With the rise in use of social media in general it got me thinking whether it was just the main corporate arena using the tool or have other sectors joined on the band wagon too?

The internet has been around for over fifty years but commercially it has only really been used by the general public since the 1990s. The year 2000 saw the “.com boom” where the internet was the very latest thing on the market; many companies made their fortunes and consequently lost them also. Over time the novelty of the internet has worn off but its uses and popularity has not.

The main benefit of the internet and consequently social media is not the tool itself but what it has allowed users to do. Social media has removed the cost and professional barrier allowing users to go online and share content, thoughts and ideas. In a nutshell social media hasn’t changed the way people communicate or work it has simply removed obstacles to it. In relation to the not for profit sector social media has enabled users to create, join and grow groups around issues they feel passionate about.

Social media has also changed the amount of people that can be communicated to at one time. Previously communication was often one to one or one to many but now social media has opened up the possibility of many to many communication with users often able to re-communicate a message with ease through re-tweeting on twitter or re-posting on facebook. The most important aspect of this is the fact that many to many communication can occur but that charities are reaching many more users than before with less cost and effort.

Charities have not only been using social media to communicate to their supporters but to each other too. ‘WeAreMedia’, a wiki project where over 100 non-profit technology professionals have collated knowledge and resources for training materials to help other charities to learn how to use social media effectively. What is more insightful is that the concept for using social media as a resource for other charities was first thought of through discussions on blogs, twitter and facebook. The site has evolved and developed into the amazing resource it is today with presentations being shared with charities all across the world.

Different social media channels are also recognizing the rise in use by not-for-profit organizations and have developed additional applications to accommodate this. Facebook now have charity gifts available in the gift shop. WWF are one of the charities now offering gifts at $5 each with the proceeds going to the charity. This is simply an online version to the charitable donation gifts that have been around for many years already. Twitter now allows users to edit their avatar (the picture placed beside a users name) to include a charities logo – due to the time of year many users currently have a red poppy visible at the corner of the avatar allowing users to spread the message of the charity that they are supporting.

Mashable has come up with five essential tips to ensure that charities get the most out of social media when pushing their message, they are summarized below;

1.     Remember that social media is a conversation – you will get a better following and result if you take the time to realize that the conversation is two way and if you engage with your audience. You need to ensure that you consume information as well as broadcast it, asking for ideas and feedback where necessary to ensure both you and your audience are getting the most out of the interaction.
2.     Be active and responsive – No one wants to follow a disused twitter account so to ensure you keep your audience interested make sure your social media presence is constantly alive and up to date. In terms of time and resource it may be better to only engage on a few sites, it is better to have a good presence on two or three sites than an unresponsive one on twenty.
3.     Be personal and Authentic – Your social media profile must be authentic, people prefer to talk to a person rather than a brand.
4.     Encouraging and sharing – The greatest benefit of social media is the ability to share information quickly and with ease. Encourage your followers to share the information and message to ensure more people and new audiences get to hear about your cause.
5.     Make social media an organization wide activity – The message is simple, the more people at the organization that are communicating people through social media the more people can be reached. 

Social media is potentially a powerful tool for any organization and/or PR professional to utilize whether in the private, public or not for profit sector. It can be employed to simply get the word of the charity out, connect with key stakeholders, encourage support or even raise funds. As with every communication tool, the benefits can only be reaped if the hard work, patience and diligence is in the first instance used and if each tool is utilized properly but if the advice above is taken on board then the potential return could be great.

If you are interested in following some charities via social media site twitter please see some suggestions below.

Alternatively suggestions would be welcome in the comments box at the end.

1. The 1010 Project
Name:@the1010project
Website: the1010project.org
Mission: “The 1010 Project is a nonprofit organization that provides income-generating grants to indigenous
development partners in Kenya and raises awareness in the United States on behalf of the global poor.”

2. American Cancer Society
Name:@AmericanCancer
Website: cancer.org
Mission: “The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health
organization.”

