Quarantine as a college student has had its fair share of ups and downs, but it’s made me appreciate my college experience at SMU so much more.

As I sit here trying to write about my college experience at SMU, it’s challenging to fathom that it’s over. Four years, that’s 1460 days, have flown by in the blink of an eye.

I grew up as an only child with involved parents, which was great. My parents gave me all of the tools I need to succeed and throughout my life, they always kept me accountable. Throughout my childhood and high school, I never had to think about what success really meant for me or how I could become successful because my parents laid that framework for me. I did not motivate myself or work for myself. My parents knew what they wanted for me and I did not question it. When I went off on my own, I realized my parents were not there to tell me how to succeed every step of the way.

How My Experience at SMU Has Shaped Me 

My experience at SMU has been unparalleled. Not only have I met friends who I know will be lifelong, but I have encountered professors that have helped me become the person I am today. I am confident I will look back on my four years at SMU as some of the most formative years of my life.

The Rise of Clickbait and Propaganda in Digital Media and Fake News

A lot of what you read online, especially in your social media feeds, appears to be true while it actually is not. Digital media and fake news became prominent during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Fake news encompasses news, stories or hoaxes that are created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers. Digital media has meant that real and fictional stories are now presented in ways make it difficult to tell the two apart.

As internet usage multiplies thanks to stay at home orders, updates on social media become more and more common. In other words, companies have had to seriously enhance their operating systems as they compete for attention. While remaining consistent with original programs, the updates on social media platforms are limited, yet effectual. TikTok and Facebook have become the leaders of this movement, going the extra mile to expand audience interest. With TikTok now available on web browsers and Facebook’s video chat rooms continuously growing in size, it seems CO-VID 19 is far from done in altering our everyday lives.

Accessibility Updates on Social Media Platform Tik Tok Allow Users to View Content on Web Browsers

The ability to access videos on TikTok with almost any electronic device will likely broaden the app’s Generation Z demographic. Viewable on any traditional web browser, the platform is now available to anyone with or without a complex touchscreen. This factor will presumably continue increasing usage of TikTok already seen by the CO-VID 19 pandemic. Above all, the new update also supports already active consumers. Those who’ve updated to pro accounts can now see their key performance analytics on computer screens. Helping individuals and businesses thoroughly analyze their accounts, this is one of many groundbreaking updates on social media.

Facebook Releases New Video Tools to Help Users Make the Most of Social Distancing

Facebook has played a role in the competitive realm of video-calling for some time. Setting them apart from the rest, however, is their recent expansion of participant numbers for one video call. Facebook users can now engage in video calls of 4 to 8 people, doubling the capacity of calls on WhatsApp. Messenger video chat can now host up to 50 people in audio mode, as well. Considering the amount of “bombing” happening on video chat platform Zoom, it seems Facebook really does know how to steal someone’s thunder. Adding to a variety of other updates on social media, the company is even allowing users to invite potential dating matches to video chat. So long, catfish.

It’s very unlikely these updates will be the last we see of the CO-VID 19 pandemic. However, considering the glitching, lack of order, and generally irritating aspects of some social media sites, these new updates are more than welcome.

It is now more important than ever to understand your personal brand. Starting with what a “personal brand” even is. According to Entrepreneur, personal branding is “the practice of individuals marketing themselves and their careers as brands to promote yourself.” It is imperative to have a strong personal brand to build as it will enhance your life, no matter what you do.

It is no secret that Instagram Live has taken over our quarantine daily lives. If you were following along with the NFL draft, then you would’ve noticed a different kind of live session pop up. But, not on Instagram. TikTok is getting in on live streaming too—but, there are rules.

The magic of FaceTime has always been apparent for students who leave home for college and can see their families with the click of a button. It has been a lifeline for people in long-distance relationships. It has helped people who get relocated for a job stay connected with old friends. On a smaller scale, it has aided people who need quick outfit advice from a friend. However, the benefits of face-to-face interaction have become evident during this global pandemic. In light of this, here is an “Ode to FaceTime” for keeping us sane, connected, and happy during a very scary and isolating time.

Emotional Benefits of Face-to-Face Interaction

Studies show that staying away from loved ones is a peril to mental health and happiness. The benefits of face-to-face interaction are endless. For example, a 2018 study shows that Facetime and video chatting reduces the risk of depression in people older than 60. Read more heartwarming stories about how FaceTime can unite us in times of crisis in an article from The Atlantic here.

Others say that FaceTime reminds them that there is life outside of their quarantine location. While walking and getting outside helps with this, talking to others about how they are spending their days offers some solace. Recognize that everyone is going through this together even when we feel alone. FaceTime, thank you for giving us this fresh perspective!

Not to mention, simply knowing that someone is thinking of you is important for mental health. It goes a long way knowing that someone is willing to spend even more time on their computer or phones to FaceTime and check in on you.

Creative Benefits of Face-to-Face Interaction

FaceTime has also given new opportunities for creativity. Celebrities are using FaceTime to continue producing art and works that bring so much joy to fans. For example, Demi Lovato spearheaded the rise of a “virtual photoshoot” through FaceTime. She explains that this helped her happiness levels as well, as she felt less pressure to be perfect. Read more about this trend and other ways celebrities use FaceTime to create content here. The benefits of face-to-face interaction include new ideas, work, and collaborations for many celebrities. In turn, we get to enjoy what is being produced during this time!

FaceTime, we owe this all to you. Thank you for giving us the benefits of face-to face interaction when it is unsafe to actually do so.

