It’s natural to think that a hobby is simply a pastime, but in reality, you can turn what you’re passionate about into a full-time position. The key is to be strategic about your approach and to build up your skills and resume along the way. Although it’s possible to turn any side gig into a career, I’m going to focus on how to break into a career in the creative industry, specifically in writing.

Love what you’re doing.

Though this may seem obvious, if you’re truly set on transitioning a hobby or side gig into your career, you have to thoroughly enjoy what you’re doing. Through writing, for instance, you can develop your skills for years before it becomes a full-time role. If you start off writing for your college newspaper or magazine your freshman year and realize that it’s something you love to do, you’ve already begun setting yourself up on the right path.

Take advantage of every opportunity.

Join several clubs at your university that focus on what you’re interested in. If you like to write, join creative writing and poetry clubs and try branching out to TV, radio and film organizations, because you’ll have the chance to broaden your writing skills even more. Take a stab at freelancing for national magazines and newspapers or start writing your own blog. In order to make writing your profession, it’s necessary to build your portfolio and resume through participation in extracurriculars on campus as well as other small writing jobs.

Take on a writing or editorial internship.

With a few freelance gigs under your belt, you’ll start building your writing portfolio . You can take the next step in shaping your future career by applying for writing or editorial internships at publishing houses and other media organizations. There are also many other fields, such as marketing, public relations and advertising where you can put your writing to good use as well, so make sure to consider all your options. An internship is extremely important, as it is your first professional experience in the working world, in a field in which you plan to establish yourself.

Upon graduation, apply to jobs where writing is a central component of the role.

Although you may have first started writing for your university’s newspaper, simply to be entertained, you now have the experience that you need to start your dream career. Your coursework, extracurriculars, side gigs and internships in writing have prepared you for the full-time job application and interview process. Though you might not receive an offer immediately, your enthusiasm will be evident, so you’re bound to find a job and a place where you’ll be excited to work.

It’s not easy to turn a passion into a job, because it requires a lot of dedication and hard work, but if it’s something that you truly love to do, you’re going to have fun putting in the extra time. Writing, just like with any major or field, offers you a wide range of opportunities; you just have to be ready to grab hold of them and give it your best effort.

The post How to Turn A Side Gig Into A Full-Time Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The popularity of brand ambassador programs is on the rise and a campus rep role is the perfect way to gain experience and connect with other students on your campus. The best part of all: You’ll not only get to be part of a company’s brand innovation and growth, you’ll also get to add the experience to your resume and possibly make some money while you’re at it.

Thinking about trying it? Check out some of the benefits of becoming a brand ambassador below.

1. No experience necessary.

There’s nothing worse than filling out job or internship applications and feeling like you’re underqualified, because you lack the necessary experience. However, previous experience is typically not required to become a brand ambassador. Because most companies look to hire college students for their programs, they are simply looking for energetic and outgoing students to talk up their brand on campus and on social media.

2. The chance to make some money.

Although not all brand ambassador positions are paid, there are many paid rep programs out there! Whether you’re paid a specific amount per signup for an app or website or you receive a commission for an order on your campus, being a brand ambassador is a great way to make some extra money in addition to any other part-time jobs or internships you might have.

3. A flexible schedule.

Because the majority of brand ambassador positions are done remotely, you decide your own hours, so you ultimately decide how much (or how little) you’re going to get out of your time in the role. You can either make a set schedule for yourself, deciding how much time you’re going to dedicate per week, or you can talk to students and post on social media whenever you have spare time. Though you will have to check in with your supervisor or manager about your progress, you are ultimately the one who is in control.

4. An awesome resume booster.

You learn a number of skills as a brand ambassador because you have to make your own decisions regarding your work. You learn excellent oral and written communication skills and you also learn several marketing and sales skills, like planning and strategizing, all while building your own network at your university. You’ll quickly start to understand the ins and outs of social media branding, and most of all, you’ll be able to demonstrate that you’re an independent self-starter. Even if you don’t plan on working in business after graduation, having the ability to market and sell a product, which will in many cases be yourself, is essential in any field.

5. The chance to build your network.

In order to spread the word across your campus about the company you’re representing, you’ll talk to a variety of students, professors, and administrators at your university. Being a brand ambassador can help you build your network, because introducing yourself to so many people opens up the door for opportunities in the future. A student that you met may be able to recommend you for an internship and an individual at the career center might have a contact at a company you’d love to work for after graduation. The more people you know, the better your chances of finding that dream internship or entry-level job, so don’t be afraid to reach out to as many people as you can.
Ready to get started? There are several brand ambassador positions on WayUp, so if you’re looking for a new, engaging, and flexible experience, you can start applying today.

The post 5 Benefits of Being a Brand Ambassador appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In high school, I met a girl who blogged. She blogged about baking and paired recipes with beautiful anecdotes from her personal life, weaving the two together in a mesmerizing way. She was a normal high school teenager, but she turned her passion into a project, and that project turned out to be very successful.

I have always loved writing, but as a teenager, I lacked an outlet to share my words. Inspired by my schoolmate, I went home and started a blog of my own. That was seven years ago, and I’m still blogging today.

That first blog, and all subsequent blogs, were never meant to be anything more than a hobby. I had never set my sights on becoming a professional blogger; it was just a platform for me to explore new interests and share ideas with others. My blog grew naturally over time, but that was never in the forefront of my mind. I write because I love it, and I blog because it’s a great medium.

In my senior year of college, I started to search for ways to build up my writing portfolio. I added my personal blogging experience to my resume and began to look for sites that I could write for. That’s when I started contributing to Looksharp.

Several months later, I graduated from college and was looking for work in writing. I interviewed at a few companies and was told repeatedly that my resume stood out because of my blogging experience. They wanted to know what I wrote about, how long I had been blogging and what I had learned from doing it. Over seven years of hobby blogging, I had picked up a lot of practical knowledge and skills. Ultimately, I landed my first two jobs out of college not because of my degree, but because of my blogging experience.

Having a cultivated hobby became the most valuable item on my resume. Understanding the blogging community, how to operate on multiple blogging platforms and the basics of search engine optimization became practical skills that set my resume apart from the crowd, at least enough to get my foot in the door. Although I didn’t know it when I started my first blog in high school, the thing that I was doing ‘just for fun’ would become an important factor in the start of my career.

The post How My Hobbies Helped Me Land a Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

 This post is from our good friends at campus.about.me. campus.about.me helps students get discovered and excel on and off campus.

Where my extroverts at!!??

Extroverts, this is coming from one of your own so listen up!

Many people (wrongly) think that extroverts don’t need networking advice. They think we could hold a conversation with a park bench.  And though they may be right, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t opportunities to develop our social skills.

Here are a few things we know about extroverts:  

• Extroverts draw their energy from being in larger groups of people. They feed off of others’ spirit.
• Sometimes, when extroverts are left alone for too long, they can get crazy uncomfortable.
• Extroverts have a lot of “friends” and not as many friends.
• One misconception is that all extroverts are confident. Extroversion and confidence are not synonymous.

My wife likes to make fun of me because I make “friends” wherever I go.  I’ll come home after being out and tell her about my boy, Mike.  She asks how long have I known Mike? I respond, “Oh, I just met him.”

You see, extroverts are great friendship starters. We get people on “team us” pretty quickly but there is a flip side to this. Extroverts often long for deeper relationships…but we get caught up making a bunch of new ones.

A little bit of an extrovert AND introvert? Tips to get you out of your comfort zone when it comes to networking.

So how can extroverts flip the script and connect deeper? Here are three networking tips for extroverts.

1. Focus. Focus. And, Focus.

Extroverts, you know how when you’re talking to someone and then you see someone else walk in and you start thinking about how you want to talk to that new person?  Yeah. Don’t do that. Instead, lock it up and focus on whoever you’re speaking to!

Do yourself a favor (this is a pro move): Turn your back away from everything else going on when you’re having a conversation.  Focus on asking great follow-up questions and share about yourself at appropriate moments.

2. Be a Connector

One thing extroverts are usually great at is connecting people.  Our conversations sometimes sound like, “Wait, so you like (insert indie band that only 4 people know about)? My friend loves them!  Hey, Nicole come over here! This girl loves that band that you always talk about that none of us have heard of.”

The extrovert then introduces the two parties and slips out of the conversation to speak to someone new.  Being able to connect people increases your social clout and makes you feel more valuable to stay in touch with.

3. Slow… Down…

Social and networking events are not races to see who can pass out the most business cards.  Make a plan for what type of people you want to meet beforehand so when you get there you know who to spend your time getting to know.

Why? Because you can–and normally would– talk to anyone but you have a goal in mind this evening and that goal is not: “most amount of handshakes executed ever at an alumni event.”  The goal is to create meaningful memorable relationships with individuals doing what you want to do in your life.

My fellow extroverts, I hope these tips makes your networking more fruitful.  Let your charisma flow and continue to be warm and charming.

