A Trip Down Memory Lane
Today started with a dust rag and a trip through the past!
For some reason I woke up totally enthusiastic to tackle the storage closet – to finally get rid of things that have piled up and that I have not laid eyes on in years. What I hoped would be a relatively quick task for the day had the hours flying by until the next thing I knew its time to start dinner!
Amongst my “stuff” I found so many treasures – letters written to me from long ago friends, pictures of ex’s, small gifts that were given to me just-because…in essense I found my past…I found me.
I forgot so many things. So many great people who have come and gone. So many great experiences and memories. I guess this is just what happens as we take on responsibilities, get older, get jobs, school, etc.
It’s nice to look back and while you see the negative and ultimately embarrassing memories that tend to haunt us, you also know this is just part of growing up. Part of becoming what we were meant to be. As I look back with these “older” eyes I see how blessed I was to have led the life I have. Even the obstacles – as they are what makes you try harder.
So for those that have shared this lifetime (to this point) with me I say thank you. And for those that have yet to come into my life … I look forward to meeting you.
Great Day for Hearts for Haiti!
A huge THANK YOU to all those who helped support “Hearts for Haiti” this morning at Loyalist College.
In just four hours, Loyalist PR students raised more than $1,100 for the Haitian relief efforts. All money collected today is being donated to the Salvation Army for distribution through their disaster relief campaign. For every dollar donated, 90 cents will go directly to support the frontline efforts in Haiti. Amazing!
What a difference we can make when we all work together.
(borrowed from www.loyalistpr.com)
Taking a Look at Podcasts
This week my professor gave my class an assignment that would ultimately introduce us to the world of podcasts. I think it is fair to say that before today I was officially naive to this world. I did not have a full understanding as to what they are, how they work, and why I should care about them. Never-the-less I began the task of finding one of interest and hitting play. 
To begin I choose to listen to Inside PR, podcast #182 recorded on December 9, 2009 by Terry Fallis and Martin Waxman and can be found at the following link: http://www.insidepr.ca/.
My first participation into this world introduced me to a topic that is of interest to me – the top 10 web trends for 2010 according to Pete Cashmore. For those that do not know Cashmore is the creator of Mashable (a well-know source for social media information) as well as a writer for CNN.com. With the popularity of both projects as well as his incredible knowledge regarding the topic, Cashmore is a reputable source for information regarding this topic.
The show was slightly over 30 minutes long and contained detail concerning this list of 10 web trends for 2010. Here is an extremely summed up list for you:
- The notion of real-time searching and communication and its effect on the world of PR.
- Location. This trend deals with GPS systems becoming part of everyday technology.
- Augmented Reality (a.k.a. AR). This is a fascinating topic for me that I would like to look into more though I don’t feel that it is something that I would you personally. As Fallis and Waxman explain, this is the use of smart phones and their ability to gather information just by being close enough to its source. For example Waxman told a story of how his brother can point his iPhone at the radio (while it is playing) and it will let him know who it is, what the song’s title is and give a link in order to download it from iTunes.
- Content Curation. This is the use of filtering on the internet.
- Cloud Computing. The process for which users can store information directly to the server instead of to their computer.
- Internet TV and movies. An extremely popular trend that is only growing in possibilities and availability.
- Convergence Conundrum. I admit I am still confused as to what this trend is and how it works.
- Social Gaming. It is the ability to play multi-user games on-line through forums such as Facebook.
- Mobile Payments. This trend is in essence the use of cell phones to pay for items.
- Fame, Abundance, and Privacy. The internet and all its available features is giving people a way to experience their 15 minutes of fame. People are becoming famous through blogging, tweeting, etc. since there are so much more available outlets for the creation of fame today and it is only growing.
After listening to this podcast I can now see the forum’s many strengths and weaknesses. Not only was this topic of discussion interesting and informative but the process for which podcasts work and why they work, left a large impression with me.
My first reaction to this was “wow, it is like listening to a radio show”. Of course, this thought made me feel silly as that is exactly what it is supposed to be.
I think that if you find a show with topics of complete interest a podcast is better than the radio. Its ability to be paused, fast forwarded, rewound, etc. allows for the listener to hear all of the important messages, unlike a radio show that does not have these features. It is a great way to get your message out – no matter the topic.
