Crowdsourcing

The crowdsourcing videos were interesting for me, because I have a roommate, Ethan, who's wholly devoted to print journalism. He works for The Eagle and spends long hours twice per week putting out issues of the paper. He readily admits that print journalism is a - it's perhaps too strong to say dying - weakening breed. I worked a stint in journalism but an old high school teacher of mine told me he was relieved I am no long interested in being a journalist, saying that aside from some "elite" newscasters journalism will be independently based.

This is why Ethan is not concerned about the future - if anything, crowdsourcing and the rise of the Internet is making it easier for people to take power into their own hands. The very blogging we do has shown to have tremendous sway provided we play our cards right. The future of journalism is uncertain with the rise of rapid communications and technology, but empowering individuals essentially levels the playing field. Time Magazine selected "You" as its Person of the Year for the sake individual entrepreneurship - they seem to have a good idea of where we can go from here.

AU Ambassador Online Chats

I thought it would be a good idea to start this post with something technology related, especially given the title of my blog. I'm an American University ambassador; we're basically student spokespeople for the university. We're the ones in red polos giving tours, directions for prospective student preview days, and periodically informative interviews in Katzen Arts Center.

As a member of the leader board, my primary responsibility is managing American University online chats for prospective students and their parents. How these work is admissions officers at AU set up chat rooms and those interested can visit and ask questions. It's a great way for students to get to know more about the campus if they can't visit in person, and a wonderful way for students to connect with people majoring in something they are interested in.

Having been in charge of this component for three years now, I've been extremely excited to watch participation by ambassadors and prospective students grow. We have averaged 300 visitors per chat (a significant increase) and I've heard excellent feedback all around. I've even introduced a guest chatter program where student leaders from campus visit the chat room to represent their organizations: We've had visitors from the SG, KPU, Student Activities, and so on. Are you such a leader at AU? Send me an E-mail!

Greetings from American University!

If you're not in Social Networking and Business, then you've stumbled upon Michael's class blog for Professor Melander's class at American University. I will be making weekly updates based on (appropriately enough) social networking, business, and anything else that comes to mind. On my honor, all posts in this blog are my own.