breadth of developing a strategy from goal identification to implementation and outcomes measurement, a reality is that people must work within their capabilities. Take what you are able to do and run with it to enhance your effectiveness and if you have questions or need assistance, remember I am here to help even after you have completed this course by connecting with me in The Lounge (www.careercollegelounge.com), the social learning community for you to continue interacting with myself and peers.
Robert Starks Jr.
Facebook, primarily for the ability to inform large groups of students & grads about events, new information and staying engaged with graduates to assist with tracking placement / movement within the industry. I have also found a few influencers for our profession on facebook and I follow their content and share w/grads things that might be relevant or interesting to them in the present.
I also have a personal/professional LinkedIn profile where I have connected with graduates, industry influencers and employers. I hope this course will help me become more proficient / effective with Linked In especially, but with facebook as well.
I use facebook daily and LinkedIn maybe 3 times a week.
I am going to start alerts, like RSS feeds so that I can better track how our brand is being seen / talked about.
I find this very interesting, I just wish I had more time & resources to dedicate to building the social media strategy! I, as so many are, am a one person department for my institution.