James Robilotta is a professional speaker, improv performer, author and entrepreneur. James is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and earned a master’s degree from Clemson University.

The post We’ve Got Some Advice for the Extroverts appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

One of the most common responses you’ll get when you say that you’re an English major is the quizzical, “Oh – what do you plan on doing with that?” Maybe you chose your major because your passion is to analyze the meaning behind the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg in The Great Gatsby (can you live?!). You certainly didn’t choose it to have a quarter-life crisis about how that passion may never turn into a profitable career.

If you’re worried about what you’re going to do with an English major after graduation, you should know that holding an English degree can lead to a myriad of career choices – not only in teaching or in publishing but also in business, law and many other professions like Researcher or Content Writer. Renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg majored in English at California State, Long Beach, former ABC World News anchor and broadcast journalist Diane Sawyer majored in English at Wellesley, and Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, got her English degree from Stanford. Their careers prove that your major does not define your career path – you have the power to create your own narrative.

Working your narrative involves identifying the transferable skills you gained from studying English, skills that are valuable in almost any role. What are those skills? Well for one, you can’t go 5 minutes on the job search without seeing a listing that reads, “Must have excellent communication skills.” As an English major, you’ve been asked to clearly state your ideas or your interpretation of certain texts, and you’ve also developed valuable writing skills, formulating complex, concise and insightful papers each week.  Your articulate communication skills are indispensable in any workplace – whether you’re brainstorming ideas in a meeting or writing emails to clients.

Because you’ve not only had to analyze, compare, and contrast different texts but have also had to read and understand thought pieces written about those texts, you have critical thinking skills. Critical thinking will allow you to understand different perspectives and make logical, informed decisions. Your eagle eye for grammatical errors and literary nuances signifies a fierce attentiveness to detail, minimizing carelessness in the workplace.

Make sure to talk to your professors about the skills they are trying to instill in you and think about what you’ve learned from your past English courses. This will help you to think of even more skills that you can reference in future interviews – skills that will help you show just how qualified you are as a candidate. More importantly, you’ll be able to breathe easy the next time someone asks, “So, what are you planning on doing with that degree?

The post What Can I Do With An English Major? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Freelancing may be the best option for some people who want to gain work experience while they’re in college.

Learning in the classroom is beneficial, but actually working in your desired field and building your portfolio can greatly complement your college education. Read Elite Daily’s article for 22 reasons why freelancing may be one of the best routes to success.

The post Freelance Your Way to a Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Photography internships can enable you to work with top-notch photographers. Many are even willing to give amateur photographers with great potential a first look into the process of making a career out of photography.

It’s a tough world out there in this specific field, considering the amount of competition that grows every year, and doing an internship can get you on the right track. Use these 10 great tips for finding and landing these internships successfully.

1. Create a Perfect Physical Portfolio

Make sure you have a portfolio that really showcases your skills as a photographer. Printing out your images on glossy paper or any type of photography paper will show that you are serious. Internship employers usually want to find people who are creative. If you can showcase this to them, you will have a higher chance of getting hired.

Look books are a good idea, but if you spend the time to make a custom portfolio and look book geared toward the position you are applying for, your chances essentially skyrocket. It shows creativity and a strong desire for the internship.

2. Digital Portfolio

Take the plunge and buy a domain, like www.yourname.com, and build a portfolio site. Products like Squarespace allow you to make super slick sites with no knowledge of web development, and portfolio sites are relatively simple. You are just showcasing all your work.

Make sure you have social 2.0 accounts for your photography on all the major outlets: a Facebook page, Instagram, Tumblr, WordPress and more. Make sure these are separate from your personal social accounts as it implies an air of professionalism when they are accounts dedicated to your photography.

Have these linked and featured on your portfolio site. This makes you look much larger than life.

3. Keep an Online Press Kit Handy

Also on your portfolio site, you are going to want a page that is a one-page type press kit. Usually new businesses and bands have press kits, but you’ll find them useful as well for landing work in this field. This is basically a kit with your logo, promotional materials and anything else that the public or media needs to know about you or your business. In this case, it’s a unique little kit to showcase who you are to employers.

4. Find Internships Online

You don’t need to go through classified ads or newspapers to find these opportunities. The Internet is filled with companies looking to hire you as an intern. There are sites that aggregate internships, and they are a really good resource.

I would also recommend approaching companies that normally don’t offer internships but have a clear need for photos, and try pitching them your ideas.

I bought some glasses online from glasses.com, and in the process, I noticed that all their product shots were the same. I also assumed they had tons of products that always needed shooting. I simply emailed them my desire to intern and my willingness to work for pennies. I pitched a few alternate ideas about how to shoot their product, and I got the internship!

There are probably millions of websites and local business out there that need product or branding photography. (Seriously, e-commerce websites like this that have shot after shot of inventory, large and small, are everywhere.) They may not be advertising an internship, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be interested in having an intern. They just don’t know it yet. That’s where you come in.

5. Cover Letter

It is highly recommended to submit a cover letter for an internship. This letter should indicate reasons that outline why you should be given the chance to be an intern. Don’t be afraid to include information about who you are, including your previous experiences. This letter is not your resume. Think of it as a way to touch base about who you are; it’s the cherry on top of your resume.

6. References

Any kind of previous work involves working with employers. If you’re in good touch with any companies you have worked with, try asking for a letter of recommendation. If you have worked with a charity or have volunteered at your church, these are sources that can help add that special effect that says you know what you’re doing as a photographer.

7. Interview Like You’re Ready to Learn

During the phone interview, you want to make sure that you are eager to learn from the best. Showcase your technical expertise and know-how; let them know what you’re capable of, but always show them that you’re eager to learn. This is what internships are all about in the end. It’s about employers giving new people like you the chance to learn the business and work from the bottom-up. Showing this eagerness and willingness to learn will increase your chances of employment.

8. In-Person Interviews

Doing in-person interviews are very scary, and they require a different level of preparation as opposed to traditional phone interviews. It is highly recommended to wear professional clothing, speak with confidence and be the best version of you. They want to hire somebody with that natural extinct in this field, so showcase your abilities throughout the interview.

9. Which Internship Should I Apply to?

Consider applying to an internship that interests you. There are times when an internship may involve photographing people or things you aren’t interested in. Find out what the job will entail, and you will be able to see by the job description if it is of any interest to you.

The tips above should help get you on the right track to landing an internship in the photography field. The key is to make sure that you present yourself as a professional photographer who is ready to learn about the business.

The post Tips for Getting an Exciting Photography Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

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Social media is much more than tweeting your feelings, posting an Instagram picture of you and your friends going out and wishing someone happy birthday on Facebook. In today’s age of the Internet and digital media, social media has become a tool for businesses, non-profits, government agencies and every day people to use daily. Social media expertise is an actual skill, one that every intern should have and one that will impress any interviewer you encounter.

Social media has a personal side and a business side, and sometimes the two overlap. For example, celebrities use social media to connect with their fans, but also to promote themselves. Companies use social media to shape their brand and also sell their product or message. Social media positions have found a permanent place in the communications department of companies everywhere. Whether or not that is something you see yourself doing, the ability to navigate social media in a professional setting is a skill you should learn in order to put yourself above the rest.

There are many problems and difficulties with social media that social media interns face. There’s the character limit (140 characters really isn’t much), the uphill battle to get more followers, conveying your message through a picture or graphic, engaging with your audience and ensuring that you are being true to the brand.

Problems can be tackled as a team as well as through learning and spending more time with social media. Anyone that desires to work in the communication field needs some sort of social media experience aside from personal interaction. You can take a social media class, read online articles or learn through experience.

These are a few things you should know:

1. You gain followers through following others too.

Unless you’re a major celebrity or well known brand, followers are not going to come naturally. In order to increase your followers on any social media platform, you’re going to need to follow others in your target brand, hashtag relevant or key terms and retweet or get featured.

2. Keep tweets to 100 characters or less for retweets.

140 characters isn’t much, I know, but keeping your tweet to 100 characters or less makes it retweetable or quote retweetable. Otherwise, users that want to retweet your tweet and add a quote will have to shorten your tweet themselves or they will get discouraged and won’t retweet at all.

3. Track your engagement.

On Twitter and Facebook, there are pages where you can track the engagement and statistics of everything you post: your links, photos and posts themselves. This is a great way to see what is working and discover what people like and don’t like. Constantly check this at least once a week; it’s a great way to teach yourself, but it also enables you to have statistics to show your supervisor too.

4. Get familiar with or learn how to use scheduling sites. 

If you’ve never heard of Klout or Buffer, google them and play around. Unfortunately, Instagram cannot be scheduled yet, but maybe someday it will be. On these sites, you can connect Twitter and Facebook accounts, so you can schedule posts out days in advance. They also analyze your statistics and target audience based on your followers and show you relevant articles that your followers may be interested in, which is another great way to tailor to your brand audience.

