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.

As a tech company, we created Office Hours – a free interactive event series for NYC interns to learn from industry leaders – in order to give us an intimate, offline touchpoint with our users. Nine events and over 1,000 students signups later, I wanted to share what went into pulling off this event series, which not only gave college students insight into great industries (including Sports, Music, Tech, Fashion and more) but also provided connections to young leaders at top companies. Here’s how we were able to create an experience only WayUp could deliver.

Be the first, the best, and the only.

When we came up with the idea for Office Hours, we didn’t want to hold another boring panel event. We knew we would be at an advantage if we were the first, best or only company doing something different. To distinguish ourselves, we decided all events would be free (with free food, too) and wouldn’t be held in classrooms. Speakers would not sit behind a long, formal table. They would be young and relatable to students, and each event would have something “extra” for the attendees.

Our first Office Hours ever (Women in Business) was a perfect example of this. Held in an underground music venue with exposed brick walls, the event featured speakers from Facebook, L’Oreal, Christie’s and the Female Founders Fund. All 250 spots filled up in 2.5 hours! We followed the same model for our summer series, which not only featured amazing panels, but also a SoulCycle class after the Health & Wellness event, a service project after the Non-Profit event and a pitch competition at our Tech & Startups event, where the winner’s prize was a meeting with a real NYC-based VC.

Sh*t happens…

I love producing events because you get to see your hard work come to life. However, more often than not, something unexpected pops up that makes the job more than you bargained for. This summer, we had a panelist get stuck at Bonaroo (not too shabby…), a leak in the ceiling at our venue and our food delivery get stuck in traffic! The key here is to remain calm at all times when you are throwing events. If you get flustered, your team and –even worse– your attendees will notice. Plan for the most epic event and for the craziest hiccups. This means be alert, anticipate pitfalls and have backup plans when possible.

If you don’t shoot, you can’t score.

I swear I am usually pretty humble, but I must admit we had some kick ass panelists at our Office Hours events. To secure them, I looked through my phone, my connections and my Facebook friends, searching for people I knew would inspire our students. I asked my WayUp colleagues to do the same. We crafted thoughtful, genuine emails and more importantly, picked up the phone to let our contacts know we would be honored if they would be a panelist for Office Hours. As the “Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, once said, “If you don’t shoot, you can’t score.” In this case, that meant all we had to do was ask. We ended up with panelists from amazing companies including Red Bull, Facebook, NBA, ESPN, Twitter, YouTube, SoulCycle, Shake Shack, Unicef, Starwood Hotels, Venmo, Live Nation and more!

Don’t focus on self-promotion.

You know you have thrown a successful event when your attendees walk away feeling like they received value (even when your events are free). These events were not used to plug WayUp or to constantly talk about how our users could better utilize the platform. The focus of our events was simply to make sure the attendees felt inspired and received solid advice they couldn’t get anywhere else. Here are some things students said to us after the events:

• “I really appreciate all that WayUp is doing for us college students. I’ll see you at the next 2 events!”
• “If only you could have more office hours, you guys are doing a great job! I’m sure to come to every one.”
• “Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this event. I enjoyed learning from the panel about the sports marketing industry and how much is involved with the day to day operations. The experience of going to my first Red Bulls soccer game will always be remembered.”
• “What an amazing event last night! The whole panel was so inspiring.”

Every detail matters.

As I mentioned before, shit happens, and that’s why every detail matters. That includes everything from the venue, the way the chairs are set up, where the food will be placed, how many mics and staff members we need and so much more. Two of the most important details are timing and targeting. These two factors need to be decided very early on. When we were planning our summer series, we decided to do a 7-week series in NYC, where there are thousands of interns from all over the country. We also knew that the series needed to launch once all intern programs started and end before the students left to go back to school. We needed to make sure they were held at a time (6:45pm) when interns would be out of work, and end (8:15pm) before interns go do…what summer interns in NYC do after hours.

Because we put so much time and energy into creating an incredible event, we wanted to ensure each event was sold out, which meant targeting the right topics. Instead of doing guess work, we turned to our users to ask them what they would be interested in. The results included the Sports, Music, Tech, Health & Wellness, Non-Profit, Hospitality and Fashion industries. Guess what? Each event was sold out!

