Reflections on #J360

In a semester of J360, the common hashtag name, or Online Public Relations (what the course is really titled), much of the focus was on social media. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn were the mediums used. The course also focused on blog writing and posting. These online interactions provided an outlet in which students could build their brand and name, sharing personal, professional, and educational thoughts. I took this course as a journalism elective, primarily just because it was online.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of this course. I learned a lot about how social media could help me in my professional endeavors and benefit my future as employees will likely investigate my posts. It did social media foundation for me in which I have a much stronger presence. This is not what I thought I’d do in this course. I expected to have to post specific things and act as a PR official, in a sense. Instead, this course prepared me for what’s to come. It was less about acting as a PR professional and more about building a presence. It prepared me for my future and enhanced my comfortability with social media, especially LinkedIn. I had no idea what LinkedIn posting looked like. Now, with my three posts a week on this medium, I can show future employers that I’m active and involved in my professional self.

It wasn’t always easy to post and there were days when I just wanted a social media break. Prior to this course, I didn’t generally spend a lot of time on social media and I definitely didn’t post a frequently. While I can’t guarantee that I’ll keep as active as I’ve been this semester, I now know that at the very least, I am capable. I have experience in balancing my personal self and my professional self in an online presence. This is a skill I will take with me and one I think will set me apart from other people my age. As a future journalist, I know this is important. I’m glad I had this course to “force” me to post, because I need that online presence to be successful.

On that note, the blogging requirement of this course was my favorite. Prior to J360, I already had created a blog and had posted a few things. I could just never make the time to keep up with it. Now, my blog site is filled with posts, as I had to write one once a week. I found this fulfilling, knowing I was contributing to something I was passionate about. Further, these postings gave me room to be creative, but also caused me to consider ideas or problems I normally wouldn’t have, especially about PR and online presence. I will likely continue this following the end of the semester.

Social media posting and blogging encompassed most of the coursework, but that doesn’t mean other topics weren’t covered. In a series of four online classes, I learned about why social media posting and advertising can benefit businesses, how SEO and SEM helps these businesses get their name and information out, and that in a technologically advanced world, businesses and PR workers must be conscious of livestreams and VR to stay relevant and interesting to the audience. In reading articles and writing article reviews, I practiced critical thinking skills on issues discussed in the online classes. I also read Known by Mark Schaefer; a how-to book that demonstrates how the average person can make themselves known. In my review, I was critical of Schaefer’s ideas and execution. However, the information in this book motivated me to continue to work on my social media postings and consider my passions so that I can find an outlet and topic that’s right for me. This class likely sets some of the foundation for me to become known.

The course concluded with my second favorite activity of the semester, creating a web video. I love interviewing people and hearing their stories, and this assignment gave me an opportunity to do so. This video shares how social media brings people together in the words of people who have witnessed it first-hand. It builds on a lot of the information I’ve learned about social media through practice this semester. Not to mention, this activity also gave me practice in a field that will be desirable for employers. I’m not a professional, but I can now demonstrate that I have some experience in making web videos.

While I first dreaded making the social media postings, they later became much more enjoyable. I liked that being active was my “homework.” My favorite part of the course a whole, however, was the flow. Many of my other courses aren’t as structured. Due dates are sometimes question marks and some classes aren’t scheduled. I liked J360 because I was given the opportunity to go out on my own because I knew what to expect. I knew there would be a weekly blog. I knew I had to post on all my social medias every week. From the first day, I knew that the final was a web video on a topic of our choice. I had freedom to work at my own pace but knew my deadlines and new what to expect each week.

On the contrary, with any online class, communication is difficult. I overall enjoyed the content and structure of this course, the communication and connection lacked. Since social media was the outlet for communication, it was essentially the only way to reach the professor in a timely manner. The good part was that all my classmates were also active on social media, so we reached out when we needed help. In this, I actually felt more connected to my classmates than I do in my in-person courses.

In J360, I learned a lot about social media, online presence, and branding/advertising. Though I don’t intend to pursue a public relations career, the skills and information I learned in this course will help become a successful professional in the digital age.