Interested in working at Princeton?

Princeton has a pretty unique job opening if anyone is interested

Social Media Coordinator, Office of Communications

Responsibilities

The Office of Communications seeks a talented and versatile professional to edit, create, organize and update content for the University’s core website, social media sites and for other priority Web projects. The Social Media Coordinator will focus on written content, primarily from a journalistic perspective, and must be able to convey intended messages accurately and succinctly both through editorial and visual mechanisms. The successful candidate will have expertise in research and strategy implementation and will possess skills and interests in Web technology, including social media strategy, information architecture, design and other content. The coordinator must understand the role of the Web team as a support team for Communications and University priorities. He or she must be an organized communicator who can set priorities, multitask, problem solve, project track, meet deadlines, collaborate and contribute to overall team objectives. Prior experience working with news and media issues in a public relations capacity is required.

This position reports to the Director of Web Communications and the coordinator must exhibit a strong desire to serve the specific needs of a fast-paced communications office within a higher-education setting. He or she will have experience understanding the needs of and working comfortably with communications experts. He or she must have experience working comfortably with technology experts and must be able to contribute to a successful Web partnership between Communications and the Office of Information Technology.

Requirements

Requirements are: a minimum of 7 years experience in a high-pressure, professional Web and/or Communications environment in a capacity that assists and supports senior team members; a minimum of 7 years of editing and writing experience, preferably in a professional capacity, and a minimum of 3 years of Web experience in a coordination role; familiarity with Web technology, and ability to work in both Macintosh and PC environments; demonstrated ability to work well, both independently and on teams; and excellent organizational skills, must be able to multitask, must be able to work with creative teams and must be able to work well with diverse colleagues and audiences.

Candidates also should be able to demonstrate: understanding of how Web strategy, particularly social media, can improve communications efforts; good trouble-shooting capability; the ability to react well to crisis; and good organization skills, including the ability to prioritize and set standards.

Education

A master’s degree or higher or equivalent professional experience is required.

https://jobs.princeton.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1251308301827 – search open positions for application online…

Beloit mindset list for 2013

Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List. The list gives us an interesting look at the class of 2013 from a cultural perspective. Well worth the read.

http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2013.php

Is mobile the next trend?

Recently I have noticed an “uptick” in the chatter of the  higher ed community about mobile sites and mobile apps for institutions. One year from now I wonder if the dominant conversation in higher ed turns from “social media” to “mobile”? With the speed at which some of our institutions move maybe that will be in two years.

With the current economic climate at most institutions there will be a focus on enrollment and admissions. According to most of the research that I have seen one of the largest “drivers” for a student to apply is the visit to campus. With Apple cutting the entry point for iPhone users to $99 more and more of our visitors will be carrying these devices in the next year. Wouldn’t higher ed be well served to meet the needs of prospective families visiting with mobile sites and apps aimed at these visitors?

There are over 25,00 apps in the Apple app store but my best count only 5 are from higher ed. What will that number be one year from now? 25 …50…100?

Athletic websites how do you take advantage?

One of the trends in higher education web management is to outsource your athletic website to a Content Management System that is built to specifically to handle your athletic department. Athletic sites are very individualized and sometimes it is tough to meet the demands of your sports information office well. When you host these sites off campus you don’t have to worry about tailoring your content management system to meet your athletic department’s needs.

The positive impacts  far outweigh the negative ones on your website and broader marketing efforts. They include:

• increased efficiencies for an already overworked sports information staff
• less to maintain for the marketing/web staff
• the opportunity to use technology built specifically for athletics

There are two key negative impacts; the first being the increased cost and the second the loss of the ability to share content across the same technical platform. However there are ways to take advantage of the robust content engine that your athletic department provides with the use of RSS technology.

As a higher ed web manager if you can afford to I would outsource your athletics website. For a small cost you can take advantage of lots of tools and capabilities that these athletic specific CMS vendors have to offer

Guest Post on higher ed marketing blog

Andrew Careaga is the director of communications for Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T, formerly the University of Missouri-Rolla). On Monday I was fortunate enough to be selected to guest post on his blog higher ed marketing. Feel free to read about five principles for social media strategy.