Personal Branding in Social Media: Our Advantage

By Yosef Solomon on Feb 24, 2010

The major problem Generation Y is facing right now is job placement. We currently have the highest unemployment rate out of any other demographic in America. We’ve even been nicknamed the “Lost Generation.” Why is this happening? Some argue that the job market is so competitive right now that it is near impossible for new graduates without any experience to find a job. Others believe that there aren’t any jobs out there, for the growing number of adults entering the workforce. Each are valid arguments, but shouldn’t be excuses for not finding jobs.

The understanding we have in social networks, media and technologies are important skills that should not be overlooked. How can we correlate our understanding of new media with our career? The best answer I can come up with is Personal Branding. One might argue that without any experience, how can one substantially brand themselves. The simple answer. Be Authentic! There are positions out their that aren’t asking for 10 years of experience. You don’t have to be an expert on a certain subject to attain a job. However, you must be confident in knowing that every skill you do possess is effective and indispensable.

As we begin to practice perfecting our strengths, our confidence will grow inevitably and we’ll start seeing more positive results. One great way to embark on our ambitions and passion is through internships. Whether we’re graduated or are still in school, working in the environment of the profession that interests us is the first step in practicing our strengths. As an intern, we might be tasked with menial jobs and monotonous assignments that don’t really relate to the actual job. But this could be our opportunity to prove ourselves and go above and beyond the norm. Internships are also a terrific way to network and break into the industry.

The options of doing what we want in this lifetime are endless. The most important factor in deciding your future is finding out what your passion is. That’s it. Once we figure out something we like to do, it is up to us to see how we can monetize it. If we can’t get paid right away, then we try out an internship. Once we attain a position, personal branding is the next step. Granted the process may take time, we must remember that setting goals and following through with action is necessary. We were each put on this earth to do something special. The opportunity is there and it’s up to us to go after it.