3. American Red Cross
Name:@RedCross
Website: redcross.org
Mission: As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the
American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

4. Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology
Name:@anitaborg_org
Website: anitaborg.org
Mission: “The Anita Borg Institute seeks to: Increase the impact of women on all aspects of technology, and
increase the positive impact of technology on the world’s women.”

5. Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group
Name:@aidg
Website: aidg.org
Mission: “Boston-based nonprofit working in Guatemala & Haiti to get communities affordable renewable
energy, sanitation, and clean water. Friend us. We’re nice.”

6. Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia
Name:@C2CPhilly
Website: cradlestocrayons.org
Mission: “To provide, free of charge, low-income and homeless children from birth to pre-teen the basic
essentials they need to be safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. We also set a foundation for lasting
change through the meaningful, tangible volunteer opportunities we provide to thousands of youth and adults
each year.”

7. Create The Good
Name:@createthegood
Website: aarp.org
Mission: “Create The Good is the network to connect AARP members, friends and families with ways to make a difference. Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives.”

8. Exploratorium Museum
Name:@Exploratorium
Website: exploratorium.edu
Mission: The Exploratorium stands in the vanguard of the movement of the “museum as educational center.”
It provides access to, and information about, science, nature, art, and technology. The Exploratorium is a
leader in the movement to promote museums as informal education centers.

9. Greenpeace
Name:@Greenpeace_Intl
Website: greenpeace.org
Mission: “An independent global campaigning organisation acting to change attitudes and behavior, to protect
the environment and promote peace.”

10. Hemp Industries
Name:@HempIndustries
Website: thehia.org
Mission: “Non-profit trade group representing hemp companies, researchers and supporters.”

11. The Humane Society of the United States
Name:@humanesociety
Website: hsus.org
Mission: “The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization —
backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been
fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating
animals and confronting cruelty.”

12. Kramden
Name:@Kramden
Website: kramden.org
Mission: “Dedicated to bridging the digital divide by awarding computers to hard-working, underprivileged
children.”

13. The LAMP
Name:@thelampnyc
Website: thelampnyc.org
Mission: The LAMP (Learning About Multimedia Project) provides basic media literacy skills to the
inter-related groups of youths, their parents and educators throughout New York City. Free media literacy
workshops and events demystify the constant flow of media these three groups encounter, bridge the gap
between generations, and provide workforce development skills for future generations.

14. LCA Trust
Name:@preserveland
Website: lcatrust.org
Mission: “We provide emergency funding and legal support to preserve open spaces and natural resources,
and promote smart-growth ideals that foster land conservation.”

15. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Name:@llsusa
Website: lls.org
Mission: “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization
dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS’s mission: Cure leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.”

16. LIVESTRONG
Name:@livestrong
Website: livestrong.org
Mission: “At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, we inspire and empower people affected by cancer. We
believe that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.”

17. The Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League
Name:@magdrl
Website: magdrl.org
Mission: “Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League. All-volunteer org. We rescue, rehabilitate and find homes
for lost, abandoned or neglected Great Danes.”

18. National Peace Corps Association
Name:@pcorpsconnect
Website: peacecorpsconnect.org
Mission: “We are citizens who served in communities in more than 134 developing countries since the Peace
Corps was created in 1961. That global experience defined our lives and changed our views of the world and
of our role in that world. We are teachers, community activists, business leaders, government officials,
 members of Congress, ambassadors, social entrepreneurs, and other members of the Peace Corps family.”

19. The National Wildlife Federation
Name:@NWF
Website: nwf.org
Mission: “The National Wildlife Federation works to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s
future.”

20. Nature Conservancy
Name:@nature_org
Website: nature.org
Mission: The leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important
lands and waters for nature and people.

21. PETA
Name:@officialpeta
Website: peta.org
Mission: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the
world. PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most
intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the
entertainment industry.

22. Save the Children
Name:@savethechildren
Website: savethechildren.org
Mission: “Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change for children in
need in the United States and around the world.”

