Social Media & Research Interview: University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, thirst for knowledge, improve upon and learn new skills, and expand my educational tool box.

In December of 2011, I had the opportunity to connect with a University of Wisconsin-Parkside Communications major (Eloissa Duran) studying social media and research. Duran's interview focused upon non-profit organizations, marketing, and social media.

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Where Is The "American Spirit"?

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, thirst for knowledge, improve upon and learn new skills, and expand my educational tool box.

This past weekend, I took a long overdue mini sabbatical to visit beautiful Fish Creek, located in Door County Wisconsin. On the two and half hour drive, I had the opportunity to embrace the amazing fall colors, appreciate the beautiful waterways, view commercial ships, and feel absolute serenity.

While navigating to Fish Creek, there was a delay on highway in Door County, due to the drawbridge waiting upon a commercial ship. As thirty plus minutes swiftly passed, the 1000+ foot commercial liner eloquently moved through the waters proudly boasting "American Spirit". As I gazed beyond the drawbridge in absolute awe as the American Spirit maneuvered with several ship hands watching every side of the massive commercial liner, I mulled over the meaning of the American Spirit.

As an active social media marketer, I quickly searched "American Spirit" in the search bar of my Blackberry phone. As I toiled through the first page of responses, I found the "real" American Spirit. This lengthy vessel lay over 1,000 feet and began as an original of thirteen self-unloading commercial vessels in November of '77: the George A. Stinson. This is the only vessel of the thirteen which was put into action, iconically dedicated to the steel industry, and National Steel Great Lakes Steel Division. In 2004 the George A. Stinson arrived at Bay Shipbuilding (now owned by Fincantieri Marine Group) in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. As the vessel had a long history on the waters, she needed to rebuilt and manicured. After much thought, the George A. Stinson was renamed "American Spirit". The naming of a craft is much like naming a child, one in which great care is taken, as those are sweetest words one may ever hear. The new name was created to honor the workers, their craft and trade, and the true Spirit of America. The American Spirit has returned to the seemingly endless waters and is owned and operated by the American Steamship Company, Williamsville of New York.

As the weekend quickly came to an end, like an intense film, I thought about the American Spirit, while hiking, swimming, and navigating. I view the American Spirit as an exemplary piece of history, which was established, worked hard, and revitalized into new beginnings. The Great Recession has taught many lessons to scores of America's own. I may have an MBA and overly-passionate about marketing and volunteer work, but I will never lose faith in our country. I believe in education, hard work, and passion for our work. I am hopeful for a rejuvenated economy, optimistic for the underemployed and unemployed, and believe in the scholars and students of today!

Experience: UW-Whitewater Social Media Forum

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, thirst for knowledge, improve upon and learn new skills, and expand my educational tool box.

As the weather grew cooler and the darkness engulfed the sky, I steadily moved indoors to review my calendar for the next day. On the evening of September 27th, I quickly glanced at the blocked off area written with black pen and wildly circled in pink marker. The calendar read in capital block style letters "UW-WHITEWATER SOCIAL MEDIA FORUM".

The thought of attending a social media event was not only motivating in theory, but also comforting. As a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW) M.B.A. graduate, I would be encountering the UW-W Innovation Center for the first time. I was not nervous about navigating to the new location, but excited for the opportunity to learn and be inside the classroom walls again. I thoroughly enjoyed the M.B.A. program at UW-W, which presented scores of challenges, networking, and international experience.

As I trekked to the UWWIC on Wednesday afternoon, I thought of the many topics which may be discussed during the three hour block of time: social media. As a marketer by trade, education, and experience, I honestly couldn't wait to learn about rising technological advances, movement of technology and trends, and expected growth rates. As I drove into the freshly finished parking lot at the UWWIC, I quickly scribbled a few notes upon future growth expectations in social media.

I navigated through the halls and found my way to the classroom of where the forum was to be held. As a seat strategically positioned in the right front corner row of the classroom, I patiently awaited for the keynote speaker, Sarah Meaney. As the forum began, I keenly listed to the first speaker as if there was not an eye-catching PowerPoint presentation rolling. Throughout the event, I patiently was intensely in-turn with the technological trends underway and growth areas within marketing and social media. As the social media forum steamed forward, the breaks came and went, and the event commenced almost as quickly as it began.

Where and How are Your Education, Skill Set, and Time Spent?

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, thirst for knowledge, improve upon and learn new skills, and expand my educational tool box.