5. Images almost always do better than plain text posts.

Maybe it’s a visual thing, or maybe it’s that an audience reacts better to seeing than reading, but tweets with images and text get better attention from your audience and are more likely to be shared.

6. Participate in brand chats every week.

If you’re a style or fashion company, join #StyleChat every Wednesday afternoon with tons of brands and users. By participating, you will receive responses, give responses and gain attention.

7. Respond and interact with other users.

If someone tweets you, tweet them back. If someone comments on your post or picture, comment back. You don’t have to do this for every tweet or comment, but recognizing them makes it more personal.

When you’re interviewing for a social media position, discuss your skill set. It’s even better if you’re able to give statistics from your previous experiences. It will show the employer that you have a genuine interest and that you know what you’re doing.

The digital age of the Internet is among us, so take advantage of the technology to expand your resume and gain social media as a valuable skill.

The post Social Media is an Actual Skill appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Recently we wrote an article on why Brand Ambassador/Campus Rep roles are the new black. For all of you that took our advice to heart and got yourselves an amazing Brand Ambassador job, here are a few tricks and tips on how to hustle your way to the top.

1. Engage your campus. Being a Brand Ambassador is great for a variety of reasons, but the best one of all? They’re completely located on campus. Break out of your shell and reach out to as many students and organizations as possible. What’s the worst that could happen?

2. Use social media to your advantage. We’re all millennials here (sorry, I said the “m-word”), and with that comes a unique aptitude for social media. Use this to your benefit and reach out across Facebook, specific groups, Instagram and even Snapchat if you want to get super creative.

3. Integrate your passions and interests. Who are the most successful people in life? Those who demonstrate a certain amount of zeal in their work. For example: If A Cappella is your thing, tie it into your role and make a marketing tactic out of it. Did someone say flash mob?

4. Set goals. There are a million ways to get the word out and engage your campus. Set goals for yourself by the week or by the month. For example, talk to one new organization a week, send out X-number of emails by Friday, plan one big event or get-together by the end of the month. Time management is always the name of the game in college, so simply add these goals to your planner! (After all, these benchmark goals will probably be more fun than studying for that Chem Final)

That’s all for now, keep checking the blog for the best ways to become a certified #WayUpBOSS.

The post Brand Ambassador Tips & Tricks appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Earlier this year, two seniors at the University of Southern California made over 6-figures, from the comfort of their own campus…. and they definitely didn’t do it by selling bags of candy in the HUB. These two hustled their way to the top by making the most of a unique role that’s out there for college students: Brand Ambassador Roles (here at WayUp, we call our Brand Ambassadors “Campus Reps” and we’re building a small army!)

(You can read more about these young studs here.)

Want to beef up your wallet and your resume? Here are WayUp’s top reasons for why taking on a Brand Ambassador/Campus Rep position might just be the best choice you ever made.

1. Figure out your skills: In a nutshell, being a Brand Ambassador is great because it lets you explore different industries and disciplines. Most of these roles require you to use your networking skills by reaching different groups on campus, learn marketing skills by figuring out what demographics and groups to target most effectively, and figure out whether “entrepreneurial” is your middle name, by seeing how well you can sell a product/service to the public. Through a Brand Ambassador position, you will quickly figure out what areas you excel in, and which areas you want to learn more about.

2. Gain real world experience outside your campus: Some college campuses offer great on-campus jobs, but they can also be hard to come by. Brand Ambassador roles (and other part-time jobs and internships) are a great resource for students who are looking to gain experience working for “real-world” companies that expand beyond their college town. Working as a Brand Ambassador for an established company like Coca-Cola or Uber while you are still in school gives you insight into their marketing teams, and can foster connections for full-time jobs or summer internships later down the line.

3. Test your own capabilities and work-ethic: The USC students are the perfect example of entrepreneurial motivation at it’s best. With most Brand Ambassador Roles, the more you put in, the more you get out. Since these roles are mutually beneficial both for the students and the companies, high success is always win-win!

PS. I hear WayUp has a huge selection of Brand Ambassador and Campus Rep roles…and that some of them are even one-click apply. Just sayin’…

PPS. Once you land that Brand Ambassador Role, check out some tips & tricks here.

The post Why Get a Brand Ambassador/Campus Rep Role? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

After graduating from UPenn with a degree in Communications, Nicole landed a job in Culture Marketing at Red Bull. Here’s what she has to say after 1.5 years at the company.

Why did you choose this job?

I was looking for a creative role within a cutting edge company. When I heard about Red Bull’s Culture Marketing program I knew it would be the perfect mix of business, creativity, and strategy. I was also very inspired by Red Bull’s mission: “to give wings to people and ideas.” Because of this, I loved that I would be helping artists advance in their fields.

What is an average day like in your role?

Everyday was different! One day I would be in business planning meetings, the next I would be setting up for an underground concert in Brooklyn, and the next I would be negotiating a brand activation at a fashion show.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Not drinking too much Red Bull each day! Just kidding, we always had a lot going on so it was challenging to make sure each event, artist, and activation got the attention it deserved.

What’s your favorite part of the job?

Definitely the people I worked with. Red Bull doesn’t hire conventional types, so we always had an interesting mix.

What’s a common misconception about your job?

Everyone always asks if I drive the Red Bull car!

Any tips for current college students who aspire to have your job?

Learn about the industry. Know your music taste, know your art taste, and know how to speak about emerging scenes.

If you had a time machine and could travel back to visit yourself in college, what’s the #1 piece of advice you would have given yourself?

Keep in touch with professors. They’re actually really awesome people.

What is a fun perk of your job?

The most amazing perk was getting to go to all the awesome events that Red Bull hosts. Between sporting events, concerts, and exploring nightlife, my schedule was always filled.

The post Culture Marketing appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

A Business Marketing Major in college and a former Retail Store Manager, Katie Donovan is a self-employed freelance writer. Here’s what she has to say with 5 years under belt. 

Why did you choose this job? 

This job chose me. Writing has been my passion since I can remember. I was lucky enough to be able to follow my dreams and afford the time to dedicate to my profession.

What is an average day like in your role?

I spend my days sitting in front of my laptop, writing, Skyping clients, researching, and creating new avenues for myself to travel. I work long hours most days, but I make my own hours and I only HAVE to work, when I have an immediate deadline.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is balancing the ups and downs. Some weeks I am slammed, while others are slow. Time management is crucial for those who work for themselves.

What’s your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of my job is that I’m living my dream. I no longer work 70+ hours a week for a poor salary, breaking my back and missing out on the best parts of life. I now create time for myself to enjoy the things I love.

What’s a common misconception about your job?

A common misconception about my job would either be that I sit home doing nothing all day. People often think I hang out at home and have an abundance of free time; when in reality, I actually work more now than before only the time is not painful.

Any tips for current college students who aspire to be writers?

Major in something other than writing or Journalism. I purposely chose a different major so that I wouldn’t burn myself out on my passion during college. This is not the same for most majors, but writing is different, in my opinion. Writing can be difficult to make a living on alone, so I recommend having a different major to fall back on.

If you had a time machine and could travel back to visit yourself in college, what’s the #1 piece of advice you would have given yourself?

To enjoy the ride. I would tell myself to cherish every classroom moment, every lecture, every boring note card – because learning is forever but college only happens once (for most people). It is the experience that is the richest element; anyone can read a textbook or read journal reviews online.

What is a fun perk of your job?

My entire job is fun, however, when I get a client that offers work on topics I am passionate about, I find happiness in creating pieces on things that matter to me. I enjoy meeting clients and being a part of their dream by assisting them with content.

The post Ghost Writer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you want to get your brand noticed by college students, or if you want to just have some eyes and ears among a younger audience, hire a Campus Rep.

With the time and ability to reach nearly every group of students on campus, college students can often be the most efficient way to get your message heard quickly and scalably. All you have to do is hire some Campus Reps!

First things first… What’s the difference between a Campus Rep and a Campus Ambassador?

Nothing! In fact, there are a number variations of this job title, including:

• Campus Rep(representative)
• College Rep
• Campus Ambassador
• Student Rep
• Student Ambassador
• Campus Marketing Manager
• Campus Field Leader
• …and the list goes on!

So why do college students even want to be Reps?

First of all, it’s a nice boost to their resume. Especially when a business is willing to write a letter of recommendation for a student (which is a highly valued prize for people with minimal work experience), many students in this day and age claim to have their Campus Rep job be the first job they’ve ever held!

Next, it can often be a good money making venture. Turns out, lots of companies (especially startups) pay campus reps on a performance basis. So if a student truly believes in a brand and has enough friends who also believe, then they can make some good money quickly!

And, of course, it’s just a good experience! We’ve seen BioMed majors take on a campus rep job and decide to become Marketing majors! Many college students love having varied experiences so they can figure out “what to do with their lives”, and they often know that Campus Rep jobs are the way to go if you want on-the-ground marketing + communications experience.

