Politics Through Social Media

I cannot help but get the feeling that all too often American citizens fall far short of upholding their constitutional right to participate in America’s institutionalized democracy. I also cannot tell you how many of my acquaintances (rather than calling them ‘friends,’ I offset my association with these people in this situation––similar to how a mom will tell a dad “your son” needs to be talked to) pitilessly struggle to emphasize with my plea for political participation. Using your hand (hopefully you’ll get to the second one), count the number of reasons you believe being well educated about your government and legislature is important – that’s what I thought.

Obama TweetsI would be lying if I said I was politically involved by choice. In fact, I am pretty sure that the only reason the governmental agenda found a home on my personal agenda was because I was tired of hearing my brother tell me how to vote, which policy was the best and his continual argument (which he’d likely go on to win) about why I was wrong for having a ‘hunch’ about a certain politician. So, with a severe case of Rebellious-Brother-Syndrome (RBS), I took on an additional major in Political Science.

Do not feel as though you need to go back to school in order to learn about the paranoid and partisan world of politics, but do not be shy to lace up the gloves and step into the arena of policy. Take the smallest step you can by logging onto The White House website. A world (literally) of issues eagerly waits.

Assuming you are as uncertain about the political climate as I was, you could also start at a non-government sponsored, independent website called trailObama.com. Created as a means to disseminate presidential information to new audiences, trailObama.com appears to be attempting to establish itself as the official Obama discussion page.

Whereas once politics blushed in its introverted nature in the face of Social Media, the new Obama administration has their very own Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other innovative, dare I say, fun and engaging methods of communication.

So, if you are currently involved and interested in your government – great, but don’t keep your thoughts to yourself. Encourage those ‘acquaintances’ to learn about a policy or two, and inform them that there is in fact a remedy for the severe syndrome of RBS.

Reaching Success: Building from Inspiration and Failure

Ahh, the classic scenario of ‘taking the pot’ on the very first hand you play. You are left with the notion that your efforts are unfailing and the idea that maybe all the hype surrounding the risk was overrated. You stepped into the arena, and two rounds later came out victorious – the real question now is, how will this help you develop as a professional, and how can you share your lessons with those who have had the exact opposite of fortune?

Last year, friend and former teammate of mine, Justin Abdelkader, decided to leave the collegiate hockey arena and pursue a professional career. Being that the season was nearing an end, the Detroit Red Wings offered him an opportunity, and sure enough he became a full-time Red Wing for the last couple months of the season. As luck (fate, perseverance, etc.) would have it, Detroit went on to win the Stanley Cup, and Justin stood on the ice in Pittsburgh, hoisting hockey’s greatest prize (see photo) above his head.

So how then can you aim any higher for a lifelong career? Whether in business or in sports, seasoned professionals will wait, and wait and wait some more, to reach the pinnacle of their profession. It is these select few that can have the greatest impact on their coworkers and teammates. Inevitably, your peers will look to those who have tried and succeeded. Justin, in turn of winning the Stanley Cup, brought the trophy back to Michigan State for a charity event to raise money for the Cure Kids Cancer initiative. What better use of success than turning it to benefit others?

If you are within this select minority, remember that your success likely came as a result of the elders who gave you the opportunity to succeed. Be mindful of this throughout your career as new generations of professionals seek your help.

I was asked last year to be a part of a three-person team to travel to Wisconsin and handle the public relations efforts for the world unveiling of the Martin Jetpack (yes, a real jetpack). With the business-ripened saavyness of my two coworkers, Brian Ellis and Joe Horvath, the launch was featured on CNN and The Today Show, along with receiving several million online hits and media stories.

Sadly, the internship ended and I was left with two options - the first of which was to retire. The second, and slightly more realistic however, was to learn from the successes and business approach of my seasoned coworkers and translate those lessons into future endeavors.

Bottom line: whether you are a rookie or a tenured professional, build from both success and failure, learn from your predecessors and then be sure to offer others as many opportunities to succeed as what has been given to you.

Reaching Success: Building from Inspiration and Failure by Steve Mnich on Tonic.com

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What Can Be?

