Social Media in the Workforce- Trish Skram

Trish Skram graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2006 with a double major in Speech Communication and Marketing with an emphasis in Public Relations. While attending Whitewater, Trish worked at the Aquatic Center which is what helped her get her internship with Marcy Health System.

She did a summer internship which turned into a full time position where she currently works as the Media Specialist and Public Relations Manager at the Marcy Health System in Janesville.

In 2008 Trish was inspired to start her own business as a professional blogger she blogs for the Janesville Gazette and Wisconsin Healthcare. Trish said she blogs because it helps her grow her networks and gain valuable knowledge. She gave some statistics which I found very interesting, Trish said that 55% of corporations use social media to seek job applicants, 77% of internet users read blogs and 58% say that they are better known in the industry because of their blog which is what happened to Trish.

Trish gave 8 helpful blogging tips-
1. Write specific goals and objectives
2. Know your competency, relate your content to the reader
3. Listen and learn about your audience and create ambiance
4. Add a personal touch by having personal opinions and photos
5. Be positive, people want to be inspired and encouraged
6. Encourage engagement by writing with passion in authentic human voice
7. Establish your message and research keywords that people use
8. Be consistent and post frequently

I really liked how Trish said that everyone has blogging worries but the important thing is to understand that no one has all the answers as a blogger we have to know that social media is where you can start a conversation and ask for help and advice as well as understand that mistakes are okay and we need to learn from those and move on.

Trish said that twitter is also a good way to publicize blogs and she stresses out the importance of knowing that social media is not a numbers game it is about engagements and relationships we create by using social media.

Trish also gave a good advice to students letting them know it is important to share our passion and knowledge, participate, not to be afraid and to always work hard even if it feels like waste of time.

For more information about Trish Skram you can also visit her LinkedIn page.

Camisha's Journey to Success

Just recently I had an opportunity to watch Camisha Miller’s (@JctMiller15) presentation which she did at University of Wisconsin Whitewater during Public Tactics class. Camisha gave us her success story and journey from graduation UWW and becoming business owner. Camisha graduated in December of 2002 receiving her diploma in PR program at which she worked very hard to graduate in 3 ½ years by taking 26 credits each semester. On campus she was involved in cheerleading and made the Hall of Fame after winning the first Division II championship in Wisconsin.

Camisha did her internship with GUMOUT Series racing; it was unpaid internship traveling all over the country from her own expenses. After her internship she was recommended by a friend whom she worked with during her internship for a job with Professional Bull Riders Association. For more information about PBR, you can visit http://www.pbrnow.com . Miller strictly underlined the importance of gathering information about the company interviewing with.  When she flew out to Colorado to meet with the CEO of PBR she was asked what she knew about the company and she couldn’t answer that question because she didn’t do her research but her energy and encouragement helped her through by suggesting to the CEO that if he takes a chance on her, he wouldn’t regret it. Miller ended up getting that job so she had to deal with PITA, handle radio and newspaper interviews and also approve everything that was printed before it was published. Miller enjoyed her job and had a great success story by taking a Champion Bull Rider to Milwaukee Mile race and doing promotion with Jack Daniels and Harley. Her event was very successful,  they made back the money spent, signed up 400 people for the fans club and had 38 people drive their Harleys from Wisconsin to Las Vegas for world finals.

Unfortunately Miller had to leave PBR due to family illness and move back to Wisconsin. After things at home were stabled Miller went back on the road of racing and worked for World of Outlaws by doing their merchandise design, promotion, branding and everything else that came along. After awhile Miller decided that she wanted to get married and coach dance but with traveling she wouldn’t be able to do that so she moved back to Wisconsin and started working as Fund Development Director for Girl Scouts in Kenosha.

The Girl Scout position had a strong and busy start where Miller had to raise 23,000 in 6 weeks which she was told 3 days into her job as well as had facing the media. Miller had to do an interview with media explaining why Girl Scouts denied United Ways offer of 10,000 and she said the reason story was a success and community understood it was because she had her facts straight, was able to back up her points and she had her positives. She did three big events to raise money which were all a huge success and something no one has ever done. Miller suggests that to be successful, especially in this economy we have to think outside of the box as well as making sure to listen to the people we work with even when we don’t agree with their idea there are parts and pieces they are good at so they should be utilized in the outcome of the success.

After Girl Scouts merged with other 4 counties, Miller left and was the Director of Tourism for Kenosha County.  She did a lot of sports marketing after leaving Kenosha Miller moved to Manitowac with her husband and again worked with Girl Scouts but this time overseeing their membership program.

In 2006 Miller started her PR business which offers multiple services, to receive more information visit the website, http://www.highflyerspr.com/id2.html .  Now Miller works as the Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity in Lake Side, she also teaches division V dance, chairs the board of education at her church, manages her business and her family.

Miller was extremely inspiring her journey is a real success story. She strongly suggested that budgeting time and multitasking is really important. Miller worked with big Corporations as well as different non-profit organization and she had to adjust the similarities and differences but it is all about being open minded and looking for the best outcome. Miller recommended that students should stay connected with their professors, class speakers, network as much as possible and take as many internships as they can but most importantly don’t slack.

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