Closing in on my social media goals

(originally published Sept. 14, 2013, on Eagle Strategies Blog as part of my grad school work)

Three weeks into the fall 2013 semester and one goal is simple: Survive with grace and sanity what I’m facing for the next dozen-plus weeks remaining. From the grading and attendance keeping I do as a teaching assistant to the required tweeting and blogging for one of my classes to the mandatory online responses and submissions in another, it’s all coming down to a numbers game. How much can I get posted and done within the allotted time?
I’ve already purchased a larger planner in which I will (hopefully) get the majority of my calendar down as I coordinate not only those TA responsibilities but also my full-time grad course load and hours at a second job I hold. (Best bosses ever there: I’m allowed to flex what I do around EVERYTHING else, no problem.)
One drawback to my schedule is an inability to utilize the 12-plus commuting hours lost to Interstate 35E on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, I can’t afford a “smart” car (is there such a vehicle?) that can transcribe and transmit tweets as I roll down the road. Not that I could/would anyway as I seemingly have to keep an ear to the radio for traffic reports. But anyone with ideas is more than welcome to suggest them. Perhaps there’s a safe way to multi-task?
As part of my master’s degree, I want to learn new ways to organize and handle my workload with efficiency and skill. I also want to acquire the social and digital media skills that will take my journalism to another level.
I was intrigued during the spring to hear my fellow graduate students talk about Professor Samra Bufkins social media class and what all they were learning. When JOUR 4270/5350 was offered this fall, I quickly signed up. One of my goals specific to this class will be to learn more about Twitter. Although I’ve had an account, I’ve never really utilized it. I recognize it is a growing social media outlet, however, and know that I have to become involved with it and adept in its use. Thanks to some of my classmates’ postings and requirements to be using it on a daily basis, I already feel I am acquiring some new skills.
The class also has a focus on LinkedIn. As with Twitter, I’ve had an account for some time and have used it some. Through this class, however, I am now discovering facets I wasn’t even aware existed.
Without a doubt, I fully expect this semester to challenge me in several ways. My expectation is to meet those to the best of my ability.
With all this said, here’s a fun story from 2012 involving Twitter and the Smart Car brand.