Tag Archives: networking

Student perspective: Design jobs

If you are a student or just starting out in your career, then you definitely need to check out the Design Jobs series from Andrea Zagata.

You might remember Andrea as the designer behind the creative leave-behind we featured last fall. Andrea is also a journalism senior at Michigan State University, and she recently shared her perspective on searching for a design job in a four-part series.

First up—putting together a design application packet from cover letter to clips. Need help choosing your best work? Andrea shares how to cut your clips in part two.

Once you’ve sent your application packet to potential employers, it’s time to get ready for interviews. Andrea offers insight from her experiences as both the interviewer and the interviewee.

The series wraps up with a guest blog from MSU alum and freelance graphic designer Daniel Thai on networking, showing how connections made face-to-face and online can lead to freelance work and valuable contacts.

The Design Jobs series offers a lot of valuable advice, even for non-designers, so be sure to check it out along with the rest of Andrea’s I Shot the Serif blog.

TEDxDetroit: Ideas worth spreading

I’ve had a busy morning. I’ve taken the road less traveled, tackled my to-do list with a machete, narrowly escaped the deathly mortal jaws of the lava monster living in my kitchen, and evicted all negathoughts living in my head.

I’m not crazy; these are the side effects of attending TEDxDetroit last Wednesday.

The idea behind TED started in Long Beach, California with the intention of bringing together people from the worlds of Technology, Entertainment, and Design to share their ideas worth spreading. Originally, the only way to experience TED was attending the exclusive California event, but that changed when the organization released videos online, launching a global phenomenon.

The power of the TED concept is obvious. TED devotees realize knowledge is connected and when people from different realms of knowledge share their ideas, powerful and positive change occurs.

The newest addendum to the TED family is TEDx, a string of independently organized events occurring anywhere enterprising individuals are willing to organize an event. When Charlie Wollborg, Founding Partner of Curve Detroit, heard the news, he jumped on the opportunity to host an event that brought the area’s leading creators, catalysts, entrepreneurs, artists, technologists, designers, scientists, thinkers, and doers together to discuss positive ideas for the world from Detroit.

Not just positive ideas—positive ideas worth spreading. And on October 21, that is exactly what happened. Continue reading →

TEDxDetroit: Positive ideas for the world from Detroit

There is still time to submit your application for the inaugural TEDxDetroit, which is taking place October 21, 2009.

What is TEDxDetroit? It’s an event that will bring together the area’s leading creators, catalysts, entrepreneurs, artists, technologists, designers, scientists, thinkers, and doers to share positive ideas for the world from Detroit. TEDxDetroit

TEDxDetroit will embody the spirit that began with TED, a small nonprofit that brings together people from around the world to share ideas in Technology, Entertainment, Design.

Attendance at TEDxDetroit is by application and space is very limited. There is also an attendance fee in the form of a $20 donation to the TEDxDetroit charity partner Public Art Workz.

Why an application form for a conference? TEDxDetroit explains:

The TEDxDetroit Attendee Application form is not a typical conference registration form. We’re looking for people who will be a strong contributor to the TEDxDetroit experience and the ideas discussed at TEDxDetroit.

Only a very limited number of seats are available at this first TEDxDetroit. Our aim is to curate a stimulating exchange of ideas among a diverse group of peers. We hope to continue to grow the size of TEDxDetroit with future events.

Along with the event, there will be a networking lunch hosted by LA2M and a Tweet-up afterward. To learn more, visit the TEDxDetroit website.

TEDxDetroit
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 @ 9am-6pm
Lawrence Tech University
21000 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI, 48075

Lansing Breakfast Club on WLNS

It has been 11 weeks since the Lansing Breakfast Club first sat down at a table together, and the group continues to attract new faces. Now the group started by coworkers Justin Sailor (@bugsyrocker) and Julie Becker (@designdreams) has gotten some media attention for “putting the social in social media”. Check out the news clip from WLNS below.

To find out more about the group’s weekly breakfasts, join the conversation on Twitter or find them on Facebook.

Michigan Celebration for Women in Computing

Registration is now open for the 2nd biennial Michigan Celebration for Women in Computing (MICWIC). The conference, which will take place April 3-4 at the Kellogg Biological Station Conference Center, will include presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions, career exploration, and a career fair.