The ability to listen to different shows whenever and wherever you like is fantastic. Those of us that have busy schedules cannot always stop what we are doing in order to listen to our favourite shows but podcasts allow its listener to have control allowing for use at another time. In addition we, the listeners, are able to select podcasts not just by date but also by topic which allows us to listen to past shows containing information that we may need now.
Now of course there is always a downside too. When you enter human factors into the equation this forum begins to have many weaknesses. Not only would you need to find individuals that can grab an audience’s attention immediately, you also need to find the topics that are relevant to the world. Sadly to say that the weaknesses can be far greater than any of the strengths since we do live in a world consisting of negative persons. Though I wish it wasn’t true there are many that would use this forum to spread anger, hatred, discrimination, etc. Luckily we are able to press stop when confronted with this type of material.
Since my first experience with podcasts left a positive impression I can see myself using this them from now on. I am sure that I will be confronted with tasks in my professional life that not only require this technology but will also benefit from it all as well.
Just like with many different business / technological tools there are positives and negatives. The trick with any is to monitor how we use it and for what purposes it will be for.
Coming Soon in 2010
With a new year just around the corner thoughts of resolutions full our minds. However, thanks to a fellow blogger Matt Chevy, this year I am instead looking to what 2010 will bring – and how to continue working towards these things. 
I found that this list helps to show me not what I need to do but what I am already accomplishing. This inevitably gets rid of all of that negativity and feelings of frustration when resolutions are not met – this happens to me each year! Think of it as the positive opposite of resolutions.
Though I do believe that resolutions can be and are necessary and effective, I don’t feel that they are a positive way to start the year. Instead I find that my resolutions have more success if I make then later on. For example: I quit smoking, finally, May 28, 2008; this is amazing as I had struggled for years with this new years resolution. Turns out for me it’s only possible without the added pressure of a new year!
So now we look at what 2010 will bring for me…I hope that this inspires you to take a look at what 2010 will bring for you. I hope that it is an exciting and wonderful!
- Graduation. This June I will graduate from my Post-Graduate Public Relations program, I couldn’t be more excited. Although I have previously graduated from the Business program I feel that this diploma is the one of greater importance…at least for my plans for the future.
- Internship. I am lucky to have been given the opportunity to intern at Loyalist College this coming April. This internship is a requirement for my current program and should teach me many valuable lessons during its 4 weeks. I really look forward to this as I have a high respect for my college (Loyalist College), for those that work there, and for what our college stands for.
- Finding a Career. Okay, the fun part. After school is completed I do not want another job, I want a career. I will be hitting the pavement searching for a position within the field of public relations and for a company lovely enough to give me my first chance at a career in this field. I would really love to work within event planning and social media – these areas have created almost a passion for the work that is required everyday. Involving these elements into daily career life would be a major bonus!
- Paws Fur A Cause. I am really excited to finish planning, and executing, my fundraising team’s event benefiting Sandy Pines Wildlife Center in Napanee. This has been such an exciting assignment that not only fulfills my different PR loves but also teaches each of us new skills and abilities that are sure to be major assets in the future, whether they be in our professional lives or our personal lives. Follow us at http://pawsfuracause.wordpress.com and http://twitter.com/pawsfuracause in order to keep up to date in our progress and to support the issue of animal rights, rescue, rehabilitation, etc.
- SIFE Loyalist College. As I am currently positioned within the Executive team for SIFE Loyalist College I look forward to completing all of our different projects, attending regionals and nationals, and helping to mentor and train those that will be following in our Executive shoes come the next school year. This has been a large part of my life since joining this past October and I can tell you the work is well worth it. Not only do you get the chance to make a difference in the community but also a difference in yourself, your future, and your relationships. Anyone thinking to join a SIFE organization in their area should make a note to not only attend a meeting but also to talk directly with the SIFE Executives – they are there to answer any and all questions. It is a great opportunity.
- Summer. This is cause for major excitement in my family. My niece KaliAnne comes home for the whole holidays allowing us to travel together, to attend family trips, have fun, and just be together. Each year our family makes a point to go on a short vacation all together – mostly to Old Forge, NY, for camping and to have fun at the waterpark. It is a great time and something we look forward to the remainder of the year.
When beginning this list I added all the smaller-scale items, however, have since removed them due to the length of this post. I feel that 2010 will bring great change to my family and myself – change where many of my long-term goals will finally be achieved. All I can say is YEAH! 