Office Hours was able to show our users that WayUp is not just a “job site.” We don’t have white pages with blue links, and we don’t do things the way other companies do. Our mission is “to connect students to awesome opportunities,” and that goes way beyond the job listings on WayUp. We are excited to start planning more Office Hours for 2016, including events in Boston and DC! Click here to be the first to find out when we announce our next event.

The post Sold Out: Creating Events People Actually Want to Attend 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.

This summer, our goal is to interview 8,500 college students across the country to see who will make the best Campus Reps for WayUp. Even though the interviewing process is still in full-swing, we’re easily able to pick out the students who stand out as our ideal candidates…as well as the students who may need a little help when it comes to interviewing. This compelled us to make a list of the interviewing habits that got us even more excited to make calls to students day in and day out. Take note of the tips below – we’re not the only interviewers who love seeing these qualities!

Ask questions.

Think about it: what if you were in an interview, and you weren’t asked any questions? Besides being a little uncomfortable, you would get the impression that the employer wasn’t interested in you as a candidate.

The same idea applies vice versa. As a candidate, you need to show your potential employer that you’re listening to all the job requirements, and you want to have a complete understanding of what success looks like in the role. To do this, you’ll need to ask questions like, “What has been a common challenge for previous campus reps?” or “What would you like to see someone in my position accomplish this semester?” This shows your interviewer that you’re not only forward-thinking, but that you’re also thoughtfully considering how to execute your goals.

Sell yourself.

Every student we interviewed has a different level of involvement on campus – we completely understand that. However, if you don’t know how to sell yourself, a conversation similar to this one happens:

“What organizations are you involved with on campus?”

“None.”

#Awkward. Even if you decided to take a break last semester and focus on yourself, you should find a way to spin that in a positive, engaging light. For example, the conversation above could have gone so much better if the response were more like this: “Last semester, I actually decided to take some time off and focus on my academics, which was a really good decision for me. This year, I’m looking forward to getting involved in X, Y, and Z on campus.”

If you are involved in a lot of on-campus activities, that’s great – but you should still work on selling your candidacy. For example, if you’re the head of an organization on campus, you should be able to talk about lessons learned or valuable leadership skills you gained and tie it back to the position you’re interviewing for. Showcasing your accomplishments will show us (and your other interviewers!) that you’re the best candidate for the position.

Ask about next steps.

The best candidates we interviewed were the ones who were confident and proactive, saying things like, “I’m so excited to see that contract!” Even better? The ones who sent a follow-up email, thanking us for our time — and you’d be surprised how many people didn’t! Making sure your interviewer knows how excited you are to start working shows that you’re a go-getter–we always want to see that type of passion in our Campus Reps. Plus, sending a thank you note just shows that you’re courteous – exactly the type of candidate anyone would want to work with.

So whether you’re going on Campus Rep interviews or you’re still on the job search (hello, why aren’t you on WayUp yet?!), use these three tips and you’ll be one in a million (well, at least one in 8,500 :D).

The post We’re Interviewing 8,500 Campus Reps: These Are the Qualities of an Ideal Candidate 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.

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.

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 Apollonia (Nia) Maldonato for Student Stories. 

Coming from a relatively small town with only two public high schools, both holding over 1,000 students, career training was not on the guidance counselors’ to do list.

When I arrived at University, I was in for a rude awakening –– half of the freshmen had already had internships! I felt like I was already behind on my career development as a freshman.

The summer following my freshman year, I made sure that I had an internship lined up. Preferably, I would’ve worked in New York City. Unfortunately, the majority of internships in the communications industry offer little to no pay and living in NYC on an income of zero was utterly unrealistic.

So I ended up back in my home town, the place that had originally  failed to prepare me for what I was in for, living in my parents’ house. I was fortunate enough to land an internship with a local radio station. I won’t lie, the internship came with its fair share of perks including free food and concert tickets. However, I would have traded those perks for a regular paycheck.

I have never known what it feels like to be financially stable, so since my internship was not paid, returning to my high school job at the doughnut shop was a must. That summer was when I first realized what it meant to be an adult. I was burning the candle at both ends and the return to school in the fall came as sweet relief to the hectic lifestyle of the summer, balancing a job, a life, and an internship.

