Twitter 280 Character Limit

Twitter recently initiated a test run of allowing certain users to tweet with double the previous characters of 140 to 280. The test run just started and there are mixed reviews so far. Some say that the idea is dumb and others enjoy the option of putting more content out on their favorite social media platform. I am on the side of it being ridiculous and not necessary.

Twitter was known for its 140 character limit and how you had to tweet a conscious thought in a limited amount of characters. It was fun and engaging to try to fit a story in 140 characters. The dread of having to commit a spelling error on a tweet just to fit it in the character limit. The increase in character limit will only lead to political debates being longer and crowding up more of a user's timeline. Nobody was asking for 280 characters, yet here we are, receiving them for no reason at all.

The tweets describing the 280 character fiasco:





As you can see, the Twitter-verse responded in typical fashion by making fun of it. I love Twitter and there are some improvements that need to happen, i.e. editing tweets, but more characters is not one of them.

Homecoming Weekend

This weekend at Ohio Northern University is Homecoming Weekend. Starting Friday with the Homecoming Dance and ending with a scholarship brunch on Sunday, the weekend will be full of activities and fun for the entire weekend. Whether it be the football game, the several dinners for alumni with every organization, or just getting to catch up with old friends, Homecoming is a fantastic time for everyone, alumni, students, and family.

My fraternity usually has a good crowd our alumni come back every year and we're expecting good numbers once again. Each organization's homecoming is better than the overall one in my opinion. It is something special to share having Ohio Northern as a common factor between student and alumni, but it's an even closer bond between people that were in select organizations while they were a student here. I enjoy interacting with alumni from both Ohio Northern and from Delta Sigma Phi, but there is a deeper connection when you interact with your fraternity brothers from past generations. We host a dinner for them and have a special ceremony to remember brothers who have died in the past year. It is truly something special to see brothers, new and old alike, to remember those who have came before us.

Homecoming is a time for alumni to come back and see how the improvements in their university, but it can be much more than that. It is a time for students to learn from those who came before. Interact with them and ask them about their experiences. I enjoy talking to old Delt Alumni and asking them about their experiences while they were an active brother. I love the parade, football game, and every experience of homecoming.

Applying for Internships/Jobs

Applying for internships and jobs can be very stressful for a young professional in college. On top of all of the school work that has to be completed, you also have to find time to apply for jobs and internships, which can be a long, strenuous process. Many students are stressed enough when it comes to school work, but then add the stress of putting your future career in the hands of a few applications, resume and cover letter. Here are a few tips to have a clean application and minimize the stress of applying for jobs.

1. Use your resources 

Many colleges and universities offer help to build your resume and write an efficient cover letter. Career services is a great way to have someone with professional experience to look over your resume and cover letter to ensure there are no mistakes. Even if you did not have any mistakes on your resume, it is peace of mind to know that other people have gone over them. There are other places you could look for help as well. Asking professors that have had experience in the field is another way to get help with your applications, resumes and cover letters. Using different resources ensures that you get plenty of advice and different opinions on how to create a great resume.

2. Double and triple check

Double checking to make sure that you have no grammatical errors is crucial when applying for jobs. Many employers will throw your application away if they find any grammatical errors or errors in consistency on a resume. Double checking and then triple checking and then checking again is a great way to combat mistakes on a resume and a cover letter. Having others look over your resume and cover letter is another way to catch mistakes that you might have missed.

3. Try to relax

Stated earlier, applying for jobs is a stressful task. Your future is riding on someone liking one piece of paper or not. It can be a very stressful time but it is also important that you keep a clear head. It's hard, but stress can cloud your judgement and hurt your applications. I recommend taking a break from your applications and getting a coffee or even taking a nap so you are not staring at applications for hours upon hours. Having a clear mind can allow you to catch more mistakes that you may have made or even think of something useful for your letter or resume that you had not added yet.

Following these directions does not guarantee you a job, or even a fantastic resume or cover letter. They are nice steps that I have found when applying for jobs and writing my resume and cover letters. Good luck to everyone who is applying for full-time jobs and internships.

Business Casual vs. Business Etiquette

Last night, I attended an etiquette dinner hosted by Dean John Navin and the Dicke College of Business Administration. While attending, the class of 2019 learned how to properly hold our glass, plate and napkin while networking. We learned proper ways to eat our dinner and different table talks that would introduce easy conversations. It was helpful and I was able to brush up on my etiquette techniques, but it was not something I would want to do frequently. Being professional while representing yourself and your company is essential to being a great business professional, but it is not the best way to do business.

Professional settings may be great for networking and for politics, but if you want to really get to know someone that you may be doing business with, a casual setting is a better option. In a casual setting, i.e. a restaurant, bar or on the golf course, it allows for a more comfortable setting and not as stress on being politically correct in how you hold your silverware. The conversation is more relaxed and it's easier to get to know someone's true character. There is not a constant buzzing of other people's conversations in the background so you can focus on your specific conversation. Handling of sensitive information is easier as well, especially in a secluded place like the golf course, where verbal interactions can contain information that not everyone needs to know.

Being able to act professional is important to any young college student looking for a job and for people who have been at their job for thirty years. Although it is a great skill to have, the most important settings to have business meetings and conduct deals are outside of the professional settings.