I had a chance to bring forth four amazing, talented, and really awesome former students of mine to my social media class. This is the second year I have been able to do this for my social media class and I wanted to invite four amazing and successful students I had in #Freberg14 last spring again to my social media class this semester (#Freberg15).
Samantha, Ben, Gisselle, and Maggie all came by the classroom today and this was one of the proudest moments I have ever had as a professor.
What are some things I was able to take away from this particular #FrebergAlum session today?
- The power of allowing students to showcase their personality: This is SO important for professors to make note of – not all students are the same or have same interests. If we try to fit them into one shape or category, we are doing more harm than good. Allow them to show their interests and personality and allow themselves to be honest and true to their personal brand. All four young professionals have a unique, strong, and energetic voice and personal brand – and that’s what makes them so successful in the field of social media.
- Understanding what truly resonates with students: I heard stories from each of the students presenting about their experiences and advice to the current class, and several things struck out to me. First, professional presence is key and view yourself as a professional brand. Second, make yourself known in a field and area you want to go into. Third, network with current guest speakers and start making those connections [this was a huge one for the group this year] and Lastly, really take advantage of Hootsuite University because this provided them with the foundation for truly understanding social.
- You truly see the impact of making a difference in someone’s lives: I was really surprised and touched with what the students shared with my current class about my teaching. My goal for my class is to offer students a window of opportunity to apply their social media skills set into real-world situations. Every student mentioned that this class was nothing like anything they have taken in college. And what I saw throughout this process is how the #Freberg14 students were not only offering to help the #Freberg15 students, but were actively paying it forward and mentoring them after class. Wow – truly impressed with these actions.
- Mentoring students is truly one of the most rewarding things for a professor to do: There are no words to say how proud I was sitting in my classroom and seeing how Maggie, Ben, Gisselle, and Samantha presented themselves to my current class today. They truly have emerged as power players in the field of social media.
If you want to see more about how the class went today, check out this Storify I made from our class discussions.
In addition, I wanted to also take a moment to thank Maggie (who works for Cafe Press on social media) for the personalized #Freberg15 hashtag journals. She brought one for everyone in the class. I was truly surprised, excited, and touched by this gesture – this was so kind of you Maggie for giving us this personalized gift. Thank you!
I could not have been more prouder today. I got to see students I only had in class a year ago come back to the same classroom as young, successful, and energetic professionals taking the social media world by storm. I also got to see my new class listen, interact, and act on the advice and insights to heart. It’s all about paying it forward and growing a strong social media community within and outside of the classroom.
Hope you all are having a great day!
Best Wishes,
