The Business Card is Dead?!

In the past four years at Quinnipiac I have been gaining advice from professors each and every year. One of the main focus in career advice is a polished resume`, cover-letter, and  a creative personal business card! However, is the business card dying?!

In the beginning of the year, as a senior one of the main events I was looking forward to was the career fair. I had my resume` all printed and ready to hand out, but I was missing one little touch a business card! I spent the time and created what I think was a unique and clever business card to catch an eye of a potential employer.

In an article written in the Harvard Business Review, Susy Jackson describes the business card as solidifying her first “real job.” Even though my business card was just a personal card for potential employers it solidified the fact that I have made it through the past four years in college and am now ready for the next step in my life!

This simple story which Jackson shares within the article made me smile and  made think how rapid our world is truly changing.

“I had a lovely conversation with two young entrepreneurs from New York and when it was time to part ways, I used that old line: "Here, let me give you my card." They both paused, looking unsure about whether or not I was serious. Then I saw the understanding wash over them. I was speaking a forgotten language. A business card. How precious. One kindly accepted it anyway. The other craned his neck to copy my email address into his Hashable account and instantly sent me his virtual business card instead. With that small paper rectangle, I'd outed myself as a square.”

This rapid change has changed the public relations industry ten fold In the social media world. It is strange to think about how many people worked without social media? A world without Facebook? Even a world without Twitter? A foreign place for many to go back to.

The way professionals exchange information with one another has changed over the years. The digital business card is easily accessible. The use of Twitter and LinkedIn is a great source for employers to contact employees and even potential employers. How do you picture the future of communications in your career path? Twitter accounts and Facebook messaging? Or will it return to business cards and personal meet and greets?

PRSSA holds first digital career fair! TONIGHT at 9:00 PM

This semester it has been truly important for our PR Campaigns class to focus on entering the social media world.  Our professor Alexander Laskin, explained how it is a vital to participate in twitter chats! I came across that PRSSA will be holding a digital career fair tonight!!!

EVERYONE PARTICIPATE IF YOU HAVE A TWITTER ACCOUNT! GET YOUR RESUMES Ready!

Many students looking for internships or jobs are extremely intimidated and feel uncomfortable when attending these events. However PRSSA has eliminated that fear using social media.

Just like PRSSA stated “It’s time to let your colors shine online!” This will be a great opportunity as potential interns and college seniors to get your name out there in the industry and speak with PR professionals.

Top companies who are participating in this event are Ogilvy, Edelman Digital, Cohn & Wolfe, CENTERSTAGE and much more.

We are the future of the PR industry! Get to speak with professionals and gain advice and a possible interview for potential careers.

PRSSA suggests…..

Digital Career Fair etiquette

• Please remember this is a business-oriented event. No foul language or off-topic posts. Remember, during this event you represent PRSSA as well as yourself.
• Introduce yourself upon entering the chat. Ex: “Hi, I’m Kim Ciesla, senior at Rowan University. National VP of Chapter Development.” Feel free to include a link to your online portfolio, blog or website.
• Use this opportunity to build connections with public relations professionals, recruiters and fellow students – not just hunt for jobs/internships.
• Have your resume in PDF format and ready to share in case you are asked to.
• More Job Hunt articles and tools

Not sure how to join? It’s easy!

• Go to http://www.tweetchat.com around 9 p.m. EDT when you’re ready to join the conversation. Click “Sign in” in the right hand corner. Enter your Twitter username and password, and click “Allow.”
• Enter “PRSSA” in the search box at the top (that’s the hashtag).
• The Twitter feed will pop up with all the #PRSSA tweets. You officially become part of the chat – all you have to do is write your thoughts in the box at the top of the feed (don’t worry about adding #PRSSA at the end – Tweetchat will do it automatically).