Personal Branding: Getting started with Facebook

In my previous post, I wrote about the importance of creating a personal brand; in today’s post we get started! Currently one of the top websites, Facebook is one of the first places to start your personal branding campaign. Everyone should have a Facebook strategy and it should be based on your overall life goals. (But certainly balance the professional with the personal - your profile should reflect who you are!)

Most of you may already have a Facebook profile, but make sure you look good when a college or company recruiter looks up your profile – and they will. The Federal Trade Commission (in the U.S.) has decided that companies and universities that research how you spend your personal time and what your passions and hobbies are do not violate your privacy.  In other words, the Internet is fair game.

 Depending on who you are, where you are in your career, what you’re passionate about and an expert in, you’ll want to brand yourself differently. Here’s a quick list of ways to promote YOU on Facebook:

1. Use your real name in all of your online profiles; be consistent in your branding (and be yourself).
2. Add important information about you, focusing on the education and work section. In the contact information field, be sure to list your blog if you have one, any websites you might have and links to your profiles on other social networks. (More information about other networks in my next blog!)
3. Put your picture on your profile – they are a positive addition to your online presence. It’s always better if you can associate the name with a face. In fact, post albums of pictures! (Just be thoughtful about the pictures you post.)
4. You might consider turning tagging settings off for both photos and videos; some pictures you just might not want everyone to find easily.
5. Keep the applications and widgets to a minimum; only those that will represent who you are in a positive light.
6. Join and actively participate in Groups that interest you; or start your own!
7. Regularly update your status – making it a reflection of who you are and what you do.
8. Write informational notes.
9. Share useful links.
10. Comment on your friends’ walls, pictures, videos, notes, and posted items
11. Check -- and frequently recheck -- your privacy settings on social-media accounts like Facebook and Twitter.You may set your entire account to private or grant certain individuals permission to view sections of your profile. You can also make your entire profile public for everyone to see, which could be beneficial to you if you’re looking to become more visible, and have your name come up in searches.
12. Make every effort to find out what's out there about you. Anything that may be taken out of context should be taken down.


Next blog post … How to build your personal brand on Twitter (FUN!!)

The Importance of a Professional Web Presence (Personal Branding)

Creating an online presence or identity on the Web is not really a choice anymore, but has almost become a necessity in today's world. Also referred to as personal branding, it is important for anyone who is applying for college or scholarships, searching for internships or jobs, or building their career. More and more, employers, colleges, and recruiters research prospective candidates online to get more information about them before an interview is scheduled or an offer is extended. This can work against you if your current profile isn’t as professional as it should be (read my blog “Social Networks – how they can impact your scholarship, internship, or job opportunity” http://tinyurl.com/o58uw9); or it can work for you.

Personal branding is the way you market or project yourself to the world; it is how other people perceive you, and how they might choose to interact with you. A brand is an opportunity for you to differentiate, or stand out from everyone else; building a strong and professional personal brand can create possibilities and opportunities for success in your life (personal as well as professional). Your personal brand is very dynamic – it changes and evolves, as you do. To build and maintain your brand, there are Web 2.0 tools (social media and social networking) to help you.

Although sometimes used interchangeably, there are differentiating characteristics of social media and social networks. Social media is a means of connecting with digital information; examples would include wikis, blogs, microblogs (Twitter), social bookmarking (Delicious), social news sites (Digg), and social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn). Social networking is also connecting with information, but more importantly, connecting with people for the purpose of social interaction. Bottom line - both are important in helping you create your personal brand.

Creating your personal brand will take time and effort. In my next post, we’ll get started!  Future posts: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogging.

Protectionism and the H-1B Visa – Ominous Consequences for All

The current economic condition in the U.S. is causing repercussions worldwide, and the consequences could be ominous for all concerned. Unemployment continues to rise, but limiting or completely shutting out highly skilled foreign workers is not the answer; in fact it could be harmful, even devastating to the US.

The number of students seeking admission to US universities this year could fall between 15 and 25 percent, owing to the poor state of the job market. In the past month, companies have delayed or rescinded job or internship offers for international students, as well as to recent college graduates. Demand for H-1B visas is also falling sharply compared to last year. The U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration services reported April 8 that only half of the 65,000 allotment had been taken. In 2008, the USCIS filled the same quota in one day.

The argument that giving a job to a foreigner takes a job away from a U.S. citizen is flawed. According to a study and recent article in the Wall Street Journal, hiring H-1B visa holders is associated with increases in employment at U.S technology companies in the S&P 500. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire all have cited the study saying it shows that each one of these visas awarded to technology companies creates five jobs. Mr. Gates interpreted the study in testimony to Congress last year as finding that "for every H-1B holder that technology companies hire, five additional jobs are created around that person5.” It is common sense that hiring talented individuals leads to growth and innovation. It would seem likely that the visa policies would lead to an increase in offshoring. In the long run, the U.S. will suffer from reduced economic vitality and technological innovation. According to Stuart Anderson, Executive Director of the National Foundation for American Policy, “If Congress continues to keep the quotas low on H-1B visas and pushes more outstanding potential immigrants outside America's borders, then we won't have to worry about debating the results of our research on job creation, since it's likely a greater proportion of new technology-related jobs and innovations will be happening in other countries”.