On the first day of college, scores lay in their newly minted dorm room beds complete with fresh sheets and new comforters. Their insurmountable expectations and mindset of the "college experience" is filled with the excitement of meeting new people, classes to enjoy, and athlectic activities to solomnly enjoy.

During the college experience, several declared their majors and career paths as if they have always known their professional destiny. Are you picturing your best friend, who is an attorney or your sibling who is a medical doctor, who used to "act-out" their current profession as a child? While others seek the career alternatives through classroom learning, advice of Doctoral level professors, volunteering in an organization, partaking in activism for their beliefs, or through pure luck of a new experience.

In order to effectively achieve your professional goals and career aspirations, it is elemental to find a path in which you find valuable of your time, education, effort, and skill level. We all want to value and take pride in our professions, as we spend insurmountable years of education, sizeable sums of money, and energy to become successful in this regard.

As you reflect upon your educational achievements, skill set, and goals, have you honestly fully met your professional goals? Have your career goals masterfully connected like chocolate and marshmallows on smores at a campfire?

• More noteably, have you blazed past your career goals into an opportunity you did not foresee, which fulfilled your time, education, skill level, and effort?
  


• While attending college, did you dream of being a "major player" within a Fortune 500 Company in a spectacular urban loft and outstanding night life?
  


• Maybe you planned to continue your passion for activism within the not for-profit sector and represent a specific segment you truly believe in?

As a marketing professional and M.B.A. with 10 years of experience, I will leave you with what I have learned in the workplace, classroom, and real world:

• Believe in your profession and career path,



• Expand your network socially and personally,
  


• Continue to gain professional experience,
  


• Make mistakes, learn, and move forward,
  


• Thirst for knowledge and seek-out resources,



• Do not compromise your ethical code, and
  


• Believe in and value yourself.

M.B.A. and Non-Profit Sector

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, improve upon and learn new skills, and expand my educational toolbox.

Determining an industry and career path where your skill set, passion, and true talent lies is instrumental to success.

As an experienced M.B.A., I had the opportunity to work within the private industry and government sector for several years. However, the non-profit industry is extremely intriguing provided social goals, operating challenges, and altruism. At the conclusion of graduate school, most M.B.A. students move forward into the private industry to fulfill exhilirating careers within finance, marketing, or consulting.

Entering the non-profit sector as an M.B.A. is a non-traditional career path, but extremely rewarding. The non-profit sector is symmetrically similar to the private industry in terms of skill set and business experience to successfully flourish. For example, according to Careers in Marketing (http:www.careers-in-marketing.com/npskill.htm) the skills which are comparable to the private sector success include the following: social, communication, sales, critical thinking, and creativity. Additionally, the transition from the for-profit sector to the non-profit industry is smoother than initial non-profit experience into the for profit industry.

I sincerely believe an M.B.A. education provided refined business analysis, decision making skills, and international business experience. Additionally, the M.B.A. experience vastly broadened the cultural element and vast business skill set enter the private industry and non-profit successfully. It is the choice of an M.B.A. to determine where their strengths lie in deciphering if they feel truly fulfilled within the private or not-for profit industry.

Graduate School Reflection

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, improve upon and learn new skills, and expand my educational toolbox.

As I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater undergraduate business program in 2006, I anxiously awaited the beginning of yet another educational milestone: the Master of Business Administration degree.

I made the decision to pursue graduate school for a variety of reasons, which included expanding business and marketing knowledge, increasing strategic decision making, enhancing business writing, and unique career mobility. While reminiscing about the ever-too-short gap of undergraduate completion and beginning of graduate school, I clearly remember the excitement of technical applications, research and case studies, and absolute academic fulfillment.

It is approximately one year since commencement and I genuinely look upon the MBA experience as exhilarating, intellectually stimulating, and ultimately life-changing. As I progress through the career ladder in search of business and marketing career paths, I ultimately feel blessed for the experience, an enhanced business and writing skills, international business experience, and an absolutely outstanding opportunity.

~May you continue to achieve your academic and career aspirations with sheer vigor for business and marketing, while maintaining a healthy memory of your roots.

Business Colleague Investment?

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, improve upon and learn new skills, and expand my educational toolbox.

If provided an opportunity to invest upon the career of a business school colleague, who would you choose? Would you invest in the straight A conceptual framework colleague, the colleague who consistently strived to compete unethically and won, or the colleague who earned their degree through traditional blood, sweat, and tears?