I wish all of you a fantastic New Year! Be safe, have fun, and take care.
As for your resolutions, know that this is a year for possibilities, that you can achieve anything, and that life is for living – don’t let it pass you by.
I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way
A friend mentioned to me the other day that I have not shared with you what it is I do all day. To me it is everyday life and though I get excited for the projects that I work on I tend to wonder if this is appealing to the world outside. 
As you know I am a Loyalist College student within the Post-Graduate Public Relations program and I LOVE it! With this comes so many exciting assignments and projects that allow me to feel as if I am already in my career and not just a student. For example, in the spring we are required (with the use of fabulous teammates) to host an event benefiting an organization of our choosing. I can tell you right now that this has been a major highlight in my academic career to date. Like I said previously, I LOVE it! This assignment has taken on a life of its own, becoming bigger and grander than required while fulfilling our team with pride, experience, growth in many skills, etc.
I realize I should back up. To begin we are working to plan and execute a Silent Auction Gala for Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre located in Napanee, 
ON, Canada. This organization is a registered charity dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of wildlife in an area spanning Toronto to Ottawa. Our team has such a passion for all animals that this organization was a perfect match. Now where the assignment has created a life of its own:
- we formed our own group brand — Paws Fur A Cause — with our own logo, Twitter account, and blog
- please follow us at http://www.twitter.com/pawsfuracause and http://pawsfuracause.wordpress.com – Thanks!
- we have begun to help outside organizations by creating awareness for their organization and their cause
- we work to create more awareness, education for the public and support from the community in the form of monetary and non-monetary donations for Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre than just the event itself
Though this does not sound like a long list of items, it in fact creates a lot more work that also creates a much rounder, more fulfilling, substantial project than any of us could have imagined. 
In addition I work with SIFE Loyalist College, a student-run organization dedicated to helping the community while teaching members valuable skills. I recommend every student take a moment to check out SIFE as it is not just a Loyalist College organization but an international organization reaching colleges and university students around the world. In the past 2 1/2 months that I have been part of SIFE Loyalist College I have gained so many more skills, I have been able to gain experience in the career field of my choosing, I have met some wonderful people and best of all I feel as if I am contributing on a daily basis to my community. Once again … I LOVE it!
I don’t pretend not to be busy because that would be a lie, however, this busyness does not seem so bad since I highly enjoy the work that I am doing. It has taken me …oh goodness…30 years to figure out what I am supposed to do with my life – professionally Public Relations is it. It is beyond fantastic to know this no matter how long it took me to figure it out.
While all this goes on daily there is classes, homework, friends, family …. and right now I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think that once you find what it is you want to be part of it is so much easier to do more, to be more, and to learn more. Once again … I LOVE it! I hope that each of you, no matter the stage you are in, have that one thing that makes the work fun and brings you a satisfaction that nothing else will.
For now though I plan to take a few days away from the computer…I cring as I say this…hoping to celebrate such a wonderful holiday with my family. My niece is finally home…for me this is Christmas and I am as excited as when I was a child.
Wishing you all the best of the holidays and a Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
As you may have noticed I have fallen behind in my weekly postings. I have been planning, preparing and waiting anxiously for this holiday season to arrive. It is a wonderful time to spend with my family and friends, reuniting with those that feel so far during the rest of the year and I admit that I have fallen behind in some of my weekly tasks.
Throughout this holiday I will try to write as often as I can but in the meantime would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours. May it be filled with love and happiness.
Constantly Changing
I have learned an interesting thing about myself during the process of blogging, well actually I have learned a lot but will only focus on this one particular thing. I get bored easy! I never realized this before since big change can make me antsy, however, on a smaller scale it’s completely true. Amazing, I know!
For those of you that are wonderful enough to follow my ramblings, you have seen first hand this constant boredom. The look of my blog is forever changing. Not only in the information shown but in its overall appearance. It changes with mood, with a growing of goals, it changes when I have too much time on my hands!
I warn you it is about to change again. I am currently searching for that great new look that represents who I am and how I feel at this particular time. The trick for you is to either pretend it’s not happening or celebrate its changes with me. I apologize sweetly to those that are annoyed by such changes – I do not do this for that reason.
This new found epiphany has opened my eyes to everything I do. I am constantly working away at different projects, whether they be personal or professional, in order to beat this boredom. This gets a lot of stuff done – purely positive – but I know that this habit can drive my friends and colleagues crazy. It’s true even when they laugh and say it’s not.
