Giving Back to the Community

As an Event Coordinator and Social Media Manager, I am tasked with putting on big events for CBT College. One thing I have realized in my time as Event Coordinator, is that there is nothing more rewarding than giving back to your community. Here's the greatest thing about that: there are so many ways you can accomplish it! From events, charities, marathons, walks, and fundraisers to nursing home and homeless outreaches, we can truly make a difference in our community and world! Here are some great ways to get involved and give back.


1. Homeless Outreach: There are countless churches, and charitable organizations that go out there and take food and clothes to those less fortunate. You can volunteer at a soup kitchen, or join your local church's "Help the Homeless" ministry. There are various homeless shelters and organizations (Camillus House, Miami Rescue Mission, Homeless Voice, Salvation Army)that could use some volunteers. It would only take a few hours out of your Saturday afternoon. Maybe, instead of going to the beach or eating at Yardhouse one Saturday afternoon, we could all just spend a few hours helping people who need it!

2. Nursing Home Outreach: I know this one doesn't seem like a big issue, or something of importance, especially since we often don't even make the time to visit our own family. I assure you though, if you were to put yourself in the shoes of these men and women in nursing homes, you would appreciate a visit every now and then. Just a few hours one random afternoon to sit with them, hear their stories, and show them that there are still people out there that care. Again, it doesn't seem like much, but they will appreciate it more than you know.

3. Be a mentor: All across the country, there are young people making all sorts of wrong choices and falling in with the wrong type of people. One thing that you will find is that often, these kids just don't have anyone to look up to. Without a proper role model or support system in place, these kids look to anyone they see as important, and often times that person is not the right kind of role model. Volunteer at places like the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, sign up for mentorship programs with the public school system. I'm not suggesting you became a social worker, or that you put yourself in a situation you don't feel comfortable with, but just that we make an effort to help the youth around us reach their potential for a good, happy, and full life. If it were your child, and you were unable to care for them and parent them, you would want them to have the right influences around them...

4. Child Care Assistance: Volunteer to bring some healthy snacks to a local day care, take part in the day care at your church or former elementary school. If you have a younger sibling at an elementary or middle school, help out with any functions and events. As I said earlier, the right influences...

5. Charities, Walks, Marathons, Relays, etc.: There is no shortage of charitable organizations. They are always having some sort of event. We all know about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Relay for Life, NFL Play 60, March of Dimes, and several others, but there is a myriad of other great causes. Give a few dollars to help these great causes, maybe volunteer, or sign up to take part in a marathon/walkathon.

6. Animal Shelters/Plant a Tree/Save the World: Now, I have to admit that I'm not one of these people that cries when I see the Sarah McLaughlin commercial with the sad puppies and kitties. I'm not really an animal person. I like to eat meat. I'm all about Texas De Brazil, Grimpa, and Fogo de Chao (Brazilian Steakhouses), because it tastes so good to me. I am not however, an advocate for cruelty, abuse, or violence towards animals. We can volunteer at an animal shelter or hospital. Maybe we can help the environment by planting a tree, volunteering to clean our beaches, or any other activity that helps preserve this planet.


I know we all have very busy lives and finding time do anything is tough, let alone giving back to others. Sometimes we don't even make time to spend a few minutes with our families. So, why would we bother to spend time helping another family? Why give back when I myself don't have enough, right? It's difficult to imagine, in this Instant Gratification/Me, Myself, and I culture, that people would be willing to sacrifice some of their time and resources to give to someone who isn't as lucky. We live in a world that tells us that we are all individuals, to look out for number 1, their is no God, no afterlife, no hope, no purpose...so how can we expect anyone to care about their fellow humans or this planet?

As far as I'm concerned, that philosophy is so misguided and 100% influenced by the selfishness of humans. All problems humanity has ever faced come from our lack of consideration for others. Religion is not to blame for wars fought in their name. God is not to be blamed when a priest does unspeakable acts of evil. Maybe it's time we stop hiding behind our beliefs and blaming them, and start taking responsibility. God didn't command that clergy person to commit those acts. In fact, God abhors that type of behavior. It has no place in the church. When we blame Islam and the teachings in the Koran for extremist groups and their actions (911, and many other attacks), we are in the wrong. Islam does not teach them to do these things. Rather, they are twisting words and distorting Islamic doctrines to suit their agendas. The individuals who commit the acts are solely responsible, not the belief system they claim to follow. I promise you, any person who commits tyranny in the name of their deity, knows nothing about that deity. John Lennon was wrong when he said that if there was no religion, the world would be a perfect place. Humans would find another avenue in order to achieve their horrible, and selfish agendas. Sorry for the little rant there....