This stress was not all bad though. I now know that I am capable of more than I had previously thought and it was an essential practice session for similar situations that I know will arise when I graduate and immerse myself in the real world.

This is far from a unique issue, I just hope that this post can help others overcome the stress and exhaustion that a work life balance can cause in knowing that, in the end, you will grow from it and it will benefit you.

I was not aware of it then, but now I know that it is part of the journey of being a young, ambitious [aspiring] professional. Consider the feeling of exhaustion a triumph and remember that every now and then it is okay to take a day off. We are only human.

About the Author:

My name is Apollonia (Nia) Maldonato, I am a junior at Syracuse University studying Communications. My home town is in NEPA and as a result of that hectic summer, I am passionate about yoga, I play soccer when I get the chance, and I am a coffee addict. I love TV and in the future, I hope to write/produce television shows. Connect with me on Linkedin or follow me on Twitter! My email is akmaldon@syr.edu.

The post Thrown Into Traffic appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Drew Rauso for Student Stories. 

Look at the title of this post.  Now look back here.  I assume 95 percent of you readers are now expecting that the next five minutes will outline a substantial problem and then offer a solution to said dilemma.  While I would like to think that I have stumbled upon some hidden treasure (i.e., just call me Nicholas Cage and we’ll have a third National Treasure movie already), I will humbly admit that everyone will already know the answers when I arrive at them.  So why keep reading?  Because you didn’t know you knew them!

 As a journalism major, I have had to deal with the statement that my industry is dying, newspapers are dying, no one needs reporters anymore, etc. With this “dying” industry comes one undeniable truth: media companies (at least most media companies) have no money.  And what does this statement mean to the still-in-school student?  The internships you’re applying to? They will not pay you.
And herein lies the biggest dilemma our generation has faced since all that ended: compensation is in experience, not monetary value.  Now, I will be the first to say that I completely stand by internships and the experience they provide.  I have developed excellent contacts and relationships through my internships (more on that later), and realize they are crucial for entry-level jobs and taking the next step in a professional career.  The importance of them partly stems from the fact that the coffee-bringing, dry-clean picker-upper internship of yore has largely gone extinct.  However, this only exacerbates the problem; talented students are working for companies that ten years ago, paid employees were doing the same tasks, except now they get slapped with an “Intern Joe Smith” name tag and receive college credit instead of cash.

With more and more colleges requiring internships before graduation, this is a recipe for disaster, or more realistically, a vicious cycle in which college students are forced to take internships that deplete their bank accounts in the hopes of a payoff down the road, which is definitely not a guarantee.

I am, however unfortunate it may be, the former intern of 4 (count ‘em 4!) unpaid positions.  Granted, one was a theater festival and one is billed as a class at school, but for all intents and purposes, they have been real-world experiences that have not paid a dime. Now, I met fantastic people and have great references from those positions, as well as awesome experience.  The one great thing about unpaid internships is that while you get to experience the industry and do real-world work, since the company isn’t paying you, there is a large focus on learning on-the-job, which was extremely useful.  I got to ask tons of questions, was connected to other professionals and basically be a student in the field.

In recap, I am the former recipient of a system that encourages experience over money.  While still frantically clinging to a social life, that means I have to produce some sort of income while at school through whatever means necessary, and thus, I present to you, Drew the Intramural Soccer Referee.  So, in my last semester at school, I manage 15 credits, an internship (three of the 15, but 18 hours a week) and a job.  I’m not looking for sympathy nor praise, I am just saying that in order to make money, I have to spend time I could be using to further my journalism portfolio, or taking away from other projects, in order to scrape together some cash.

I know there has been a lot of talk about banning unpaid internships, but until there is any actual bill, I’m not impressed. The situation is hurting companies (possibly losing out on qualified, talented students who cannot afford to apply for an unpaid position), students (those taking unpaid positions struggle financially in the short term afterwards and those who can’t for reasons just mentioned) and schools (employment success of schools’ students may drop due to lack of internship experience).

Unpaid internships need to end.  If that is seemingly impossible, which I just cannot believe to be true, then another solution needs to be developed, such as allocating more scholarships to students taking on unpaid positions.  I know that internships are vitally important and that culture cannot change, but please, make them more bearable beyond the hopeful dream that struggling to have some money in the pockets during school will payoff in the long run.

