Rachel's Blog !!

A fun way to get to my know my thoughts on social media :)

[raykay44-blog]

Week 12 Reflection

One of my favorite parts of the instruction of the class were the professor’s weekly agenda videos. Because this class is mostly online, watching her on the weekly videos made the class feel more personal and less like an online class. Since the class teaches about all types of media, the weekly agenda would also be displayed in an audio podcast. I personally liked the videos more than the audio documents because I could visualize the information while hearing the audio. Otherwise, everything is great about the content, professor, structure, and general information on the course as a whole.

Even though I am only a first semester freshman, so far I can say that this class, CI 1942, is my favorite class I have taken at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. I know many people would consider this statement as not saying much because I have only taken 5 classes here. Nonetheless, I can confidently express that this class will remain as one of my favorite classes, throughout college. I could go on for hours about this course (ask my friends about how much I talk about this class), but I’ll keep it short and concise.

First things first, not only is the content interesting, but the design of the class is perfect, especially for the material discussed in the course. I can remember myself at summer orientation contemplating to myself if I should take a class classified as hybrid. Taking a partially online class as a first semester freshman seemed daunting. All I wanted was a professor to stand in front of me and teach me the material. However, the structure of this class makes learning the content efficient and easily applicable, in terms of taking what we learn and directly using the information on our assignments. To be honest, I thoroughly enjoy having the opportunity of completing my assignments for this class in my cozy bed on a cold rainy day. At first, on the first day of class, let alone my first day of college, ever, I wanted our group to meet more frequently than agreed upon. Now that the semester is almost over *tear*, I can say that we came together as a group face to face the perfect amount of time. Despite the fact that St. Paul is pretty far from most of the students in class, I absolutely enjoyed our time together in the LT media lab room. Although this class is somewhat independent, as we are expected to keep up with the class without meeting in person, aside from the two times we came together in St. Paul, I feel like I know my classmates pretty well. From reading their discussion posts and blog entries, watching numerous flipgrid videos, and communicating regularly in our GroupMe, I can honestly say that I wasn’t in this alone. Although we didn’t see each other in the flesh very often, I still felt a connection with my classmates; they were more than online people to me.

I don’t want to sound like I am just giving the easy answer, but I enjoyed each and every topic we discussed throughout the course. Every theme related to the next and all together compiled a seamless curriculum. I most enjoyed discussing the concept of privacy on the internet. As more and more websites and media platforms are created, the concept of privacy over the web has become a topic of discussion. It really got me thinking about how I control my own social media accounts. This theme really challenged my beliefs because as much as I feel my profiles are private and not visible to the general public, as stated throughout the course, relevant to nearly every single week, “Once you put something out on the internet, it is there forever.” I still want to learn more about privacy in terms of each unique social media platform.

One of my favorite parts of the instruction of the class were the professor’s weekly agenda videos. Because this class is mostly online, watching her on the weekly videos made the class feel more personal and less like an online class. Since the class teaches about all types of media, the weekly agenda would also be displayed in an audio podcast. I personally liked the videos more than the audio documents because I could visualize the information while hearing the audio. Otherwise, everything is great about the content, professor, structure, and general information on the course as a whole.

[raykay44-blog]

Week 10 Reflection

As much as people don’t realize it, social media plays a huge role in career development and professional networking in today’s society. I cannot think of a company that doesn’t utilize social media in the slightest way. Because our culture is modernizing so quickly, social media provides all the ways to connect with one another, such as communicating with a friend, colleague, or person of authority. With regards to careers and professional networking, social media has the power to enhance a corporation as well as the potential employee seeking a job.

Studies show that “92% of recruiters use social media to find high-quality candidates” (SocialTimes). Businesses use social media in every possible way to find the perfect contenders to fill positions at their companies. Recruiters use all types of social media to build the perfect team such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and now even Snapchat. As discussed in previous weeks, social media allows employers to view potential employees’ social networking accounts to get a glimpse of their personality, interests, and work experience. Aside from hiring, it also permits employers access to social media accounts which can also be a negative factor, such that they can see posts that would be classified as unprofessional. Therefore, it is crucial for job seekers to monitor what is shared on the internet and be cautious for it may affect one’s future. Aside from benefiting the company, social media also provides endless outlets for one to find a job. Because so many businesses use social media, individuals can research companies they have an interest in and reach out directly for job opportunities. Jobvite claims that “67% of those who used social media to find their most recent job used Facebook.” This fact not only states that a large percent job seekers used Facebook in attempt to find a job, a platform so commonly used for social purposes, but it also has an underlying sense that numerous people are using social media to locate means of employment.