Anyway, it's time we stop thinking about me, me, me...and realize that life is about relationships, connections, and love. Love makes the world go round. Love for humanity, love for nature, love for all creation, love for oneself....these are the things that make life worth living. If we give just a little bit everyday, imagine how we could change the world.

Finally, I'm sure you are wondering how I will find a way to tie this to college life, and our professional career. It's simple: Volunteer work, charitable associations and activities look absolutely amazing on a resume. Believe it or not, employers look very favorably on employees that give back to the community. It's especially great for young people, and college students with little or no work experience. You should absolutely list your charitable work on a resume. It could help you land that first great job!



-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook

Setting Goals

When I was a child, I remember wanting to be a professional baseball player when I grew up. I also wanted to be a doctor, meteorologist, lawyer, superhero, actor, singer, advertising exec, graphic designer, producer for a record label, and King of Prussia. I had some lofty dreams. The direction that my life has taken dictated my current standing in the professional world. As we speak, I believe I have achieved one of my "when I grow up" goals as an up and coming marketing, events, and new media manager. Most would agree that I am in the right field, based on my talents, "artsyness", persistence, and persuasiveness. I truly believe the sky is the limit for me in this field because I am great at what I do. Why do I tell you this, though? Where is this coming from, and where is it going? Good question! Well, I was recently thinking about where I want to be in a few years, and how important setting goals in your life can be.

I strongly believe that setting goals allows a person to establish purpose in their professional and personal life. Are you working at your current place of employment just to work? Is it just for the money? If so, you're probably not where you should be. Are you dating someone you don't see a real future with? If so, you shouldn't be dating that person. Honestly, what is the point of being with someone if you don't see it having a future? What is the point of living life with no desire to create a better existence for yourself, your loved ones, and humanity as a whole? By setting goals in every significant aspect of our lives, we are creating the drive, the motivation and the perseverance needed to accomplish them.

When a person enrolls at a college or university, they should have a goal in mind: graduate! That goal is directly connected to another goal: start a career in the field you are studying. That should again, lead to a bigger goal, like move up the ladder, go to grad/med/law school, start your own business, plant a church, etc. When a person embarks on a new romantic relationship with someone, the goal should always be marriage. I am strongly opposed to the idea that in our youth, we should sow wild oats, spread our seed, and play the field. All of those things are without purpose, without promise, and unnecessary acts of instant gratification. Of course, this is my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with me or suddenly change their point of view. Just to cement my point though, let me give you two personal examples of this very goal setting issue.

Example 1:

I dated this girl, let's call her Lily....
She dated an acquaintance of mine for a few years. Some mutual friends of the acquaintance (let's call him Greg) told me that Lily was bad news. They told me to stay away from her, because it would not end well. Greg himself offered some advice, but I did not heed any of their warnings. I liked Lily. She was pretty, fun, spunky, and we had common interests (music, food, movies). Mind you, I was 20 at the time, and living the "college life". I was far from the person I am now, and far from the God who gave me true purpose. She was pretty, I was into her, and we started dating. There was no real goal, and I should have seen it ahead of time. We had differing views on politics, religion, and family. She liked the drinking, smoking, rock star lifestyle. I played along, and I actually really liked her. Fast forward a few months...she cheated on me. Funny thing is the guy she cheated on me with was the very reason her and Greg broke up! Greg didn't tell me about that, and neither did anyone of our mutual friends. In hindsight, I don't think it would have made a difference to me. I would have dated her anyway, because I thought she was cool, and pretty. I ignored all the warning signs, I ignored the caution flags, I ignored the "Buyer Beware" notice. I gave her parts of me that she didn't deserve. I compromised values, and lifelong beliefs and goals for someone who would later devalue and defame those very things. It was a fruitless relationship that served as a wake up call and became the catalyst for bringing me out of my prodigal living.

Example 2:

I met this girl, let's call her Stephanie....
We met under interesting circumstances; my family member was dating her family member. She was down from another state, let's call that state Tennessee. It was a blind date kind of thing. Stephanie was going through a rough patch at the time, and came to stay with some relatives to clear her head, and hopefully have some fun. So, that night we all went to dinner and a movie. I was 22 at this time, and a little wiser I think. I was over my dumb phase, and had the proper mindset for a real relationship. We hit it off, I liked her. During her time here that summer, we really began to fall for each other. She wanted to transfer to a college in Miami, and be with me. Towards the end of the summer though, she had to leave. She went back to Tennessee and we were devastated. I did some very hard thinking, and knew that if I did what I was planning to do, I had to KNOW that she was the one.

