Universal Background Checks

Unless you live under a rock, you have been hearing a whole lot about guns, gun control, gun bans and universal background checks in the media in the past few months. There is a whole lot of controversy that goes along with all this, from the second amendment, and the belief that taking or banning guns is unconstitutional.

You can read about it here (or many other places on the web):

Universal Background Checks

What are your thoughts on universal background checks?

Blog post #3- Current Event (GM)

General Motors said Thursday it will invest $331.8 million into four powertrain plants located in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Bay City and Flint will receive the most attention, getting $31.7 million and $215 million respectively.  The investments will help GM build a more fuel-efficient transmission and an eight-speed transmission. The large investments will not create any new jobs, however expected to retain 1,650 jobs.

These investments are part of the $1.5 billion GM reported earlier this year it would invest in North American plants. GM has announced a total of $1.2 billion of the sum to be invested this year.

The Flint plant will be getting the bulk of the money- $215 million- to build a small Ecotec engine and upgrade for the current v-6 engine.

GM said the new engine being constructed in Flint will be part of a new family of engines that includes three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines.

The Toledo operation will receive $55.7 million to help boost capacity and production of an all new eight-speed automatic transmission in addition to the six-speed transmission already being built there. 

Social Media Influence

As my career in PR is starting, I am increasingly trying to engage myself and my brand on Social Media sites. 

While I have been an avid social media user for my years in high school, and in college, the content, message and overall theme and presence has changed. When I was young, I never thought the rules of social media like not posting things you wouldn't want to appear on the cover of the NY Times, applied to me. I used social media like every other high school student. 

Once I found PR, and realized that Social Media is a tool that I will be using to engage my audiences and reach my publics, I changed my message. From song lyrics, and pictures of long weekends to clever photography and news updates. 

The main message I am trying to get across here is that Social Media are awesome tools that are very helpful, however you have to be cautious of what you post, because anyone can see these even if you have privacy settings on your account. 

Increasing your influence on social media is what will help increase your credibility with your audience and readers. 

A great way to help increase your influence and credibility on social media sites is to find and connect with other professionals in your same or related fields. Check out what content is posted to their sites, and the overall theme and message. Use this as a model for your own Social Media sites. Connect and network with alumni from your school or major- this could be very beneficial when looking for internships, or jobs. 

Also, these alum are usually very willing to help with regards to many things from questions, to answers of posts, and are great at engaging on sites. Use these people to your advantage. 

Overall, Social Media sites are very helpful when used correctly. Just be sure you are aware of what is being said on your site, respond to posts in a timely manor, and engage! Use pictures, post videos, questions, and related articles to help increase influence.

These are a few things I have learned over the past few weeks. 

Internships

As this last semester of college slowly wears on, the grind of searching for internships is never ending like a twitter feed. The constant search for an internship is very difficult, and the waiting game is even harder. Learning to "hurry up and wait" is something that you must learn, and understand that these places are very busy with business, and finding an Intern isn't always very high on their "to do" list. 

"Patience is a virtue." This is a saying that I never really understood until now.

I have always been a person that needs to know what the future holds for me, as far as what my next step is. I was offered an internship late last week. For whatever reason this just did not seem to be the right calling for me, so against some of my better judgement I turned down the only Internship offer I have so far. I am still searching for the right one. I have a couple more interviews set up in the upcoming weeks, however my dream is to find an internship in Austin, Texas.

A lot of people have difficult time being patient-including myself. I think this search for an internship has really made me realize just how important it is to be patient. In the waiting of an answer from a large company, to see if you can interview with them, you can get antsy, and inpatient. 

Relax. Take a deep breath. 

This will help. Sometimes it takes people a few days to respond to emails, especially from someone who wants to be an intern, and frankly, isn't high on their priority list. 

Deal with it. 

After a long wait, I have an interview this week with an extremely large PR firm, and taking my own advice wasn't easy, however it has seemed to pay off. 

Now I have to do well in the interview, and the waiting game begins again- to see if I have what it takes to be their intern.

Keeping my fingers crossed, and ever searching for the next big step in my life. 

Sushi and Martini

Dirty Martini and Sushi at Madori in downtown Mount Pleasant. Fabulous!

Raw bar at my favorite restaurant on Hutchinson Island, Conchy Joes. Great Oysters

This is the start of my Blogger assignment for my Social Media class. I took this picture over the weekend, to be used in my food&drink blog.

This is a rum runner, on the beach in Hutchinson Island, Florida. At a little favorite restaurant of mine, called Shuckers. They have amazing seafood, and fabulous drinks! yumm!

Cheers!