Students attending HBCUs should be engaged in educational and leadership building opportunities. Students; freshmen to seniors marketing themselves and having a strong personal brand helps to set the foundation of building a career before graduation.
In my Educational Technology, Social Media and STEM class students present how they brand themselves and what tools to Market their Brands. The provides key insights in the process of networking, volunteering, digital content and building knowledge to apply in real life.
Swag is being academically and socially competent in a highly competitive environment that is global and diverse. Diversity is not just color or culture, it is a lifestyle, political and religious beliefs. The fabric of a person that embraces their uniqueness and respects those qualities in others.
The brand an HBCU student chooses will set the stage in how people view them, establish a relationship that is both virtual and realistic. Your Brand is the promise you make to the world that you can be trusted and of ethics.
HBCU students are making career decisions not thought of just 5 to 10 years ago so information is needed and even mentorship. Decisions are driven by values, morals and the opportunity of growth potential and independence. These decisions influence financial
stability, professional growth, and security that influences social and economic well-being. There are many things to consider as a developing adult.
Marketing has been shared by the five ways below:
1. Connecting with people of similar abilities and interests using Social Media and attending networking opportunities that may require you to think out of the box or not to see a box.
2. Avoiding people with personal dramas, negativity and rebellion for educational success, and social/professional conformity and even the norms of setting boundaries that transgress morals and values.
Malcolm X stated if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.
3. Seek mentors for guidance and sharing common sense. Mentors should not be the same age as you because they do not have “life experiences” as those that are 15 to 25 years your senior.
4. Volunteering in service to the community to create a positive personal Brand and “paying it forward” to help lift those who are still struggling and finding their way. Mentoring builds personal accountability and respect for the power of personal connections.
5. Participating in activities that build strength, vision, social skills, leadership abilities and cultural exposure. HBCU students need to know where they came from so they know their potential for greatness and have a direction for where they are going.
Strategically placing yourself to increase visibility to others who have similar interests and goals is not egotistical, it is a realization that competition is fierce and having confidence and Swag are needed to show your abilities to a global economy and why you should be considered for employment. First impressions are always important and forever influential.
HBCU students cannot afford to be rebellious to guidance and wisdom, many are quick to be outspoken without all the facts and refuse to apply themselves and challenge themselves.
Even those that have made mistakes and been incarcerated deserve a second chance. Malcolm X has stated: “To have once been a criminal is no disgrace. To remain a criminal
is the disgrace.”
HBCU student’s reputation is important so preserving it and keeping it “clean” is important. HBCU students walk in the light of gaining knowledge and applying knowledge to gain
power and influence.
Maya Angelou has an appropriate quote that can be shared with HBCU students, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people
will never forget how you made them feel.”
In this world of constant change, competitiveness and diversity HBCU students must leverage and utilize their greatest asset themselves!
Malcolm X stated simply, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