This doesn’t mean that the H-1B visa itself doesn’t need drastic revision. The program is filled with loopholes that enable fraud and allow employers to exploit foreign workers for low wages.


1. Student traffic to US could fall 15-25% - http://tinyurl.com/demmgu
2. Banks rescind job offers for international students - http://tinyurl.com/d2stl9
3. Companies rescind, delay job offers to recent college grads - http://tinyurl.com/ckxgru
4. H-1B Visa Demand Plunges with Economy - http://tinyurl.com/dxjscd
5. H-1B Visas Lead to More U.S. Jobs - http://tinyurl.com/cm5vhu

Other related articles worth checking out:
America’s Perilous Anti-Immigrant Protectionism - http://tinyurl.com/dn29vv
Opinion: “Hire American” is a slogan that doesn’t help America - http://tinyurl.com/cdv7pl
US firms that employ skilled work visa holders create more jobs - http://tinyurl.com/dj8xgl
IRLI Wins Compensation for Abused H-1B Worker - http://tinyurl.com/d4td8a
The Dream Deferred - http://tinyurl.com/c3vuje

Twitter for Scholarships!

In the last blog posting – Finding Scholarship Sources – I mentioned Twitter as a means of following professional people, organizations, schools, and web sites. You can also use Twitter to search for scholarship opportunities.

Using Twitter Search (http://search.twitter.com/), start your initial search using basic terms, such as scholarship, scholarships, scholarship application, scholarship deadline, international scholarships, scholarships international students, and so on. Some results will come from professional sources, others from students; either way, it could be very informative and helpful.

Next, search for links or websites by searching for scholarship www; scholarship http; or scholarship deadline www; scholarship deadline http; and so on. You can also substitute the word grant for scholarship, and search for grants as well.

Within Twitter Search, in the right column, you can subscribe to any of the Twitter searches in Google Reader, or any RSS reader you use. If any specific organizations stand out in your searches, remember that you may also be ablbe to follow them on Twitter!

If you haven’t created a Twitter profile – now is definitely the time! Visit Twitter to create your profile. Find professionals, schools, and organizations to follow. Use Twitter Search and start searching for scholarships and grants today! Set up RSS feeds to keep you updated on all the latest information. Good luck!

Finding Scholarship Sources

If you are looking for sources to help you finance your education, knowing how and where to search can be crucially important. Many scholarships and grants aren’t well advertised, so it will be up to you to do the work and find the opportunities. If you are already enrolled at a college or university, start with the professional services available, such as financial aid or career services. If you are not yet enrolled, contact college or university admissions offices directly and ask them about the opportunities and support they provide for international students - a number of them offer discounted tuition.

When searching on your own, there are a number of free scholarship search sites on the Web (some are listed below). Profile-based scholarship searches allow you to register an account, have you fill out a student profile that includes your education history, intended major, group memberships, awards, test scores, and so on. Based on the answers in your profile, the website software will direct you toward scholarships and contests that you’re eligible for. Be sure to fill out the profiles with as much information as possible, for more search matches.

Also consider contacting organizations, associations, foundations, or government agencies. For example, contact the local Rotary International Organization to ask about their Ambassadorial Scholarships; or if you are a student member of ASME, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, they have scholarship opportunities for international students. P.E.O. International provides a number of scholarships for international women students to study in the US or Canada. Ask your professors what professional organizations they belong to, and contact the national headquarters, or look them up on the Web.

Many of the sites listed below also have links to other important and useful information, including blogs, forums, discussion boards, etc. You can follow many of them on Twitter or RRS feeds to keep up with current information.

Scholarships for International Students would greatly appreciate your recommendations of websites with useful information regarding scholarships or internships. SIS would also appreciate guest blog postings from students, or university professionals who would like to share ideas, information, or suggestions! Contact Denise Beebe if you have questions, or would like more information – we welcome your involvement! beebed@bvu.edu

Scholarship and Financial Aid Sites:
International Education Financial Aid: http://www.iefa.org/
International Scholarships: http://www.internationalscholarships.com/
Careers and Colleges http://www.careersandcolleges.com/
FinAid: http://www.finaid.org/
Scholarship Experts.com: http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/
Hispanic College Fund: http://www.hispanicfund.org/
CHCI - Developing the next generation of Latino Leaders: http://www.chci.org/
The Gates Millennium Scholars: http://www.gmsp.org/
ScholarshipsCanada: http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/index.asp
FastWeb: http://www.fastweb.com/
InternationalStudent.com: http://www.internationalstudent.com/
Links to schools with financial aid or discounted tuition: http://www.internationalstudent.com/schools_awarding_aid/
eduPass: http://www.edupass.org/
eduPass, Financial Aid: http://www.edupass.org/finaid/
eduPass, Scholarships: http://www.edupass.org/finaid/databases.phtml
USA Study Guide: http://www.usastudyguide.com/
Scholarship Monkey: http://www.scholarship-monkey.com/
P.E.O. International: http://www.peointernational.org/about/

Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, ideas, or information. Thank you! : )

Social Networks – How They Can Impact Your Scholarship, Internship, or Job Opportunities.

