Using Social Media: Preparing Communication Students for the Workforce

Kimberly Wilmot Voss, PhDAssociate ProfessorArea Coordinator of Journalism

Using Social Media

•Professional development•Creating content•Creating publicity •Building audience•Create community•Promote interest & research

Social Media is Here to Stay

•Texting turned 20.•Blogging has a history.• In 2013: 30% increase in the time

spent on social media •Pinterest: Increased 1,698 percent

in 2012•NASA offers social media credentials

Kinds of Social Networks

Use By Journalists

Use By Readers

I Regularly Use

• Twitter (reTweeter)• Facebook & Instagram•Pinterest•Academia.edu• Linkedin•Blogger• Slideshare

My Strategy

•Find time & be consistent•Focus on specific areas•Note analytics•Think visually & short •Remember that it is social•Remember it is a public forum

The Social Part

•Academic networking•Academic friendships•Public/Media role•New research areas•Adds to teaching

Facebook & Communication

Instagram & Photo Sharing

Pinterest, Google+, MySpace

Professional Social Media

• linkedin/KimberlyWilmotVoss•ucf.academia.edu/KimberlyVoss•Slideshare/KimberlyWVoss

Blogs/Prof FB

•Women’s Page History•Facebook: Women’s Page History

The Future

Western Union = Twitter