Careers in Web Analytics

Analytics have become an important part of the marketing process and successfully doing business in the digital world. It is important to have someone in your company who can interpret metrics and data to learn what trends are helping the business excel (in the cyber world, at least). A career in analytics is now part of many professions. For those still in school or planning a new career, it's important to note that today's employers want to see this skill-set on resumes. Two examples of job titles which call for a proficiency in web analytics are: Analytics Engineer and Web Analyst.

A Web Analyst helps the business measure the effectiveness of its marketing effort and determine what needs to be changed in order to improve online strategies and tactics.  Here's a partial list are the responsibilities included in the job:

•Analyze traffic patterns

•Drive ROI improvements

•Improve website effectiveness

•Optimize page layouts

           Openings web analytics can be  found online by searching keywords. This new set of skills is in
high demand and should continue to grow as the Internet continues
to impact the way companies do businesses today. 


           Interested in learning more about careers in web analytics, visit this SITE!  


We hope you've learned as much as we did this semester!

Cory and Lindsey

4 Reasons Why Everyone Should Have A Hobby

By Lizzy Fillback and Robin Ezell

        Throughout the semester, we've used this space to tell you about the importance of going to college, finding a job and becoming a better student. Our post this week is all about finding something that makes you a better-rounded (less stressed)  person. This week we're talking about hobbies!

           Having a hobby is a great way to maintain your healthy, balanced lifestyle. While brainstorming ideas about why you we have hobbies, we also came across another great blog post here HERE. This article helped us get better educated about the benefits of having a pastime or a passion outside of our vocations. 

Why Have A Hobby?
           You may be thinking to yourself, "Why should I have a hobby," or "I don't have time for a hobby!" But did you know that your hobby just might save your life? Whether you are in school, working or retired, you still need an interest, or passion, or hobby to keep you sane and keep your brain in tip-top shape.

              According to our source above, there are many ways a hobby can enhance the work ethic and help someone succeed in their chosen career. When a person places too much emphasis on only one aspect of their life - at the expense of others - difficulties tend to arise. An individual, dedicated to his/her professional career, can perform phenomenally at work temporarily. Single-mindedness can help us achieve our objectives. Still, behind the façade of success, one is also prone to suffering from poor health and having dysfunctional relationships with family members, and even lacking any real intimate or interpersonal relationships.

What It Is A Hobby?
               According to dictionary.com, a hobby is any activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.  Hobbies are credited to lower stress levels that are beneficial restorer in maintaining balance and harmony that maybe missing from your life. Hobbies can provide the outlet needed for our innate need to create. A hobby can uncover and nurture talents you didn't even know you had.
Four Steps For Choosing A Hobby

1. The first step is brainstorming. Brainstorm about what you like to do as a past time and think about what you are good at.
   Such as cooking, sewing, bead making, woodworking, painting, drawing, and crafting gifs, sculpting, playing sports such as golf or basketball and photography.
2.  The second step is  choosing a hobby is to pursue a pastime. These can be things such as a craft, club or association with people who have similar interests. By doing this you will broaden your social life with people who share a common interest in order to swap tips and stories about their passions in life.
3.  Once you narrow down your favorite past time the third step is easy. The step allows you to turn your favoite past time into a hobby. One can do this by discovering your inner talents.  By completing this step you and others around you will begin to notice a change in your behavior. This change will reduce of stress levels. When your mind is fully engaged in your hobby, the trials and tribulations of life in our fast-paced society have to take a backseat for a while. By the time you return to your life, all those problems and challenges don't seem quite so overwhelming and you find that you can handle them more effectively.
4. The last step will increase your overall health. A hobby will increase a sense of competence and accomplishment. By completing a hobby, your body is able to decrease stress levels, boost your confidence and are able to spend more time creating than thinking about your hard day at work or school. If your hobby involves creating something, there is also the satisfaction of making something special for someone special. A hand-made gift says to the recipient, in no too uncertain terms, that you care. You cared enough to take the time and make the effort to create something truly unique for them and them alone. That gesture says more than any expensive, store-bought ever could.

Hopefully, you've already got a favorite pastime. If not, there is a great wide world of choices out there. Start experimenting until you find your bliss.

Love in PR,

Robin Ezell and Lizzy Fillback

Studying PR Has Taught Us EVERYTHING!

By Lizzy Fillback and Robin Ezell

College. 

    There are so many definitions for the word - college.

    According to Merriam-Webster, college is defined as a  board, brotherhood, chamber, club, association, congress, consortium, council, fellowship, fraternity, guild, institute, institution, league, order, organization, society, sodality, sorority
    For us college, has been all of these things and so much more. As sorority sisters, public relations majors and dear friends, our college life has been about learning life lessons, reaching goals and discovering our true selves. 

    As young PR practitioners, the path to attaining our degree has been no different. College has been the learning experience we needed to become who we are today.

    As we reflect on the last four years, we remember long nights spent preparing for presentations and projects that we filled with our "blood, sweet and tears."
    Our dreams seemed like unreachable goals in the beginning, but we're so thankful we had then. Because of the support we have received from professors and mentors, we now know that our goal of becoming polished PR professionals is close to becoming reality.

     Upon graduation this May, our paths that were once appeared the same will become different. Our lives are now much more than simple presentations and learning experiences. Our futures appear more complex - and exciting. As we spend our time applying for jobs, waiting to hear from potential employers, searching for apartments, debating whether or not we are old enough to handle caring for a pet, waiting for that big proposal (BTW: congrats to Lizzy, who recently became engaged), we can't help but smile.

     As we prepare to graduate, we look back on college and realize it has taken on new meaning. Thank goodness for college. Without it, we would have never become who we are today.

    Hopefully, you're asking yourself now...are you ready to become what you want to be?

Love in PR,

Lizzy & Robin