Did you know that Google saves all search entries and terms? Whether you are logged in or not, Google compiles all search entries for individual people. At first I thought this is not a big deal, Google will never need this again. But in law-suits and political cases these documents are becoming more valuable. Attorneys can ask Google for past searches on any person at any time and use them in court.
I don't think Google and other search engines should have the right to save such documents. I can understand them wanting to know what searches are popular and maybe making a tally of them, but there is no need to save each term for every person that logs on and uses their website. It is an invasion of privacy.
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act was created in 1986 and has not been revamped or changed since. We live in a world of changing technology and communication is nothing to what it was 20 years ago, let alone 10 years ago. It is time that officials revise and update the act to better suit the needs of this modern technology-based society.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Being a Meeting and Event Planner
As a sophomore in college I held a leadership position that required me to plan all campus events and activities. Through that experience I created a desire and passion for event planning. I decided to major in public relations with a minor in parks and recreation to follow my new dream of becoming an event planner. I love serving the people around me by planning fun wholesome events where people can relax and escape the rountined life schedule. This brings me great satisfaction and joy because I enhance others life experience.
Event planning has become a growing profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there were 51,000 event planners in the United States in 2006 with an expected 20 percent increase in the next ten years. Event planners may work for religious, civic, professional and other similar organizations, for hotels and accommodation companies, educational services, government or they can be self employed.
As of May 2006, the median annual earnings of meeting and convention planners were $42,180. The middle 50 percent earned between $32,840 and $55,040. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,880 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $70,950. In 2006 event planners in the business, professional, labor and political field had the greatest income at $45,850. Traveler accommodation planners earned the lowest at $38,270.
Event planners spend most of their time in an office but during a meeting or event they will be on-site at the convention center, hotel or location where the event is being held. Regular travel is expected while planners attend meetings or look at future facilities to hold meetings and events. The extent of travel depends on the agency or organization they work for.
Work hours can be long and irregular. Most of the time planners work more than 40 hours per week with increasing hours as the event gets closer. Hours are especially long during the event with possibilities of starting at 5:00 am and working until midnight. Often events run on or through the weekends.
I did some research on Monster.com and Hotjobs.yahoo.com and looked at positions available right now to find out what employers are looking. They need well organized and self-motivated people who can manage many projects and tasks. A positive attitude and strong motivation is needed in the fast-paced environment event planners are always surrounded by.
The number one thing employers were looking for was experience. So many different situations and problems arise at events and the best way to deal with a problem as the planner is by dealing with stress and being able to work with what you have.
I think event planning is the perfect profession for me because I have a lot of energy and like to move around. Event planning is a job where you’re always on the go and it will channel my energy into a positive and helpful way. I also love to socialize and work with new people. As an event planner I will have the opportunity and privilege to meet people with different background and life styles. Also I work well under stressful situations and am a good problem solver.
Event planning has become a growing profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there were 51,000 event planners in the United States in 2006 with an expected 20 percent increase in the next ten years. Event planners may work for religious, civic, professional and other similar organizations, for hotels and accommodation companies, educational services, government or they can be self employed.
As of May 2006, the median annual earnings of meeting and convention planners were $42,180. The middle 50 percent earned between $32,840 and $55,040. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,880 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $70,950. In 2006 event planners in the business, professional, labor and political field had the greatest income at $45,850. Traveler accommodation planners earned the lowest at $38,270.
Event planners spend most of their time in an office but during a meeting or event they will be on-site at the convention center, hotel or location where the event is being held. Regular travel is expected while planners attend meetings or look at future facilities to hold meetings and events. The extent of travel depends on the agency or organization they work for.
Work hours can be long and irregular. Most of the time planners work more than 40 hours per week with increasing hours as the event gets closer. Hours are especially long during the event with possibilities of starting at 5:00 am and working until midnight. Often events run on or through the weekends.
I did some research on Monster.com and Hotjobs.yahoo.com and looked at positions available right now to find out what employers are looking. They need well organized and self-motivated people who can manage many projects and tasks. A positive attitude and strong motivation is needed in the fast-paced environment event planners are always surrounded by.
