Another Change to the Future of Journalism?

Marketplace reports that hyper-local news websites where volunteers post updated news and events with their community are among the growing online trends. So while qualified and paid journalists are losing their jobs, citizens report the local news. Is this the future of journalism?

Click here to see the full story.

The Keys to Networking

Networking is a very important factor to finding a job. The U.S. Department of Labor said that about five percent of job seekers find jobs through the open market. The open market consists of internet, print and help wanted ads.

24 percent of job seekers land jobs by cold-calling companies directly, and 23 percent find jobs through employment agencies, college career offices and executive-search firms.

However, 48 percent obtain jobs through referrals. These people get referrals by networking. Paired with an excellent resume, networking is one of the most important skills to be successful in their job search.

Click here for 8 Keys to Better Networking

Professional Social Networking Sites: Beyond Facebook

In high school we used MySpace, in college we were glued to Facebook and Twitter, but where do you go for social networking after your studies?

Did you know there are social networking websites that cater to professional and business groups and individuals? These sites provide the ability to list online resumes, connect with professors and employers, and even search for jobs in your area.

LinkedIn is a new professional networking sites that a lot of companies use to recruit new employees. Also, it's a good place to network with other alumni from your college. The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication Alumni networking site is located here.

VisualCV is another great social networking site for those looking to display their online resume. However, VisualCV takes communicating to the next level. With this program, your recent achievements go beyond words. You can utilize multi-media to present recent projects you have created. This means any type of PowerPoint, SoundSlides, Podcast, video, photographs, artwork, large files of writing, and other various accomplishments. It makes the whole job searching process a little more entertaining for both the employer and the job seeker.

Now, after you've gotten the whole job security on lockdown (even though that may seem like an unknown concept in this recession) there are many social networking sites for business to connect to each other. Once you've acquired a group of contacts in your city by networking on MEETin.org, organize an event so that you can meet face-to-face

Another great social networking sites mainly for businesses is Focus. Focus is a business destination where business professionals can help each other with their purchase and other business decisions by accessing research and peer expertise. Most importantly, Focus provides open, quality information for all businesses that is freely available, easily accessible, and community powered.

*Also, if you're looking for a nanny/babysitting job to make it through the summer and aren't prepared for an internship. Care.com is a great place to social network between those needing a care provider and those looking for work.

For other various social networking sites go here.

Health Care Reform Covers College Grads

President Obama's Health Care Reform is in full swing this year, with many of its benefits reaching college and recent graduate populations. Obama explains the major changes in this three-minute video.


Video courtesy of YouTube user whitehouse

NPR Fires Employee of 10 Years Over Controversial Statement

National Public Radio (NPR) fired Juan Williams on Wednesday following some controversial comments Williams made about Muslims on The O'Reilly Factor on Monday night.

Williams appeared on The O'Reilly Factor to weight-in on a debate about the fears some Americans may have towards average Muslims following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

"I mean, look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country," Williams said. "But when I get on a plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they're identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."

Williams went on to say that despite this initial reaction, it is vital that Americans recognize that the attacks of 9/11 were committed by extremists.

Click here to watch the debate.

NPR CEO Vivian Schiller issued a formal statement on Wednesday acknowledging the termination of William's contract.

"Juan has been a valuable contributor to NPR and public radio for many years and we did not make this decision lightly or without regret. However, his remarks on 'The O'Reilly Factor' this past Monday were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR," she said.

Schiller spoke at an Atlanta Press Club meeting today, telling the audience that Williams should have kept his feelings about Muslims between himself and "his psychiatrist or his publicist."

Dozens of news outlets are weighing-in over NPR's decision to fire Williams, including the Washington Post, ABC News, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee issued a statement calling for federal funding cuts for NPR.

"While I have often enjoyed appearing on NPR programs and have been treated fairly and objectively, I will no longer accept interview requests from NPR as long as they are going to practice a form of censorship, and since NPR is funded with public funds, it IS a form of censorship. It is time for the taxpayers to start making cuts to federal spending, and I encourage the new Congress to start with NPR," Huckabee said.

For more coverage on this developing story, click here.

Northwest Public Radio SoundSlide

By Amanda Craven and Erica Magat

Cable 8 Prepares Students for the Real World

Adam Wallberg, president of Cable 8, and Marvin Marcello, Cable 8 adviser, describe new studio upgrades and how they give students experience in a professional environment.