Using social media to make yourself more marketable. By Josh Irons

Jessica Pena, a 20-year-old Japanese Studies major from SUNY Postdam in New York studying at Kansai Gaidai in Osaka, Japan, is wise beyond her years. While unintentional on her part, Jessica has effectively created her own personal brand using the Internet as a platform for her future. To chronicle her experiences while studying abroad, Jessica chose to vlog (video blog) "as a way to share my experiences with others who have the same goals and aspirations."

She effortlessly demonstrates her proficiency in reading and speaking Japanese while also explaining the history and traditions surrounding Hina Matsuri, the Japanese Doll Festival or "Girls' Day," where families pray for the happiness and prosperity of girls. Jessica also shares personal reflections on the difficulty adjusting to a new culture followed by her self-described "complete turnaround" that has left her with the feeling she belongs in Japan - more so, that there is something she is destined to accomplish.

Through vlogging, Jessica exudes cultural awareness, sensitivity and tolerance, and an international perspective attributes that just happen to be highly valued by hiring managers, according to a survey conducted by Global HR News.  Students who study abroad should be mindful that not only friends and family may be accessing their online travel journals. Hiring managers and even graduate school admissions officers are adopting a more holistic approach to their selection process, referencing more than an individual's resume. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs and other social media tools offer a well-rounded view of an individual and show what a resume does not - communications and analytical skills, leadership qualities, problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and technical savvy.

Overwhelmingly, students are not aware of the "prying" eyes of hiring managers and admissions officers. According to a global StudyAbroad.com survey of 100 students who are either studying abroad or are about to travel overseas to study, only ten percent are using social media to make themselves more marketable to hiring managers and admissions officers (March 2010).

The question then becomes: How can study abroad students use technology to share their experiences with friends and family while increasing their chances for admission into their graduate school of choice or landing a job in their desired career field? The answer is simple?be authentic. Portray a positive image that aligns with your interests and passions, and know how to best leverage available social media tools.  

Facebook

The majority of study abroad students plan to document their experiences online, according to the StudyAbroad.com survey, and sixty-six percent of students polled said that Facebook would be one of their tools of choice.

Facebook is more than a forum for friends to stay connected. It gives students the opportunity to tap their personal networks through the exchange of personal interests and passions - information that friends are eager to spread within their own networks. Posting "notes" on Facebook is a great way for students to share their newfound world perspective, and explain where they hope their international pursuits will lead them. Encourage friends to comment on these notes so they become even more viral. When writing a post that references a friend on Facebook, tag them so their friends will be alerted as well. Friend networks can prove to be a treasure trove in advancing educational and career pursuits.

Blog/Vlog

Study abroad students are also turning in droves to blogs and vlogs to spread their news back home and build an international network of friends. In fact, our research revealed that nearly two-thirds of students would gravitate towards blogs or vlogs, perhaps in combination with other tools, to document their overseas studies.

Blogs and vlogs are unique in that they allow students to identify themselves as thought leaders on a particular subject. Students can become "experts" on their host country by journaling online about the social and political challenges faced by the populace, the customs and traditions practiced, and the variance in business practices as compared to one's native country. In some cases having a blog or vlog is better than a resume because this gives employers a unique look at an individual's personality.

Twitter

Another popular social media tool quickly gaining market share among college students is Twitter. Explaining "What's Happening?" allows students to connect with people they do not know based upon common interests. Students should Tweet about their experiences abroad, especially in relation to their field of study or desired career field.

Students may consider tweeting about the locales to which they travel, their changing world views, their studies or their international internship experiences. Additionally, they may express interest in breaking into a particular field of study or career and request that others provide information or leads. Be proactive and connect with like-minded people. Search graduate schools or companies of interest to find those individuals who are active on Twitter and "follow" them. They could become great resources.

Photo Sharing

For those study abroad students with limited time to dedicate to social media efforts, online photo sharing may be a more efficient and realistic option for connecting with others. More than half of the students we polled, plan to use this medium alone or in conjunction with other social media tools.

Sites such as Flickr and Photobucket allow students to easily upload images that tell a story about their study abroad experiences. Enter detailed image descriptions that express what it is like to navigate a new country, ways to overcome the language barrier and the knowledge gained from students of different cultural backgrounds. Remember to add keyword tags to each photo so other members of the community can find images on similar subjects or from the same geographic location.

Brand You

Jessica Pena has already made an indelible impression on this world through her unconventional and educational vlogs, providing her many followers with an insider view and unique understanding of the customs and traditions of Japan. By journaling about her study abroad pursuits, Jessica has inadvertently established a strong personal brand online that provides her the ability to stand out in an otherwise cluttered world. When promoting brand You, remember that everything you choose to do and choose not to do communicates the value and character of your brand - you never know who maybe among your fan club.

Every study abroad student is a brand worthy of remark, but Jessica is quick to remind students to remain focused on what is important to them. "Even though you are blogging about your studying abroad adventures as a way to advance your career and educational goals, remember that you are also abroad to grow as a person." Be authentic.

Josh Irons is product operations manager of StudyAbroad.com, an online directory that is reshaping the way students, colleges and universities view study abroad. A web resource of EducationDynamics, StudyAbroad.com is the Internet's leading resource for study abroad and language programs searchable by subject and destination