The number one thing employers were looking for was experience. So many different situations and problems arise at events and the best way to deal with a problem as the planner is by dealing with stress and being able to work with what you have.
I think event planning is the perfect profession for me because I have a lot of energy and like to move around. Event planning is a job where you’re always on the go and it will channel my energy into a positive and helpful way. I also love to socialize and work with new people. As an event planner I will have the opportunity and privilege to meet people with different background and life styles. Also I work well under stressful situations and am a good problem solver.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Healthcare Provider Cators to Customers
Humana is a health benefits provider based in Louisville, KY. and has created a marketing campaign that people of this generation will notice and pay attention to. They have turned to video games and facebook to educated and motivate consumers about their well-being.
Good health habits start young and to target facebook users and video gamers is a great way to get a lot of younger peoples attention. Humana has created health-initiative games and a facebook application to battle the bulge.
In a technological-based society, marketing and advertising needs to change. The common television commercials and news paper/magazine ads aren't getting the word out well enough. I really like what Humana has done by looking at their consumers habits and hobbies and then found a way to market their product in an appealing way.
Humana adds games to digital initiative
Good health habits start young and to target facebook users and video gamers is a great way to get a lot of younger peoples attention. Humana has created health-initiative games and a facebook application to battle the bulge.
In a technological-based society, marketing and advertising needs to change. The common television commercials and news paper/magazine ads aren't getting the word out well enough. I really like what Humana has done by looking at their consumers habits and hobbies and then found a way to market their product in an appealing way.
Humana adds games to digital initiative
Consumer Blogs Change Market
At the beginning of the new year I was looking for a new cell phone so I got online to look at all the phones offered by my provider. There were a couple I really liked because of the features they offered and the way they looked. I have never really looked at ratings or blogs on a specific item before but as I was shopping this caught my eye because the phone I have now as so many issues with the battery, sim card and text messaging. I looked at the comments on the phone I liked most and every comment said the buttons broke in less than six months. I looked at the next phone I really liked and overall people said they really liked the phone and the only problem it had was that it needed to be charged almost every night.
These comments changed my purchasing decision and led me to a greater investment. It is great that I can listen to people who have learned through experience.
This article has a lot of facts about the changing marketplace and the effect of blogging. The concept of citizen journalism for consumers is great because they can give an unbiased opinion on a product. Retailers want to sell their product to the most people for the most money possible and so they never share the negatives features of the item. I am not trying to say consumer blogging is ruining sales in all cases. For example, the second phone I looked at had great reviews and everybody liked it, so it was promoting their phone and more people will probably buy over other options.
Blogs making a bigger impact at the point of purchase, study finds
These comments changed my purchasing decision and led me to a greater investment. It is great that I can listen to people who have learned through experience.
This article has a lot of facts about the changing marketplace and the effect of blogging. The concept of citizen journalism for consumers is great because they can give an unbiased opinion on a product. Retailers want to sell their product to the most people for the most money possible and so they never share the negatives features of the item. I am not trying to say consumer blogging is ruining sales in all cases. For example, the second phone I looked at had great reviews and everybody liked it, so it was promoting their phone and more people will probably buy over other options.
Blogs making a bigger impact at the point of purchase, study finds
Monday, January 12, 2009
Statesman Opinion Piece
The Fans at Utah State are questionable during basketball games. The Statesman was looking for two people with opposing opinions on the issue. I am a rare student to find in that I think our fans are out of control and need to change their cheers. This piece I wrote was published Monday January 12, 2009 in the UtahStatesman.
Utah State Basketball Fans Lack Class
“You suck, you suck, you suck…” is chanted by hundreds of USU student fans each basketball game as they try to tear down the opposing team. Talking to other students, I have heard everything from these chants are totally awesome to they are rude, yet funny.
When I attend Utah State Basketball games you will not find me standing in the heart of the student section and you will not hear me chanting any of these nasty cheers. This is not because I am not proud to be an Aggie or that I don’t support the basketball team, but it’s because I will not stoop to the low level of sportsmanship in which our fans seem to share.
Sportsmanship is a level of character for everybody involved in a game: athletes, coaches, officials and fans. The basketball team and coaches have good sportsmanship and represent Utah State University very well and I am sure they are a respected team in the league because they could put anybody up to a good challenge. But when somebody does not want to come to our campus because of the way our fans treat the other team, I think we have gone too far.