About the Author:

Drew Rauso is a senior at the University of Maryland studying multi-platform journalism.  He enjoys sports, travel and photography, and can be found discovering the best new coffee shop. Follow his day-to-day adventures on Twitter @DrewbieFresh.

The post The Problem Facing Students Entering the Professional World appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Adam Jorgensen for Student Stories. 

I have successfully managed to survive working multiple jobs, full-time class loads and on top of that, mainlining an active social life.

Some may call me crazy, bionic, or talented. I simply prefer Adam. I have done so through sacrifices and compromises in many forms. I have sacrificed opportunities to have the average teenage life and immersed myself early into adulthood. I overcame my party stage very quickly. Not saying I did not partake in occasional parties and social gatherings, it is important to release and decompress every now and then. How you do that is up to you entirely.

I say I successfully managed to accomplish all of this in that I am happy with where I currently stand. I am holding two jobs that are relevant to my major and can be potential outlets for a career. I also hold the title “Volunteer Coordinator” at a local LGBT non-profit that has always been a dream of mine. Growing up in a small, Midwestern town truly was discouraging for a young gay man. I knew I was gay when I was seven years old and since then, I have desired to empower those to believe in whom they are and what they stand for.
Managing work, education and relationships is a very interesting and delicate endeavor. It is crucial to have moments to oneself, even if this moment means waiting five minutes to start your car between your first job and the second. I have been there, numerous times. These five minutes will help you collect, breathe and evaluate. Keep positive, there is a light at the end of this seemingly never ending tunnel. Despite already balancing two full time jobs, school and other aspects of life it is wise to set limits. I will drop everything I am doing if I am becoming burnt out. Sloppy work is not reflective of your potential. Take a nap, eat a snack or take a drink; do what you have to do to recuperate.

Despite a meager appearance of your personal life, you still can manage to interact, with humans, yes real humans. Friends and family will understand, and respect your drive to be successful. I have come to the harsh realization that the ones that are not present while you work hard, and dedicate your time to something productive are not the ones you need in your life to help preserve and revel in your eventual success. Keep in mind that managing jobs can be easier depending on the occupation you choose. Try to pick a job that will allow you to do homework and study during slow times. Jobs that are constantly go, go, go are not conducive for students. The constant motion, paired with lack of sleep and brain strain will burn ultimately burn you out faster than you can say, well anything.

When choosing a future career that is specific to your major know that you are not likely to immediately get your dream job. You may not be ready for your dream job quite yet. If you do land an entry level position that you highly prize, don’t be afraid to ask questions and push the barrier. Don’t blend in and just be “the intern” be you, and they will remember you and keep you in mind when full time and upper level positions open up.

In the end, I hope this little story will be a sign of motivation for those who need to work full time, or more while in school. It can be done effectively, you just need to map out your priorities, set aside alone time and learn to accept your mistakes and learn from them.

About the Author:

Adam Dale Jorgensen enjoys writing witty copy and is highly focused on learning and gaining skills to be successful in the field of marketing and account services. He loves multitasking and managing several projects at a time. Adam also enjoys seeing diversity in advertisements. Currently Adam is working as a Direct Support Professional for South Dakota Achieve. He is a Sales Associate for Pier1 Imports and a Volunteer Coordinator for The Center for Equality. Adam spends most of his time planning, volunteering, and listening to music.

The post Full Time with Time to Spare 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.

You grew up clutching the covers during episodes of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” Your first forays into booty shakin’ were copied from Destiny’s Child music videos airing on MTV, and your personal motto, “Life is like a box of chocolates,” was taken from the mouth of one Forrest Gump.

Now you have the chance to intern with the media network that started it all: Viacom, the parent company for household names like Nickelodeon, MTV, and Paramount Pictures (just to name a few), is on the hunt for students to join their IT, design, and marketing departments. The positions are during the fall, located in New York City and are for students who want a job working with major brands.

Design For the Shows You Love

Try your hand at creating everything from show opens to logos in graphic, digital, print, and on-screen mediums. Wielding your design program know-how, work as part of an on-air team to create graphic elements and consumer products for shows on MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central. Click to learn more about the Design role and apply. 

