Group Projects

I have never done more group projects in my whole educational career than I have since I have come to Utah State University. Why do teachers make everything a group project. This creates an easier ride for some members in the group because the work is never distributed equally. Every group always has the one if not two slackers that don't do anything or next to nothing; yet they get the same grade as everybody else who worked twice as hard.

One might argue that it creates less work on each individual student, but I think it creates more stress. People aren't that dependable and don't always put the same amount of time or quality into their part. This just wastes more time formatting everything the same or editing it to be more detailed.

Online Resume

Check out my online resume
Online Resume

Stepping into the PR Field: Lesson 1

Ed Adler works for Time Warner in corporate communications and has been in the PR field for 20 years. When he thinks back to his first days working with public relations he recalls three major keys to success.

First is to build strong relationships at all levels of your organization and with the media. If you have a strong relationship with the people you work with then a trust will be built and confidence between coworkers will develop. Adler says, "You can't rely on one way of doing things." Personal ideas aren't always the best and sometimes we need to sit back and listen to and observe those around us.

Second is to stay current with media, industry and world changes. The way it has always been done may be going out style or becoming out-dated. There is always change in the world and as business leaders we must adapt to this change to cater to the current working generation. The biggest change I have noticed is the ways society goes about social networking and communication.
Third, Adler recommends to work hard and do everything you're asked. Along the road of life you will come across people who don't believe you can or will succeed. Adler said, “[You must} figure out why they thought that and how
to change it. You must keep proving yourself. There’s
not one way, one personality, or one skill set that succeeds.
Know who you are and what works for you.”

Facebook "Friends"!

I have my friends and I have my true friends. If you are my friend that means I have met you in person and we have shared a moment together while being in the same room at the same time. A true friend is somebody that I care enough about and that I am close enough to that I will add them to be my Facebook friends list. Not everybody will make the cut because I don't want everybody who ever knew me to be able to "Facebook stalk" me.

For those of you who don't know, Facebook Stalking is popular and everybody does it one point or another. It is when you go to ones Facebook page and you see what they are up to in life based on their photos, wall posts, personal information, etc.

I don't think having hundreds of friends on Facebook says how 'popular' or cool somebody is. If you do have hundreds of friends do you honestly know ALL of them? Have you had personal contact with ALL of them at some point or another in your life? Most of the time the answer to this question is no, not ALL of them. So in my opinion, why have "friends" that aren't really your friends?

Facebook is not a way to mark or display your social status in life, and it's not a contest to see who can have more friends than somebody else. Facebook can be a useful tool to stay in contact with friends and loved ones who you don't have the chance to see or talk to very often. It is fun to see what your friends did over the weekend or to see how cute their new boyfriend is! I enjoy Facebook and I check it often, but I won't add somebody just because I know of you, but only if I really know you!

College Life

Being a freshman in college is nerve racking, uncomfortable and different. You never know where to go, what to do or who to talk to. You kind of miss your parents but don't ever want to admit it because you are supposed to be this cool college kid who is on their own and independent.

As the college years come and go there is so much to be learned about life, yourself and others. College is the greatest phase in life because it's where you become yourself. You aren't living under your parents influence as much. You take what they have taught you and then decide what to to do with the knowledge given. Big decisions are made like what am I going to do for the rest of my life? Who am I going to marry? What kind of friends am I going to associate with?

I love college and the friends I have made, the memories I have created and the direction I have chosen for myself. I have branched out to so many new people and experiences and I have found new talents. I have created new dreams and ideals for life and I have learned out to stand on my own two feet with nobody else there to hold me up.

Take a risk! Be yourself! Do something different! Make new friends! Complete your bucket list! Try new foods! Experience a new culture! Step out of your comfort zone! Express yourself! Work hard so you can play harder!

Did an "American Hero" let us down?

As we all know Michael Phelps was caught this weekend smoking marijuana. Many beloved fans of all ages across the nation were upset with this picture. They were let down by their American Hero. Amongst all the great things Phelps has done I am really not surprised. He is a 23 year old kid who is not perfect. He is young and will live an adventurous and unexpected life. There isn't one athlete that we can really look forward to. Stars and athletes get caught with drugs or alcohol possession and consumption all the time and they get away with it. Phelps shouldn't be any different.