Last year, as a junior at Ohio University, I was constantly looking for ways to build my resume with experience within my BSS major – Mediated Communication and Marketing. I came to realize that Social Media Certificate would help motivate me to succeed and pursue as many opportunities in my relation to my major as possible. I always knew it was important to stack your resume and build off your experiences. However, it wasn’t until I joined the certificate program that I realized the significance of taking initiative while in college.

Adding the Social Media Certificate came as a direct result of joining the Social Connect Society (SCS) on campus. I met other opportunity-driven individuals, discussed strategies in relation to real-life marketing situations and gained valuable experience working with non-profit organizations in attempt to help establish online presence. Being one of the “pioneers” in this club, as well as being on the executive board, have both helped me communicate the importance to others of what we do, which goes right along with being able to approach potential employers and discuss how my experience makes me credible.

This drive and motivation through SCS has also transferred to other areas of my life. The society helped me realize the importance in gaining as much experience as possible and continuing to learn and grow as a student and potential hire.

For instance, it was through this society that I learned how to be an expert on LinkedIn, which led to an internship position over the summer with an app called SPORTalk, which I still promote. This LinkedIn expertise has assisted me in portraying my best attributes and viable experience, which has also helped employers become aware of my capabilities and credibility in relation to their company.

With SCS, I have also learned how to take initiative on my campus through networking which has landed me my most important internship managing and curating content for Ohio University’s official Instagram account.

The certificate program has taught me many other skills, such as social media analytics, and has put me classes that directly relate to my interests. This has helped me to earn internships, build credibility and gain real-world experience. Employers who attended the Ohio University Career Fair have been in contact with me after viewing my internship experience on my LinkedIn profile.

Thanks to this, my driven attitude and my experience through the Social Media Certificate program and the Social Connect Society, I feel as if I have a great start to my job search. I can confidently talk to potential employers about a future career with credibility and experience that can only help me continue to grow personally and professionally as a social media student.

By Scott Moore