What do Campus Reps typically do day-to-day?

Most importantly, they live your brand every day. Being a Campus Rep actually keeps college students quite busy. They spend their days collaborating with other reps, planning and organizing events, and organizing guerrilla marketing brand campaigns for you. They engage in multiple activities, from designing posters to attending parties and providing giveaways, to promoting the brand face-to-face and via social networking. Campus Reps are responsible for identifying partnerships with local bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops for promotional purposes. They also build databases and write reports, capturing the details of their work and submitting it for evaluation. They communicate!!

Here are some examples of companies with Campus Reps, and what the Campus Rep’s main responsibility is:

• Teach For America: recruit more seniors to apply for TFA jobs
• Google: promote new product releases, and give out free swag
• Anheuser-Busch InBev: host philanthropic events on the company’s behalf (“Don’t drink and drive!”), and recruit mechanical engineering students to work for AB.
• Red Bull: tell the Wings team which parties to crash (to give out free Red Bull)
• WayUp: get friends and colleagues to sign-up for WayUp, and throw guerrilla marketing events throughout campus (like flash mobs!)

Do you need advice or tips on running your own Rep program? WayUp offers consultations to employers. 

The post What Is a Campus Rep? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’re starting your search for an internship or job. Everything seems to be in order – you have relevant experience in the field, you have volunteered your time at an organization that you are passionate about, and you have performed well in your undergraduate coursework. You have applied for a variety of positions, but none of them seem to be considering you for their company. There are many things that could be causing the employers’ aversion to you as a candidate for their company, but one of them that is often overlooked is your social media accounts.

With Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, among other social media platforms, becoming increasingly popular among teens and young adults, employers are more inclined to take these into account when evaluating a potential employee’s resume. Not only does an applicant’s social media account tell the employers a bit about their personality and outlook, it also gives them an idea of how they carry themselves and how professional they will act in the workplace.

Take three candidates’ Facebook profiles for example: Candidate A has pictures on his profile containing alcohol, status updates using vulgar language, and exudes an overall unprofessional vibe. Candidate B does not have any inappropriate pictures or language on her profile, but her status updates and posts on her Facebook wall are often complaint-oriented or pessimistic. Candidate C has pictures of her travelling with her family or having fun with her friends, status updates that are positive and upbeat, and a generally happy and optimistic profile. Which of these candidates would you choose?

The gist of the situation is that employers may not only look for inappropriate pictures or posts, but they might also use your social media platforms as a means to determine your outlook on life, your attitude, or your general demeanor, all of which are going to play an important part in your employment at their company. It is important to keep tabs on how you portray yourself on your social media accounts. They may play a very important role in your professional future, and it is important to make sure that every aspect of your resume and application are the best that they can be.

The post The Importance of Maintaining Professional Social Media Accounts appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I know what you’re thinking. I’m not in a creative field – why do I need portfolio? The truth is, every professional could use a portfolio, and in today’s job market, no one needs to look more professional than a college student or recent graduate. Unless you lucked out with an interview for a family or friend’s company, a hiring manager has nothing to go on but a letter and your résumé. What better way to showcase who you are and what you can do than with a portfolio?

Think of it as a supplement to your résumé. Your portfolio will support every statement you make regarding how perfect you’d be for that job. Remember show and tell? You wouldn’t stand up in front of your class going on and on about how great your pet caterpillar is without actually bringing the caterpillar in. The same principle applies here.

Portfolios are also a terrific reminder that even though you barely survived that internship from hell, it was still a smart career move. Whip out your portfolio every now and then to remind yourself that the experience, no matter how miserable, was well worth it.

By all means, don’t go all Beyoncé and digitally archive your work in a temperature-controlled storage facility. And don’t scramble trying to locate every single thing you’ve ever produced, either. Instead, focus on your most recent and noteworthy accomplishments. Unlike a résumé, a portfolio should house only your best work. The key is to steal the scene from all the other players or – in this case, from all the other candidates.

So, what should you include? It varies, of course, according to your chosen field. However, there are some guidelines that generally work for everyone:

The Basics

It should go without saying that your résumé must be included, but it’s also wise to add contact info for references or recommendation letters from former supervisors. Be sure that every element is clearly labeled with a brief description so that you (and whoever might be looking) can easily navigate.

The Samples

Creative types should absolutely include documents and images, but other kinds of professionals can include docs and pics, too. Image-based marketing is everything these days, so adding visuals will really help sell you and your skills to the hiring manager. (I’ll save selling your soul to your employer for another blog).

For instance, you might add a case study or data that demonstrates how you helped an organization achieve growth. Show off social media savvy with sample posts or analytics reports. For online portfolios, you might include links and short videos, too. No matter which medium you choose, make it a point to highlight your skills and how they were applied successfully in your past experiences.

The Folder

For a hard copy, head to any Staples. With numerous options for cases, binders and files, you can absolutely find something that will store your work neatly and professionally. For a long time I used a simple presentation folder with address labels for each page. Totally DIY, I admit, but it worked like a charm.

For a digital version (which I highly recommend), check out the sites below. Some are strictly for images or documents, while others are more platform than portfolio.

• Portfoliobox
• Dunked
• Folio24
• Clippings.me
• Google Sites
• Weebly
• Dropr

It’s important to note that truly exemplary portfolios require a significant amount of effort, even if they’re online. I have three, and not because I’m just the bee’s knees and produced too many praiseworthy samples. I compiled separate ones because unlike a salary, being adaptable to a multitude of roles and job scenarios is non-negotiable.

Keep in mind that you won’t be sharing your portfolio at every interview. It’s always a good idea to be prepared anyway and use your best judgment to determine whether or not it’s appropriate.

The post Show, Don’t Tell with a Scene-Stealing Portfolio appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Katie Alteri for Contributor Platform. 

Whether you’re a senior looking for professional experience, or simply exploring the field to see if it’s a potential career path, having a public relations internship can help you gain invaluable skills. The options of finding a public relations department are almost endless; you could end up interning at a major firm or non-profit organization, but regardless of the location, you’ll need to complete these 5 steps in order to secure the position.  

1. Research before the interview

Once you’ve written a standout cover letter, perfected your resume, and heard back from the employer, it’s pivotal that you research the company. Public relations professionals look for intern candidates that come with prior knowledge of the organization, AND have their own ideas. Aside from exploring the company’s culture and values, you’ll want to look at their social media accounts and any press releases you can find. Chances are if you get the internship, you’ll be helping research, or even write, these types of posts. If you know the style and content they normally use, you’ll be able to contribute ideas, and be better prepared if you get the position.

2. Bring a portfolio

Possibly the most important step is making a portfolio to show all of your relevant work (either online or print). I originally made my portfolio for one of my professional writing courses, and it ended up being a huge asset for me when I was interviewing for spring internships. My spring public relations internship (at a large pediatric hospital) was writing intensive, and the interviewer asked to see my previous work. Luckily, I had brought my portfolio with me, which included a list of related courses I had taken, articles I wrote for my university’s newspaper, press releases I helped write at my previous public relations internship, and layout/graphic design work. If I didn’t have a portfolio, it is possible I wouldn’t have landed that internship, and would’ve missed out on more public relations experience

3.  Ask questions about what you’ll be doing

Having questions about the internships details is obviously a must, but to ensure you’ll stand out from other candidates, make sure you come with specific inquiries about what you’ll be doing if you get the position. This will help you know it’s the right internship, and show the interviewer that you care about the experience and want to make the most out of it.

4.  Be assertive about the projects you want

If you want to gain social media experience, or love covering events and think that’s your strength; tell your interviewer that. I enjoy writing, and told my interviewer I’d be most excited by writing short articles for their newsletters, or compiling information for the website’s press releases. This helped him give me projects that were most related to my interests, which was beneficial to us both. Public relations departments require a wide range of tasks in order to succeed, so the possibilities of projects really are endless.

5. Send a prompt, specific thank you note

Within 24 hours of your interview, email the interviewer, thanking them for their time and detailing the specific aspects of your conversation. Mentioning what you like about the company and what you hope to do as an intern will prove to the employer that you really want the job.

After researching, and putting in the extra work, it is likely you’ll land a great public relations internship!

The post 5 Steps To Landing A Public Relations Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Kristine Thomason for Contributor Platform. 

After explaining I’m a journalism major at NYU, a number of people have replied with the phrase I’d heard many times, “but journalism is dying“.  I admit, at times it is frightening to know I’m aspiring to work for an industry that is going through so much change. Many print publications are struggling and being replaced by digital alternatives, and writing is being condensed to make way for more visual content. However, my experience in the field has shown me journalism isn’t dying, but rather evolving.

