Are You Using Your Influence?

Some individuals will ask, many may not know how to. That is why it's important to be available to others, especially students and young professionals.

Seth used social media smartly for an internship program and posted about his take on the results of the program. We can all learn from each other, no matter the years of experience. The point of view an individual brings to the table is valuable.

Having an advisory role like the one I've held at The Fox School of Business at Temple University is a first step. You can rest assured I am already thinking of a couple of other places where I can help. What I like about Seth's program is that he provided a way for students to help each other and themselves in the process through the use of social media. That is also a good use of influence in my book.

Last Christmas and New Year I asked a group of up and coming bloggers from Gen Y to host conversation about the future here. If you were not a reader then, you will enjoy their ideas. Note that many are talking from experience, so execution is part of the conversation.

Adam Salamon: A Connection Made
Rebecca Thorman: Social Media doesn't Create New Generation Leaders
Dan Schawbel: The Future of Branding
Arun Rajagopal: Creating Effective User Experiences in Global Conversations
Ryan Karpeles: When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Will You Pick it up?
Seni Thomas: 2008 - the Year Social Networks Become More Than Social
Tiffany Monhollon: The Future of Communication

I had also asked an up and coming Italian journalist to contribute. He was under deadlines at the time and could not make it. It's important to me that we build bridges across cultures, that we work to connect and learn from each other. Plus the Italian connection allows me to stay close to my roots.

Seni was right, 2008 can already be called the year that social networks are utilized for more than social purposes. I met Seni in person at Blogger Social in April and can tell you that there is a lot one can learn from this young enterprising professional.

Companies that are looking for a way to use social media and social networks may start here, with career opportunities. Jobs have evolved, and so should job search and internship programs. I will be talking about how job seekers, recruiters and companies can utilize social media for career development, connections and recruitment at a breakfast meeting of the Association of Career Professionals (ACP International) chapter in Philadelphia this fall.

You do not need to have a big business to help young professionals gain work experience. With the help of social media and social networks, you can do that with any size business. You could negotiate compensation with sponsors for example, or partners you are working with. Let's say you just won a large account, wouldn't it be great to be able to staff with professionals you've had a chance to work with as interns?

Internship programs do not need to be the usual fare. How about we start with the word itself. Could we call it apprenticeship? I like the concept of guilds or communities of practice. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change - and so do the results you get.

Comments

[Andre Blackman]

As someone who was heavily involved in internships and learning from professionals at a young age, I wholeheartedly agree! Especially in this time where information and knowledge is circulated so rapidly we have to be willing to share the wealth and inspire those around us.Being a young professional, I can definitely say that having someone who cares about your growth is invaluable!

[Valeria Maltoni]

Although I jumped right in without internship programs, I have been blessed by having mentors who took interest in my career development. I know how valuable that can be. It can also be an inspiration to mentor others. Good hearing from you, Andre.