My next move was drastic, and had I not had the goal of "happily ever after" in mind, my actions would have been both selfish, life shattering, and stupid. I realized all this, and made the decision then and there, that I was going to marry this girl name Stephanie. I took a bus to Tennessee, and her parents placed their trust in me. They trusted that I would take care of their first born, that I would love her, cherish her, and never forsake her. They trusted that allowing her to leave home and move to Miami to be with me was not a mistake. Fast forward to June 7th, 2009...Stephanie Marie Diago became Stephanie Marie Saavedra. This was and is the greatest day of my life. I knew on June 23rd, 2007 that I was having dinner for the first time...with my wife. From that day on, all my actions were made with that goal in mind.

My point is this folks: goals give our day to day actions a purpose, a meaning, and significance. Who wants to just float through life without ever accomplishing or achieving anything? Set goals, strive for excellence, and walk the straight and narrow path in order to achieve those goals. Set daily goals, weekly, monthly, yearly, and major life goals. I want to own a house in the next 5 years. I want to have my first child in the next five years. I want to be the youngest director of this company in the next 3 years. Those goals are all attainable for me, as long as I put in the work to make them possible. I am confident in my abilities. You're goals may be as big as curing cancer, or as small as getting an A+ in your Physics quiz tomorrow. The point is, set them because they honestly do give you more desire to achieve them. If you just go into that quiz with no stated goal, you won't be as motivated. It sounds dumb, but it's true.


-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook

A Good Portfolio: Sushi for the Graphic Soul!

When we were in our early elementary school years, we were introduced to this amazing activity known only as "Show and Tell". We probably think we haven't played a rousing game of Show and Tell since those kindergarten days. The fact is nothing could be further from the truth. When one goes out looking for a job, they bring along with them a very important Show and Tell item. We call it a resume! This is especially true for anyone in the arts, particularly a Graphic Designer. It may be an age old cliche, but a picture really is worth a thousand words. A graphic designer’s entire livelihood depends on his/her ability to communicate effectively with their audience using visually striking material. So it should come as no surprise when I tell you that your graphic design portfolio is the most important thing you bring with you to a job for potential employers. While your education level, previous work experience, industry certifications, or any other qualification you may possess are useful for bringing you into the interview room, it will not suffice if you present a sloppy portfolio or mediocre samples. You can have all the qualifications, all the certifications, all the degrees, and all the prestige, but if you don't have good work to show, you will be going nowhere fast.

I have done some research, and found these tips on how to put together a great portfolio. If you are an up and coming graphic designer, read carefully and heed these small tidbits of wisdom. They could be the difference between your dream job, and the unemployment line...

1. Make it "Catchy" not "Kitschy"

So, you may be asking yourself, "what the heck does that mean?" Well, kitsch is defined as a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art. Now, I may not be an expert on copyright laws, or principles of advertising, but I seriously doubt knock offs, and imitations of other pieces of art will not appeal to a potential employer. "You're trying to show your work to its best advantage, so don't distract from it with too many bells and whistles."

2. Don't lose sight of your primary objective

While it is always a good idea to set yourself apart, don't overdo it. You should differentiate yourself from your competition with a clever layout, but don't lose sight of your graphic design portfolio's objective: to display your WORK. Don't divert attention away from it with "fluff". It doesn't work in a college English course, it won't work in a graphic designer's portfolio.

3. Diversity is not just an old wooden ship used in the Civil War era

Just as a singer can show their vocal range, you as a graphic designer must do the same with your portfolio. "Choose pieces that required you to utilize a variety of design skills. Versatility is an asset. If you've got it, flaunt it. And if you don't, develop it." Bring a smorgasbord of work, to demonstrate how diverse and well rounded your skills are as a designer. Nobody wants to hire a "one trick pony", remember that...

4. Seek out the experts

It's hard to examine your work objectively. It is also not a great idea to seek an outside opinion from a parent, significant other, or close friend. While they may have certain pieces they prefer, they are not experts, nor have they ever presented a portfolio to a potential employer. "Find someone whose design judgment you trust and get their feedback on your graphic design portfolio. Sometimes a brutally honest critique can be the best thing that happens to you." Side note, even if your parent, significant other, or best friend is an expert, it's best to find an impartial third party expert, who won't pull any punches, and can offer truly valuable insight.

