Why I Use Twitter

I was in college when Twitter first started to gain traction, and after browsing through series of self-absorbed celebrity Tweets riddled with typos and offering nothing more than another forum for shameless self-promotion, I tuned out. I didn’t find purpose in what I deemed an “aggregator of Facebook status updates.” But a little over a year ago, I broke my Twitter boycott and created a Twitter handle.

My shift was the result of a fortuitous meeting with a Twitter employee while promoting a fundraiser I was chairing. After expressing my disdain for his product, we waged an agreement: he’d purchase two tickets to support my event, and I’d create a Twitter handle and actively engage in using it for three weeks. At first, I used Twitter in the name of charity, but I quickly found that my early perception of its purpose and potential were quite wrong.

As I began to better understand Twitter, my addiction grew. But, just as I’d incorrectly dismissed this tool, many others initially would scowl when I’d admit my use, assuming I’d fallen in with the likes of the Kardashians who mercilessly pollute Twitter with pointless commentary or trivial rants. But, in defense of my new-found preferred medium, I’ve carved out the key arguments for why I’m now an advocate.

Career Development I’m a PR pro, and a considerable part of my day is spent pitching ideas and information in the most concise, approachable and interesting way. Because of the character limits on Twitter, it serves as practice in finding better ways to say more – with less. (Thomas Jefferson would be so proud!) And despite a small number of followers (less than 175 as I write this), I can see when my Tweets are successful based on the number of responses and retweets.

Networking I found my job through a combination of Twitter and LinkedIn. Twitter is essentially an open forum for networking regardless of time zone or geographic location. When job hunting, I consulted the LinkedIn profiles of leaders at companies that interested me, located corresponding Twitter handles and started a conversation. Effectively using Twitter (and Social Media) is a great tactic for getting your foot in the door and resume on top of the stack – especially when job hunting from a distance.

Current Events Journalistic style is no coincidence. Humans have incredibly short attention spans, and coupled with busy schedules, it’s rare that anyone has time to fully read an entire newspaper let alone article. Twitter takes the pyramid style one step further and provides a stream of “headlines+” that I select based on my interests. I can customize the news streams I receive and am able to quickly scan through the Tweets and pick up on growing trends and breaking stories. And, if I want more, I’m always able to follow the provided link to get more details.

Dreams While it’s not something I’ve personally had experience with (and it’s unlikely I’ll achieve this until I can successful augment my Klout score), but for PR pro Peter Shankman, sometimes wishes are granted a la Twitter.

Dear Old State

Sunday night was an uncommonly cool night in San Francisco. I cuddled up in sweats and warm socks, curling my body into the sheets. Before nodding off, I caught the final moments of the evening news. Despite my exhaustion, I was suddenly awakened as local reports flashed the words “scandal” and “Penn State” across the screen – words I’d never pair together. Newscasters tossed in Joe Paterno’s name, plaguing him with blame for the ensuing sexual abuse of young boys. The allegations sent me reeling, and reviewing further negative and incriminating coverage the next morning elicited a dizzying effect.

Never have I hesitated to proudly wear my alma mater’s logos or name; never have I hesitated to chant “WE ARE” or the succeeding “PENN STATE” with fervor and pride; I know every word to our Alma Mater; I get chills when I look onto Beaver Stadium (now from a distance and via TV) and I emphatically defend Paterno’s prevailing value as head coach of the Nittany Lions.

Ironically, as reports of Ohio State’s tattoo scandal broke in the summer, I sat assured – and even delightedly relayed to friends – that Penn State would never be caught up such controversy, so long as Paterno was at the helm. While I’m one of millions of Penn State alumni, one of millions that worships Paterno’s legacy and impact to not only Penn State, but also college football, and I’ve never personally met him, he felt familiar. Growing up in a household where cousins, siblings and friends rallied together as fans and students, Paterno felt like family. I knew him only as an icon, but like many, I felt a bond with him.

For the major fans, college football is a bit like a religion. And although it’s controversial to state, Paterno was, in my eyes, God of college football. It seems dramatic to shed tears over the fall of a college football empire, but when you are raised praising his work, his morals and admiring his leadership, studying in his library, planning to name future dogs in his name - this news is a devastating and mind-altering blow. I guess this news is a bit like the first time a young child sees his parents hiding all the Christmas presents…

I’m not sure what to believe. In truth, I’m hoping somehow Paterno is cleared and it’s proven that he truly did do all that he could to prevent further altercations and was otherwise naive so that my instilled adoration for him isn’t all for naught. However, at this point, it looks like for the first time in 45 years, the Nittany Lions may take the field sans Joe Paterno.

Here’s some more perspective on the devastation of this news from Grantland.com.

{{PENN STATE ALMA MATER}}

For the Glory of Old State

For her founders strong and great.

For the future that we wait,

Raise the song, raise the song.

Sing our love and loyalty,

Sing our hopes that bright and free

Rest, O Mother, dear with thee

All with thee, all with thee.

When we stood at childhood’s gate,

Shapeless in the hands of fate,

Thou didst mold us dear old State

Dear Old State, dear old State.

May no act of ours bring shame

To one heart that loves thy name,

May our lives but swell thy fame,

Dear old State, dear old State.

New Directions

After an unlikely beginning to my blog, I finally settled on writing about what permeated my thoughts most: life. Though "life" is certainly a broad topic, I channeled my angst and fears of as an early 20's gal - ambitious, confident yet anxious to realize my dreams - into a series of blogs where I reflected and shared my views on life in a new city and endeavoring to reach my goals.

As seasons changed, so did my life. 18 months have elapsed since I kicked off No Left Turn. In the ensuring months, I finally broke into public relations - an industry that marries together my love of research, writing, business, creativity and design (it's a bit polygamous) - I read a lot of books, drank a lot of wine and fell in love (obviously the most crucial game-changer). In any case, despite my meticulous planning for both my personal and professional life, life has taken me down an unpredictable, ever-vacillating path. (Case and point: I'm moving back to San Francisco after just six months in America's Finest City.)

And though the subject of my blog is "life," life itself has kept me captive, and filled in the time I used to find to let my fingers dance over the laptop keys and blog. (It's pretty apparent that I have not been as diligent as I was through 2010.)

Beyond a more hectic schedule and a job that finally allows me to delve into my passion for writing and creativity, I've also felt the urge to branch out and alter my blogging repertoire. In fact, I'm currently in the midst of plotting a collaborative, bi-coastal blog with a pal, Leslie. (Precise theme and focus... TBD.) Like me, Leslie is a fellow PR pro and Penn State alumna who tempers her nomadic spirit through her own blog. Our project will take some time to get off the ground, plan and execute... but the drive and passion is certainly there.

For now, No Left Turn remains in limbo. It's not a question of whether or not to write, but rather in what direction, and if I continue with this blog or start fresh and begin a new chapter elsewhere.