Millions of jobs have been lost in recent months due to the current pandemic. Consequently, the job market has seemingly come to a screeching halt. Uncertain and confused, we are all wondering whether we should continue to search or put on the breaks. Just because the hiring process is at a pause, doesn’t mean you must stop everything also. In fact, this is the time to put it in gear and set yourself up for success. Here are a few tips to navigate the hiring processes new normal.

Staying at home doesn’t mean turning into a couch potato. Finding ways to stay fit is more important than ever during these unprecedented times. Living rooms have turned into fitness studios and the area where you choose to lounge may now be the area where you will sweat. In order to stay fit during quarantine, use technology and social media to achieve your fitness goals. Here are two social applications that are ready to help burn calories and sweat away those midnight snacks.

During this time at home, the pressure to be constantly productive is as high as ever. So, here are a few easy ways to achieve balance in quarantine.

We are in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with the rapid development of digital technology. While we have created amazing innovations, the costs are already substantial.

Digital Today

To best examine the current state and future state of the digital transformation, we need to look to the technology industry. The technology industry’s largest expense is labor. As companies continue to innovate and work towards a profit, we can expect more automation of jobs everywhere. 

There is already a large displacement of jobs, such as truck drivers, by artificial intelligence (AI), and this is expected to bleed into other industries. Another trend in the technology industry is outsourcing. Job outsourcing has grown substantially, so as jobs become more automated, it could not only hurt our own country’s job market but also those around the globe.

The rapid adoption of cloud software marks our current stage in the industrial revolution while we likely work toward AI advancement. 

Future Challenges in Digital

AI specifically presents many potential challenges that will impact not just those who work in technology, but the everyday person. AI presents a plethora of ethical implications and creates an opportunity for digital attacks. These ethical considerations center on privacy, lack of transparency, bias and discrimination, and lack of governance and accountability. Each of these impacts everyone’s lives, but especially those with a career in communications. Depending on how AI develops, communicators may have more insight into people’s lives than ever, which can lead to questionable practices. Digital attacks also present challenges for communicators as employees. If the organization faces a substantial digital attack, it may be unable to recover. Communicators must be prepared to be as transparent as ever to address these potential issues.

Future Opportunities in Digital

Though many of these challenges seem daunting, the digital transformation presents a variety of opportunities. Innovations tend to make our lives easier and more enjoyable. Though initially displacing employees, it is likely technology itself and society will create new jobs that could be potentially more rewarding than previous jobs. Clearly, the industrial revolution shows an unprecedented field of communication. Communication jobs will substantially change in their methods, content, and scope in the near future.

Final Thoughts

The communication field should prepare for the future of the digital transformation. Staying in-tune with advancements will serve yourself and your organization well as it continues to advance to meet people’s needs and desires.

Now is not an ideal time to be engaged in a job search. Companies are closing left and right, and unemployment is at an all-time high. In addition to the economic free fall, you are now searching for a job when people are not even in their offices. Forget about face-to-face interactions, much less a nice firm handshake.

College students and professionals alike are feeling the heat. Despite the difficulties, don’t let social distancing ruin your job search. Keep reading for some proactive tips on how to interview during a recession.

Finding an Interview During a Recession

The reality is that interviewing will be brutal in the short term. Companies are under unprecedented stress. The most proactive thing you can do right now is to lay the groundwork for when things are better.

• Tap into everyone in your network. Let them know you are looking. Ask for leads. With the amount of uncertainty on the table, companies will be shifting things around in the near months. Take advantage of the opportunity, but remember to be sympathetic, as the people you’re asking may be going through their own job struggles.
• Network aggressively on LinkedIn. Comment on people who post on LinkedIn to get noticed during a time when face-to-face interactions aren’t possible. Write articles about your niche, and don’t be afraid to reach out first.
• Check your tech. Use this time to make sure you have the appropriate apps and technology for when you interview remotely. Practice using different video chat platforms because not every company uses the same one. Find a place in your house that is well-lit and distraction-free to conduct your future interviews.

Interview Tips

When the actual interview comes, be ready with these helpful tools.

• Be your own salesman. Companies who are hiring during a recession need to know how an investment in you will pay off for them. Think beyond what you say in a typical interview to show the hiring manager what you will bring to the table during these trying times.
• Be flexible. Although your dream position may not be available in the near future, look for other career paths, industries, and companies where your skills could still be applicable. When interviewing, be ready to explain how your particular skill set can be an asset to the company, even if you don’t have experience in that designated field.
• Be as personable as possible. Don’t let the virtual interview send all niceties out the window. Make eye contact, smile often, and engage as much as possible to demonstrate your keen interest.

Remember, whether you are a college student who has lost an internship or a seasoned C-suite executive whose company hit hardship, better times are ahead. Be kind on yourself during this time. No American is immune to the economic effects of this crisis, and hiring managers will understand. For more information, check out this guide for job hunting during a recession.

Being a senior graduating in May of 2020, I started my job search early on. There was an abundance of opportunities and I was optimistic about my future employment endeavors. I finally landed on the perfect opportunity in the city I wanted to be in and I signed the offer. Then the Coronavirus hit and my whole world was turned upside-down. The global pandemic changes many aspects of my everyday life, and adjusting to this “new normal” is complicated.

One of the most devastating news I received was that because of financial struggles my job offer was being revoked. I was now amidst a global pandemic and economic downturn searching for other opportunities. Through this search I was enlightened by the new recruitment process and what it meant for new graduates like me. This is why I am going to tell you how the pandemic has changed job recruitment and how to navigate this new normal.