By Danelzo
The field internship in Latino Studies has been an experience that has been very beneficial to my educational and professional experience. I was able to learn the various aspects of social networking and the advantages it brings to businesses, students, and organizations. It allows people to network through various means of communication. Websites such as Facebook, Linkd-in, Twitter, and Blogger have brought social networking to a whole new realm in regards to building personal and professional relationships.
The field internship in Latino Studies has been an experience that has been very beneficial to my educational and professional experience. I was able to learn the various aspects of social networking and the advantages it brings to businesses, students, and organizations. It allows people to network through various means of communication. Websites such as Facebook, Linkd-in, Twitter, and Blogger have brought social networking to a whole new realm in regards to building personal and professional relationships.
Facebook is a tool which people and businesses use to show what they have been doing. They can post pictures, update their status, and provide contact information. This is important because it allows them to stay connected with anyone anywhere in the world. Facebook is the social network that has redefined the way people communicate. Today’s society relies on facebook to keep everyone connected and informed on what they are doing. It is another way to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships that we, as a society, need to function as a whole. I strongly believe Facebook is one of the most important inventions of our generation. We are able to take any aspect of our life (personal information, contact information, relationship status, pictures, events, etc.) and share it with our friends, family, or community.
Linked-in is a means of social networking that allows business professionals, organizations, and people to connect with one another to discuss various trending topics and business opportunities. This is important because once you are on a network with someone, you are able to use them to help grow and develop your business, organization, and/or even your career. Linked-in is a social media that is not utilized by many users who are students. A common misconception by an average social networker is they think they can obtain the same information from Linked-in as they can on Facebook/Twitter. What I have come to find out is that unlike Twitter and Facebook, there is ample amount of opportunity on Linked-in for people to find what they are looking for in the professional world.
Twitter is a social networking tool that allows people to follow one another. What is unique about Twitter is that it lets people update their followers the moment something is happening. They can share links, share pictures, and ‘retweet’ other’s ‘tweets’ with their followers. After learning about Twitter on the news, from buzz around campus, and researching, I strongly believe Twitter is by far the most vital and useful form of social networking. Media uses twitter on a daily basis to get their viewers opinions and involved in the topics being discussed in real time. Various media channels such as The View, Sports Center, Tosh.O, and CNN use Twitter as a tool to generate ratings and buzz about news and events.
Blogger is a popular website created by Google that allows its user to share their opinions, impressions, and information about topics of interest. There is virtually a topic of interest for any person who uses Blogger. This social media lets people connect with each other to participate in discussions and feed off each other’s ideas. This is great because people are able to expand their knowledge and viewpoints to help one’s critical communication skills. Blogger is an important part to any media type today because it allows any individual to interact with one another. There are moments when the blogs can get heated or out of control, but that is what is great about Blogger. People are able to express any of their emotions and articulate whatever they want to say. People may not agree with what they are saying because not everyone shares the same views and beliefs as others. This is how Blogger is helping shape social networking in today’s society.
I have also learned that there are more ways to develop different methods of social networking other than Facebook, Twitter, and Linked-in. An example would be Shizzlr. Shizzlr is an up-an-coming social media developed by Uconn students in 2009. This social network allows people to connect with each other to know what other people are doing. This includes dining plans, local events, study groups, and even what your friends are doing. Shizzlr will then send text messages for its members to receive and respond to the various events around campus. This is a one of a kind social media that has only been developed by students here at Uconn. It is becoming a very popular tool for everyone on campus. This shows how social networking has become a vastly growing field of study that will prove to be vital for any business, organization, or school to function successfully.
A variable in social networking that needs to be researched in more depth is the development of technology. Technology is enhancing the landscape the way society functions. It has allowed us to connect and communicate with people in ways which we could never have imaged in years past. Devices such as smart phones, iPads, iPods, and laptops are forms of technology which contribute to the technology revolution we are experiencing in today’s world. People have the ability to find virtually anything they desire at the palm of their hand through the internet and social networking. People are able to update statuses through Facebook, Twitter, and Linked-In, which allows for their friends, followers, and connections to view and respond. This shows how technology is a vital aspect in the world of social networking.
What I have learned form this internship is that social networking has become a critical part of today’s society. We are able to share information with others which allows us to stay connected with each other no matter where we are in the world. Businesses are able to use social networking to their advantage because they are able to network through people to gain customers. They are then able to share important company news, charity events, and even job postings with people they are connected or linked with. I have also learned that social networking now affects the way we receive news. We as viewers are able to view something and become involved through social networking tools such as Twitter. Overall, I have learned that social networking is still a fairly new method of communication, yet it is extremely vital to our society as a whole. Only time will tell what new realms social networking will reach.
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