4. K.I.S.S.

When asked what the greatest piece of sales advice Michael Scott had ever given him, Dwight Schrute responded, "Keep it simple, stupid." Don't clutter your portfolio with sentimental pieces. "Just because it was your favorite project ever, doesn't mean it should be in your portfolio. Hang it on your wall, or frame it for your mom. If it's not your strongest work, keep it out of your portfolio." The ability to look at your work critically and realistically is vital for a graphic designer. "Your portfolio should reflect both your ability to produce high quality design and your ability to discern what qualifies as high quality design."

5. Go viral with it

We are living in the 21st century, in what is known as the "App Age". The internet is the default tool for everything now. The best thing about this tool is its ability to take something and multiply its value exponentially. Just take Linked In as an example: You make 146 connections with people you know and people in related fields, and you are now "linked" to 2,865,525+ professionals. Imagine how many resume views you are opening yourself up to that way! Another example is Facebook. You post a status update, and your 384 friends view it, and 7 of those friends comment on it. Now, all of their friends have the opportunity to see your update. Should any of those people decide to "like" to comment made by someone within your update, all of THEIR friends now get to see it, too. The internet doesn't multiply viewership by 2 or 3, it multiplies it by 100, 1,000, and for some people 1,000,000. "Why not make it easy for prospective employers and clients to view your work?" Keep in mind that an online portfolio will not replace your hard copy, it's an easy, affordable, and convenient way to get your work out there for the entire world to see.

-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook

Student Loans: A Necessary Evil or Just Evil….

In this day and age, we are being told to hold on to our monetary resources as much as possible. Don’t leave your jobs, don’t make any crazy purchases, and don’t spend any money whatsoever. It’s an odd thing, considering the insane buyer’s market we find ourselves in! So, do we take out that $200,000 dollar loan and buy a house because that house could potentially triple in value over the next 10 years? It is a considerable gamble, isn’t it? Making a huge investment, and not knowing for sure that it will pay off for you. The housing market is so fickle. It bends and breaks, then gets rebuilt again. Who knows what can happen. Will it get even worse before it gets better? Who knows! It’s possible your $200,000 dollar investment does pay off big time, and it’s also possible you buy the house and watch the value plummet even further. We can never say for sure. It is indeed a very dangerous and risky game. Does that mean you don’t play it?
To answer that question, I will pose another question: Since it is very possible you could end up broken hearted, do you take the risk of falling in love? There are many factors to consider, right? What if she cheats? What if she leaves me for another man? What if she is a serial killer who only kills serial killers? What if it just doesn’t work out and you end up a broken mess? It can turn out very badly for you! So, is it worth the risk? YES! When it’s bad, it’s bad...but when it’s right and it is real, it is the greatest thing humanly possible. Just about anything in this world that is worth having will require a risk. It has to be worth fighting for in order to be worth having. The same can be said of a house.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to be irresponsible and purchase a home when you know your job isn’t stable. Just as with love, be responsible and be sure you are making the right choice. Don’t marry someone you can’t stand, or that you know isn’t right for you! Be responsible with your investments, whether it be love, a car, a boat, or a house. Make sure your investment pays off as well. If you buy a boat, use it! If you buy a house, take care of it, and update it so that the value will remain high.
What does any of this have to do with student loans? Well, I think you may have already guessed. Let’s go over a few things before I really delve into it. In this age, it is extremely rare to find a student who doesn’t need student loans. I’m not talking about your private college and university students either. I’m talking about your average FIU or FSU student! Consider that every year, FIU’s tuition goes up. Also consider that the family income level for Pell Grant recipients is not based on a state per state or a family per family basis. It’s a general figure for all states. So, if it’s $15,000 per household member, and you live in New York City, chances are you won’t get much in the way of federal grants. The days of fully covered college are all but gone. Next year, my wife will not qualify for Pell Grants because we make too much for our two person household. That means she will have to finish her last semester at FIU with a student loan. She also had to take out loans at Miami Dade College when she was an out of state student. Many factors will impact your aid, and your needs for student loans.

