While I’ve never been to the SXSW interactive conference I associate it with a giant think tank. A place where innovators, entrepranuers, academics, trend setters, trend spotters, and problems solvers come to discuss, learn, connect, and try to gain insight into the coming year for the tech industry.
What I hope to accomplish from SXSW is to be inspired and to inspire. To learn as much as possible about the unique way today’s technology is being used and how tomorrow’s ideas will shape the next year. And of course, one of my biggest goals is to connect. Connect with ideas, connect with creativity and of course connect with the people that come to this event to showcase their projects, ideas, and talents. In practically no other environment do so many, and more importantly such a wide variety of professionals come together. From a startup less then six months old to the directors of major advertising firms. The possibilities of connections are really endless.
How are my career goals incorporated into attendance to SXSW? One of my biggest goals is to eventually start my own Public Relations/Advertising firms. Just like any industry you have to looking forward to stay current and creative. And right now that means having a deep understanding of digital media and knowing how to create content and projects that people can connect with. First I’d want to work with the best in the industry. Learn how the field is evolving, and learn from the best that can look around and ask unasked questions, work with those that are creating fascinating new ways to start conversations, and create deeper connections with their customers. SXSW will be a great place for me to meet the leaders in this field. Last year major advertising agencies sent more employees and were more represented at the festival then ever before. Also, being at an event like this would be an amazing way to meet the up and comers in the industry.
During my time as a student I’ve held two internships that have been startups and are companies that are leaders in their fields. The first was with The Texas Tribune, a digital paper run completely on donor contributions. The idea was genius. They were able to look around at the conversation on how to save journalism and say this is what’s next. They created an alternative creative solution to answer a question everyone was asking but no one had figured out yet. Not only that, but what they were doing was like nothing I had ever seen in journalism before. My time spent there was working on an outreach program to bring the Tribune to more people. It was an idea I wanted to share with everyone.
My second, and current internship is as a Social Media Manager with a company called Get Smart Content. They are the leader in the field of web optimization companies. They provide A/B testing on websites and allow content to be optimized according, how, where, when, what device, and how many times a visitor has visited a site. Being in charge of all their social media I update all the social media accounts, help edit and create content for blog posts, and research various avenues to get information to possible clients.
I know that having the opportunity to attend SXSW would be hugely beneficial. Being able to fully immerse myself in a sea of ideas and professionals would be simply amazing. And after viewing the testimonials page and seeing the success that student’s have had because of this project I know this would help me move in the right direction for my career. Given the chance to attend SXSW I would make every opportunity count and take full advantage of every second spent at the conference.
Additional Info:
New Media Concentration: Yes
Been to SXSW Before: No
Been in Program Since: 2012
Relevant TXST Courses: n/a
Other Courses: n/a
Website: n/a
Blog: n/a
Twitter: @jacobehrn
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/jacob-ehrnstein/46/15/4b2
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jacob.ehrnstein
Other: n/a