Students spend four years going to class to try to “learn something.” Through a slew of major requirements, core classes, electives, and extracurricular activities, typically a handful of lectures, conversations, presentations, and talks are memorable and collectively define one’s education. For some students, one of those moments came on Wednesday, March 9 when Chris Dessi (@cdessi), a managing partner for Drive Action Digital, LLC, a firm that combines the use of social media with the search engine marketing to brand and position companies, products and individual, spoke to students about using social media to get a job.
Less than a month later, it is evident that he had an impact on students.
Dessi met Marist Chief Public Affairs Officer and Adjunct Professor of Communication and Religious Studies Tim Massie (@tcmassie) at a “tweet-up,” an event where real-life connections are made between people who have interacted solely on the popular micro-blog. A mutual respect and friendship quickly developed between the two, and Dessi agreed to come to Marist to speak. After a few scheduling conflicts, Dessi arrived on campus on March 9. For Dessi and Marist students, the coordination was well worth it. Dessi’s talk went far beyond the typical “don’t post pictures of yourself drinking on Facebook.” His purpose was not to teach students how to protect themselves on the web, but instead how job-seekers can use the internet as a tool to enhance their personal brand. According to Dessi, social media should be the central tool.
Early in the talk, Dessi dispelled the myth that micro-blogs like such as Twitter and full-fledged blogs should be related to one specific topic. Alas, if you are an aspiring accountant, entrepreneur, writer, or marketing professional, your blog does not and should not be limited to this specific lens. The Loyola graduate told students to use the same strategy which helped him get hired by Fox News as an expert commentator on social media. According to Dessi, Fox called him after finding his blog online and determining that he was an expert.
“My friends still call me and ask: ‘What the hell are you doing on television?’ ‘I have no damn clue’ I tell them.”
Dessi, who’s led social programs for the NHL, Washington Redskins, Michael Kors, TJX, Rand McNally, Signature Styles, Saks Fifth Avenue, Geico, among others, does have a clue. His genius is not simply in his knowledge of the topic, but in creating a virtual space to present that expertise, and apparently, in showing others how to do the same. The ladder has made Drive Action Digital LLC successful, and led many students to look to Dessi as a mentor.
Dessi advised students to create an online presence, much like any business or organization, assuring students that showcasing intelligence, creativity, humor, and personality is increasingly valuable as more employers look to the internet for information about prospective employers. More than just a LinkedIn profile or a Twitter page, Dessi told each student to “go straight home and start a blog.” And many students did just that.
Both Chris Dessi & Marist were impacted by his talk, several students started blogs inspired by Dessi and Dessi blogged about how his experience at Marist changed him.
“Money goes where the eyeballs are” – Chris Dessi
Students learned that blogs are a more expansive outlet than Twitter or Facebook to showcase what they know about the fields they hope to enter, as well as an avenue for a virtual representation of one’s personality. Blog posts, more than micro-blogs, are apt to tell someone’s story. For a group of students hoping to tell stories in some capacity for a living, Dessi’s advice offered a tremendous opportunity.
Most vitally, Dessi imparted to upperclassman a sense of control in a time of immense uncertainty. With his success and experience in the field, he empowered students with strategies for gaining control of the job search and confidence that these strategies will make a difference.
Here are two excerpts of a thank-you email sent to Dessi by senior Alyssa Bronander (@arbro) –
“I just wanted to thank you again for coming to speak with us last night, I have been to a lot of lecturers in my 4 years at Marist, and none have been as dynamic, entertaining, and inspiring as yours.”
“I think it meant a lot to all of us to receive positive feedback on our efforts because many of our peers do not understand the power of social media and blogging and we often get teased. Your speech inspired me to show others outside of PR and Communications that I am very proud of what I am producing, I am so grateful to you for that.”
Dessi highlighted Bronander’s blog, KarmaWaffle during the chat. He continues to provide feedback for students.
He recently wrote a blog post entitled “Marist College Has Changed My Life Forever.” Read it here: http://bit.ly/foIhsX
For all, the night was empowering; it was one of those nights.
Couldn’t make the talk? Check out this clip & hear some advice on blogging from Chris Dessi!
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