The MBA is a sought after degree, which promotes thorough decision making, hones business foresight, and strives to create successful globally competent professionals. While in graduate school, I worked with all walks of life, which included traditional and non-traditional students, international students, entrepreneuers, knowledge seekers, and successful business leaders.

The classroom walls and dry erease boards create a sense of common understanding, hone discussion upon global business topics, ethical debates, and consistently question our decision making processes. During the last semester of graduate school I had the opportunity to work internationally in collaboration with students at a German University. It was during the process of international collaboration that I encountered several themes which the MBA program prides itself upon: working collectively to successfully collaborate with cultural barriers, fine-tune the decision making process, ethical and unethical decision making, and thinking globally while maintaining a local perspective.

The MBA program successfully instilled a thorough understanding of the business processes, conceptual framework through international and local collaboration, consistently questioned global versus local decisions, and ethical foresight. It was through the MBA experience, that I would whole heartedly invest upon the colleague who acted ethically, prided real world occcupational experience, and brought the classroom ethical debates of global business to life. I consistently strive for the the long run glory and not the short run fame associated in the global and cut throat business world.

The M.B.A. Compass.

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, improve upon and learn new skills, and expand my educational toolbox.

Are you a newly minted M.B.A. boasting solid experience and actively seeking opportunities within finance or consulting?

Your Compass of Fortune: Your patience and karma has paid-off, pass go, and collect upon the increase in demand for an advanced education and business experience!

Future Employers Compass: Experienced business professionals with strong communication skills coupled with an M.B.A. education.

Where within the M.B.A. dichotomy of experience, education, critical thinking aptitude, and communication skills do you lie? Would you like to change your "directional" career outlook, provided your current coordinates?

According to a recent article on http://www.cnbc.com/, the demand of the ever-changing need for Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) holders within the finance and consulting industries are forecasted to increase to that of the time prior to the recession (Article: Future Bodes Well for MBA Hiring). As a recent M.B.A. graduate with several years of business and marketing experience, the demand for educated, experienced, and skilled professionals is ever-increasing.

As an active knowledge and opportunity seeker, it is absolutely necessary to remain updated and proactive within the industry and employment trends. In order for business professionals to effectively seek opportunities, their respective compass needs to be optimally tuned: trend-seeking, proactive, innovative, and ethically.

MBA: Everchanging Marketplace.

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, improve upon and learn new skills, and expand my educational toolbox.

Are you enrolled within a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program, a recent graduate, or actively engaged as an MBA? Prior to entering the MBA Program, did you take a moment to research the history of the MBA?

The initial MBA Program was created at Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business in 1900, due to an increase in demand for leadership among educated business professionals(http://www.businessreviewusa.com/). Additionally, the foci of the MBA, prepared graduates for the dynamically changing business world in terms of leadership and an advanced understanding of the spheres of business.

However, evolutionary changes within the curriculum of the MBA shifted, towards global business and a globally based economy. Today, most MBA Programs prepare graduates for leadership roles not only within the business environment, but also through real-world components. Specifically, many educational institutions now include business ethics and environmental responsibility within the course curriculum.

As a recent MBA graduate, it may not come as a surprise that I consistently reevaluate the business environment and surroundings for ideal opportunities and key improvements. As an active MBA and knowledge seeker, it is essential and absolutely key to identify trends within the marketplace and consistently be proactive (as opposed to reactive).

In order for the MBA population to succeed within the business world, it is essential to entertain opportunities to their fullest and maintain fluidity. However, as an MBA, it is absolutely crucial to actively and consciously participate responsibly and ethically in our local communities and global economy.

2011: U.S. Cities Offering Employment Opportunities

Mission: As a marketer and business professional, I consistently strive to meet new challenges, improve upon and learn skills, and expand my educational toolbox.

As I reflect upon how 2010 substantially impacted my life, it can be described as ever-changing, action packed, and joyful. During the course of last year, I completed the M.B.A. Program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, began a journey into another business related industry, and spent considerable time and focus upon personal and career aspirations. Surprisingly enough, I must wholeheartedly admit I miss the collegiate environment which provides consistent personal and educational challenges, pushes for innovation, and lofty intellectual and ethical debates.

As 2011 arrived, are you ready to bring forth goals and action packed enthusiasm? What are your career, educational, or personal aspirations for 2011? Are you considering relocation, pursuing a career or industry change, or actively interviewing? A recent article published by CNBC, may provide insight upon where career opportunities are available. According to CNBC (www.cnbc.com) the new cities of employment are not traditionally held and may come by surprise to many!

