Fall Semester

This semester I have taken it a little easier on myself.  I settled on taking only 5 classes, which has proven to be a really good fit.  I started with 6, but dropped a French class to use the time for homework instead.  These classes plus my internships/jobs have proven to be a good combination allowing me to learn and get real world experience at the same time.

CLASSES

The classes I am taking this semester include Business Strategy and Policy, International Marketing, Business Ethics and Sustainability, e-Business Infrastructure, and my internship class.  The most difficult by far is the e-Business infrastructure class, mostly because it is so technical - and my last computer tech class was a while ago.  That being said, I am proud of the work and learning I have been doing in the class and hope to make the most of it.  I am hoping for all As this semester, but even if that doesn't happen, I know I will be able to secure at least a B or B+ instead.  One big difference I noticed this year is that I have a very small amount of "homework" from these classes. Group projects are the largest out of class commitment - besides those I feel like most of my time is spent studying for tests and quizzes, no bookwork or small assignments yet.

INTERNSHIPS/JOBS

I am lucky enough to still have my internship at Right Source Marketing, where I work 2 days a week.  They are such a wealth of knowledge, it really is a privilege to be able to work with them.  Everyone is so friendly and helpful, plus its clear they are all very good at what they do.  It is also fun to work downtown (minus the commute) and learn what its like to be in the city environment.  I am sure more updates will come when I have the chance to reflect back on my experience here as a whole.

I was also fortunate to have Mile One ask me to stay past my internship, and they offered me a paid part-time position 2/3 days a week - basically doing what I already have been doing.  I really enjoy who I work with there and what I do, so I was happy to stay even though I would have really enjoyed having more free time.  The best part is, they are moving to Towson this coming September - even closer to my apartment!

Last but not least, I have been hanging on to my job at the bank - I love everyone there too! I mostly go in on Fridays to help with big projects they have found for me during the week.  Our most recent is our new Facebook page, which they have decided can be my baby since I am a Marketing major.  That should be a great piece to add to my portfolio.


always,
a

The rest of my summer...

HOBBIES
My newest hobby I started this summer. I decided to make sure I had lots of free time this summer (seeing as it was my last one) and so I picked up what I though would be a fun hobby - extreme couponing.  It was time consuming, but it was relaxing. I often clipped while I was watching tv, and it made me not feel as guilty for vegging out.  I was rather successful with my shopping trips. At grocery stores I was about to save around 50% on my trips, drugstores I was able to save as much as 70%.  It was fun and I'm glad I started, I think its good to see how much you can save if you really put your mind to it. More recently I have fallen behind, with the switch from summer to school, but I have plans to catch back up ASAP.

VACATIONS
I was fortunate enough to enjoy some vacation time this summer.  Actually, before the summer even started I got to go to Las Vegas for my birthday, possibly one of my favorite places in the US.  I did gamble, even though I'm not fond of it, and I made some $$$.  Besides the shopping and sightseeing and laying by the pool, I also got to see a show at the MGM grand.  It was a cirque de soelil show - Ka.  Its the one with the MOVING stage, it was really something else.  Overall, it was a great time and I can't wait to go back again.


Another vacation I went on this summer was a cruise to Bermuda.  The pink sand beaches weren't as pink as I expected, but they were beautiful nonetheless.  I had a great time both on and off the ship, but I might be a little biased because cruises are my favorite kind of vacation.  Unlimited food is also something I can't complain about. I loved getting to dress up and dress down every day. Dinner was always a great time too because I got to see everyone again.  People said things are SO much more expensive there, but I just though they were "touristy" prices, nothing too crazy.


SUMMER CLASS

Besides, jobs and internships, I also took two classes this summer.  The first class was computer science - mostly it was about how technology was being applied practically for the needs of today.  I learned about a multitude of cool technology that is experimental, or along those lines, and how useful it would be if it were ready to use now.  The other class was a marketing class - consumer behavior.  Again, a lot of it seemed like it was common sense to me; the biggest thing these classes do is give me the proper term for ideas I have already seen from my personal observations ( I can't help but think like a marketer, even in my every day life).  This class was online, the second online class I have taken. The first time, wow that was a disaster. I'm not sure if it was my fault or the professor's, but this time was much smoother.  I was pleased with my grades at the end.