All that being said, let’s get right down to dispelling the old time notion that student loans are evil. At this point, they are a necessary evil for most students. Obviously, if you don’t need them, you shouldn’t take them. That would go against the whole “be responsible” thing I mentioned earlier. If you can afford to fund your college education through grants and scholarships, then that is great for you, and you should take advantage of that. If you don’t qualify for grants, or scholarships, does that mean you should forget about college and just try to get by for the rest of your life with bottom of the barrel jobs? By no means! If there is one risk, one investment you absolutely have to pursue in our world today, it’s that of a college education. Believe me, without it you will not reach your maximum potential in life. It will be very difficult to make a career for yourself. Forget about a job. A job is a place you go to get paid. Most people hate their “jobs”. You need to find a career; a position and a field that gets you excited and will allow you to wake up in the morning and be happy about what you are going to be doing for the next 8-9 hours.
Again, I have to stress the whole responsibility thing here. Be wise, and very careful as you select a major. Unless you are 100% planning on attending graduate school, find a major and a career field that you will not only enjoy, but that will provide you with opportunities and monetary success. No one wants to shell out $30,000 in student debt to be making $8.50 per hour. Pick the right career for you! Do some research, be informed, be prepared to work hard, and try as hard as possible to be certain you are entering the right field.
Finally, back to the subject of the loan….Student loans are not the same as auto, or home loans. If you fail to pay your home loan, they take the house away from you. The same is true of an auto loan, a motorcycle, or a boat. It’s not the same with a student loan. Why? Well, with a student loan, the bank can’t get anything in return for it. If you don’t pay that home loan, and they take it away from you, they can just sell it to someone else and at least recover some of the value. It’s not so with a student loan. They can’t take your Bachelor’s degree away from you and sell it to the highest bidder. You earned it, that title and degree belongs to you, regardless of who financed it. For this reason, lenders are very flexible and willing to work with you on payment schedules and deferment. Of course, you have to have good reason to have your loans deferred, such as loss of employment, low income, or continued education. They work with you, because it’s better to get paid less over a longer period, then to get nothing at all. You really have to work hard and avoid every possible avenue of communication in order to fall into default!
If getting student loans is the make or break decision for you in regards to a college education, take that risk, make that investment! Without a college education, chances are you will be stuck in dead end situation after dead end situation! Don’t limit yourself and your potential! As John Connor once said, “The future's not set. There's no fate but what we make for ourselves.”

Accouting: A Smart Choice?

Heck yes it is!

Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. An increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws and regulations, and increased scrutiny of company finances will drive growth. In addition to openings resulting from growth, the need to replace accountants and auditors who retire or transfer to other occupations will produce numerous job openings in this large occupation.

As the economy grows, the number of business establishments will increase, requiring more accountants and auditors to set up books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. As these businesses grow, the volume and complexity of information developed by accountants and auditors regarding costs, expenditures, and taxes will increase as well. An increased need for accountants and auditors will arise from changes in legislation related to taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers, and other financial events. The growth of international business also has led to more demand for accounting expertise and services related to international trade and accounting rules, as well as to international mergers and acquisitions. These trends should create more jobs for accountants and auditors.

As a result of accounting scandals at several large corporate companies, Congress passed legislation in an effort to curb corporate accounting fraud. This legislation requires public companies to maintain well-functioning internal controls to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their financial reporting. It also holds the company’s chief executive personally responsible for falsely reporting financial information.

These changes should lead to increased scrutiny of company finances and accounting procedures and should create opportunities for accountants and auditors, particularly CPAs, to audit financial records more thoroughly. In order to ensure that finances comply with the law before public accountants conduct audits, management accountants and internal auditors increasingly will be needed to discover and eliminate fraud. Also, in an effort to make government agencies more efficient and accountable, demand for government accountants should increase.

Increased awareness of financial crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, and securities fraud will increase the demand for forensic accountants, to detect illegal financial activity by individuals, companies, and organized crime rings. Computer technology has made these crimes easier to commit, and they are on the rise. At the same time, the development of new computer software and electronic surveillance technology has made tracking down financial criminals easier, thus increasing the ease with which, and likelihood that, forensic accountants will discover their crimes. As success rates of investigations grow, demand also will grow for forensic accountants.

The changing role of accountants and auditors also will spur job growth, although this growth will be limited as a result of financial scandals. In response to demand, some accountants were offering more financial management and consulting services as they assumed a greater advisory role and developed more sophisticated accounting systems. Because Federal legislation now prohibits accountants from providing nontraditional services to clients whose books they audit, opportunities for accountants to offer such services could be limited. However, accountants will still be able to advise on other financial matters for clients that are not publicly traded companies and for nonaudit clients, but growth in these areas will be slower than in the past. Also, due to the increasing popularity of tax preparation firms and computer software, accountants will shift away from tax preparation. As computer programs continue to simplify some accounting-related tasks, clerical staff will increasingly handle many routine calculations.