The Good News.

Technology has had a huge effect on recruitment - for candidates, recruitment professionals and employers alike. What this means for organizations is that sourcing talent through the internet is becoming progressively more important. Not only are employers and their agencies increasingly adopting online-only recruitment policies, but more and more are using social networking platforms such as Facebook and Linkedin to hunt for candidates. According to a study by CareerBuilder.com, one of the largest online job sites in the US, one in every five employers uses social networks to research information about job candidates.

Social media has entered the mainstream as a recruitment strategy; and many highly-recognized firms are connecting with applicants through their own profiles or pages on these sites. As an example, one highly recognizable organization has a team dedicated to recruiting on Facebook, where applicants can ask questions, find information regarding contests, jobs, internships, links to related information, and discussion boards.

Online networks can become a lifeline for job or internship seekers.  An economic crisis hitting firms across the globe has created a spike in usage of professional networks such as LinkedIn, the top professional Web network. Professional networking should be a top priority during unstable economic times.

While making it well worth jobseekers’ time and effort to have a presence online, it’s really only effective for those that take the time to develop their profile. Virtually anything in a profile shows up on a search, so students and employees should list educational background, awards, current and previous employment, current responsibilities, user groups, professional associations they belong to, expertise, and other information companies might seek. Tap into social media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook to create or expand positive online content about you.

The Bad News.

What you put on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social networks (or what your friends put there) could have a negative impact on your scholarship. According to Social Media and College Admissions, many college admissions offices are searching social networking sites and using search engines (Google and Bing) to conduct background checks on potential students before awarding scholarships. Facebook and Instagram are the most commonly searched sites. The report, put out by the Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, expect presence of admissions offices on social networking sites to increase.

Recent surveys find that a growing number of job searches are being derailed by "digital dirt." The Internet is rife with inaccuracies, posturing, gossip and material presented out of context. All of which can wreak havoc on someone's digital footprint. Social networking Web sites can be mined with unintended or embarrassing anecdotes, and general Web searches sometimes reveal inconsistencies or resume inflation. This can, and has, eliminated candidates for internships and jobs.

There are a number of methods being used to collect information and create a virtual profile of you, such as searching and utilizing government records, free people searches, search engines, social network search engines, and paid searches. A number of companies (and college admissions offices) are also using facial recognition software. Think you’re safe by setting your profile to private? Or using an alias? Your personal information is still accessible to parents, professors, police, or employers. Even if your profile is private, there's little to stop your online contacts from copying and sharing your information or pictures with others, and tagging them. Removing possible incriminating pictures or information when it’s time to look for that scholarship or job may be more difficult than you think. So it's a good rule of thumb to avoid posting pictures or confessions that would humiliate you or a friend if they reached the wider world, because they very well could.

My suggestion – Google yourself; do an image search; log in to your social network and do a search. Do this regularly. (For more detailed information on searches, and tips for managing your digital footprint see What the Web knows about you.) Create a profile on a professional network, and link to professors, colleagues, and friends. Create or expand positive, professional online content on other social network sites. Search for companies with an online presence in Facebook or Instagram, and join. Make yourself highly visible, with a positive and professional image.

International Student Connections

When the Facebook Group “Scholarships for International Students” was created, I didn’t know what to expect, or if there would be any interest. Surprisingly, the first member joined in less than one hour, in the middle of the night, before I could even post a welcoming message! In less than two weeks, we had over 100 members. The day after the SIS group was created, it became apparent there was also a need for a sister site, Internships for International Students, as internship opportunities are as limited as scholarships and financial aid for international students. In making connections with students, I realized the focus of this group had to be broadened to include the complete international student experience. We live in a highly interdependent and interconnected world; there is power in diversity, and benefit in working together. There are tremendous opportunities for enabling change, and recognizing possibilities and potential! I truly believe we need a better system for positive exchange between students, businesses, and educational organizations to foster a better understanding of globalization and its future impact on society. With that in mind, we have decided to make a change in our organization name, our mission, and our website. Our name: International Student Connections. Our Mission: International Student Connections focuses on enhancing the student experience. ISC creates a system for positive exchange between students, businesses, and educational organizations to foster a better understanding of globalization and its future impact on society. Our goals: Internship and Employment Opportunities; Scholarships; Travel Opportunities; Service and Beyond; Cultural Education and Exchange. Change takes time; and people to believe in it, with a dedicated commitment to making it happen.