Have you ever thought that every cheer that is being chanted negatively towards the other team can be chanted right back at our own team at some point in the game? The cheers are hypocritical. Every time an Aggie shoots an air-ball I feel like yelling “air-ball, air-ball, air-ball.” Why undermine the other team when we are just as guilty? It’s not classy and students look like idiots.
Being on that court can be stressful and it wares on one mentally, physically and emotionally. All of you students who have been athletes at some point in life or another, think back to when you may have had a bad game. Weren’t you glad to hear your team and fans cheering you on and building you up, trying to send you the vibes of their energy and team spirit.
The USU basketball team is not perfect and definitely can use work in some areas. So as students why don’t we just put all of our energy into our own team? Who cares if the other team sucks, let’s not waste our breath. Let’s chant positive things to our own team and just leave the other team out of it.
Utah State Basketball Fans Lack Class
“You suck, you suck, you suck…” is chanted by hundreds of USU student fans each basketball game as they try to tear down the opposing team. Talking to other students, I have heard everything from these chants are totally awesome to they are rude, yet funny.
When I attend Utah State Basketball games you will not find me standing in the heart of the student section and you will not hear me chanting any of these nasty cheers. This is not because I am not proud to be an Aggie or that I don’t support the basketball team, but it’s because I will not stoop to the low level of sportsmanship in which our fans seem to share.
Sportsmanship is a level of character for everybody involved in a game: athletes, coaches, officials and fans. The basketball team and coaches have good sportsmanship and represent Utah State University very well and I am sure they are a respected team in the league because they could put anybody up to a good challenge. But when somebody does not want to come to our campus because of the way our fans treat the other team, I think we have gone too far.
Have you ever thought that every cheer that is being chanted negatively towards the other team can be chanted right back at our own team at some point in the game? The cheers are hypocritical. Every time an Aggie shoots an air-ball I feel like yelling “air-ball, air-ball, air-ball.” Why undermine the other team when we are just as guilty? It’s not classy and students look like idiots.
Being on that court can be stressful and it wares on one mentally, physically and emotionally. All of you students who have been athletes at some point in life or another, think back to when you may have had a bad game. Weren’t you glad to hear your team and fans cheering you on and building you up, trying to send you the vibes of their energy and team spirit.
The USU basketball team is not perfect and definitely can use work in some areas. So as students why don’t we just put all of our energy into our own team? Who cares if the other team sucks, let’s not waste our breath. Let’s chant positive things to our own team and just leave the other team out of it.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Email Etiquette
Email has grown in popularity in the past few years and has now become one of the main forms of communication in society. In the beginning days of email people did it more for fun and were trying to get familiar with the new craze. But over the last few years as people have gotten familiar with email, it has become more professional and there are some rules of etiquette that people should follow. It gets annoying when people don't respond to your emails for a really long time because at that point you don't remember or don't care about what is being asked, or when you are trying to send a professional document and the people you are sending it to haven't updated their software for seven years and are using a program version that can't format the document. Yes that could be the senders fault because they should use a more common format, but isn't staying up to date professional too, especially in a technology-driven society?
Although there are many professional rules to email I think on a more personal level these rules can be set aside so that one may have fun while emailing. With friends and family use fun emoticons and your little acronyms such as lol so that you can portray a little more personality. Just remember there is a time and a place for everything and that definitely applies to email as well. Always think of who you are emailing and the significance of the person and issue being discussed.
Although there are many professional rules to email I think on a more personal level these rules can be set aside so that one may have fun while emailing. With friends and family use fun emoticons and your little acronyms such as lol so that you can portray a little more personality. Just remember there is a time and a place for everything and that definitely applies to email as well. Always think of who you are emailing and the significance of the person and issue being discussed.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Rookie
This is my first time blogging so I hope I can figure the whole thing out. I have never been much of a blogger because I see it more as a time consumer that isn't very productive. Life is more about the people you meet and the relationships you make, and my computer can't really love me any more or less so why spend unnecessary time with it. I guess I can be grateful for education that will force me to adapt to the modern blogging world.
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