Will Social media be a new Research Tool?

Taking PR research last semester in college, I was able to see the true importance of research in the PR industry. As an intern you will see how imperative research is for clients, as well as the company which you work for as well. In the past few years social media has been increasing for the use of surveys; which is extremely interesting.

Each day that I sign in on Facebook and I receive a request to complete a survey for a company or a friend doing a research project. Is this the new wave of survey research?
"But we need to get away from the notion that being representative of something is the only way to learn," she said. "I still hear people say, 'That social-media thing, that's not really going to pan out.' We will learn enormously whether [social-media samples are] representative or not."

The top research executive of likely the world's biggest research buyer expects surveys to dramatically decline in importance by 2020 and sees the rise of social media as a big reason why. Joan Lewis, global consumer and market knowledge officer of Procter & Gamble Co., with its $350 million in annual market-research outlays, made the statements during and after a panel discussion on "How Market Research Must Change" at the Advertising Research Foundation's Re:Think 2011 conference in New York.

The industry should get away from "believing a method, particularly survey research, will be the solution to anything," she said. "We need to be methodology agnostic."

Near Death Experiences?

Sitting in my philosophy class yesterday we spoke about near death experiences. Have you ever thought about this topic? I have thought about it time and again but never took the time to truly analyze how I felt about it. I was reading Raymond Moody’s book The Light Beyond and examples of children, and adults who have experienced near death experiences. The descriptions which they explains of tunnels they entered, a white light, or the sensation of floating above their own body while doctors work on bringing them back to life.

As weird as this sounds many people wish that they could have this experience! Would you choose to have a
near death experience if given a chance?

Reading how these children and adults sense of calmness after their experiences was eye opening. Their fear of dying went away and this sense of excitement to return back to the wonderful place where they felt safe and love took over.

As a senior in college I have my life ahead of me; however, many people tend to forget that life is short and unpredictable. One’s life can be taken away from them in an instance, as scary as that sounds. Learning about near death experiences put my life into perspective in a way thinking about my future, and how I want to live my life. I want to live my life like those who have had these experiences, appreciating everyday here on earth and living their lives to the fullest.

Time Management!!

As an intern one of the most important aspects to obtain is organization! Going to school full time and working fulltime as an intern can be overwhelming. This semester I have been struggling myself with time management an aspect in my life I have always been spot on with. It was truly imperative to achieve an internship; however, I found that focusing on work and focusing on school is difficult. I applaud all of those students who have full time jobs and go to school at the same time; it is taxing both on the mind and the body.

Over the past few months I have gain experience in the public relations field that I never thought I would be able to obtain being in school. My internship has allowed me to take what I have learned in the classroom and put it to use!

This is my last as an undergraduate at Quinnipiac, I can’t believe it! I am currently in my PR campaigns class taught by Alexander Laskin. This course has been a tremendous experience working as a team on a full blown campaign; from the planning stages to implementation!

Another part of this course has been to create a “personal campaign” which is to focus on social media and make a name for yourself! I have truly enjoyed working on this part of our course. I hope in the next few weeks my blog posts will opened your eyes to the ins and outs of the intern world and inspire you to take that leap and apply for difficult internships!

I hope I did not discourage you in the beginning saying it has been difficult; however, it is like the saying my mom always tells me the most rewarding things in life are never the easy ones!

Even though it has been a struggle this semester it has been the most amazing learning experience thus far in college. I am extremely excited for the future and I can only hope that others can find an internship like the one I have had to inspire them in their career path,  and find that true passion!