LinkedIn

LinkedIn was founded in 2002 by Stanford graduate Reid Hoffman. According to Chapter 9, it has grown into one of the top 10 most-used social media platforms in the world. Today, LinkedIn is most popular among users ages 25 to 34 and has more than 1.2 billion monthly users.

So why has LinkedIn become so popular? One of the main reasons is that it serves as an all-in-one platform for professionals across many industries. Users can search for jobs, research companies and connect with employers. Beyond that, the platform also allows users to post and engage with others by sharing content relevant to their professional interests. Common posts include new jobs or promotions, professional projects, research, industry updates and company-sponsored content.

Another major benefit of LinkedIn is the opportunity to grow a professional network. For example, I was able to secure my internship this summer by leveraging a connection on LinkedIn. I reached out to an adviser at a financial planning firm in Chicago, and through mutual connections, I was able to earn the opportunity. Networking on LinkedIn is not just about reaching a certain number of connections. Instead, it is about building meaningful relationships, staying informed about others’ careers and using those connections effectively.

LinkedIn also offers premium accounts that provide additional features, such as expanded profile visibility, advanced search tools, employer insights and verification badges. These features can be especially useful for users who want to grow their network quickly or for professionals who frequently use the platform.

Overall, LinkedIn has become an essential tool in the professional world, especially for those pursuing careers in business. If you do not already have an account, it may be worth creating one and starting to build your professional presence.

New Hobbies

Growing up, I always had the luxury of eating home-cooked meals almost every day of the week. My mom is a great cook, and I rarely had any complaints about her food. That said, the transition to college has been very different from being at home. Living in the freshman dorms at Ohio Northern University meant being on a meal plan at Mac. I was never a big fan of it and often felt like I was missing out on the nutrients I would normally get from the healthy, balanced meals my mom made.

To solve this problem, I started cooking for myself. Over the past two years, I have been fortunate to live in an on-campus apartment. The apartments at Ohio Northern are fully equipped with a refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, oven and stovetop, which makes cooking much more convenient.

Thankfully, I already had some experience in the kitchen. I took two culinary classes in high school, where I learned a lot and really enjoyed the process of cooking. However, I did not get many opportunities to cook at home back then because I was busy with extracurricular activities and traveling to soccer practices. Now, four years later, I am finally putting those skills to use.

Being able to prepare home-cooked meals for myself each week has had a noticeable impact on my health. I feel more energized and refreshed each morning compared with the past few years. Having the freedom to choose my own meals and decide what types of protein and vegetables I want to include has been especially rewarding. Cooking has also become something I look forward to each day, whether I am trying something new or making a favorite meal.

Even though I might make my cooking sound impressive, my roommate would probably agree that I am actually a pretty good cook. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue improving my skills this summer when I am back home. I am also looking forward to having more kitchen space and storage to experiment with new recipes.

Spring Break Recap

This year, my friends and I decided to head back to South Carolina for spring break. We left Friday afternoon after classes and made two stops along the way, one for gas and one for dinner. The rest of the trip was spent pushing through the ten hour car ride. Although it was a long drive, we made the most of it by listening to music and talking, which helped the time pass more quickly.

Over the past few years, the weather during spring break has not been very consistent. We have been going to the same place for three years now, and it is usually partly sunny and around 65 degrees. This year, however, was much different. On the first day, it was 80 degrees and sunny, which immediately set the tone for what turned out to be a great week.

During the week, my friends and I were able to meet up with some of the guys on the football team. They came over to our house for the day, and we spent time hanging out and enjoying the warm weather. We played yard games, listened to music, and relaxed outside while enjoying each other’s company. It was one of those days where everything just felt easy and fun.

The next few days were just as enjoyable. With the weather staying warm and sunny, we took full advantage of being outside. We went kayaking, rode jet skis, and spent time out on the lake doing different water activities. Being on the water and in the sun made the trip feel even more like a true spring break experience.

