Getting a degree in media & communications is a lot different than what it used to be. In just the last 10 years, the industry has been completely revitalized by the exploding growth in digital and social media marketing. From blogging influencers to Facebook campaigns, working in the communications world has become far more complex. In order to keep up with the quick-changing industry, Post University has asked Local Social Media Founder Birgitta Stone to be an advisor on the school’s five-person panel lending real-world expertise to shape the curriculum of the Social Media Concentration under the B.A of Arts in Communication and Media Studies program.
“Students are flocking to digital media in droves,” Stone says. “They are looking for future employment in digital, social media, communications and online media. Those who possess certifications in digital social communications are in higher demand and have an advantage over other job seekers.”
To prepare students for today’s communication industry, Post University is doing everything in its power to stay relevant and modern to newer technologies and strategies so that when students graduate, they’re ready to compete for jobs in the real world of communication. To that end, Post University has added Stone to its advisory panel to share ideas and be a sounding board as the school continues to shape and customize its social media coursework.
Stone officially launched her digital marketing firm Local Social Media in 2011 on the cusp of the social media marketing boom – the same year Snapchat was born and Facebook debuted its business page format. Stone fondly remembers business owners in those early years, and not everyone was a believer. She realized early on in her business that there was a big future for advertising through social networking, but there was also a large misconception.
“It’s important to understand that social media marketing is a form of advertising.” Stone notes. “There’s more to it than simply loving social media. There is a skill set in marketing that needs to be learned. Many clients have family members, or employees work their social accounts. That’s not going to work. It takes a specific online marketing expertise to make the most of your advertising.”
Courses include:
- COM240 Social Media Tools & Techniques
- COM340 Social Media Management
- COM415 Social Interaction in a virtual Environment
- MKTG235 Social Media Marketing
“These courses offer the practical business applications and concrete knowledge students need in this field,” Stone says.” When the school approached me to be an advisor to the program, I was immediately delighted to be a part of it.” Stone shares the honor with four other advisors: Director of Public Relations for Bristol Hospital & Health Care Group Christopher Boyle, Senior Vice President of Branding & Marketing for CT Public Television Sarah Defilippis, Managing Director for AdEdge Digital Marketing Anthony Lofrisco and Press Secretary of the Connecticut General Assembly AmyLynn Thompson.
The advisory panel met on June 6 with the school’s CEO, John Hopkins and his executive staff. They discussed necessary critical skills, industry trends and what to expect in career advancement from entry level to higher ranking positions. The group was also asked to give feedback on the current curriculum, exploring whether the current coursework properly prepares students to secure jobs and whether any courses should be eliminated or added based on industry trends.
Birgitta Stone is the founder and president of Local Social Media, an online digital content and marketing company designed to create consistent local branding for clients. Established in 2011, it was one of the first to use the influence of social media to give clients the edge over their competition.