Question And Answer With Melanie Kania
Melanie Kania is a prime example of what being persistent is all about.
She graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2009 during the “great recession.”
She could have given into the notion of just settling for a job that was available.
Instead, she continued to be persistent and months later, she acquired internships with two public relations firms in the Houston area.
She is now with Weatherford International were she serves as a Communications Specialist.
We caught up with Melanie to get her perspective on the journey that led her to her current position.
Vallano Media: How long did it take for you to find that post-college job?
Melanie Kania: I graduated in 2009 during the height of the recession, so it took about nine months to find the job I have now. In the meantime I pursued internships to gain experience in public relations and was exposed to a broad range of industries, which led me to oil and gas where I am now.
V.M. : Were you involved in any organization while in college?
M.K. : Yes I was involved in: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Honors Society, Public Relations Student Society of America, National Society for Leadership and Success, Golden Keys National Honors Society and Order of Omega.
V.M. : Why should students get involved in an organization?
M.K. : I believe that organization involvement is very important to college students and is an intregal part of one’s college experience.
V.M. : Did you study abroad and if so, how has studying abroad impacts a student’s undergraduate/graduate career?
M.K. : Yes I studied abroad through Sam Houston’s Puebla program and lived in Puebla, Mexico with a host family for a month. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had, and the memories made and lessons learned will be with me forever. The program gave me first hand exposure to another culture and I was able to see how they live and do business.
V.M. : Looking back, was it worth attending college?
M.K. : Absolutely, in fact I am planning to go back to pursue my Masters.
V.M. : Final thoughts?
M. K. : Get as involved as possible. Networking through my collegiate/ post college organizations led me to my current position and the internships along the way.
Facebook Group Grows To Over 20,000 Members In Less Than A Week
By Cheval John
As the people of the Eastern Caribbean, United States Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Mexico, India, Houston and Florida recover from the weathers disasters, they need to know everyone cares for them.
With social media, people can keep track of what is happening in those affected areas from the United States mainland.
An example comes from a Facebook Group who grew to over 20,000 members in less than a week.
This group is called “St Croix Hurricane Maria Check In”
It was created after Hurricane Maria hit St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands on Tuesday before moving on to Puerto Rico the following day.
Their fellow United States Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and St. John, in addition to the British Virgin Islands and the Eastern Caribbean, were hit by Hurricane Irma two weeks prior.
St. Croix and Puerto Rico were used as base to sent rescue workers and supplies in the relief efforts to the devastated places until Hurricane Maria interrupted those plans
St. Croix Hurricane Maria Check became a resource for many to get in contact with family members and friends.
It also is a place where many can find out which relief organizations they can support to help those in the United States Virgin Islands to get back to normal.
This is the true power of social media: building communities.
Here are additional organizations which are helping to get supplies to each of the places who are currently recovering from the natural disasters:
Puerto Rico- City of New York Website
Mexico- UNICEF USA For Mexico
United States Virgin Islands- 21 U.S. Virgin Island Help
Houston- ABC13Houston.com
For anyone who knows of relief organizations for help to Mumbai, India and the U.S. state of Florida, please leave a comment below.
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