This year has been a whirlwind in many ways, both professionally and personally. However, it’s good to reflect on some of the trends and events that have shaped the year to be memorable and very exciting in many ways as well.

As a professor and researcher, this year has truly been one where social media was truly present across the board. Whether it was for research or teaching, or even forming new connections and professional relationships. 2014 was a year where I was able to make connections with new professionals but also meet some great professionals in person for the first time.

It was also the year where I saw the power social media had for a professor – it really was the year where I started getting inquires, comments, and shout outs for what I was doing for my social media classes. I did get some of these last year, but this year it really was apparent and I was really amazed and honored by these. 2015 is already booked with a few of these social media pedagogy style presentations, and I am really excited to give these presentations and share what I have learned teaching social media.

If you want to see a few great posts on what happened specifically on social media, you may want to check out the ones that Hootsuite did for some for the major platforms like Facebook,  LinkedIn, and Twitter

What were some of the main takeaways from this year? Here are a few of mine from the past year when it comes to teaching, researching, and being active on social media as a professor:

  • Role as a social connector for a professor: Dave Remund and I did some research into this a few years ago, and I have to say that this is more apparent than ever for professors for their students. We have to not only be on social media, but be engaged and active with the community. We have to network with fellow professionals, walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to social media engagement, but also be on the forefront of the leading trends and share them with others.
  • What you say online is viewed by more than you think: Resumes and cover letters are still important for students of course, but their digital footprint and persona is what is driving job opportunities, internships, and other professional experiences. I was amazed to see how people were following my class hashtag for my class  – this was pretty cool to see. 🙂 I know I will continue to connect my students with fellow professionals on social media for the upcoming year.
  • Be aware of your own personal online brand as a professor: We are all aware of professor evaluations and course evaluation sites where students rate a professor and talk about the class. However, this year has been the year where the rise of anonymous apps and social media platforms really grew, and social networks like YikYak established a huge presence on university campuses. There are several ways to go about in doing this, but here’s one way some professors have to address this. It’s all about being aware of what is being said about you so you are informed.
  • Work hard, win easy mentality is key: With this current economy, we are all working hard. This is the nature of the work we are doing and as professors, we have to set examples for our students on this front. View yourself as a coach would for their Olympic athletes and show what they are capable of. This is a saying I had as an athlete that I have brought forth in my classes. I have to say I have had students who have really taken this to hard and are now very successful in their new jobs and internships.
  • Social media is a powerful and very valuable investment: As professors, we are asked to do a variety of different things when it comes to our duties. Research, teaching, and service are the main areas, but we are also asked to be strong when it comes to mentorship and being active in the professional field as well. However, it’s all about taking it one day at a time and investing in your future.

Overall, it was truly a great year as a professor. I am very excited to be teaching social media again this spring for #Freberg15 and would love to invite you all to be part of the conversation so you can meet my great students. We are really going to have a great lineup of speakers for the spring along with some great assignments.

Hope you all are having a great day!

Best Wishes,
Karen