Jolly Good Fellow

Goodbye

So it's official, I've finished all of my classes. What a great experience at Suffolk, too.

Looking back on everything, I can't believe how fast the time went. 12 classes, one fellowship, and one internship later, I've walked into a nice consulting gig. It's safe to say that having my master's degree from Suffolk definitely made a difference in my job search. In my opinion, it helps to boost my credibility and differentiates my resume and skill set from other job applicants. That's a big deal to me.

For the past year, I have also really enjoyed getting involved at Suffolk with my fellowship in the Graduate Admission office. I've had the opportunity to work with and meet some great people, and it undoubtedly rounded out my grad school experience.

My advice to any incoming graduate student: work hard, get involved, utilize career services, and enjoy the moment that you're in. I promise that these things will lead to success regardless of your industry.

It's been fun. So thanks for reading, I hope I've been helpful (and at least a little entertaining!).

-Jolly Good Fellow

 

Social Media in 2011

The proliferation of social media in recent years has made an enormous impact in business and communication fields. To illustrate the importance of social media for today's marketers and businesspeople, one of my professors recently showed our class a really interesting video.

Check out this video that puts the "social media revolution" into perspective:

 

Almost there!

So it's midway through the semester and I only have about six weeks left in my master's program. Assignments and projects are starting to kick in full force, so it's an incredibly busy time of year. It's not easy staying ahead of these huge assignments on top of evening classes and a full-time work schedule, but I know that it will all be worth it in the end. It will be exciting applying to jobs in a few weeks--I'm ready to see what the job prospects are and how well my degree transfers in the real world.

I just know that time has gone so fast here at Suffolk that the end of the semester will be here in no time. I'll keep you updated!

Suffolk Snuggie

Yeah, that's right...I just bought a Suffolk University Snuggie for 99 cents.

I was giving a tour to a prospective graduate student and we stopped in the university bookstore when I remembered seeing special edition Suffolk University Snuggies in the past. Partially as a joke, I asked the bookstore employee if they were still selling Suffolk Snuggies. (My tour probably thought I was crazy.) I was surprised to hear that they were selling their last Snuggie for just 99 cents. Whaaatttt? 99 cents? It started out as a joke but I knew that I couldn't pass that up. I'm always surprised to see the quality (and sometimes funny) items in the bookstore at great prices.

 

Apple vs. Windows

I consider myself a pretty tech-savvy person. Recently, I've found myself comparing product features of Apple and Windows computers.

I've always heard that Apple computers are good for creative, artsy people and Windows computers are better suited for business people and number-crunchers. When it really comes down to it, though, each company offers a very similar product line. I say this as Apple seems to be taking over the world and Microsoft appears to be declining in consumer interest.

It's interesting because Microsoft has been the undesputed leader in the computer/tech world for so long (my family has always owned Windows computers). The ground breaking products that Apple has come out with recently has really pushed the brand into the tech forefront within the past few years.

With Apple's expected announcement of the iPhone 5 nearing, I can't help but join in on the Apple bandwagon (which is something that I never saw coming). I wouldn't be surprised if I were equipped with an iPhone and and iPad by this time next year. The truth is, as long as Apple continues to product game-changing products, they will continue to gobble up former Microsoft users and the market share that comes along with the territory.

You're on warning Microsoft.

IMC Program

"Which program should I apply to?" This is always a tough question for anyone getting ready to apply to Grad School.

I certainly struggled with this question when I was applying. Should I apply for an MBA or an MA in Communication? I knew that I had an interest in both programs--I loved the business focus of the MBA and the practical marketing, public relations, and advertising side of the MA in Communication program. At first, I had a dilemma on my hands...

...Then I learned about the M.A. in Communication program's Integrated Marketing Communication concentration. It was everything that I was looking for--the perfect blend of business and communication courses. This specialization combines cross-disciplinary coursework in the College of Arts & Sciences and the Sawyer Business School's MBA curriculum to demonstrate how public relations, advertising, and marketing can work together to boost corporate and organizational impact and productivity.

I love having the ability to enroll in virtually all of the classes that I wanted to take. I advise everyone that is interested in marketing and other elements of communication strongly consider the Integrated Marketing Communication program. To me, it's the ideal mixture of MBA and Communication classes.

 

Where You Should Eat

Boston is a city full of amazing restaurants. The famous North End of Boston has some of the best restaurants in the country, but these places are really only an option if you're willing to pay big bucks. As a grad student on a tight budget, I can recommend some places to eat around Suffolk that are affordable and delicious.

My go-to choice in the area is Cafe Quattro, which is renowned for its huge pizza slices and its reasonable pricing. One slice of pizza at Cafe Quattro is the size of two slices of pizza anywhere else. To top it off, it was even founded by a Suffolk University alum.

If you're in the mood for Mexican-style food, I recommend Boloco and Viva Burrito. Each offer excellent food at comparable prices. Boloco even offers its own unique milkshakes, which is a key differentiator in my book.

Finally, in the burger-and-fries category I recommend UBurger. It's a different kind of restaurant. They have some amazing burger choices and fries that are amazing and unique, yet they operate as a fast food restaurant would. UBurger is quick, good food, although its pricing is slightly higher than the aforementioned restaurants.

Back to School

I hope everybody has enjoyed their summer! It went by extremely fast for me -- I took a Summer session MBA class (which was a great class, by the way) and picked up more hours here at the Graduate Admission office.

This semester, I am taking two marketing classes and one communication class. (The MA in Integrated Marketing Communication's course load is comprised of marketing and communication classes.) The classes I'm taking are Strategic Marketing, Global Branding and Communication Strategies, and Integrated Mkt Communication (the class) -- all of which I expect to be outstanding. To top it off, I think that these topics actually work well together.

My favorite courses are the ones that simulate real-world situations and projects, and from what I've observed from each syllabus, these classes each have practical components. I'm excited to see how I can apply these courses to my internship and Fellowship. Ultimately, I hope to have a full-time job by the time I graduate, and I'm confident that the courses I've taken here will serve me well in the workplace!

End of Semester

A few thoughts...my team, the Celtics, lost to the Heat.

The Bruins are still alive and kicking.

And...Spring semester is over!

I can't believe how fast these past few months went by. I really enjoyed my classes this semester, and I think that I gained some valuable practical experience in most of my classes. It's crazy how it feels like there's never enough time in the day throughout the end of the semester with papers and tests. Yet, when the semester is actually done it feels like the semester flew by. Only four more classes for me to finish until I complete my graduate program. After that, I'll be job searching like there's no tomorrow. Hopefully, my experience at Suffolk will translate into a good job in December or January!

Suffolk Professor on Fox 25

So here is the update on everything Boston:

• Celtics are down 0-2 to Miami
• Bruins are up 2-0 against the Flyers
• I only have one more final left
• We finally got bin Laden!

I know, I know...quite the random collection of ideas. In case you've been hiding under a rock, the United States finally found and killed Osama bin Laden; this is such an important occasion for Americans who experienced the horrors of 9/11/01. Bin Laden was the mastermind behind several terror attacks, including people of his own country and religion.

Suffolk University's Dr. Bob Rosenthal, chairperson of the Communication & Journalism department, was invited to Fox 25's morning news program to discuss the significance of this occasion. Please check out the video below to see Dr. Rosenthal's analysis:

Osama bin Laden killed during U.S. raid in Pakistan: MyFoxBOSTON.com