After interning at both print and online publications, I’ve been able to see first hand how the two worlds diverge, and yet, at their core are still the same. Last spring I worked for Men’s Health Magazine, solely in print. I was thrown in head first with a writing assignment my first week. While I was shocked and slightly intimidated to be handed so much responsibility so quickly, I can’t imagine a better way to have learned how to handle the editorial world.

I quickly learned to juggle multiple projects while still meet my deadlines. This involved prioritizing assignments and figuring out what worked best for me to get everything done. For example, I’m not the best at writing first thing in the morning, so I focused on research or administrative work earlier in the day and saved writing for the afternoons.

While I loved working in print, as the semester was drawing to a close, I realized I wanted to explore the digital side of journalism. No, the “journalism is dying” naysayers didn’t get to me; I just wanted to see what it was like to work for an online publication. After applying to many summer internships, I accepted a position as a digital editorial intern at HGTV.com.

By the end of my first week at HGTV, it hit me – I’d done a complete 180 from my role at Men’s Health. On the most obvious level, the content I researched and wrote about was wildly different. Instead of health trends, I researched design trends. In place of fitness tips, I created clever home decorating tips. But what I found most interesting were the differences between the print and online editorial process. At Men’s Health, I’d submit a written sidebar that would then go through a series of editors before I’d hear any feedback. And this was all for a piece less than 150 words that wouldn’t appear in the magazine until months later. Yet, at HGTV, I’d write a blog post that could potentially be published that very day if my editors gave it the okay. It was fascinating to see the immediacy of an online medium.

These two internships were so different, and yet, the skills I gained from each will, without a doubt, help me in future journalism ventures. While there’s no way I could possibly condense everything I learned into a brief article, from pitching to researching to interviewing and everything in between, here are a few tips I‘ve found helpful for excelling in both print and digital editorial internships:

Do Your Research

Pour through as many articles as possible until you really have a sense of what the publication is all about. I was no expert on the latest fitness crazes for men before I interviewed at Men’s Health, but I was determined to learn as much as I possibly could about the magazine. Even after you’ve secured a job, don’t let your research stop! Continue to binge-read article after article until you’ve completely immersed yourself in that publication, and feel ready to effectively represent their brand and voice in your writing.

Find Your Voice in Their Voice

Learn to tailor your writing to the style and voice of the publication you work for. I know for writers this can be hard. It’s easy to get attached to a certain style of writing we call our own, but it’s important to adapt to the needs of the publication. This doesn’t mean you need to completely throw everything about your prose out the window; it’s all about balance. Stick to their style but also make it your own. Since finding this balance can be challenging, when you’re applying to an internship ask yourself– could I write in their style? Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, but also set yourself up for success.

Keep Your Eyes Open

No, I’m not referring to staying awake on the job. What I mean is be aware of the world around you, always. I’ve had so many writing teachers challenge our class to refrain from shoving headphones into our ears when we walk around the city. Instead, they encouraged us to pay attention to our surroundings. As a journalist, inspiration for an article can come from anywhere. But if you have your head down and mind closed, you could miss out on an idea for a truly great story.

Live What You Write

Find ways to live the brand your work for. For example, while I may not be a man, I did begin to embrace more fitness and healthy eating practices while working at Men’s Health. I even made a point to work out with more of my guy friends, for a different perspective on my usual fitness regime. During my summer at HGTV, I tried to make time for creative ventures, like working on decorating projects in my apartment. A lot of this will happen naturally, but whether it’s conscious or not, embracing different aspects of the publication will really help cater your writing to that world. You become enmeshed in the culture and consequently feel like you have a lot more authority to write about the topics.

Get to Know Your Colleagues

Last but not least, be social! Writing is a notoriously lonely occupation, but the beauty of interning for a publication vs. freelancing or working on a personal novel is there are people all around you! Get to know them. Chat with your editors, have lunch with other interns, and even reach out to colleagues in different departments. Your coworkers will most likely be very receptive and more than willing to give you solid advice. Since the journalism world is all about connections, it’s key to maintain these relationships after your internship is over.

I’ve loved every minute of both my print and online experiences. Journalism is a fast paced world that’s constantly changing to meet the demands of modern readers. While at times, it can be scary to know the journalism world will be different by the time I graduate, it’s also exciting to be entering an evolving industry. So if you love to write, do it. Whether it’s news on fitness trends, the latest kitchen appliances, political issues or late breaking news, there will always be stories to tell and a need for people to share those stories with the world.

About the Author:

Kristine Thomason is a senior at NYU studying Journalism and Psychology. She’s also a foodie, arts and culture lover, runner, and overall curious seeker of stories. Kristine has known she wanted to be a writer since she was 11 years old, and knew she wanted to be a professional journalist after writing her first non-fiction book From Senior to Senior during her senior year of High School. She is currently freelancing and will be working for Fitness Magazine this fall where she will be writing for both their digital and print platforms.  Read more of Kristine’s work at kristinethomason.wordpress.com.

The post From Print To Digital: How To Succeed In The Editorial World appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What is your name? Natalie B.

What is your profession? Content Manager

What company do you work for? Fancy.com

How long have you been in this role? 1 year 5 months.

What did you study in college? Media Studies

Why did you choose this job? I’ve always been a fan of visual sites like Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest before it was over-run with pictures of weddings. I wanted to be behind the curation of something unique and eye-catching.

What is an average day like in your role? Sourcing material from our wide array of products, finding which images go well together to catch the user’s eye and promote sales.

What’s the most challenging part of your full-time job? No day is the same. Trends and products are always changing, and that can be a challenge. But that’s also what makes each day exciting!

What’s your favorite part of the job? Knowing that I am creating something that enhances and guides the user experience every time they come to the site.

What’s a common misconception about your job? Content doesn’t just mean curating a homepage! My team works on everything from newsletters to email promotions, to working with the business development and wholesale teams, and much more.

Any tips for current college students who aspire to be a Content Manager? Sharpen up your computer skills in every sense. From Excel to Photoshop, you’ll be using it all.

If you had a time machine and could travel back to visit yourself in college, what’s the #1 piece of advice you would have given yourself? Don’t take yourself too seriously in college. Work hard, join as many groups as possible, but have fun with it.

What is a fun perk of your job? Free swag. Companies send us free samples all the time! Food samples are a personal fav…

The post Content Manager appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Anna Durkin.

This past fall, I had the opportunity to study abroad in the beautiful and multi-cultural London, England. During my time abroad, I spent the former part of the semester attending classes and the latter part as an intern for Extreme Stunts. Prior to the unveiling of my internship placement, I was under the impression that I would be fulfilling an internship in my desired field: fashion journalism. Perhaps I would be reporting on British street fashion or forecasting next season’s color trends. As one can imagine, my initial reaction to the placement was not as I had expected.

Extreme Stunts is an e-magazine that serves as “the ultimate grassroots guide to the world of extreme sports.” As an aspiring fashion journalist, I had very little prior expertise in the world of extreme sports, further heightening my apprehension about the internship placement. However, I chose to view my placement as an opportunity to test my writing skills. If I hope to earn a spot in the industry after graduation, it is important that I be versatile and well rounded in my writing abilities. This way, I may widen the spectrum of job opportunities in the future.
During my time with Extreme Stunts, I served as a US Correspondent and was expected to conduct interviews with athletes, brainstorm and write original articles, and manage the company’s social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. During my first day of interning, I was given the opportunity to attend the annual Ski and Snowboard Show in Earl’s Court: the largest consumer winter sports show in Europe. At the show, I interviewed ski-cross athlete and Sochi 2014 hopeful Pam Thorburn for a feature article that was later published on the Extreme Stunts website. Prior to this experience, I had only conducted interviews with fellow peers and instructors. I was truly humbled to have such a huge opportunity to prove my skills as a journalist and so early into my time as an intern.

Throughout my semester, I continued to publish articles on the company’s website and accept invitations to various events in the industry, such as the premiere of snowboarding documentary Mission: Antarctic in Leicester Square and a foreign safety seminar at the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office in Westminster. Extreme Stunts provided me with an opportunity to refine my skills as an interviewer, a writer, and a member of a professional company. 

My message to prospective interns (especially those placed in an internship through an abroad program and/or collegiate program) is to keep an open mind about your placement regardless of the genre. Even if the field is not directly relevant to the industry you hope to break into, the skills you build and exercise throughout the internship will prove beneficial in the future. In my opinion, it is all about how you frame your experiences. Even if I hadn’t enjoyed my experience with Extreme Stunts, my resume still states that I spent a semester abroad and completed an international internship. Every experience is a lesson learned!

About the Author:

My name is Anna Durkin (atdurk@gmail.com) and I am a junior at Marist College, majoring in English (Writing) and minoring in Fashion Merchandising. I am a member of the Marist Singers as well as The Sirens, Marist’s all female a cappella ensemble. I am also the social media coordinator for Marist’s annual fashion show, The Silver Needle Runway (follow @MaristFashion on social media for updates on the show and our fabulous student designers). Outside of my studies, I enjoy blogging (check out my lifestyle blog, Witty in Pink!), photography, online shopping, and vanilla lattes.

