Is The Social Media Editor Dead?

Considering I'm starting a social media internship on Monday, I found this article on Buzzfeed fascinating. If you're not familiar with Buzzfeed, they usually assemble humorous lists, such as "Amanda Bynes Calling People Ugly (Presented By Judgmental Huskies)." But they also feature real articles, such as this one by staff writer Rob Fishman, titled, "The Social Media Editor is Dead."

But is it? The article makes a convincing argument for both sides. While social media-related jobs are on the rise (while newspaper jobs are sinking), there is also a growing realization that one person cannot be in charge of all social media. Every journalist needs to be in charge of their own social media accounts, building up not only their own brand but the brand of the company.

Even if you don't care about getting a journalism job, this was a really interesting article.

I'm definitely looking forward to getting to work on Monday and seeing what everyone in my department thinks about this article, and where journalism and social media go from here.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/robf4/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-social-media-editor

Photo c/o of Google images. I do not own any part of BuzzFeed or BuzzFeed.com, nor do I claim to. 

Summer 2013- Newsweek and The Daily Beast

While most of my friends will be laying by the pool or jetting off on vacation, I'm spending my summer in NYC interning at Newsweek and The Daily Beast. This is an incredible opportunity, and I can't wait to start in a little over a week!

I didn't really apply for this internship in the traditional sense. Over my winter break I was bored, and decided to find a summer internship. I found an ad for a social media internship at Newsweek, but there wasn't a lot of information. So, using my social media skills, I sent a tweet to Newsweek asking about the position. They responded with the e-mail address of their social media editor. I sent him a quick e-mail, followed by my resume, and within a few weeks I was in their New York office for an interview. About half an hour later, I had an internship.

I always thought I would start with a few small internships and then work my way up. Instead, I'm practically starting at the top with Newsweek.

I'm so excited to have such an amazing internship, and I definitely don't mind spending my summer in an office. I'll be at a world-renowned news organization, working in NYC, and gaining invaluable experience for my career.

Most of my posts for the next two months will probably be about my job, i.e. what I do on a typical day, what my job entails, etc. I'll post about other things, but this will most likely turn into an internship blog!

I hope you all keep reading, and welcome to all my new readers!

Music Fest VuVox

Here's a VuVox I made as part of our Journalism Final Project (the other parts of the project will be uploaded soon!). Check it out!

On May 4th, 2013, Hofstra hosted their annual Music Fest, with performances by Twenty One Pilots, Joey Bada$$, and Third Eye Blind. Music Fest, held every spring, is a free, all-day, outdoor event for all Hofstra students. The festival features rides, games, activities, free food, and of course, live music.

Hofstra University Spring Music Fest 2013

see more of my photos

My First Infographic!

Here's an infographic I made for my journalism class, with the top ten highest paying majors for the Class of 2013. While I'm sad that Journalism did not make the list, it's still neat to see how much one can make with a certain major.

Birthday in NYC

Friday was my 19th birthday, and Saturday I headed into the city with my suitemate Blaine for a beautiful day in NYC. We hit up the NHL store (where I finally got a Crosby shirt!), Shake Shack (a must in NYC), Pinkberry, and then wandered through Chelsea to reach the Highline Park. The Highline, which runs from Gansevoort Street up to 30th street, is a walkway made from a reclaimed elevated railroad track. The weather was perfect, and the whole day reminded me why I love living in New York.

The IAC building, where Newsweek is housed, viewed from Highline Park. This will be my home for the summer!

People resting on the steps in front of a glass observation window that overlooks the street below.

Yoga on the steps.

In between the buildings, way out in the Hudson, you can see the Statue of Liberty.

Blaine and I.

A couple taking their engagement photos on the Highline.

Sometimes I'm allowed to take touristy photos.

The vegetation on the Highline is inspired by the plants that had overtaken the railway before it was converted into a park.

Man on the Street

Here's a link to my first YouTube video! This is an MOS (Man on the street) interview I did for my journalism class, asking average students around Hofstra whether or not they are worried about North Korea, what they think might happen in the next week, and what they would do to alleviate the situation. 

I would like to thank my suitemates Blaine and Melissa, my RA Louis, and my friend Nathalie for allowing me to interview them!

Enjoy!

To view the video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojzbs-m_Wx4

To view the video on my WordPress:

http://ashleymungiguerra.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/man-and-woman-on-the-street/

Spring Break in Los Angeles

I'm an East Coast girl at heart, but spending a long weekend in L.A. for spring break definitely brought out my love for the West Coast. The weather, the people, the culture, the excitement, and again, the weather (it was snowing when I left NYC).

My best friend, Kenzie, attends the American Academy of Dramatic Arts out in Hollywood, so I headed out to the City of Angels to spend a weekend with her. We're used to seeing each other every day, so being on opposite coasts was quite a change. 

I landed in L.A. Friday night, and flying over the city at night is beautiful. As much as I love Manhattan at night, L.A. is spread out and seems to go on forever. We hit up a West Coast necessity, In N Out, then hit the hay in preparation for our 6 a.m. wake-up call to head up to Disneyland. Kenzie absolutely loves Disney, and seeing as it was her birthday, D-land was a must.

I hate roller coasters. But, seeing as it was Kenzie's birthday and I flew across the country, I had to get on. I soon figured out that none of the big rides at Disney are actual roller coasters, which led to riding every single one! This is me before braving Space Mountain, which turned out to be...not bad.

No one looks good on a roller coaster.

Peter Pan! Because you're never too old to take pictures with characters.

We soon found out that putting 5 teenagers inside 1 teacup leads to crazy shenanigans and extreme dizziness.

Again, no looks good on a roller coaster. I personally look like I'm prepared for death (which I somewhat was). 

My new friend!

The parade at the end of the day. 

After a full and exhausting day at Disneyland, Kenzie took me to explore Hollywood. We hit up the farmer's market, Space 15 20 (the coolest shopping spot with hip, vintage stalls set up everywhere), Mulholland 'Drive, and went to get her tattoo!

 

Typical touristy picture of the Hollywood sign.

Oranges at the Farmer's Market in Hollywood.

The view of Downtown L.A. from Mulholland Drive. I didn't even know this place existed; you basically stand at the top of a mountain and you can see most of Los Angeles. It's especially beautiful at night, and if you turn around, Ron Howard is building a house at the very top of the mountain. Now that's what I call a room with a view.

Kenzie getting her tattoo! She's wanted it for nearly 7 years, and finally decided to go ahead and do it while I was still in town. It says, "Think lovely thoughts," wrapped around her wrist, and the script is in her handwriting. I love it and wish I had a better picture of it.

I loved L.A., and even though I'll always be an NYC girl, I wouldn't mind spending some more time out west...