When we were not at the lake or relaxing outside, we spent time at the golf course. Golf is one of my favorite things to do, so it was great to be able to spend a few days there. Even though I am not able to play right now because of my back injury, I still enjoyed being there and spending time with my friends. Just being outside and part of the experience made it worthwhile.

As the week came to an end, it became clear how hard it is to leave a place like that. After a full week of sunshine, good weather, and time spent with friends, packing up and heading back to school was not easy. The drive back felt a little longer, knowing that spring break was over and that it was time to get back into a routine.

Now that I am back at school, I am glad to be back and ready to focus, but it is definitely a bittersweet feeling. Part of me wishes I was still sitting outside in the sun, relaxing without any responsibilities. At the same time, I know it is important to get back on track with schoolwork and start preparing for my summer internship. Looking ahead, I am excited for what the summer will bring and for more opportunities to be outside and back on the golf course.

Snapchat

 

Snapchat is unlike most other social media platforms. It is primarily used as a way to communicate with friends rather than as a place to post content publicly. That said, Snapchat still features influencers, professional athletes and celebrities who share content on the app.

The app was created by a group of Stanford students and has since grown rapidly. Today, it ranks among the top 10 most-used social media platforms globally, according to Chapter 7. It is widely used on a daily basis, with more than four billion snaps sent each day.

Marketing on Snapchat is highly effective. Millions of teens open the app multiple times a day, allowing brands to target a younger audience directly. The combination of relatively low-cost advertising and broad reach makes the platform appealing to many companies. According to the text, 76% of users made an online purchase in the past month. This aligns with user behavior, as teens spend a significant amount of time on their phones, often leading to online purchases rather than in-store shopping.

In recent years, Snapchat has evolved in several ways, including the introduction of Snap Games, the Spotlight feature, public profiles, and AI and augmented reality integrations through filters and lenses.

Snapchat has proven to be one of the most popular platforms among teens and young adults, and it appears likely to remain that way. In the future, Snapchat may continue to evolve beyond disappearing photos and become a more comprehensive social media hub.

From Twitter to X

As we learned in Chapter 6, X was launched in 2006 by Jack Dorsey as a platform designed to function similarly to text messaging. Fast forward to today, and X is still used as a communication tool, but it now serves more as a platform for sharing news and information, including political updates, with the public. In 2022, Elon Musk purchased the platform for $44 billion.

Musk is a strong supporter of the First Amendment and has often used the platform to share his thoughts and opinions. Former President Donald Trump also places a strong emphasis on free speech, and his activity on the platform has significantly increased the amount of political content shared on X.

Despite Elon Musk’s popularity, X has experienced a decline in overall usage. The platform was once among the top five most-used social media apps but has since dropped to around 14th on that list. At the same time, Meta introduced Threads, a direct competitor that has attracted some of X’s users.

X has also introduced premium features that allow users to access additional tools and capabilities within the app. Personally, I have used the platform less since it rebranded to X. When it was still called Twitter, I used it frequently for high school soccer recruiting because it was a great way to connect with coaches. Today, the platform feels more focused on news and current events, which has reduced my motivation to post and engage.

I still use the app occasionally to follow current events in sports, politics and the news, but it is clear that many users my age are spending more time on other social media platforms.

Midterms

 

It is that time of year again. The end of this week marks the halfway point of the spring semester. By now, classes are in full swing and everyone is in the thick of the semester. That also means this week can bring a lot of stress for students heading into spring break.

This week, I have four exams in the span of three days. That does not include various group projects and other homework assignments that also need to be completed.

The past week has been filled with visits to the library, countless hours of studying, and reviewing concepts taught in class. Exams are not exactly my strong suit, so I spend extra time going over different concepts to make sure I truly understand the material.

Time is definitely tight right now, and I have to prioritize my work to stay on top of assignments and maintain good grades. Once the week ends, I am looking forward to spring break, soaking up the sun and relaxing with friends.

What are your plans for spring break?