As of right now, I do not have a major or specific career that I plan on studying. However, next semester, I am going to begin my exploration of the field of journalism, as my advisor suggested I look into the major of Strategic Communication. This is a great area of study to highlight my interest in business without having a business major; I am highly considering a business minor. Strategic Communication is a growing field and is becoming more and more relevant. Social media is used in all sorts of ways in this field to relay messages, publicize ideas, promote brand and ad campaigns, and ultimately spreading information across multiple media platforms. Hopefully, I will enjoy this area of study. Here I can combine my interests in business and communication with my knowledge of social media to create the perfect career for me.

My dad has been using LinkedIn for countless years and has always said how it’s the most amazing thing ever. Now, this is coming from a guy whose life revolves around business and joined Facebook after I did. My first experience using LinkedIn was this past week. I feel like right now, I cannot use it to its fullest potential because I am not active in the professional world quite yet and do not have an extensive list of experiences and skills to share. When I am further along in college and begin to build my career, I believe that LinkedIn will be a great platform to network and enhance my resume. Rather than using Facebook to connect with people, I like how LinkedIn allows for a more professional connection between people when related to business matters. I can totally see myself using LinkedIn in the future!

[raykay44-blog]

Week 6 Reflection

Like many other aspects of society, social media plays a huge role with regards to “romantic” relationships. People of all ages participate in social media communication to build or enhance relationships. From as young as elementary and middle schoolers, these kids talk to known or unfamiliar people over social media networks such as Instagram. This past summer, I was a camp counselor for 5th-7th graders. As I scroll through my Instagram feed, it’s hard not to notice how their friends comment on their pictures “DM me <3,” with the connotation of a message of interest or emotion; DM, meaning direct message, is more private and intimate than a public conversation according to social media norms. As we get older, we tend to communicate in a more private way. However, older people, such as adults, use social media and internet sites to build strong, intimate relationships as well. My mom’s brother, Grant, found himself single in his 40’s wanting to find a life long relationship. He resulted in using a dating website to begin his search for the woman of his dreams. Now, Uncle Grant has been married to Aunt Janine for about 13 years. They are happily married and have a 12 year old daughter. In most cases, I would believe that social media cannot impact relationship beyond a simple friendship connection. However, I do believe that dating websites can help someone find true love. Just look at my Uncle Grant!

Since social media is essentially virtual, one can present themselves however they want over any social media platform. Looking at someone’s Instagram profile doesn’t even compare to meeting someone face-to-face in real life, or how people say over social media, “IRL.” As the article, The Social Media Effect: Are You Really Who You Portray Online?, states, “your ‘real self’ is what you are - your attributes, your characteristics, and your personality. Your ‘ideal self’ is what you feel you should be.” People presenting their ‘ideal self’ online may cause them to have an ego boost since they are displaying the identity they desire to be. We should be presenting our real selves over social media––the person people approach, look at, and speak to in a face-to-face interaction. Though this would be great, we as a society are driven by competition, “hence, the creation and portrayal of our ideal selves.” With regards to being in a relationship, especially a romantic one, partners must present their authentic selves in order to have a healthy, successful relationship. For instance, if a woman displays herself in an inaccurate way over an internet dating site, when finding a husband, he may think he’s getting to know her when he really is being deceived.

According to the Pew Research Center’s quiz, I am considered to have an average use of online dating activity. They classified me as one of the 11% of Americans who have used online dating. Since I was taking a quiz, I wanted to be as accurate as possible. I personally believe that what I have taken part in, is really legitimate online dating. Last year, my friend downloaded the app J-Swipe (essentially Tinder, but for Jewish people) on my phone and I kept it for about a week, then deleted it. For this quiz I mentioned that I used this app. The results of the quiz state that I understand that love is complicated and I am a bit skeptical about the whole online dating thing. I agree with this more or less.