I feel like there is always room to improve. Learning from mistakes, from experiences, from others – it changes our impressions on the world around us. I am glad that I am a believer in “forever” learning … especially now when I realize that it has help me to fill up the time. I hope that this boredom I constantly feel is just a way for me to make myself better; the new and improved version of me.
Wishing for a White Christmas…
The holiday spirit is finally in full swing with my family. The tree is up. Lights are lit. Decorations are everywhere! There is only one thing missing … snow.
Most of the time I find myself praying for it to stay warm and fall-like, however, I have finally reached my limit. And I want white! It’s not Christmas without the snow.
I am a traditions kind-of person especially with the holidays. I love the continuation of things that we did when my siblings and I were young; watching as my niece enjoys the same tricks, and sneakyness. It brings out the child inside. Each Christmas I tell my niece, KaliAnne, that I can see the elves watching from the trees outside the window – that they were watching for Santa. After all we are what we lovingly call a teasing family! When she was younger she wanted to find them, play with them, and talk to them. Today, at the old age of 9, she plays the same game. It has become a yearly activity that we do – making us both act as children. Playing up the excitement that comes in the weeks leading up to the big day!And while I won’t go as far as saying that we all are in better moods, it is a stressful time of year afterall, we are more loving, affectionate, and child-like.
KaliAnne will be home on December 23, 2009 and I am waiting as patient as can be…but I am ready for a little white for the holidays. Maybe it will come tonight…
SHOWCASE: The Life of a Loyalist Graduate
Imagine working with top-tier media access across the country, hosting royalty, working with celebrities, and best of all, making an impact on the world. Sounds great doesn’t it? This is what Loyalist graduate Sara Hamil’s life has consisted of since graduation.
Sara Hamil is a 24-year-old woman with a first-class career. A former graduate of the Post-Graduate Public Relations program here at Loyalist College, Hamil has already experienced many major career milestones – all since graduating in June 2009.
Before registering within the PR program, Hamil studied at the University of Toronto majoring in Social and Cultural Anthropology with minors in English and Writing, Rhetoric and Critical Analysis. However, these achievements would not be the end of Hamil’s academic career as she was already looking to the future, searching options for post-graduate programs.
These explorations continuously lead her to Loyalist College as it is located in a connecting town to her hometown. Registering for the PR program seemed inevitable as Hamil already found herself engaged in this field as a Residence Assistance at U of T. With a love of social activism public relations provides the perfect marriage between works she loves to do and supporting the causes she believes in.
Upon graduation Hamil began working at Free the Children, the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, as their Media Relations and Publicity Coordinator and Social Media Strategist. This opportunity brought so many new challenges and rewards. One of Hamil’s proudest accomplishments has been her role at both We Day 2009 events: Vancouver, BC, and Toronto, ON
“It’s incredible to see countless of hours of hard work pay off,” says Hamil “not just in the form of success events, but also in the form of tens of thousands of freshly inspired young people!”
Currently Hamil has completed her 7 month stint at Free the Children and is excited about her new role as Project Control Clerk with ATESS Trenton, located at CFB Trenton. Even though she is not currently working in the PR field at this time, she still finds ways to keep practicing, working as a freelance PR consultant.
When asked if her career choices have made a negative or a positive impact on her personal life, Hamil is quick to say “without a doubt, positive.” As mentioned before her career path has led her to some amazing experiences, teaching her more about herself each day
“I’m now more socially engaged and more eager to explore different opportunities. I love working out creative solutions and connecting with others who want to make a difference.” Hamil says “I feel like I owe a lot of this to my chosen field.”
Advice on Achieving Professional Success.
By Sara Hamil
- Get involved in your community now. Don’t wait until you graduate to start making connections and making a difference. You’ll need those experiences to help guide you once you get out into the “real world”.
- Explore the things that you’re passionate and make something out of them. It doesn’t have to be anything major, but having a better grasp of what gets you going can only help you when it comes to deciding on a path after graduation.
- Don’t be afraid to try new things. Period.
- Be the best you can but don’t be ashamed if you find yourself needing to change directions. We only know what we’re capable of by testing our limits and aiming for success. Still, your version of success doesn’t have to be the same as everyone else’s. Just stay true to yourself!