The post Tackling the World of International Internships appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you’re interested in learning how to score some awesome internships, take a look at the InternMatch Community Forum featuring Dawn Dai. She held several internship positions in media, entertainment, and pr at awesome companies like Ketchum, Sirius XM, and BET; and was once coined “the voice of radio” by the New York Times. With so many internship experiences under her belt, Dawn offered some great insight on how to stand out as an intern and what to focus on during an internship.

Image Credit: Viqi French via Flickr.com

The post #askanexpert: How to Land an Awesome Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Could Greek storytelling classes be more important for your social media future than a marketing or communication class?  Why do some companies want you to apply using Twitter while others require a full application online?  What does the future of social media look like and what tools should you be learning to be ahead of the curve?  What’s a KPI and why is data science an important part of social media marketing?

Last week, hiring managers and thought leaders from Olgivy + Mather (and InterviewingU), Google+, Nestlé Purina, and ClippPR spent over an hour dissecting the future of the social media industry and how you as a student can break into it.  The result was one of the most in-depth videos ever on the subject and a must watch panel for any students interested in social media.

If you have any more questions about the topic, please leave them in the comments below and we will forward them on to our speakers and get back to you asap.  Now, without further ado, please enjoy our panel below on “How to Become a Rockstar Social Media Professional!”

Questions we didn’t get a chance to answer:

If you want a role that asks for 2 years of experience but you don’t have it (but you have 1 to 1.5 yrs), should you still apply?

Amanda Pirtle, Nestlé:  I think this depends on the type of company you are applying to. For example, a large corporate company, like Purina, sticks very close to the minimum qualifications listed on the job description. If you do not have two years of experience, you will not be passed to the next phase of our resume review process. However, many smaller or startup companies may look over that you don’t meet the minimum qualifications exactly and take into consideration the type of projects you’ve worked on or the amount of school/type of courses you’ve taken. It is really important to consider the type of company you are pursuing before applying to determine how strict they will be on the minimum qualifications listed.

Nathan Parcells, InternMatch:  I agree with Amanda’s response above, although would add that the vast majority of SMBs and even medium sized businesses have some flexibility when it comes to these requirements, especially if you do have some experience that you can back up as being valuable.  These companies certainly do not want to hear from someone with no experience, but many will set a high initial bar to express their desired candidate, but remain open to someone who has close to the required skills and can adequately show in their resume, cover, letter and application why they are still the best fit or why other skills more than make up for the gaps they are lacking in the requirements.

I’ve drafted social media plans before but since I don’t currently work in a company with a social media role, I have not been able to execute them. What’s the best way for me to get someone to review them?

Amanda Pirtle, Nestlé:  I would recommend trying to make a connection with someone who has some experience in a social media role and work on developing a mentorship type relationship with them. Having a career mentor is a very important part of growing in your field. They can help you understand things within the field and in the business world that the classroom can’t. One way to go about that is to talk with your professors to see if they have any connections, go through any groups you are involved in at school or even look at your parents friends to see if any of them could provide any insight. You could also use LinkedIn to try to find someone in your local area that could help. Once you identify a potential mentor, you can set up informational interviews with those people to learn more about them and their roles. Building connections is a very important part of building your career.

Nathan Parcells, InternMatch:  I again agree with Amanda on this question.  One of the keys to building strong mentors is showing a deep interest in a field that they are currently a professional in.  Crafting a marketing plan and walking through it with them is an ideal way to spend a mentorship meeting and build a relationship   Family and friends are great people to check with to see if they know any social media professionals.  If not, you can talk to your marketing professors and TAs who typically have some industry experience/connections and can help make introductions.  Lastly, cold emailing can also work in particular if you email professionals who you are already following on Twitter and who you are truly interested in speaking with.

Any advice for students who want to start their own social media company?

Nathan Parcells, InternMatch:  Having started a company, albeit not a social media company, I commend you on the initiative!  Starting a company takes tremendous effort and work but the rewards in terms of personal growth and potential return are worth it.  The most important first step here is to build real relationships with mentors in the space.  Don’t build these relationships by pitching them on your idea, but instead mention that you are interested in the space and look to learn as much as possible about the process of starting, running, growing and succeeding in the field.  That’s the best advice I can give on what is ultimate a very large question!

The post How to Become a Rockstar Social Media Professional appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Social media jobs are among the top 10 fastest-growing careers in the United States, and for good reason: networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest have been community-building and marketing powerhouses for nonprofits, small businesses, and corporations alike. As employers realize this, they’ve been hiring students to fill internships and entry-level positions in social media–who better to take these jobs than Gen Y-ers?

Are you prepared to start a career in social media? What kind of jobs exist across the different networks, anyway? Answer these questions and more during our event, “How to Become a Rock Star Social Media Professional“! Join our panel of experts and get a head start on the pertinent topics:

• What companies look for in a digital marketer
• How to manage your online presence for recruiters and hiring managers
• How to use social media to apply for jobs
• What roles exist and what they entail, from community management to content creation

Event Details

Expert Speakers:

• Nando Rodriguez and Charlene Narcelles, Senior Social Media Recruiter for North America and Talent Acquisition Manager for North America at Olgivy and Mather and co-founders of InterviewingU
• Amanda Pirtle and Emily Cloud, Director of University Relations and Marketing Associate, Nestle Purina
• Will Houghteling, Education and Community Partnerships Lead, Google+
• Thomas Knoll, CEO of ClippPR, former Community Architect at Zappos

When:

Wednesday, May 1st at 3 pm PST

How to Participate:

Join our Google+ event here!

After the event, you’ll gain access to a list of companies participating in “Kill the Cover Letter.” These employers want to hear from–and hire!–you, but only through social media. Stop reworking that tired cover letter and start brainstorming 140 characters to get you hired!

The post Careers in Social Media: Join Speakers from Google, Geico, Ogilvy, and More! appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

At just 28 years old, photographer Amber Venerable has already held multiple internships, freelance gigs, full-time jobs and a photojournalism fellowship—including her current position as Photo Editor at American Baby Magazine.

“Everything has an expiration date,” explains Amber of her zigzagging ascent through the ranks. “If you stay in positions for 4 or 5 years at this stage in your career, that doesn’t benefit you. You have to move around in [the publishing] business in order to move up—you have to take advantage of opportunities, you have to be passionate about what you do, and you have to keep growing.”

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Amber moved to Washington, D.C. to attend Howard University, where she majored in print journalism and minored in photography. During her college internships at InStyle and People Magazine, Amber realized that her interest in photography overshadowed her writing pursuits. “That’s why internships are so great,” says Amber. “That’s when you learn what you want to do.”

Amber had racked up the accolades on her resume to land a full-time job at Shape Magazine as the assistant to the creative director when she graduated. Though the experience taught her much about photo shoot production and design work, Amber experienced a minor quarter-life crisis: “When you graduate and have your first job, you jump right into it. You don’t realize you’re going to be working for the rest of your life.” A 4-month photojournalism fellowship whisked Amber away to Mozambique, Swaziland, and South Africa to work on her craft, and when she returned to New York City, her network helped her land jobs at Health Magazine and Good Housekeeping.

Our photographer and design guru realizes the value of the professional network she gained through her summer editorial internship with Time, Inc. “I grew super close with editors who are now directors and managing editors at major magazines,” she says. Not only do her colleagues stay connected over available positions, but they also refer interns to each other. “If I have a friend who is looking for an assistant and I recommend someone, it’s going to make them feel at ease about bringing [the intern] on,” explains Amber. “Work hard and maintain relationships because it matters in this field. Some people I’ve known for 8 years now, and they’ve looked out for me so much over the years.”

Her latest career move brought Amber to American Baby Magazine, where she’s held the title of Photo Editor for the past year. “I’d never worked with babies before,” says Amber. “It’s awesome. It’s completely different. You don’t know what you’re getting ever, on set. You probably have 10 minutes before they start screaming!”

For students and recent graduates, Amber offers encouragement and advice for those hoping to break into the publishing industry: “You have to be passionate about your craft, be strong in your vision, and have a voice. When you’re an intern, respect the people above you, but be honest when asked for your opinion. Come with more than people expect, have ideas, and be over-prepared—I can’t stress that enough.”

The post Interview with Amber Venerable: Photo Editor at American Baby Magazine appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is guest post by Greg Narayan, who graduated in 2010, packed up for New York City, and now helps folks decide where to start up a blog of their own. Find Greg on Google+.

Looking for a job? Feel behind? Not sure your resume will make you stand out?

Listen up. Start, a, blog.

A blog is a place where you can showcase your writing, artwork, or academic portfolio. A blog can be shared instantly with a wide audience. It’s a place where you get all the attention.