2011 Cities of Employment:

1.) Tampa, Florida
2.) Kansas City, Missouri
3.) Portland, Oregon
4.) Cincinnati, Ohio
5.) Hartford, Connecticut
6.) Baltimore, Maryland
7.) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
8.) Seattle, Washington
9.) Charlotte, North Carolina
10.) Atlanta, Georgia
(http://www.cnbc.com/)

Are any of the top cities for hiring within your career scope? Where do you view yourself living in 2011? I am looking forward to the absolute adventure of new opportunities and trials and tribulations coupled with mere success.

May your 2011 be healthy, productive, and successful!

Economic Growth Expectations: 2011

As tomorrow moves forward, the month of December illuminates the New Year: 2011. Not only is 2011 vivaciously approaching, as economic forecasts are abundantly wielding in the air like snowflakes. In the midst of local and global financial crises, what are the forecasts for the trenches of 2011? Where do your personal and economic expectations lie upon the 2011 scale of business spending, GDP, the trade deficit, interest rates, energy, inflation, housing, unemployment and retail sales?

According to Kiplinger, the 2011 forecasts are unveiled respectively and relative to the 2010 findings (http://www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/economic_outlook/).

• Business growth is set to increase steadily to approximately 9% in 2011, which is half of the growth in 2010,


• GDP is expected to hold solid from the 2010 year at 2.8% growth and remain consistent in 2011,


• Interest rates are at a stellar 3.25% prime rate and are expected to continue through 2011,


• Energy is trading at an estimated decreased $80's/bbl and also into 2011,


• Inflation is deemed to increase at approximately 0.5% from 2010 to 1.5% in 2011,


• Housing sales are within the treacherous field as 2010 with slow growth into 2011,


• Unemployment is expected to minutely decrease from 9.5% in 2010, and


• Retail is sustaining the field with optimism for 2011.

Generation Y is inexplicably moving forward steadily from the train station of 2010 into the 2011 year with determination and insights upon distinguishing pivotal movements from 2010 to 2011. The economic significance of 2010, impacted Generation Y in several areas of their personal, financial, and educational livelihoods. To sustain and flourish as a Generation from the trenches of 2010, we must bring forth our savviness, education, business experience, and profound motivation to succeed.

The Integration of Moral Fiber

The memory of Graduation Day from the M.B.A. Program fades slowly as the long Fall days move through like a shutter camera. It vividly slips away, but is captured with favorite songs, moments of celebration, intense business debates, stressful deadlines, and an intense battle of the mind. From the absolutely trying years of balancing graduate school and work, an area of sincere interest lay restless in the forefront: Moral Fiber.

In the scope of the business world, we have not only heard the true meaning of Moral Fiber, but experienced it as an ever-lasting term, testing our true ethics and moral gauge. According to urbandictionary.com Moral Fiber is described as strength of character and firmness. The epitome of Moral Fiber is situated not only in the workplace and social networks, but in our culture. We are constantly faced with decisions which affect not only our diverse paths of success, but those integrated in our social circles, businesses, and culture.

The real world application of Moral Fiber evolutionarily changed the business sector and riveted the turbulent economic climate. The M.B.A. Program charged forward with an inherent and overwhelming understanding, that Generation Y coupled with the current state of affairs will dynamically change the business spectrum. Additionally, business decisions wield daughnting ramifications and should be defined with caution, statistical adherence, and true measure.

Moral Fiber is the mere transformation of our inner values, encompassing the real world significance of business decisions. It is not only derived through the decision makers, but the eyes of those in our sphere of influence. Graduate school provided the concrete underlayment to engage in thorough decisions, while integrating business knowledge and maintaining an integrity based core: Moral Fiber.

M.B.A. Personality Characteristics: SPQ

Are you pondering whether or not you are inexplicably an M.B.A. candidate or possess synonomous characteristics of an M.B.A.? An M.B.A. predictably illustrates personality attributes toward the desire of an advanced education.

There is a measurement for M.B.A.'s, which is referred to as Student Personality Quotient (SPQ). According to Business Week (businessweek.com), SPQ is measured upon numerous factors, which include how well you interact with B-school cohorts, overall B-school involvement, career aspirations, and lifestyle outside of B-school. Business Week provides evidence, that SPQ is an influential element upon career movement and success (businessweek.com/bschools/content/aug2006/bs20060810_9957.htm).

