eBizz by Chris Salazar

I started this blog back in September 2005 with my first post about “Why Google Loves Weblogs.”  I had no idea social media would take off like it has and I’d still be blogging to this day in 2012.

Why did I start blogging?  As a marketing intern at Hitachi Data Systems, I found a mentor, Jeremiah Owyang, who at the time was a Web Manager and just starting to figure out Social Media.  I caught the bug and started to blog and continue the conversation from Jeremiah’s blog and his key contacts.  As Jeremiah’s intern, we launched Hitachi Data System’s social media program (blogs, forums, wikis).  Really…this was a life changing experience because I was an early adopter to new tools that would soon take over how the world communicates.  As a reward for working hard, Jeremiah congratulated me with a full time offer at Hitachi Data Systems!

Now, in 2012 I find myself still at Hitachi Data Systems and with my own intern.  In 7 years I went from being an intern to having my own intern and the chance to help shape someone else’s professional career.  I’ve come full circle and am proud of what I’ve accomplished in this short time at Hitachi Data Systems.

I’ve now reached a different point in my career where I am tasked with helping a fellow Santa Clara University Bronco succeed in Corporate America.  It’s going to be a fun few months!

By the way, as an intern, I wrote several resource blogs that helped me succeed…check them out here:  internship resources

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broncos, chris salazar, hitachi data systems, intern, internship, jeremiah owyang, santa clara university

Yep, it’s intern season again and my current company is hiring like crazy! HDS likes interns and is a big supporter of INROADS – which by the way is the organization that helped me get my job! I recommend it to everyone…even if you are in high school, you may still qualify.

Anyways, this time around, I feel different, because now I’m full time. No longer an intern, but I still feel a connection with them. In a way, I’m still learning and trying to adapt.

Yesterday, I gave a presentation about how to make the best out of their internship or “How To Become A Successful Intern” …

I hope I helped them out and gave them some good advice. I’m just trying to pass down my knowledge.

PS: I like giving presentations…I look forward to other opportunities in the near future. If something comes up, let me know.

I was talking to a good friend of mine (actually he called me to see how I was doing), and mentioned that perhaps I should write a Top 5 or Top 10. Well, its a good idea. This post is just a reflection of why I’m glad I went to college…by the way, it still hasn’t kicked in yet that I’ve graduated. Here’s to my first fun post… =)

Top 5 Reasons Why I’m Glad I Went To College

1. No more homework: Aha! Sigh of relief! Several years and years of homework is no fun! Yet, as much as I hate to say it, the grunt homework, errr I mean homework, helped me learn and prepare for tests. I’d say that it is now equivalent to blogging, except for blogging is fun. Blogging helps me learn about business and in some ways helps me prepare for what I face in the corporate world. Especially, blogging as an intern, I got first hand experience with business professionals, which made me one step ahead of some of my colleagues.

2. I learned how to learn! Because of school, I learned how to study, learned how to analyze problems, learned how to manage projects, and most of all I learned how NOT to give up. Everything in the beginning seems difficult because there are so many uncertainties and potential detractors. Yet, planning ahead and learning how to overcome these problems is what’s important in order to succeed. This knowledge and experience has and will continue to help me as I grow in my career and face everyday work dilemmas.

3. I met some great people…*blushing* Yes, there’s also that other aspect of going to school called the “College Life.” Although I wasn’t much of a partier (instead I spent my time soaking up knowledge from Jeremiah and blogging), I still made time to meet new people at Santa Clara University. No, I didn’t join a frat, but instead I made a few good friends that I will probably keep in touch with for a while, including my girlfriend (FYI that’s why I’m blushing).

4. No school = No Blogging = No Job = No $$$ Of course, if it weren’t for going to school, I probably would not have the job that I have now. Further than that, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into INROADS and I probably would not be blogging right now. I was referred to INROADS by a friend, I joined, and started working at Hitachi Data Systems. However, if it wasn’t for school, I would not have heard about INROADS and I would not have been able to get my job here at Hitachi. Now working full time, I have the opportunity to make some money, but I’ll probably be paying loans for the next 10 years of my life.

5. Without school, I wouldn’t have the same opportunity to reach for the sky! College has provided me with the pathway to reach for the sky. Of course, I would still be able to without college, but its just made it easier now. I am now equipped with the knowledge, added with my will to learn, plus the need challenge myself…I’m reaching for the sky and never stopping. I want to learn anything and everything…I want to constantly improve who I am as a person, scholar, and businessman! For me the sky is not the limit…its the UNIVERSE!