23. Share Our Strength
Name:@sharestrength
Website: strength.org
Mission: “Share Our Strength is a national organization that works hard to make sure no kid in America grows
up Hungry. We weave together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children at
risk of hunger and surround them with nutritious food where they live, learn and play.”

24. Stand Up to Cancer
Name:@su2c
Website: standup2cancer.org
Mission: “Stand Up To Cancer is a new initiative created to accelerate groundbreaking cancer research that
will get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives. SU2C’s goal is to bring together the best and the
brightest in the cancer community, encouraging collaboration instead of competition.”

25. UNICEF UK
Name:@unicef_uk
Website: unicef.org.uk
Mission: UNICEF UK is one of 36 UNICEF National Committees based in industrialised countries. UNICEF
National Committees raise funds for UNICEF’s worldwide emergency and development work. In 2007 UNICEF
UK raised £41.3 million for UNICEF’s work with children worldwide. UNICEF UK also advocates for lasting
change for children. For example; UNICEF UK’s Public Affairs Team works to change government policies and
practices that are detrimental to children’s rights in the UK and internationally.”

26. WWF
Name:@WWF_Climate
Website: panda.org
Mission: To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans
live in harmony with nature, by: Conserving the world’s biological diversity; ensuring that the use of renewable
natural resources is sustainable; promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
 
 

So not only do we need to be concerned about dissertations and the rest of the work final year brings but it seems we need to start thinking about a career too!?

It is hard work being a student sometimes!

Throughout life we have always had a pre-designated path to follow, after school you went to sixth form or college, after college was university half way through you could do a placement or not but what now? There are no instructions leading us on to the next step. It is all trial and error and what if we follow down the path of error?

I have always wanted a career and have worked as hard as I could to ensure that it was the final destination but which career path to follow?

I am lucky in that I know which area I would like to work in (prefereably social media and crisis within the healthcare sector if any potential employers are reading!) but shall I begin that career through a graduate scheme or just apply for a job?

I have been asking this question to people in the industry for years and still the answer comes back mixed. Graduate schemes ensure you get an overall view of the industry and have a great bredth of experience in different departments but I have already completed a placement year and numerous short term placements in various areas and sectors so would simply applying for a job be better for me?

My only concern about applying for a job is is that it? Are you stuck there forever more? Does a graduate scheme allow you to proceed up the ladder quicker with more opportunities?

The more I research the options the more confused I seem to get so anyone willing to offer any guidance or advice then please do get in touch. Until then I think I will just have to see what opportunities come along and access them at the time!

 
 
The dreaded 'D' word is constantly on our minds....DISSERTATION!

Where do you start? What subject do you begin with? What do you read? How can you write 12, 000 words on one subject!?

I have been lucky, through my placement year I was able to establish communication areas that interested me. I have always had a particular sector which I would like to progress to when I leave the academic world.

I have been reading around the subject for 8 weeks now and have been able to refine and hone in my question ready for further exploration a little more.

I know that you are dying to know so (drum roll)....my question is...
The effect of social media during a crisis within the NHS

Any potential interview candidates or suggestions for readings are most welcome!
 
 
It is finally beginning to dawn on me that final year is on it's way. This week I have been back to sign the necessary papers and collect my timetable but the air is tinged with trepid anticipation. We have all be warned by previous students and lecturers the amount of work load there is to come but no one is quite sure what to expect.

After working full time for a year it is going to be quite a culture shock to get back to full time student life again. There is only one thing to do though - bring it on!
 
 
Picture
Throughout my time at university you are often encouraged to think about the direction you would like your PR career to progress in which brings up the most common question asked by students in PR “which is better, agency or in-house?”

The only way for me to discover my personal preference to this dilemma is to experience both through short and long term placements in a variety of sectors both in-house and now, thanks to the word, agency.

As my two week placement progresses thanks to Rachael, Jenna and Sophie, I have been able to get my teeth stuck into some agency clients and it has been great to see PR from the other side Whilst working in house you liaise with PR agencies all the time but it is nice to now be able to see it from both sides of the fence.