And trust me, if you want a job, you want as much attention as you can get. In this post I’d like to explain why starting a blog sets you apart from the pack, and highlight a few careers where blogging is particularly useful.

Begin blogging? Yes you can!

As a prominent blogger I hear the term “golden age” thrown around among my colleagues. At first I laughed. “Golden age, we’re not in a golden age of anything anymore!” I responded. But then I heard the term a few more times, among more distant clients.

It suddenly hit me. We are in a golden age of online publishing. It’s incredibly easy to start your online presence on the cheap and build a following all through free tools like Facebook and Twitter.

Blogs own more of the web everyday! They’re personal, friendly, and funny, making them attractive for readers and advertisers alike!

The first step to getting involved is deciding where to blog. Having started a few blogs recently, I’ve found that it’s a lot of fun picking your topics, writing your first post, and watching as people give you feedback. You sort of feel like a tiny celebrity.

Here are some blogging considerations:

1) What’s your mission statement? Try to write one down for people to see.
2) Are you curious about learning code? Blogging can teach you this!
3) Do you want your blog to earn income someday? If so, WordPress is a great choice.

Once you have a blog up, link to it on your resume. Now let’s look at a few careers that really value bloggers and blogging as a whole. Ya know, where having a blog will help you get a job.

Writing Careers

A career in online writing is ideal for young students. Companies want folks who write frequently, stay in touch with the media, and can produce original, creative content on the fly.

And as mentioned above, a blog is great way to show off your writing. The best way to begin is to guest-post or guest-contribute to the sites and blogs you’re reading! This can be tough at first if you have no online social proof (ie. you’ve never been published) but be persistent.

Once you get on a couple sites, you can reference your writing to other sites with larger audiences. It’s all about using your networking skills (ya know, the ones they don’t teach you in school?) to get your voice in really awesome places around the web.

For inspiration, you can browse some of my best guest posts.

Once you’re feeling established, shoot for the stars. Try writing for places like the Huffington Post or the local times in your city.

Marketing Careers

Marketing is one of those fields where you, and the way you present yourself, mean a ton! Sure it helps to have a good resume and GPA, but if you’ve demonstrated the ability to market a blog to success, you’ll definitely stand out.

You’ll hear buzz words in marketing like “social interaction,” “social traction,” and “social proof.” You don’t have to be a genius to master these…

“How would you get more traffic to our website?” is a question you’ll hear in interviews.

Your blog is basically your talking point from a marketing perspective. If you’ve tried marketing for companies on your blog (of which there are thousands to choose from) you can cite past successes of what works. Whether you’re writing an article series or running product giveaways, there are lots of ways to engage real companies with a blog that will add up to good experience under your belt.

This is the kind of experience employers–many of whom can’t even set up up a website–will love.

Advertising Careers

Advertising careers and marketing careers go hand in hand. Most firms that engage in one need a team for the other, but from a blogger’s perspective, the two are a bit different.

Advertising is all about design, and online advertising is no exception. What kinds of landing pages work for consumers? Where do banner ads get the most clicks? How could you use Adobe InDesign to create a pleasing brochure for online clients? These are all questions you may face at the start of a job in advertising.

You’ll have to know what sells online.

Armed with a blog, maybe even one that’s made some sales of its own, you’ll be far ahead of other candidates who just babble about “that group project they had great results in.”

Web Design Careers

A web design career may involve HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, or more complex languages like C++.

If you’re studying these in school, great! But most of us opted for something more mainstream like business or economics.

If that’s your case, you ought to know that a blog introduces you to all of these languages! It’s a great activity if you’re curious, or feel like it’s your turn to learn “code.”

I can’t tell you how overjoyed I was to edit my first chunk of HTML, even if all it did was add a page finder to my blog.

Nowadays, a career in web design doesn’t have to be as hands-on as, say, 10 years ago when the programs being used were highly complex. “Web design” for a company might even just mean editing and managing the company blog!

How fun would that be?!

So what should you do?

Start, a, blog.

Roger that?

Don’t wait. Starting a blog is a task best done today. Why? Because each day that goes by represents lost readers, blog posts you could write, and an online presence you could be building for yourself.

And as the above showed, a blog can compliment (or entirely replace) your resume!

Good luck, and post any questions for discussion in the comments below.

The post Start a Blog: It Will Help You Land a Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Did you do any extracurriculars in college?

I had somewhat of an unorthodox college experience. I was there at TCU for 3 years and I actually played music in a band. We took off and toured for a few years and I came back and finished school. That being said a lot of my time outside of studying was devoted to my musical career.

Tell me about The Starr Conspiracy.

The Starr Conspiracy is more of a marketing company as opposed to a strictly HR company. We do specialize with companies that deal with human capital management and HR but what led me to the Starr conspiracy was their affiliation with marketing, branding and advertising as opposed to the fact they specialize in HR.

How did you get this internship?

I was very lucky. While I was in school I had an appointment to meet a professor and he was running late. While I was waiting, a different professor who I have taken a couple classes with, office was just across the hall. We just started talking about my plans after graduation and I just started asking if he knew companies that were hiring and he led me to the Starr Conspiracy. I had an interview set up and the rest is history. Pure happenstance and luck that I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

What is a typical day like?

To be honest I have yet to have a typical day. When I started I was more helping with the business and account side and I had some interesting writing and content generation roles. From there I just switched sides from accounts to creative. Laurie kind of adopted me as her social media intern and I have been social since, which basically entails helping out with our social media accounts and different client social media endeavors. Mostly blogging, where I will get a couple ideas for a blog or Laurie will have a couple ideas and I will just research it.

Most of the ideas come from Laurie, and I have had a few ideas as well. A lot of it started with Laurie who had the idea of Craig the intern talks about HR. A kind of newbie perspective, to the untrained eye, what all these complicated parts of the HR industry are and explaining it in a one on one perspective.

In Laurie’s blog post, she said she did not want an intern in the beginning, but now she seems to have endless praises for you. What did you do to make that happen?

One of the questions you sent me was “What was my proudest moment?” This blog post was it. I had stumbled upon the blog actually; I didn’t know she was writing it. As far as her taking me under her wing that was kind of something that happened by accident. I am actually not sure why she decided to call me, but she basically asked me if I was getting as involved as I would like to be. As far as an internship goes I don’t think you should turn down the opportunity to do anything or work with somebody, so I told her I am interested in writing and social media and asked what can you help me do? After, she had me start writing these blogs and our relationship continued to adapt. I had no idea she was not wanting an intern in the beginning of the relationship.

You never felt you had to prove yourself to Laurie?

Absolutely not, she has always been very nice since day one. In my own attempt to be hard working and diligent, she understood that I wasn’t there to make anyone’s life harder and I was there to help with anything I could.

What kind of HR trends have you picked up on that could help students out?

Having a completely 100% filled out LinkedIn, having an account on Monster.com and Careerbuilder, constantly networking with different people, all of those things end up helping. Since I have been working here, I have had a number of different opportunities meeting with different companies, who have all found me through LinkedIn, Monster.com and Careerbuilder. Before I had all these accounts fully filled out that wasn’t happening for me. There are a lot of recruiters and staffers out there who are actively seeking for people, which is something you don’t necessarily realize when the job market is like this. When you are actually making yourself available, then chances are you will find somebody who is looking for something you can actually do.

How would you make yourself available?

Making sure you have a social presence. Making sure you always have a resume ready to give to somebody. One thing one of my friends advised me to do early on was to have my own business cards, which at the time I thought was kind of silly because I wasn’t employed, but having a piece of paper that somebody can hold on to and reference has been really helpful to me. At the end of the day, I think it’s people that help people. With more people that know you’re looking for an internship, you will definitely increase your chances of landing something.

What’s next for Craig?

I don’t have it written on paper per say. For now it will be continuing my internship at Starr Conspiracy. Ultimately, I want to end up working full time at a marketing or advertising agency, that’s what I am passionate about. In advertising you can really tie together business as well as creativity. I always think there will be a need for advertising, and it’s a fun, work hard play hard atmosphere. Eventually I do want to get my MBA, but at this point getting experience is more valuable than going back to school.

The post Interview With Craig from The Starr Conspiracy appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Molly Ongaro — a Minnesota girl at heart, born and raised. Travels in the Midwest allowed her to become a Registered Dietitian in North Dakota and take her first job out of college as a WIC Dietitian in southwest Wisconsin. Molly’s sense of adventure brought her to her current residence in Northern Italy, where she is obtaining her Master in Food Culture and Communications. What’s next for this Minnesota girl? In her own words: “The best is yet to come!”

I must admit that the freedom given within my understanding of what my internship undertaking for my Master could include was much more than I had both experienced previously and anticipated. I am currently finishing my studies in Food Culture and Communications in a small town named Pollenzo in Northern Italy. Because my interests are so varied and I could truly see myself in many different positions, I must regrettably admit that for the internship portion of my Master I just wanted someone to tell me what to do, where to go, and I would do it. However, it was not until I was walking from class one day with a good friend of mine, giving advice on the internship search that an epiphany occurred. I realized the purposeful and strategic process given us to find our own way. It may or may not have been set up that way, but I truly feel that for me it has advanced into useful exposure to the outside world as well as unforeseen personal insight.

