Growing Up Plugged In

I've had to do a lot of final papers/projects for my hospitality minor lately that deal with research of company's background and profile. Through the process of my research, I stopped to think how i was getting my information. I was on each company's Facebook profile. not only do I get a taste of their market demographic, but I get a whole fact sheet of when it was founded, company policies, beliefs, ect. It used to be that in order to get this type of information you had to call the company or look through public records. Now, the way I want information or to view new media is through the click of a button. My Professor stated that this type of 'get it now' mentality was a misfortune to my generation because it meant that our thought progress and prowess to write would be shot or completely lost. That we can't formulate thoughts or structure a narrative paper anymore because our stream of thought is so jumbled and impatient. I can see a truth to what he is saying, but I don't feel that entirely correct. Yes, a majority of my peers do not take the time to outline their thought process for a paper, but we haven't forgotten what we've learned in elementary school about the personal narrative. I feel that with my generation we are special and in between the 'new age' of social media or a quick get it now mentality. We were still brought up to write out our essays, before Facebook, before I pads even. Even so, we are unique because even though we grew up without these things we are still able to easily utilize them all. I think this 'in between' way to grow up gives us an advantage as we are able to use tools like social media and blogging for a professional perspective. We are able to see a blog or Facebook and not only see a platform but a marketing or business tool. We will have the experience ingrained in our heads of how to write structured narratives and essays to go into our schoolwork and online endeavors. I'm not saying that the next generation will not know hows to write an essay well or is in any way inferior from a learning curve standpoint, but I feel that the way they are growing up plugged in, their sense of life, writing, and professionalism may be different.

Too Many Hats

I've been working on the blogs and social media platforms for WXRT's site, Blue Havana, Taboo Tabou, The Alley, as well as Everyday Communications (an educational software company). I feel as if I've mastered the art of discovering content will spark the interest of the product or company's target demographic or social media users. I also feel that I have mastered the ability to respond to postings in light of the company's 'voice'. With all the things I think I know, there's also the instances that catch up with me as far as content posted by other users, suggestions, or trends by the company's followers.

 For this class blog we are asked to discuss media in terms of view cultural topics. Lately, I’ve been noticing that “the way people interact with media” has been hitting close to home. Each social media job I partake in (as stated above I balance three different types of companies from all ends of the spectrum) I see, deal, and respond to so many different types of people and content. For instance, I have a Facebook user that is not only friends with Everyday Communications but also with The Alley. Last time I checked, education and tattoos don’t normally go hand in hand, so when I see him tweeting or posting on Facebook about educational seminars he recommends and then two seconds later posting about the new tat he wants or Psychobilly band, I can’t help but laugh and recognize the change in voice. 

Basically, my point is, society tells us to act in different ways and wear many hats. It is not acceptable to sound ‘yourself’ or casual in a work setting or discuss certain topics in a work setting.  When you’re off the clock, your true colors apparently shine and all ends of the spectrum are reached. It’s great being the admin to different company Facebook accounts as you see these ‘true colors’ or ‘real talk’ being mixed in with a professional outlook. You get to see the many faces of a person, their Facebook mindset and their professional Facebook mindset, in a matter of seconds.