Market to the Masses

Those entering the marketing internship may work in several sub-departments that manage the networks’ overall message to the cable community. You’ll support promotions for channel and new show launches or conduct research focusing on viewer responses and behaviors. Click to learn more about the Marketing role and apply.

Intern with IT

Your responsibilities include collaborating with the legal, tax, and business departments to create custom software solutions; supporting back-end databases for external MTV websites; providing site support for web development projects; and testing the integrity of multimedia websites and digital music projects. Click to learn more about the IT role and apply.

The post Viacom: Intern with a Media Network Giant 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.

Learn how incredible internships, vibrant communication skills, and unshakable confidence led Ashley Mosley to become a Community Manager at InternMatch.

Alma Mater: Howard University
College Major: Film
Current Job: Community Manager at InternMatch
Favorite Musician: Michael Jackson

1) What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from the internships you’ve had in the past?

When I interned with the Federal Communications Committee (better known as the FCC), I got hands-on experience with customer service and learned how to communicate with people from all different backgrounds. I also gained skills in networking and public communication.

My internship with Bigfoot Entertainment in the Philippines allowed me to work in the niche market of Asian independent films and sparked my interest in digital media and target marketing.

I was an intern for the Global Solutions Manager at one of largest media companies in the world, MEC in New York City.  At MEC I participated in events with MTV and lots of other exciting companies and learned how to use social media to promote a brand.

2) Tell us how you arrived at InternMatch.

When I moved to Silicon Valley I said, “When in Rome, do what the Romans do; I want to work at a startup.” Initially, I spent a lot of time learning about startup culture through TechCrunch and other similar websites.

Through this process, I found Nathan Parcells, CMO and co-founder of InternMatch, and tweeted at him saying, “I wish there had been something like InternMatch when I was in school.” He responded by asking me, “What would you recommend we do more of on our site?” I told him that I would like to see a Housing Guide and later sent a short email introducing myself. I mentioned again that I liked the company and that I’d love to chat more about how InternMatch could do more with its social media sites, listing 3 ideas for growth. Nathan then offered to meet up and asked to see my resume. I read about the history of InternMatch online and learned more about startup culture so I’d know what questions to ask. We met for half an hour the next day, and the day after that he offered me the job.

3) Describe how the InternMatch team has improved (and is improving) its social media sites since you’ve been on board.

InternMatch has certainly developed more of a voice by adding style to the internship culture. We’re constantly trying out new ideas to figure out what our community is going to respond to. Our goal is to meet the needs of our students by engaging them with fresh content, and it’s clear that we’ve done that because our community has more than doubled in size over the past year and is still growing.

4) What’s your favorite thing about social media?

I’m a huge people person, and social media is a great way to connect with people on a broader level. Often, you may think you know a person, but social media provides a more nuanced view into their life.

5) What advice would you give students on networking professionally through social media?

Know the differences between each site.

• On Facebook, make sure to be genuine and continue to foster common connections with people. Suggesting articles/content they may like and commenting on things they post can go a long way to build those relationships.
• Twitter is less personal and much more public.  Sharing their content, responding to questions they ask, or simply finding unique ways to share information (i.e.: if someone wants  restaurant suggestion in your hometown, etc..) are all great ways to build community on Twitter.

For every site, ask yourself how you can offer valuable information to the community, and have something to bring to the table. I think of it as a potluck.

When you’re reaching out to specific people ask, “Is this the only person I can contact to solve this problem and what can I offer”

Customize your message by writing to that person’s voice. Your tone is going to be different if you’re writing to a 23-year-old as opposed to a 45-year-old.

Compliment whoever you’re writing to. A little flattery can go a long way.

Clean up your profile. Everything on your profile should be a good reflection of yourself and should be up to date.

Make sure you’re not only making connections, but also that you’re  staying up to date on the latest information in your industry. 

***This is an installment from the series, Mastering Summer Internships. These articles will show how to make the most of your summer internship experience and be a rockstar intern in your company.