Summer Time Adventures

As I mentioned in my previous post, I would be writing later about all the things that kept me so busy (and so away) from my blog.

INTERNSHIPS
First, and maybe most exciting, my two internships I got for over the summer. My Monday/Wednesday internship was at Mile One Automotive, even if you haven't heard of them - you probably still know them.  They own every other dealership in the area, and continue through PA, VA, and NC.  I am in the marketing department working with the eCommerce director.  I work on projects related to facebook, event marketing, SEO, youtube etc. I am fortunate to have found such a company with many facets to their marketing department, allowing me to gain experience in many areas. They even offered me the chance to apply for a position with the event marketing team about 2 months ago, what a treat!

www.mileone.com

My second internship was at an upscale catering company called Chef's Expressions.  It is a much smaller company, so it was good to be able to contrast the experience in trying to decide if I preferred a larger or smaller company.  I worked on a number of "regular" almost weekly projects, as well as a couple long term items.  One of those was a website for a big event they are working on called the farmer and the chef (check it out: www.thefarmerandthechefmd.com), I hope you think its pretty! The other was proposing and then moving them from a paper to online referral program.  I also created it to be usable for feedback after events as well.  An exciting concept that I introduced them to was QR codes, which are now a regular part of their postcard mailouts.  I certainly learned a lot with Chef's.

www.chefsexpressions.com

PART TIME JOB
This isn't really anything new, but for those of you who are wondering, yes - I am still with the lovely ladies (and gentleman) at Baltimore County Savings Bank in their Financial Services department working as an administrative assistant. I love it there and am going to stay as long as I can :)

Marketing as a Career

Attention fellow aspiring markers: some good news from marketing professional Robert Rose:

"Marketing as a practice is one of the few job sectors that is continuing to grow at the moment. And, the fundamental changes in the practice of marketing are changing the job description -- and creating expansive opportunities for career skills we didn't even know we'd need.

The top-growing job categories for 2011 didn't even exist in 2004 when our newest employees were thinking about going to college. The number of social media jobs has gone up by 600 percent over the past five years. The astronomical growth of social marketing, mobile marketing, content marketing, and other practices has created all new positions on our team.

Additionally, with all the talk about jobs and the economy, it should be noted that the entire marketing category is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry is expected to increase by 13 percent per year through 2018.

OK, let's be honest -- today's marketer probably doesn't have a marketing degree. If you do, then you're the exception, not the rule. In fact, according to some studies, 10 percent of us are English majors that -- well -- didn't make it with that novel or screenplay in our desk."

If that isn't good news, I don't know what is.

always, 

a

original content on: http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/29885.asp

I'm BACK!

To all my loyal followers - so sorry I left you for so long.

My summer was a long and busy one, 2 internships, a part time job, (a couple vacations), and 2 summer classes kept me pretty busy.  Needless to say, an update is called for. Be on the lookout for updates on all of the above listed activities.  Lots of good things happened for me this summer, many good learning experiences with positive outcomes.

Now, though, school is starting again. My schedule looks pretty good, minus the never-ending night classes (aka class Monday through Thursday night). Classes are some that I am hoping to gain real world knowledge from - especially my international marketing class. I will also be taking my internship class this semester, which is supposed to be a helpful tool in solidifying a job after college.  

My internship is with Right Source Marketing, located in Canton in the old factory building. I hope to be able to explore the world of content marketing and learn its value, in addition to using that experience as a judge of which kind of marketing I would like to work in after I graduate.  If you want to check them out, please visit: http://www.rightsourcemarketing.com/ but I'm sure you will be hearing more about them in posts to come.

always,

a