Here I go…

It is kind of crazy to think about the fact that I am now a Clemson University Alumni. I have spent four wonderful years in Tigertown soaking up academics, friendships, ministry, and so much life experience. And now it is done…the word that comes to my mind is surreal. That is exactly how I felt as I sat in Littlejohn Coliseum during the commencement ceremony listening to President Barker’s challenge for our lives and wish us well.  I sat through the ceremony, did all the normal things to celebrate: take pictures, go to lunch with the family, attend parties, and say many goodbyes, but after all was said and done I still feel like all of that has not yet passed me by.

I graduated two weeks ago with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Nonprofit Leadership. So now what? Well that is the question of the century I feel, haha. I am still looking for a job. So if anyone reads this and has any leads for me, let me know! I have moved back home to Greenville, SC and will be there until I can get out and stand on my own. By that I mean until I can financially support myself. So I am applying for different jobs and looking for some quick work in the meantime.

Then after that I am just waiting….waiting for the Lord to allow something to click and get me on the right track! It is hard to wait! Even as a believer, it is still hard to trust in God, stay encouraged, and remain faithful in return. But that is what I am going to have to do:) I guess I am already learning from the real world that it is always an adventure. But being a follower of Jesus Christ is going to make it worth the hard ride:)

Skipping Ahead of the Competition with CNN Experience

Hanging out with Sanjay Gupta and Lucy Liu, co-producing television pilots and writing news stories highlighting Skip Wilson’s CNN work experience. As a senior Communication Studies major at Clemson, Wilson is a fine example of a successful student who has gained a large amount of internship experience and now has exciting career opportunities before him. As a top public university, Clemson strives to be not only an institution of higher learning, but a place of transition for individuals into thriving career fields.

Remarkably, Wilson is a Communication studies transfer student from USC Upstate who is graduating in only three years of schooling. He has gained an enormous amount of newsroom experience over the last few years. In the one year he spent at USC Upstate, Wilson held a job as a Production Tech for news channel 7. He says, “my first newsroom experience was in high school, working at a local production house in Greenville, SC.” Also, since transferring to Clemson, Wilson has maintained working at the Anderson Independent Mail and freelancing for various websites and newspapers.

Wilson continued to pursue an interest in news media this past summer with an internship with CNN. When asked what really interests him about news media, he said, “My plan right now is to get involved in sales. I have come to realize that sales have real influence. However, long term, I would like to get into corporate television management, where I have learned that the real voice comes across from.”

One really exciting thing that he did was help put together a UNICEF special with
Sanjay Gupta. Being on special location and surrounded by several celebrities, he said, “It was just simply a lot of fun.” Over the summer, he produced a total of three different pieces and co-produced several television pilots that have yet to be sold. Wilson explained, “What I really enjoyed was that there wasn’t a ‘typical day’ on the job. Some days I’d be on a shoot all day, other times I might be sitting in a class all day long.”

“I am now applying for the VJ internship program with CNN,” Wilson said. Already with a recommendation by the program’s supervisor and past CNN experience, Wilson is a leg up on 1,000 other competitors for one of four intern spots. Wilson comments on this challenge, “I hope that all the training and experience I have will help me out either with CNN or may even help me get a higher up job at a local station.”

Whether with CNN or other news media outlets, Wilson is sure to see many more exciting opportunities come his way. Keeping his options open for the time being, it is already evident that Wilson will make an impact on the news media world.

At Pendleton Street Baptist Church, there is an annual tradition for Thanksgiving. It has been so that every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving that the church family share in a celebration meal together. This enjoyable fellowship has been one has always included members bringing their visiting family, eating wonderful food, and being reminded of all that there is to be thankful for!

This year was a little different. Pendleton Street is in the midst of the downtown area of Greenville, SC, specifically central to the west end side of town. Our church is surrounded my a community of neighborhoods that are economically disadvantaged. There are a lot of families in great need in that community. So this year to give thanks, Pendleton Street’s congregation decided they wanted to share their time of celebration with the community by offering a free meal to any one in need of it! So people from the community and church members a like celebrated Thanksgiving together!

I think this event ended up being great PR for my church. They advertised in the church’s newsletter, in mailings, and went door to door telling people in the neighborhood about the celebration. The turnout was great! Over 300 people were served a hot meal, two-thirds of them not church members and 65 volunteers served food and greeted visitors! As I participant in this event, I believe that a lot of relationships were built upon between Pendleton Street Baptist Church and its community!

As everyone in Clemson is aware, this week is leading up to the Homecoming weekend for the university. Bowman field is filled with fraternities and student organizations building homecoming floats, Friday’s Tigerama event is being promoted everywhere on campus, and the annual tradition of students building the homecoming Habitat for Humanity house. The Clemson chapter of Habitat is in its fifteenth year of homecoming tradition, and building its 23rd house for the Pickens community. Clemson’s newsroom online released two weeks ago a news story about the Habitat for Humanity homecoming tradition and event!

I think that this event for Habitat is great PR because it is promoting well Clemson’s specific chapter, Clemson’s students, and overall, the general idea of students serving their community. When people drive by Bowman field, they see students building a house as a gift to serve others in their community…and I can’t help but acknowledge what great PR that is for Clemson University and Habitat for Humanity!

For Justin, Victoria, and Cindy…

• First of all, I would engage these bloggers by getting to know them better. Building somewhat of a knowledge relationship is important.
• I would take the initiative not only to read their blogs but to make comments on them.
• To keep them engaged I would need to maintain an ongoing relationship, long-term, with these bloggers.

Reading online and from what I have learned in class, these are just a few things that came to mind as what is important when engaging bloggers:)

How to go about it?

• First, survey and follow other blogs that would be similar to theirs…it is good to learn from others
• Pick a professional, yet engaging blog layout…make it readable and posts accessible
• Keep personal information separated from this business blog
• Spend quality time setting up the blog and getting it started
• Keep posts going regularly to make the blog an active spot
• Link references well if needed

What’s the niche or angle: To PROMOTE and SELL pizza! You want people to know about this place…and have a good feeling about it so that business goes up!

List of discussion topics:

• Talk about how the restaurant originated so that customers may feel personally engaged, just how you want them to be served on location.
• Food specials/sales…regular ones and one time deals.
• Offer online deals…have the blog connect them to a website or make sure you give all the right contact information on the “About” page…phone numbers, address, etc.
• Keep regular updates on new news of the restaurant…new menu items, change of scenery, etc.
• Have a place to open up for customer discussion…have bloggers interacting with one another about their experiences.
• Respond, the company, to customers and their comments.