I enjoyed the dedication and closeness of working in-house for an organisation where all your time is spent on the one client. You also have the added benefit of being included in a lot more of the business decisions and you can feel like you are making a real difference to the direction of the company whilst, on some lucky occasions, being able to sit on the Board of Directors – a benefit which I would never be able to do in an agency.

Agency life for the last two weeks has been a huge insight and I have enjoyed it immensely. Because you are not within an organisation you are able to think more outside of the box, look at ideas with an outsider’s fresh pair of eyes and present more ‘wacky’ ideas simply because you are not on the corporate team.

I have been told in the past, and I think after my experience of the last two weeks that I agree, that you should start your career at an agency. An agency is a lot faster paced forcing you to think on your feet and become more creative. These qualities can be achieved from moving in-house to agency but they are a lot more transferable the other way round – it is always easier to slow down and produce good quality work than the other way round! Working within an agency will also enable you to work on many tasks simultaneously whilst experiencing a variety of different industry sectors allowing you to discover which area you like and are good at.

As mentioned before I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Word and would like to express my utmost gratitude to the team for their help, patience and guidance. The two weeks has helped to finalise and focus my career direction upon graduation next July and I believe agency life is for me.
 
 
Picture
Expectations then

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first joined Air Products from not only the organisation but from completing a placement also. I was open to any experience it was going to throw at me and was eager to learn as much as I could.

Career Development

The placement has allowed me to experience many varying areas of communication. Where as a lot of my friends have been able to participate in internal or external communications I have been able to experience both alongside community relations, crisis and issues management and change communications.

The placement has also allowed me to focus on various sectors within communications including healthcare which has become a real interest of mine. Not only can I say that I have had experience in corporate communications but also within the healthcare and industrial gas sectors.

The placement has also helped me to hone in on areas that I would like to progress in in the future. I am still open to various areas and would not like to pigeon hole myself but I am a lot more aware of what areas of communications I do and do not like and which direction ideally I would like my career to be heading in.

Personal Development

An important area of development has been the adaptability to the varying communication areas. This is an aspect of my placement that I struggled with at the beginning, swapping my ‘internal’ head in the morning for ‘external’ and community relations head in the afternoon. As the placement has progressed I have developed this weakness into becoming a strength. My improved time management skills have helped me to plan my day better and to allocate certain areas to certain times so that I can work on a solid area at a time. There are instances where I am required to be working on differing areas at exactly the same time but these circumstances are occurring less often and I am to accommodate these circumstances better. On the other hand though I do enjoy the variety of my day and prefer to be working on various projects rather than solidly on one communication area.

Due to the European element of my placement my interpersonal skills have improved greatly. Whenever I am creating text to be shared with or I am presenting to a European audience I need to bear the language I use in mind. My sentences need to be as basic as possible to allow for ease of translation and ease of understanding for my European colleagues. Although this sometimes means that the English version can appear to be monotone and slightly bland we are a Global Organisation and need to have a Global mindset. This is an area of communication that I had never considered before beginning my placement but it is now an important element that I take into account before starting any piece of work– you must always keep your potential audience and their needs at the forefront of your mind.

My confidence, in general and in my professional abilities, has developed since beginning the placement which has had a positive effect on my interpersonal skills in relation to speaking to various managerial positions. Prior to my placement I would sometimes feel unsure of my communication recommendations and skills and would feel inferior to other more established personnel; this is now an apprehension of the past. I am able to present with ease to direct managers as well as vice presidents of certain business areas having trust in my abilities and communicating correctly depending on their position.  I do need to improve my presentation skills which are working progress.

In a personal respect my time management has improved greatly allowing me to arrange my day better and to be able to plan a realistic working schedule allowing me to complete items of work/projects on time and at a high standard. My logistical planning and analytical approach has developed hand in hand with this element and is a quality that I can transfer over to my personal life also.

One of my key areas of improvement when I joined the organisation included my writing. I requested that I attend a CIPR Impact for writing course that I sourced. The course allowed me to explore various writing methods to experiment as to which approach suited me best. I noticed an instant improvement upon returning to work the next day, the course improved my confidence and has taught me methods that I can and do apply to my everyday working life. My writing is still an aspect that I try and practise regularly and seek guidance on, acting on any advice or critique that is received.

