Social Media

It is amazing the impact that social media has on our world (I say this with Facebook and Twitter tabs up on my Firefox). As most people know, especially my boyfriend, I am a Twitter addict. I follow over 300 people/companies/products/whatever, and am constantly checking my feed. Though some people may find this as some meaningless way to waste time, I have used Twitter often to connect with professionals in the field of student affairs, which I plan to pursue after graduation in the spring.

I follow many student affairs professionals online as well as higher education news sources and blogs. This has taught me a lot about the profession and given me some insight into situations I will hopefully be dealing with in the future. It has really been a learning tool.

Twitter I feel has become a new sort of news source. The first time I heard about a lot of breaking news, such as Steve Jobs passing or Osama Bin Laden's capture, I immediately pull out my phone and get on Twitter. I follow so many local and national news sources, such as the Daily, DSM Register, USA Today, CNN, Breaking News, the list goes on and on, it makes it so convenient to keep up with current events that I probably wouldn't know because it wasn't directly handed to me via Twitter feed.

I know a lot of people who have an aversion to getting Twitter, but I feel like it is one of the most beneficial ways a college student can stay up to date, connect with others and network in today's society.

Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way

I have decided to read the book "Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way" to gain some inspiration on female leadership. I am so far impressed with the book and how it is laid out. It is a biography of Ms. Roosevelt and how those events in her life shaped her leadership style and how one can let the events in their life affect their leadership style as well. Each chapter is a different topic about leadership, such as "Find Mentors and Advisers", "Find Your Leadership Passion", and "Never Stop Learning", and how Mrs. Roosevelt did all of these things throughout her life in her quest to become one of the greatest female leaders of our time.

I chose this book because I wanted to read something about female leaders and I really admire Mrs. Roosevelt and thought there would be no one better to learn from when it comes to leadership. So far that has certainly been the case. From the first chapter, the author tells the reader of all the personal struggles Mrs. Roosevelt went through as a child (a bad relationship with her mother, orphaned by age 10, sent abroad to boarding school, etc.) and how she let these events advance her life, not hold her back. I think she is a really amazing woman and I can't wait to see what else the book can teach me and how I can use her tips to improve my leadership as well.

-Chels