As an M.B.A., I absolutely had to take the exam to determine if I exemplify the characteristics of an M.B.A., according to the SPQ measurement. Please find the SPQ results directly below.

Ms. or Mr. MBA (31-40)

Annoyance Level: Low

You fit in well at B-school and know how to balance your work and personal life. You are often the unsung hero of your group projects because you know how to get the best out of your classmates, many of whom are your true friends. B-school is a chance for you to lay the foundation for a career which will make you happy. Even though you had to make many sacrifices to go back to school, you would not have it any other way.

Tolerating those who are less laid back and confident can be a challenge for Ms. or Mr. MBA. But you just have to keep in mind diverse personalities contribute to creating the right class chemistry.

There is always room for improvement even if you are well liked and getting the most out of your B-school experience. You might consider reaching out to a wallflower in your class or a first year student in need of a mentor. Helping others, after all, will turn Ms. or Mr. MBA from average to above average.

(http://images.businessweek.com/ss06/08personality_quiz/index_01.htm)

After reviewing the results of the SPQ, I feel it is an accurate broad personality identification.

While attending the M.B.A. program, it was undoubtedly a challenging experience. I learned how to successfully juggle a full-time work schedule, attend evening classes, and find personal time. Over the past four (4) years, I sacrificed in every aspect of my daily life to complete B-school. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offered the opportunity to work with scores individuals, a melting pot of personalities, and cultural backgrounds. I am grateful for the M.B.A. experience, to have worked with individuals who displayed deeply rooted passion for business, learning, and success!

Pack Your Bags: Top 10 U.S. Cities (Employment, Housing, and Compensation)

Are you a recent Generation Y graduate residing in a bustling metropolis? Have you considered relocating to establish a career and embark upon new beginnings?

Which U.S. cities are most conducive for Generation Y graduates? According to CNBC (http://www.cnbc.com/), the top-10 U.S. cities were evaluated upon three (3) factors: employment opportunity, cost of living, and average salary.

10.) Los Angeles, California
9.) Baltimore, Maryland
8.) Cincinnati, Ohio
7.) New York, New York
6.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5.) Boston, Massachusetts
4.) Dallas, Texas
3.) Denver, Colorado
2.) Phoenix, Arizona
1.) Atlanta, Georgia

As a member of Generation Y, recent M.B.A. graduate, experienced business professional, and Midwesterner, it is essential to consistently seek resources for overall growth and opportunity. Honestly, I was astounded and filled with joy to view a Midwestern city as a fierce competitor. Dynamically, local and national shifts in the economic climate, sustainable employment, and housing sector drastically affected and shook Midwestern viability to the core. However, as expected, the coastal regions are continually represented via California, Maryland, and Massachusetts.

Generation Y is directly in the cross-fire of the dynamically changing environment. We are not the creators of the challenging marketplace; we are merely rising to the challenge of becoming the change! In order to survive and essentially become successful, integration of our generational resilience, education, and overall experience are absolutely necessary.

Ethical Behavior and Standards of Practice: "The M.B.A. Oath"

Oaths are significantly more than a written code, by which professionals are responsible for abiding. Oaths are moral binding fiber which encapsulates business associates, consumers, industries, products, society, and stakeholders: the core of ethics and professionalism.

In 2008, Data Sources uncovered that a mere 8.8% of the United States population 25 years and older posesses a Masters Degree, 1.5% wield a Professional Degree, and astoundingly 1.3% hold Doctoral Degrees (Data Sources: Graduate Degree Attainment of the U.S. Population).

Creation of the M.B.A Oath:
In 2009, several Harvard Business School students created "The M.B.A. Oath" (http://www.mbaoath.org/). The birth of "The M.B.A. Oath" is attributed to the persistence and perseverance of business students. "The M.B.A. Oath" is the written vehicle, which drives additional value in the M.B.A. Degree. Their motivation was due to historical standards of practice associated with professions such as attorneys, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Moreover, "The M.B.A Oath" created unity and synonymous standards of practice in the overall business sphere.

Generation Y experienced first-hand effects of unethical decisions: Economic destruction and utter dismantling of Wall Street. For the past three (3) years Generation Y continually endures the results of unethical behavior, greed, and dishonesty among industries, professionals, and consumers.

Generation Y is coping by living through one of the worst economic downfalls since the Great Depression. We are educated, intelligent, and ultimately living proof of the American Dream!