How has the placement benefited me?

My placement has enabled me to define definite areas that I would like to specialise in in my future career. The placement at Air Products has included a vast amount of experience in a number of communication areas which I believe is unbeatable by any other placement so far and has surpassed any possible expectations that I had at the beginning. I have been able to expand my CV greatly and it has provided me with experience in various areas which I am then able to focus on in future employment interviews. Undertaking an industrial placement has not only allowed me to experience whether public relations as a career is for me but has also allowed me to put all my theory learnt in years one and two into practice. I believe that undertaking an industrial placement improves my chances of employability which is a key benefit to consider in the current climate. It demonstrates my willingness to learn and my dedication to the industry while also allowing me to discover which communication discipline I may wish to pursue a career in and which area I enjoy least.

The placement opportunity this year has really fed my hunger to continue to pursue a career in public relations and I now cannot wait to complete my degree and begin my future path within the industry. I think the placement has been pinnacle in allowing me to realise the area(s) that I wish to pursue whilst also allowing me the necessary experience to demonstrate my skills to future employers. I am now in a position where I am a more confident and professionally able communications student who is looking forward to the challenge of my final year while waiting with anticipation for my career ahead.
 
 

I have been asked to potentially present some social media Tutorials and I have to admit that I am rather honoured.

A PR company in Norwich who I have previously conducted some freelancing work for on an ad hoc basis has requested I begin to look into potentiall presenting some courses as part of their media training courses.

Although I am flattered - I am quite nervous at the idea, should I choose to take her up on the offer. I'm a student potentially teaching professionals who are older than I am! It seems like a complete role reversal.

I need to look at the options laid out in front of me first and consider which is best and what I feel comfortable with but - who knows I could be standing up in front of a class near you soon!

 
 

I have been looking at my options lately before I return to University to continue my studies and start/complete my dissertation.

I have been wondering whether beginning some freelance work is a good idea. I have completed freelance work before but simply on a case by case basis - could freelancing really be an option to finance me through my final year?

After spending time at a large organisation I have enjoyed the experience it has given me but I believe that ulitimately I would like to own my own business whether in PR or another industry.

There are so many things to consider - not just what name to have or what colour scheme to follow but could it hinder my chances of employment upon graduation? In the final of the Apprentice this year that was one of the things that Alan Sugar commented put him off Yasmin, the fact that already she had started her own business - could the same happen to me?

I am hoping that it will enable me to show people how much of a go-getter I am and how innovative I can be. I know that there is so much more experience I need to gain and there are so many other avenues of PR I wish to explore first before being my own boss but can freelancing be more beneficial to me than just financial? Can it really make me more attractive to potential employers?

Only time will tell I guess...

 
 

My article has appeared in Behind the Spin!

You can read my article below regarding my opinion on the benefits of networking online or whether it should simply remain in the traditional face to face domain.

If anyone would like to discuss any of my comments further please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Face to face or Facebook?

There’s an age-old debate relating to success in the workplace: is it based on who you know or what you know?

As I approach the end of my time at university I can’t help but think do I need more than just a degree? At work we mix with many colleagues within the industry but how well are we doing and to what effect? These are the questions I set about trying to answer.

New media, new messages

As the role and techniques of public relations evolve so too do the methods we choose to use.  The London bombings threw the media world into the unknown – the area of citizen journalism where social media comes into its own. Here was a new medium for organisations to communicate directly with the consumers who buy their products, and for individuals to communicate with each other too.

Social networking is defined as: “the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision.  Although social networking is possible in person, especially in schools or in the workplace, it is most popular online.  This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other internet users to develop friendships and business relationships, too.” (whatissocialnetworking.com)

Face to face networking is not to be undervalued by any means but it’s not the only way. Other avenues need to be considered too as we move with the changes of the industry.