Fear not, fellow achievers of academia…commencers of the collegiate. You may have taken those bold steps (for some, you may have happily pranced) across the stage – air horns a blowing, parental arms a flailing, thousands of celebratory students. This moment, of course, symbolizing the conclusion of four years, maybe four and a half, five… of some of the greatest memories, new friends and grueling 8:00 am classes you have ever experienced in your life.

So now what? The educational system sucked you in nearly 20 years ago and has now spit you out into the world of business suits and coffee mugs. You’re faced with the question, what will I do with my life? Here is your answer: I don’t know!

Fortunately however, your generation of college graduates is faced with more opportunities than ever before. Yes, I said it, MORE opportunities. Ignore the economic environment, because this generation is slowly panning out to be the “What Can Be?” generation.

If you have any sense of skepticism about the legitimacy of such a claim, take a look around you. CRT/tanaka, an innovative public relations and marketing agency, wakes up each and every morning to this What Can Be? idea. By focusing on this notion, they consistently offer their clientele unique solutions to the age old need for communication. CRT/tanaka encourages youthful contributions to even their largest of clients, and hunt for the brightest college graduates around the country. Need more proof, then check out their blog – consistently updated with employee perspectives in our ever-evolving society.

We also see a proactive approach to the What Can Be notion by USC film student Jack Robbins (yes, the son of legendary actors Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon). Though still in production, Jack is creating a documentary called Zer00s, a film about the generation of individuals who have been shaped by events within the 21st century. By attempting to define this group, the underlying tone indicates a sense of encouragement and the notion that we can in fact create unique opportunities for ourselves. What Can Be? may in fact be possible through cheering an innovative spirit, all while seeking a new image and accurate depiction of this emerging generation.

So, though you may feel the grimace of the graduation gown, and although the realization may be setting in that your life will soon be transformed from a ‘keg in the closet’ to ‘bills in the mailbox’, know that you are amongst a generation of optimism and innovation. Ask yourself, What Can Be? (!)

Social Media-tor

Do you find yourself asking what this frenzy craze surrounding Social Media is all about? Do you believe you are the sole bearer of uncertainty regarding this ever-evolving trend? Well here is the good news, you aren’t! In fact, welcome to the club (unfortunately unofficial) of those who simply are perplexed by this new world of communication.

Think far back to the early, uncertain days of Social Media – the year 2004. Facebook was gaining popularity as quickly as UGG Boots on college campuses, and people found themselves lost in New Media ranging from picture sharing to blogging, wiki pages to podcasts, and YouTube videos to innovative advertising.

However, despite hours of lost productivity (though many would consider Second Life or World of Warcraft chat forums ever-relevant), a trend began to emerge. Little by little, signs of cooperation amongst Social Media users sprung. As seeds on the tree of collaboration, the fresh wind of New Media had begun to spread the idea of sharing resources and knowledge and encourage the notion of supporting your online community.

Such unity has given rise to discussion forums ranging from increasing workplace productivity to relationship advice. Conversations on websites such as LinkedIn allow for individuals to seek answers to questions that may foster growth within their business. Whereas industry of past ages was closed-lip and back-turning, we now see individuals, strangers to the person in need, offering help and providing answers to such questions. Looking for nothing in return, this new group (we will call title them “Social Media-tors”) contribute to their fellow forum members because they know that when they have an issue or dilemma, others will do the same.

We see networks such as GiveWell, which studies charities in particular fields and ranks them on their effectiveness. GiveWell also encourages conversation about how to have the biggest impact with your gracious donations.

We see student groups, such as the Kairos Society, who have the support of global leaders such as President Bill Clinton and William Gates Sr. The Kairos Society is a student entrepreneurship group whose main goal is to connect the brightest students from across the nation with the purpose of encouraging entrepreneurship and economic sustainability, all while fueling collaborative communication amongst members and global industry leaders.

In the article Social Media for Social Causes Case Study: The Results, author Geoff Livingston mentions that “84 percent of the social media savvy aged 30-49 and 55 percent of those older than 50 used conversational media for these purposes.” So why is this important? We finally see that (gasp) social media is not just for kids (gasp, again)!

So what will the future of Social Media be? Will we continue to see a rise and influence amongst Social Media-tors? If the means are available, why not continue to help one another succeed and encourage positive uses within this expanding virtual world.