Social Media Bootcamp is a one-day workshop that brings together local organizations and Queens students to learn how to strategically use social media tools for a marketing purpose. At this year's first ever social media bootcamp, the Knight School brought together eight non-profit representatives and 10 Queens students to learn the foundations of social media tools and then partner together to put the knowledge gained into a practical use. All the students were nominated by a faculty member and the non-profits were invited by the Office of Internship and Career Center.

The purpose of the bootcamp was not to provide how-to use social media tools but rather how-to use social media in a strategic way and why it is important to use it wisely. The event was divided into three sessions. The first session was led by Queens' Marketing and Video Communication Manager, Reena Arora, who asked the question, "Why Social Media?" Arora went onto explain the reasons why to use social media for your business and how it can help. The second session led by Southeast Anesthesiology Consultants'  Marketing Director, Kristen Bostedo-Conway, focused her session on the importance of crafting a message for the target audience. The final session was led by Creative Director for Queens University of Charlotte, David Owens-Hill, who taught the importance of social media analytics.

Following the sessions, the afternoon focused on a case competition. This is where each student and a nonprofit teamed up to work on a real-world problem that the nonprofit was facing. The teams worked together on solving a nonprofit issue using social media tools. The student had to present to the group and the winner won a $1,000 stipend for an unpaid internship with a non-profit of his or her choice.

The overall goal of the event was to build upon the participants' knowledge of social media and perhaps gain an internship as well.

Information regarding future Social Media Bootcamps will be listed here. If you are interested in participating in a Social Media Bootcamp, please contact Jennifer Hull at hullj@queens.edu.

Additional Information:

• Read more about Social Media Bootcamp.
• Social Media Bootcamp Resources