So how’s that as my Top 5 for going to College?

What do you have to add (if you can remember going to college, haha, im just kidding)?

I’m curious to see what you have to say…

Yep, the time is near…I graduated and now I am on the verge of starting my career. These past few weeks I have been jobless and homework-less, but now its time to start REALITY.

Graduating from SCU after 3 long years and 1 quarter, I felt relieved, and ready to move on. Yet, now I find myself feeling timid and scared about starting to work full time. Of course, I have been at Hitachi for a while now, but its different now. Expectations are higher…the bars are set higher now. Its time for me to work for my money.

As you may suspect, I will have more time for blogging and more ideas. No more homework, no more tests…(at least for now until Grad School).

Wish me luck!

My good friend Julio sent me a link to the Top 10 Intern Goofs.  The stuff in the article is pretty funny, yet come to think of it I know a few people like that! 

As we all know, an internship is VERY important.  It is not just a summer job, but it can shape one's career in just a few short months–look what it has done for me.  My career path has definately been carved and now its up to my determination for success. 

Although, the article has some good "goofs"

I would like to offer my own "No, Nos"

1. MySpace – It is difficult to resist, I know!  But, at try to wait until EARLY in the morning or during off hours!  Keep in mind, if someone sees you on MySpace…big "uh oh!"
2. Personal phone calls – Your boss does not want to hear about the cool party last night, or how much you think him/her is cute!  Go outside, or wait until lunch. 
3. Instant Message – I am 50/50 on this one. I use yahoo/google to talk with other co-workers, but AIM…I am scared.  Try http://www.meebo.com/  it combines all 3 plus MSN.
4. Surfing the net - It is so easy to get distracted and look at the latest gossip, but this is definately a sign of laziness and manager's dont like that. You are wasting their dollars
5. Too much of a social butterfly - Networking is good, but talking to someone every other minute is NOT!  Again, your intern is for you to work, not socialize.
6. Drinking too much – Yes, sometimes you may go to dinner with co-workers, you will have a drink, but do not get drunk!  They are testing you, even if they say its okay, dont listen.  Have your drink and use the "I have to drive home" excuse
7. Dressing to casual – It does not matter if everyone else is wearing ripped up jeans, still dress to impress.  Here's my rule:  Dress 15% better than anyone else.  So what if you get teased, at least they recognize you!  No shorts, no short skirts, no sleevless shirts, no sandals, etc
8. Think before you speak – I have done this way too many times.  I get excited or forget who I am talking to and actually say what I am thinking.  NOT GOOD!  Think before you speak because it will save you embarassment.
9. Getting too personal with anyone at work – Sometimes it is inevitable, but try to refrain from dating a co-worker.  This will make things complicated…what happens if you have a fight?
10. Do not talk salary or wages – Yes, this was my first rookie mistake:  "How much do you make an hour"…don't ask anyone how much they make.  That is confidential information…again dont get too personal. Keep it business!

These really apply to anyone who works in corporate.  Although everyone knows not to do it, we still do!  So keep these in mind at work, print them out and tape them to your board. 

Now you are wondering how to I become a successful intern or employee?  Here's how!

So did I miss any "goofs"  feel free to talk back.  What have you seen in the office that is an absolute NO NO?

Wikipedia, probably one of the first successful wikis to hit the internet, is cutting down on community involvement! Wikipedia now focuses "revises its anyone can edit" policy and laying down some ground rules.

Is this a bad thing? Well, it does limit our involvement with wikipedia and it no longer is the same wiki it started off as. It was very successful, despite reports that some information is biased or not factual, and it will continue to spread throughout the internet.

Who is the biggest participant (i.e editors)? Experts!

Who is (IMO) the biggest user? COLLEGE STUDENTS

I am not sure about schools outside of the Bay Area, but wikipedia is highly used by colleges and universities (especially Santa Clara University). AND, these new rules and guidelines will limit the expert's subjective opinion, and instead become more objective, which will benefit them in the long run!

Wikipedia needs to establish its credibility in academia, once this is achieved, there is no stopping it. I use wikipedia first when starting a research paper, then I might Google the subject matter. But, honestly, I do not really like googling subjects, TOO MUCH INFO!