With my experience using online dating, I chose to limit the amount of information I shared on my profile. It allowed me to select up to five pictures to share, and I believe I chose three to publically display. In order to use the app correctly, I shared my location and my age range: St. Louis, MO and 18-20. The J-Swipe profile was linked to my Facebook account too. All of that together was the extent of the information I shared. Since I wasn’t seriously using this app to find someone to date, I didn’t want to treat it like I was fully committed, willing to share my whole life to a person I’d swipe right for. 

All in all, whatever you choose to put on the internet is your choice. However you choose to portray yourself on the internet is up to you. Personally, I aspire to my true self in person as well as online. When reading The Huffington Post article, I really enjoyed reading the advice written at the end. It basically gives the three golden rules on how to be yourself when using social media:“1. Stop comparing yourself to others...2. Authenticity is Key...3. Align your “Real” self with your ‘Ideal’ self.” If everyone who over uses photoshop to edit photos, shares false information to sound more appealing, and lacks confidence would follow these rules, their lives and portrayed personas on the internet will be greatly improved.

[raykay44-blog]

Week Three Reflection

When discussing if social networks positively or negatively affect our interpersonal skills, it is very difficult for me to choose a side. Since social networking exists on an array of media platforms and is so multifaceted, it is not easy to give a straight answer whether it is for the good or for the bad. However, ultimately I believe that for the most part, it is negatively affecting our interpersonal skills. By communicating via social media, we are losing the skills of face-to-face interaction and communication. In the article, Is Social Media Damaging Interpersonal Communication?, author Abigail Clark highlights that the impact of social media is removing us from our nearest and dearest. For example, when at the dinner table, it is very common to see family members on their mobile devices instead of catching up and spending quality time with the ones they love. This trend also expands over a variety of cases as our generation spends more time consumed in our screens than making thorough eye contact with authentic people.

I think that with all things considered, social media is making us more social. However, it still all depends on the perspective one looks at it. As the 3Qs: The social impact of social networks article claims, our involvement on social media accentuates our already existing social behaviors. For instance, socially isolated people become even more isolated after having spent time on the internet. This also states true for the opposite trait; social butterflies flourish and become even more social with the use of media. I believe that social media doesn’t directly make us more or less social per say. It provides us ways to express our sociality. An example of this is Facebook. This website and application does not automatically make someone social, but it provides many resources for one to gain sociability. Through its social features like messenger, people you may know, groups, etc., Facebook eases the process for users to make connections with people. Also, it is not just that social media is making us as a society more or less social. In the Social Media and Interpersonal Communication article, Booth focuses on the fact that it is communication that has changed, causing us to make social interactions in alternative forms than face-to-face conversation.

The extent of the dependency of social media on society is relative to the individual. Personally, I do not feel like I am as dependent on my personal technology or social media as much as others in my generation. However, I feel incredibly guilty admitting this, but a few days ago I misplaced my cell phone and felt empty without it. I, among the majority of my generation, are so heavily reliant on our personal technology; I just did not realize it until I was separated from my mobile device. Additionally, since social media has made a huge breakthrough because our world is modernizing so rapidly, it’s nearly forcing our society to keep up with the changes and join the bandwagon with regards to social media. It’s greatly impacting us as individuals and as a society as a whole. Now, every organization, company, business, and group are associated with social media. Social media is literally everywhere. This isn’t necessarily a negative thing; it just proves that social media has an immense significance on the world today.

In my opinion, social networks will do great wonders to our future society. Social networks let us expand our friendships and business networks, as well as allowing us to make connections with people from all over the world. It sets a platform for people to excel to infinite levels. However, social media may end up taking over the world. As social media expands, its impact strengthens and becomes more powerful. I believe that in the future, the possibility of people so heavily relying on social media, leaving them unable to interact, connect, and socialize with people in a face-to-face situation is huge. As the future approaches, social networking will become more of a prominent factor in our daily lives. Just as Bowman claims from Social Media and Interpersonal Communication, social media will become more integrated into our normal human lives as time increases. I am no psychic, but I can sense the trend that social media will play a heavy role in our future society, and will shape the way we think, speak, act, and live.

When reading all of the articles associated with this topic, it was hard not to notice all of the varied opinions on the discussion of social media. This clearly affirms that there are no right and wrong viewpoints on the current state and future predictions on social media. Social media has made an everlasting impact on society that has created such positive change on the world. The prominence of social media and networking is leaving an enormous effect on our culture. However, how do we know when there is too much social media in our lives? Only time will tell...