The post Q&A With a Community Manager appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Have you ever thought that utilizing sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn could be your route to success in your summer internship and the gateway to future jobs as well? The way you network this summer could lead you to great places, but only if you stay in contact with people you meet by using social media sites. In fact, being an effective communicator through social media is such a valuable skill that employers now offer summer internships and jobs to people who work in the social media realm.  So here are 7 online resources that will help you master the online networking world.

1) Know your Twitter etiquette.

2) Understand the Do’s and Don’t’s of Facebook.

3) Learn how to be professional on LinkedIn.

4) If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, get one. It is the primary site where employers look for hires.

5) Know the difference between the social networking sites and how you can utilize each one. Follow the blogs of all the social media sites to know their latest features and capabilities: Facebook’s blog, Twitter’s blog, LinkedIn’s blog.

6) Don’t add someone as a friend on facebook and then only try to do business with them. However, you can become a Facebook networking ninja and learn to network undercover.

7) Whatever you send, make sure to re-read, re-read, re-read. Nothing screams “unprofessional” like a typoo. (Am I right?)

The post 7 Resources for Online Networking appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Old Dirty Bastard famously said “Wu Tang is for the Children”-and apparently it’s for students too. We sat down with Amar Divine, the Executive Officer Of Operations at Wu Tang Management, to speak about their awesome program and how you can become the next Ghostface in an internship with the Wu.

Tara: What is an internship at Wu Tang Management like?

Amar: Internships at Wu Tang Management are a chance for individuals who are talented, and interested in entertainment to break into the industry, which can be a hard process. We look at internships as an opportunity for a student to build their career in this field. Therefore, interns are involved in many different aspects of Wu Tang: including production, eMarketing, social media, Wu Tang Radio, web development, and many more. We have interns in the U.S. and many interns abroad-and hire based on need. Interns that perform well in their internship can go on to a full time job.

T: What are these interns doing? What are their roles?

A: We allow interns to really participate in the projects that they are interested in, and shape their own roles. Production interns are really involved in the recording process, editing process, and the video production process, while corporate interns take on projects within the eMarketing team to cultivate the Wu Tang community and publicity all over the world. Interns work on web development, mobile apps, and other projects, too!

T: So Wu Tang’s looking for all kinds of skill sets! What’s the selection process for these interns like? And what’s the criteria for your selection?

A: We take a look at their work, and really appreciate it when they showcase a portfolio-especially in production, design, and other fields. For example, if you’re a writer, we want to see examples of your work to ensure that you have the right voice for our company. Students who apply usually have a phone interview, and whenever possible, an additional interview, in person. We’re looking for students who are a great fit for what we do-which means a creative, driven intern who can show initiative and the ability to follow directions while implementing their own creative ideas.

T: How have your interns been able to make a difference?

A: A lot of the movement these days has been online, and interns have been really important in creating features, developing content, and building our online community. From apps for smartphones to WuTV, interns have been able to really contribute. Interns have done some photography at press events and releases, and uploaded them to our pages, production interns have really helped with in-studio interviews, live shows, and more, we are really excited by interns who design their own projects and take them further.

T: How is working at WuTang different than working at another organization?

A: Interns have had some amazing opportunities while working here! We really take an interest in creative people, and want to give them opportunities. Angela Yee, for example, used to be an intern for us, and now she’s an incredibly famous radio DJ with a great show. As the entertainment industry is all about networking, we really try to give interns the opportunity to meet as many people as possible. Interns meet artists, hear early releases of tracks, and get the inside scoop on how everything is made.

T: When hiring an intern for a full time position, what are you looking for?

A: Some interns are really incredible, like a current production intern we have now. She shows initiative, a great skill set, and is really passionate and dedicated to Wu Tang Management-we really want to hire her! I’d say that creativity, drive, initiative, and the ability to follow through on directions are the most important factors we consider. For example, my sister was an intern here; I became an intern here, and moved on to an executive position within the company. Wu Tang is a family, and we’re looking to build it.

T: Lastly: how often to interns get to hang out with Inspectah Deck, RZA, Ghostface, and everyone else?!

A: Well, Inspectah Deck was just in the office, and Raekwon stopped by few weeks ago, members come here pretty often!

On the strength of that alone, sign me up!

-Tara Seshan

The post “Wu Tang is For the Children”: An Interview With Wu Tang Management on Internships appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.