Advantages of these new guidelines and revised policy:

• Wikipedia will "earn" credibility first with academia
  • Once academia embraces wikipedia, it will be used by everyone (like Google)
• Experts who edit wikipedia will be focused on providing usable and factual info
• College students with have a one-stop resource center
  • Perhaps competition for Google
    • I type in wikipedia FIRST, before going to Google
  • Or perhaps an alliance between Google and Wikipedia
• Wikipedia will continue to pave the way for this new form of communication
  • Its only a matter of time

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Read more about what others are saying about wikipedia:

• Social Freeloaders: Is there a collective wisdom and can the web obtain it?
• The Media, Bloggers, and Wikipedia
• The Five W's of Wikipedia
• Who Decides, Who Decides the Wikipedia Problem
• NY Times Reports Wikipedia

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I invite your opinion on the road for wikipedia…

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is there life ahead for wikipedia?

Interns are facing some problems for blogging and even attracting some negative press.  But this does not mean that interns should not blog!  Blogging fosters several important characteristics that make a successful intern, scholar, professional, and person.  

Yet, like everything else, there is a wrong way and a right way to intern blogging.  Fortunately, I have not had to learn the hard way, but from the "bad" example of others.  

The Do's and Dont's of Intern Blogging

DONT's

• NEVER talk about confidential information from your work
• Refrain from office gossip
• Keep co-worker names out of the blogging conversation
• Be careful about disclosing where you work, your department and/or who you work with
• Have a public disclosure on your blog, something like this: "Please Note: All thoughts and ideas presented in this blog share no connection with my employer"

DO's

• Talk about important lessons you learned:  "How To Make the Best Out of a Business Trip"
• Network with other people in the blogosphere
• Use your blog to express your interests and critically analyze what is going on
• Seek others like you to use as a resource: "Reaching Out New Interns Wanted"
• Recap your internship with important lessons you learned and others can use:  "How To Become A Successful Intern"

These are some important lessons that I have learned throughout my blogging experience.

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER, please comment!   

Out of curiosity I browsed through the job search in Craigslist and found an interesting post as a marketing intern for a silicon valley company.  As I looked further, this intern will have face to face communication with the VP of marketing and assist in a variety of projects.  WOW, what an ideal position for a marketing major currently in college.

Now, let's move to the "Nice to have."  One of the characteristics is BLOG WRITING!  Of course my eyes sparkled as I read this.  Lately, I have been reaching out to intern bloggers around the globe, but to see this "skill" embraced by a company makes me excited. 

Jeremiah talks a lot about the MySpace generation moving to the workforce and it looks like some companies are already on the hunt!

This is something to keep an eye out for and for all you interns out there…keep up your blog as it may become a big part of the interview process!

As an intern who has started working in Corporate America, I understand how difficult it can be to manage work, school, and life. The transition is not easy, which is why I am reaching out to ALL interns and NEW hires to form a network.

As of late, intern bloggers have raised the question on whether or not they should be allowed to blog. I believe there is no question, every intern should be allowed and ENCOURAGED to blog!

However, there are certain things an intern SHOULD not do…which is why I think a network can help! Furthermore, interns need guidance from others who are experiencing the same things, which is when the network would step in.

If you know of anyone, or if you are an intern please respond!

Here is a list that I have compiled of other interns

(it is short, but it will grow):

• Matt Sokoloff – New York Intern
• Leslie – Kansas Intern
• George Woods – Virginia Intern
• …

Please let me know if you find any other interns. Also, you may want to visit the blogs above, they have interesting posts!

The New York Times posted an interesting article about the rise in interns and their innocence about workplace rules and corporate culture.  The NYT adds, interns are facing the problem of moving from a "like-minded" generation to the diversity of corporate america.  Interns mistankingly talk about their company, which has made several corporations impose several restrictions.  (this is not a bad idea)

The moral of the story: interns use blogs as a way to transition from "MySpace" to the corporate world, so there is no need to be alarmed. Instead provide awareness about the "Do's and Dont's" of blogging.  (Perhaps that will my next post!)

I make this statement with caution, but I will hold to it 100%:

I WILL NOT WORK AT A COMPANY THAT SAYS I CAN'T BLOG

(note: I never have nor will I ever talk about my employer and/or talk about confidential information)

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HERE's WHY:

I believe blogging has helped me grow as an individual, scholar, and business professional.  Here's a glimpse of what I have learned throughout my internship and how blogging has played an important role:

• I have learned how to become a successful intern
• I am learning the strategies of becoming a successful blogger
• I learned how to make the best out of a business trip
• I have learned how to keep a well-balanced blog
• And, I have learned the 10 steps of becoming a successful entrepreneur

Blogging has enabled me to keep a "safe" of everything I have learned while sharing it with the public.  New generations of interns will have the same questions I have, and my hope is to provide them with resources to excel in the workforce. 

This is my tool to help others.  Why block us from it?