Students who are interested in computer science, computer engineering, and other IT-related fields can learn more about career options while networking with faculty, staff, and industry leaders.

The featured speaker will be Vibeke Sorenson, Professor and Chairperson, Department of Media Study University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Professor Sorenson works in digital multimedia and computer animation, interactive architectural installation, and visual-music performance.

Click here to register for the event. Early registration ends March 20. MICWIC registration fees cover Friday night lodging and meals during the conference. Scholarships are available for students. To receive full consideration for a scholarship, interested students must register by March 16.

This is a great opportunity to network with other women in the computing industry, especially if you are a professional digital or technical writer, so be sure to check it out.

Michigan Celebration for Women in Computing
April 3-4, 2009
Kellogg Biological Station Conference Center
Hickory Corners, MI
Register online or join MICWIC on Facebook

Facebook turns five

Facebook recently celebrated its fifth anniversary as the most popular social networking site in the world with more than 110 million users.

I remember when I first heard of Facebook as a university student. Since then, my usage of the site has changed as my needs have changed, and I think that this flexibility is what makes Facebook attractive to so many people. From classmates to co-workers to grandmas, people have found that Facebook is an easy way to keep in touch, plan an event, join a cause, or just poke someone.

In “Five Years of Facebook“, Scott Simon talked with Andy Carvin, NPR Social Media Strategist, about how the site got started and how social networking has changed how people use the internet.

“If you do practically anything in the public sphere, you need some kind of presence on Facebook. [...] it’s expected of you to go into that community because it is such a large community. You ignore Facebook at your own peril.”

This quote struck me in two ways. First, since it is becoming expected for people to be on Facebook, that also means that more and more people have profiles, photos, and other information that may be viewable by employers. So while Carvin says that “you ignore Facebook at your own peril”, keep in mind that using Facebook is at your own risk as well.

Second, if you are a professional writer who deals with web design, online communications, or public relations, for example, you will likely be asked by prospective employers what you know about Facebook. This is because Facebook is now an important tool for businesses and organizations and you may be writing and designing for social media strategies that involve it or other social networking tools like Twitter.

If you would like to see how the design of the site has evolved over the years, check out the retrospective slideshow Facebook put together for the occasion. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with social networking and Facebook in the next five years.

Networking with Twitter

Twitter is a powerful tool for connecting with people, both professionally and personally. But it’s also a tool that can be overwhelming for new users and underutilized by regular users.

John Phillips, a fellow Professional Writing alum, recently blogged about how he uses Twitter. He does a fantastic job of breaking down his approach to networking with tweets, starting with what to post and who to follow. It’s a great read for people who are new to Twitter and need an idea of how it can be used. It also has some reminders for avid Twitter users on how to best utilize the tool.

The tip that resonated the most with me was John’s advice about following vs. followers. As someone who uses Twitter as one way to keep up with people overseas, I have to pick and choose who I follow. While it would be great to see all the useful tweets from some of the top industry Twitterers out there, I simply can’t keep up when I’m already at least 12 hours behind the conversation. By being selective about who I follow, I’m able to do the same as John: avoid information overload and keep my Twitter experience meaningful.

Check out the rest of the tips over at John’s blog, Tales of a Designer, and join in the conversation about how you use Twitter.

MCC Millennials discuss networking

For those who weren’t able to attend the MCC Millenials networking event on January 16, check out what the young professionals had to say about networking.


MCC Millennials Discuss Networking from Shauna Nicholson on Vimeo.

Some of their great advice:

  • Build your network before you need it.
  • Be yourself and make friends.
  • Use social media.
  • If you’re a recent grad, utilize your network of faculty and fellow students.
  • Join groups like MCC Millennials that help young professionals transition into networking.

Networking Opportunity: MCC Millenials

Motor City Connect (MCC) Millenials is hosting a networking event on Friday, January 16 at 5pm in Royal Oak, MI.

MCC Millennials is a group for young professionals and entrepreneurs of Generation Y, and is an extension of Motor City Connect, which provides networking opportunities for some of the top professionals in the Detroit area.

Friday, January 16, 2009
5:00pm – 9:00pm @ Commune
419 South Main Street
Royal Oak, MI
RVSP on Facebook