The Student Experience. We found that if we wait for students to be
integrated into the "tough love" structure of OBT, they will be less
receptive to handing over their MySpace pages than they will be if we
get their MySpace page information right out of the starting gate.
OBT's Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator, Deborah Roman, presents
OBT's MySpace page at every student orientation.  She notes that within
24 hours, about 1/3 of the students present at the orientation will have
requested to be friends with OBT totally unprovoked.  On the first day
of classes we collect student emails, Instant Messenger information, and
MySpace page information.  By institutionalizing MySpace is part of
OBT's culture and getting their page information right out of the
starting gate, we have successfully brought an end to any hesitancy on
the part of our students.  As a result, OBT's MySpace page has given
students a forum to express their feelings towards OBT, and
consequently, has strengthened their connection with OBT.  

 

The student experience can best be described by the students themselves.
I encourage you all to check out the comments section of OBT's MySpace
page if you haven't already: http://profile.myspace.com/obtjobs

 

               

 

Outcomes.  In addition to meeting our program goals (listed on day one)
we have already noted several outcomes with our MySpace page. Because
this project is still in its infancy, these outcomes are not yet where
we anticipate they will be in a year, but they can give you a sense of
what is possible:

*	More than 1600 page views;
*	84 friends;
*	27 pictures posted;
*	11 comments;
*	5 blog entries; and
*	The number of people who are finding our program through MySpace
is on the rise (specific details about how many found us through MySpace
or how many people who heard about us and then vetted us by looking at
our MySpace page is unclear).

 

The final part will be on lessons learned. I hope that everyone will
continue to share their experiences and knowledge of other social
networking sites beyond MySpace and LinkedIn today.  A lot of great
information was shared yesterday and I would love to learn more about
what other folks are doing around the country.

 

 

 

___________________________________

Emily May

Special Projects Coordinator

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow

783 4th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11232

718-369-0303

emay at obtjobs.org <mailto:emay at obtjobs.org> 

 

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