Social Media and me!

Today was a special day for me. It was one of those rare moments in my professional life where my heart and head swelled up just because some people think I am good at what I do. The other day I was approached by my boss about the new Journalism and New Media major we will be starting Fall 2013. I am the department liaison with English and close with the current department chair, so she wanted me to learn more about the program to share with the counselors. Then she mentioned that JP (the chair of the department) was singing my praises and was interested in having me teach a Social Media class. She said she was ok with the idea and wanted to let me know before I met with her. I got somewhat excited, but didn't let my hopes get too high until I talked to her.

So this afternoon, I went to talk to JP. We talked about the major and the classes she has in mind for it. Then she also mentioned me teaching a class on Social Media. I admitted that I had given it some thought because my boss had mentioned it and decided that it could be covered 3 different ways in relation to Journalism and New Media: Social Media and Writing (how journalists are using it to get their ideas out, find out new ideas, connect with each other, and market themselves), Social Media and Marketing (using SM as a marketing tool), and Social Media and Communication (how SM has changed the way we interact, talk, get ideas across, and think).  She said if it is possible, maybe it could be two classes (I think for my own knowledge, I would stay focused on Marketing and Writing, since those are the areas I know best). After I left, I found myself already planning activities and how would I teach this. I have been researching and utilizing Social Media for 5 years now, and to have two people I respect very highly have the confidence that I could teach a topic about it at the college level basically blows my mind. I don't think they realized what a compliment they gave me by thinking of me and approaching me with this opportunity. Even if for some reason it doesn't work out, it has been a turning point in my life where I realize that I am a professional instead of just working at a job.

I do hope this pans out, I already have some ideas (self reminder: make the midterm to create a Facebook page for a book, movie, or business and have then write a paper explaining why how they would use it and the benefits of each section). I have been saving articles for a  long time, but so much of it is related to SM and higher education. I know I can find plenty more though.

It is really exciting to think that the efforts I have put in to gaining as much knowledge as possible about this area is actually benefiting me this much. So I really hope that in Spring 2014, you can call me Professor Rowe.

My future faculty picture

I was also asked to be a club advisor earlier in September and the club was approved last week. So to add to my work, recruiting, and grad school, I'm now the advisor for the Red Cross Club @ SJC. Less than 2 weeks til our first meeting!

Now the question is, what should the name of my classes be?