Social success stories

There have been several noted success stories through networking online, notably Huddersfield  PR graduate Matthew Watson who was offered a job at Speed Communications by Stephen Waddington following his tweet about looking for work.

Then there’s recent PR graduate and blogger Ben Cotton.

“My most successful story of online networking came thanks to my blog. I promote PR Chatter via Facebook and this led to someone who I used to go to school with (who now works for a well-know PR consultancy) forwarding my blog to her boss. I was in turn offered a trial with the offer of a job at the end, if I impressed. I was told that I would not have to undertake the usual press release writing and other test as I had demonstrated many of the required skills in my blog. For me this really hammered home the power and potential of online networking and continues to provide me with the motivation to update my online presence.”

Kent State University in the US integrates blogging into its PR degree as a module, forcing students to blog to help them develop social media skills and build up a network prior to graduating into the real world.

“Blogging helps students land jobs,” comments Bill Sledzic, associate professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication within Kent State University. “The blog enhances a digital portfolio by showcasing online skills and understanding. It’s especially helpful with employers who are late adopters of 2.0 communication.”

While working as a CIPR rep I was able to network frequently at our hosted guest lecturers building up a good base of key contacts within varying areas of the industry. Face to face contact not only allowed me to put across my professional capabilities but also enabled them to view my personality too – expressed more easily in person than through text.

Amanda Fox, another placement year student, sums up the benefit of face to face networking: “When you are networking face-to-face, such as at events, you meet a wide range of individuals who will notice you for the person you are - not by your qualifications or CV. Therefore be yourself, show confidence and you never know what may come out of it.”

Rules of engagement

The key to networking face to face and/or online is to recognise that both methods are different and require different rules of engagement.

In a social environment you are often on the fringes of a conversation and it is ok to interject, where you see fit, with your point of view. Online it is slightly different; a relationship first needs to be built up over time whether this is through dialogue on twitter or simply by commenting on their blog – do not go straight to befriending a stranger on Facebook.

Each networking site serves a different purpose. Twitter is good for simply sharing thoughts whereas LinkedIn is better for building professional relationships. Jeroen Panjer highlights LinkedIn’s main benefit: “It’s not about the people you know, but the people they know.” Ensure you use each for the correct purpose and to suit your needs.

Careless talk costs jobs

We all need to remember that social networking takes place in the public domain. You may have heard of Kimberley Swann who was sacked for her status updates on Facebook commenting that her new job was ‘boring’. Although there are certain things you may be able to keep private by using the privacy settings available, whatever you put up in writing and will potentially be recorded in an internet archive forever.

Should you consider networking online you need to remember that it is time consuming but in turn can reap the rewards – consider it an investment and in turn it might turn into a passion (like it has for me). To see what presence you have on the web already, search for your name + PR (here’s my result). The more online social networks you are involved in, the better the search results you will have.

Let’s face it, networking is vital for a PR student or graduate full stop whether this be face to face or through social networking. A combination of both is recommended – you need a personality as well as being able to demonstrate good writing abilities to a larger audience.

When asked which was better, Samuel Brookes, O2 sandwich year placement and Leeds Metropolitan student, says: “Both! Use online to branch far and wide with so many people but you have to do it face to face to get the benefits of more personal relationships!”

Whether you are collecting business cards at an event or tweeting away online, always remain yourself and above all enjoy it. Who knows what it might lead to – but if you’re not networking, there’s always a danger you might end up not working.

 
 

I was asked this week to start researching an article for behind the spin regarding the subject of whether PR students/graduates should network? Primarily the networking at this stage of the game for a student will be completed via social media sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, PR Open Mic and Facebook but networking can also be done while at work placements and through various CIPR events where students are allowed to attend. At first I didn't think I classed as a social networker but the more I thought about the article more I began to realise that a lot of my contacts have been made or at least maintained via social media sites. Is the networking helping to enhance my career path? Will it make any possible opportunities greater? Will I be offered more opportunities because of it? Only time will tell for me but in the mean time I would be interested to hear your views whether from a student who is for or against networking before graduation or from potential employers themselves.