Using Social Media to make mindful online connections

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:42:02 -0400

Social media is most likely part of your daily routine and can be a great way to stay connected, especially during the past year as we all navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. But how can you also use social media to maximize your own college experience?

We checked in with UMBC Alumna Frankie Cerquetti ’14 (B.F.A, Intermedia) for some insight on how to engage more meaningfully online. Frankie co-owns Storia Studio, a company that specializes in branding photography and videography for small businesses.

Her pro-tip? Treat engaging on social media like networking an event: “I am a firm believer in the power of one. One person. One conversation. One lead. If we begin to treat social media as a networking event, it might give us a fresh perspective. Let’s focus on the quality of meeting that one person instead of trying to appeal to hundreds or thousands. Let’s look at social media as a place to build community and exchange our passions!”

So how can you use social media usage for academic and networking purposes? Here are some tips for you to think about!

Get to know the UMBC community

Many UMBC offices and organizations have their own active social media accounts. You can follow a UMBC office or organization to learn more about the services they provide or exciting opportunities they have for students. And many also welcome DMs (direct messages) from students regarding any questions or concerns. This can be an interactive and approachable way to connect with different groups across campus!

Check out some of these UMBC social media accounts:

UMBC Life

UMBC Campus Life

SEB (Student Events Board)

Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Career Center

UMBC Athletics

UMBC Academic Success Center

Network with potential employers

Whether you are on the hunt for an internship, job, or exploring graduate school opportunities, following the social media accounts of places you’re interested in can tell you a lot about its mission, values, and community. This can give you some insight into whether a place would be a good fit for you. Some companies and organizations might even use their social media accounts to advertise employment opportunities.

If you are preparing for an internship or job interview, the information you gather from social media can then be used to show that you’ve done your research and have a working knowledge of the company or organization’s practices and current ventures.

Having a LinkedIn account is a great way to connect with professionals working in the field you are interested in. Using LinkedIn, you can message professionals to set up informational interviews (i.e. - to learn about how they entered into the field or to learn more about their job). You could also use a site like LinkedIn to join interest groups and participate in online discussions related to your field of interest.

Learn more about LinkedIn and how you can use it effectively as a college student here.

You can also check out Retrievers Connect, a new networking platform just for UMBC students and alumni. The Career Center, in partnership with the Office of Alumni Engagement, has launched this new platform to connect alumni with students to foster the career success of the UMBC community. You will have the chance to learn from those who have been in your shoes, discover industries and trends, and possibly get feedback on your resume and interviewing skills. These connections could provide you with an inside look into internship and career opportunities as well.

Use social media for research and collaborative purposes

Do you need to conduct research for your class? Whether posting qualitative questions you want students to respond to or sending out a survey link, consider using social media to help you get responses from a larger group of people in a shorter amount of time – just be sure to check ahead of time to make sure your professor is okay with you using this method to gather information!

Additionally, if a class assignment requires community-based work or research, you can use social media to help you connect and network with local organizations that may be able to assist you. The use of social media in education is an especially engaging topic right now amid our shift to online learning for the past year and examining trends on social media or using social media as a tool for collecting data could give projects an interesting angle!

Beyond class assignments, social media can be a great way to collaborate with your classmates and make studying more efficient. Platforms like Facebook and services like Google Drive and Box can help you create study groups, organize class materials, and share resources.

It seems that more and more, social media has the potential to help you engage with your professional connections as you navigate your time in college and beyond. We hope this helps you realize just how many ways you can use social media to your advantage! What are some other ways you use social media to build meaningful community online?