Choosing an internship can be a daunting task, especially in the world today where money is tight and services are costly. However, I am confident that the time put into the internship search is well worth the effort. Landing on an opportunity that fits specific skill sets as well as personal and professional needs will undoubtedly be of benefit in the long run – the time and toil is, in a sense, a prerequisite for success.

Knowing the upcoming advantages in my future, I decided to explore both paid and unpaid opportunities. I turned my search into a structured and organized task, as if it was part of my job. I took time every day to research, take notes, and learn as much as I could in all areas I was applying into, thus benefitting myself personally. I saw my search as a necessity in my knowledge and understanding, thereby advantageous in my professional gain as well.

What one puts into the search is also a reflection of character and can even lead to newfound personality traits. I know a hands-on, participatory, and diversified job fits me best. It is essential for me to have inspiration, useful application, and appropriate connection. From the beginning all I knew is what was necessary and in the end I found what is appropriate.

I know that Minnesota is where my heart is, yet I was initially turned off by the idea of returning back to the known and the comfortable after studying abroad in Italy. As far as I thought, the doors to the outside world were wide open. I could choose any given location and setting, and I could not wait for my still undetermined adventure. As I delved deeper into my search, I realized both the season and the locations were not ideal for what I wanted to accomplish. When asked, I said: “I want to form relationships and I want hands-on work.” I thought at first I would work on a farm, improving my

I approached each person and/or company as if I were an answered prayer. I opened up as to who I am and what I can offer, but really tried to focus on each person and their needs. I approached each individual with confidence in myself and in what I could offer. In the end, I basically did not allow them to turn me down. I researched each place of work to the point where I could highlight the gaps I could fill, while still complimenting their already accomplished work. I creatively fit myself into each company and proposed an offer to each. Their response: they were truly grateful and very open to my ideas, for I had already done half of the work.agriculture knowledge and skills. I then thought of working in an urban area to introduce gardening, but the season and the logistics of staying in an unknown place were the deviants. I even went so far as looking at wineries and companies in California. Once I finally decided to dip my toes in the Minnesota waters, it was almost as if it were meant to be. I was completely taken aback by the feedback of my proposals. I knew that it was the right choice and the right place for me.
I decided to gain experience with a few small, local companies in Minnesota. I want to support passionate, hard-working, thus inspirational people. Supporting dedicated people and hard work is a delight for me, and I am confident the collaborations will provide mutual benefit for myself and those I am involved with.

It took time, diligence, and personal assessment, but I found insight into where I fit – so far anyway. I have learned to take it one day at a time with these decisions and know that it will always progress into what it is supposed to, no matter what structure or great plan I begin with.

The post From Northern Minnesota to Northern Italy and Back appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Landing an internship with a sports team is a dream for many college students. Unfortunately, since demand for these internships is high, getting your foot in the door can be tough. Here are eight tips to help you get ahead of the pack and land a fantastic sports internship.

1. Get a Relevant Degree.

Your interest in sports probably won’t be enough to get you picked for a sports internship. A degree in communications, marketing, business management, or accounting will show that you have the skills necessary for a sports internship. While it is possible to land an internship with a degree in an unrelated field, such as history or education, you’ll need to have the right contacts or be able to do work that others won’t want to do.

2. Do Some Research.

There are several ways you can find out about sports internships. Research your favorite coaches, analysts, and agents to see how they got started, what companies they worked for, and if they have any suggestions. Depending on what type of sport(s) you are interested in, internship schedules can vary widely. Many sports internship programs are done on a seasonal basis rather than by semester, so it’s a good idea to start researching well in advance of when you actually plan on having an internship.

3. Stay Local.

If you have little experience working with sports teams, you may want to look for an internship with a local team before trying to get something more high-profile. You could even do an internship while still in high school or over the summer. Any internship is a great opportunity to gain experience and build relationships. Besides, you never know what contacts you might make.

4. Don’t Be Picky.

Many people who have jobs with professional sports teams started at the bottom and worked their way up. If the only job you can find involves picking up towels or cleaning the locker room, you should take it anyway. You will still have the opportunity to make contacts with players, coaches, managers, and operations staff. And if you have a good attitude, it’s likely that you will move up quickly.

5. Get the Details.

It’s not enough to look on a company’s website. Call up the companies that interest you and ask to personally speak with the internship coordinator. Make sure you get all the information, including application deadlines, location, hours, requirements, and salary or credit options. Put together a list of the internships that interest you with the internship details, names and numbers of contacts, and deadlines.

6. Stand Out.

Write a resume and cover letter that will help you stand out from the pack. You may want to include a photo or email a video in which you explain your credentials. Give specific examples of how you would be able to help the team and what you would be willing to do (social marketing, research, answering phones, making spreadsheets, etc.). You could even do some research that would be of value to the sports team, such as organizing data or coming up with a proposal for social networking strategies.

7. Attend Sports Conferences.

Sports businesses have several conferences and conventions throughout the year that offer great opportunities for networking. Dress professionally and bring copies of your resume – you never know who you might meet. Sometimes these types of conventions even offer student discounts. You could also organize a group trip with your school’s career services center.

8. Be Persistent.

Even if you’re the perfect candidate for an internship, it may simply be the wrong time. If you don’t land an internship with your dream team, don’t give up! Contact them on a regular basis (but not so much that it’s annoying).You may also want to send your resume out to more than one person in an agency, including agents, operations managers, marketing directors, and public relations directors. You could even send notes with interesting articles or statistics that they may find useful, or offer to do online research for them from home. It’s also important to remember that if one opportunity doesn’t work out, a better one might be right around the corner.

This is a guest post by Lindsey Weber.  Lindsey is a Counselor for high school students and has been practicing for 9 years.

The post How to Land an Internship with a Sports Team appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Nicole Raisch is the winner of our 2010 Internship Competition with this wonderfully crafted piece about her experience interning for one of Seattle’s top PR firms.  The entry captures the essence of what a great internship should be like, and how  advice on how to take initiative to ensure you make the most of your internship experience.  Kudos to Nicole for her stellar entry — hopefully with the $500 in prize money you will be able to treat your boss to coffee next time you meet!

Wineries, Ghosts, and Harry Potter

By Nicole Raisch

Did I catch your attention in the first line? Among other skills, that’s exactly what I learned to do successfully during my summer internship at GreenRubino.

GreenRubino is an integrated marketing agency based in Seattle, Wash. that focuses on connecting with audiences rather than straight selling. I spent my summer as the public relations intern for GreenRubino’s public relations department.

For three months, I wrote press releases, media alerts, and biographies in addition to managing calendar listings, press coverage and media contact lists for various hospitality lifestyle clients including hotels, wineries and tourism groups. I learned how to write succinctly, search and manage press coverage for clients and create catchy titles whether it is about a winery opening or a Paranormal Conference (Yes, I wrote a release about ghosts).

But the most important lesson I learned during my internship can be applied to any internship or job: initiative will earn you more responsibility.

Throughout my time at GreenRubino, I learned to not just go above and beyond but actively search for opportunities to demonstrate that I don’t just come into the office everyday to check off tasks and eat the doughnuts in the kitchen.

The story: One of my main responsibilities was to write press releases. After writing a few dozen, I started to realize that as an intern I wasn’t going to be given the responsibility to pitch and send out the releases to the media.

One day I wrote a release for which I knew the pitch hadn’t been written yet – the opportunity! I seized it and drafted a pitch on my own and sent it to my boss. My boss was impressed and sent the release back with a few edits and as a result, I was entrusted to send out the pitch.

I didn’t need to write my own pitch. I didn’t need to ask if I could send it out. But I saw an opportunity to take initiative and I was rewarded with more responsibility: After drafting that pitch and asking to distribute it, I was entrusted with more pitches and got to participate in client meetings and brainstorms.

Therefore…

Assigned Intern Work + Initiative  = Responsibility + Recognition

As a result of exercising initiative I got to work on a creative, fun project at GreenRubino: A hotel needed creative ideas for a November package. I helped the team create a Harry Potter premiere package with themed cocktails (The Dementor and Hedwig’s White Russian), fun activities for kids which included a real-life game of Quidditch and a welcome gift complete with Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.

My boss and her boss were impressed not only by my extensive Harry Potter nerd knowledge but by my ability to create a workable, creative public relations pitch – the recognition!

In summary, actively seek out the opportunity to demonstrate initiative whether it is an exciting project or fetching coffee can prove invaluable to any internship experience and earn any intern lasting recognition.

The post Wineries, Ghosts, and Harry Potter by Nicole Raisch appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.