Overall, job opportunities for accountants and auditors should be favorable. After most States instituted the 150-hour rule for CPAs, enrollment in accounting programs declined; however, enrollment is slowly beginning to grow again as more students become attracted to the profession because of the attention from the accounting scandals. Those who earn a CPA should have excellent job prospects. However, many accounting graduates are instead pursuing other certifications, such as the CMA and CIA, so job prospects may not be as favorable in management accounting and internal auditing as in public accounting. Regardless of specialty, accountants and auditors who have earned professional recognition through certification or licensure should have the best job prospects. Applicants with a master’s degree in accounting, or a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, also will have an advantage. In the aftermath of the accounting scandals, professional certification is even more important in order to ensure that accountants’ credentials and ethics are sound.

Proficiency in accounting and auditing computer software, or expertise in specialized areas such as international business, specific industries, or current legislation, may be helpful in landing certain accounting and auditing jobs. In addition, employers increasingly are seeking applicants with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Because many accountants work on teams with others from different backgrounds, they must be able to communicate accounting and financial information clearly and concisely. Regardless of one’s qualifications, however, competition will remain keen for the most prestigious jobs in major accounting and business firms.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook

Why Should We Stay "Linked In"....

So, there are quite a lot of Social Media websites out there. What's the big deal with social media, right? I mean, we all know that social media is only good for talking to your friends, posting crazy pictures from Space, and Nikki Beach, and adding famous people like Kim Kardashian and LeBron James. It also makes my iPhone look cool when I have all these awesome apps! That's all social media is supposed to be used for, right? WRONG! It's about time we throw that kind of thinking out the door. Here are some facts for you, friends....

Over 96% of millennials have joined a Social Network.
Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.
Social Media has overtaken porn as the top activity on the web.
1 out of 8 married couples in the U.S. met via Social Media
It took 38 years for the radio to reach 50 million users...
13 years for TV....
4 years for the internet...
3 years for the iPod....
Facebook added over 200 MILLION users in less than 1 year!
iPod app downloads of Facebook hit 1 BILLION in 9 MONTHS!!!!!
If Facebook were a country, it would be the 3rd largest...


I realize I haven't given you much in the way of reasons why social media is more than just a friend adding and crazy picture posting machine.... SO here goes...

80% of companies use social media for recruitment, almost all of it through LINKED IN!

That's right, more and more companies in the U.S. are shying away from Craigslist, CareerBuilder and Monster. Barely any companies are using staffing agencies. No, no, no my friends, the best jobs are found on Linked In. Why? Because social media gives a company all the tools to truly know a potential employee. Linked In allows you to create a fully interactive resume, with recommendations letters and all! It allows you to network with major companies and connect with others who may be the doorway to your career! Linked In is a social network for professionals to make the connections needed for success in this, the Application Age. Find people you have met through professional settings, create a network of your coworkers, employers, and fellow professionals in your field of expertise. For those who are still college students, or even those who have never held a job, this site allows you to make the connections necessary to set yourself up for the career you want once you graduate. Finding a job in this economic climate is no easy task. Even less easy....is finding the job you actually want. Chances are you won't find it on Craigslist, CareerBuilder, Monster. Why? When you apply for a job or submit your resume through any of those sites, you are just one of possibly 500 other people. Not so with Linked In. On Linked In, it may be you and 19 others who are submitting their resume. There is a much higher probability that your resume will get noticed if you are applying with 20 people, as opposed to 100, 300, or 500, right? So, do yourself a favor, and get a Linked In people!

Now, here's the kicker....
While Linked In could be very beneficial to you in terms of your professional career, your other social media profiles will play a role in this as well. If you are on Linked In, chances are you can also be found Tweeting, and updating your status on Facebook. In the world we live in, nothing is private anymore. You can try to keep your professional life and your social life separate, but the internet has made that difficult. Lying on a resume is nearly impossible today, because employers can simply research you on Google, You Tube, and social media sites. So, your Linked In may paint a picture of you that your Facebook pictures at Mardi Gras completely discredit. In other words: Your Linked In may be writing a check that your Facebook can't cash. And believe me when I tell you this: If they received your resume on Linked In, they WILL research you on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. A potential employer doesn't want to see pictures of you fist pumping in the club. Employers like quality employees who will not embarrass their company, and social media is an easy way to make sure who you are hiring. Everyone knows people are mostly putting on a facade at their interviews, but social media usually tells them all they need to know about your character....so just be very careful what you put on the internet. Just like a tattoo, think clearly about your decision to brand yourself a certain way. People are watching!

-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook