Love Changes Lives

My future in PR- Becoming a little more clear

tiawharton — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:33:06 +0000

Why did I choose PR? I am not sure yet. I know what I would like to say, but not sure it is a valid reason.
What do I wanna do when I grow up? Honestly, I don’t know!

I decided before my transfer here this fall I was a communications major. My emphasis was in Radio Broadcasting. Two reasons, I enjoyed being on the radio and producing things and announcing sports. It was fun, but didn’t see it as LIFE.

Why did I continue? That I don’t really know either. I took a lot of classes and learned lots of things about it. I might as well do it. I was 3 years in at this point, why quit now? I realized the sixth semester of school I was not happy with the direction I was going, but I couldn’t quit. So, I put my head down and kept going. At this point, I was completely frustrated and changed my major completely. I wanted to be done with school and not mess with media ever again. I was at the point I hated it.

May 31 I decided after praying for a few months, I was moving. I got the answer I needed. I transferred to OSU. August 1st I was still in Broadcast Journalism, and still didn’t know why. I had a few ideas of my future career goal and why I wanted to do it. I wanted to work for ION Records, but not for the sole purpose of producing music or anything. I wanted to work for World Vision or Compassion International. I really felt that my broadcasting degree would get me there. But, I hated Broadcast. I wanted nothing to do with it.

After my classes were evaluated, I realized very few of my classes even transferred here. So, this opened my horizons a bit, but I figured well if I stick with Broadcast my classes should be fairly easy… right? Wrong! I realized from day one in Media Style class… I was in a hole. I wasn’t sure what way was up. I was completely overwhelmed. Not only were classes at least 5 times the size of my other school. I didn’t know the very basic things I should have learned from day one. With that being said, I started to question what in the world I was even doing. I have to relearn everything I thought I already knew. It was terrible. I hated it. I started looking into other options, but my desire to work for World Vision never went away. I know I had to get there. Just wanted any possible way there, as soon as possible.

One kid I worked with shared with me the Public Relations option in the same college and school and I wouldn’t have to change my degree. I would just get to take different classes. So, I started to look into the option. I, then realized I didn’t pay as much attention in the Public Relations class I took at my other school. We talked about various non-profit organizations, but never as in depth as here at OSU. It clicked. Tia, you want to work World Vision. This is what you want. So, finally after 8 semesters of school I am finally in the right degree for me.

After a guest speaker we had for Social Media class, who works at the Oklahoma Food Bank. I know I was right where I needed to be and finally felt I was where I belonged. It was new, fresh, and everything I was looking for.

My future, I would still like to work for World Vision, but someone suggested maybe even starting my own non-profit organization. I have lots of ideas. The way I may want to see them executed may not be the best way or even feasible for an organzation I decide to jump into. So, maybe my own would be my best option, but I am willing to learn from the very best and the only way I can do that is to network with the very people that first brought that passion and desire to my heart and mind.

As for my future in Public Relations, only the Lord knows. He knows I love people and I want to serve. Whatever that looks like, I’m ok with.

Posted in Christian, Clean water, Friends, JB 4520, Music, Non Profit, OSU, OSU Sports, Public Relations, Social Media, Sports, Twitter, World Hunger, World Vision, World Vision- My campaign vision for clean water

Should I start my own non-profit organization?

tiawharton — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:44:32 +0000

I have been thinking about all the various things I could do with my major. I really want to work for World Vision and raise money for clean water, but someone borught to my attention about starting my own organization. I could start my own, with my own ideas and systems and people working along side me. People I love and trust. I am really excited about the thought if that, but it scares me to death. I am going to continue to seek out what God has planned for my life, but right now… this sounds like a neat idea.

Please feel free to share with me ideas- a massive social media experiment of things I would need to consider- budget, financial responsibilties, any things I could be overlooking, or any words of encouragement.

Posted in Christian, Clean water, Friends, JB 4520, Non Profit, OSU, Social Media, Twitter, World Hunger, World Vision, World Vision- My campaign vision for clean water, Worship

People do read my blogs

tiawharton — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:02:59 +0000

check out @twitchhiker “Blogger relies on Twitter for world trip” http://tinyurl.com/cfks8j (donating for water)

I just got this from a person in our class. I was pretty convinced that no one really reads my tweets or blogs… I guess I was wrong. I am really excited to see what one man can do to change the world. He needs our help also. Please check out the site above. I am really encouraged by this and know his efforts may change one life or a million, but it will be worth it!!

Posted in Christian, Clean water, JB 4520, Non Profit, Twitter, World Hunger, World Vision, World Vision- My campaign vision for clean water

Connections

tiawharton — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:15:37 +0000

Still making connections. I have several organizations following me on twitter now because of the types of blogs and people/organizations I’m following. I was getting very discouraged and was running out of things to talk about. Still considering about changing topics for a little while until I get more motivation or increased interest in the topic becomes more wide spread. I am still very interested in this topic, but I am not getting the type or respones I desire or need. I lack motivation but hope that changes. I want to find a core group of people who care about the same issues as me. But, until that time comes, I won’t stop making others aware, but am unsure about blogging about it so often.

Anyone have ideas or tips?

Posted in Christian, Clean water, JB 4520, Non Profit, World Vision- My campaign vision for clean water

Keep Bloggin’

tiawharton — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:29:02 +0000

There has been no motivation this week really to update my blog, except for the fact I am behind. There has been a lot go on this week. I am still going through the motions and passing the word on to others that don’t know about the need for clean water. Any other suggestions to get more people aware? Until next time, I keep bloggin!

Posted in 1

Forward Motion

tiawharton — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:23:42 +0000

I was visiting with a young lady from Tennessee about my idea to raise money for clean water. I was able explain to her about World Vision also. She told me she had never heard the statistics about the need for clean water. I really feel I was able to open her eyes. I asked her to share with her friends the urgency of the issue and that millions of people die each year, yet many do nothing to change that. I gave her a link to World Vision’s Web site and I feel like she was actually interested in doing something about the information I gave her. This was very encouraging to me.

Thought I would share. My hope is that I can one day share with at least one person in every state. One person can make a difference, if we would just try.

Posted in Christian, Clean water, JB 4520, Non Profit, Public Relations, Social Media, World Hunger, World Vision, World Vision- My campaign vision for clean water Tagged: #giving, #jb4520, #PR, Clean water, Non Profit, World Hunger, World Vision

Connecting with others-worlds away

tiawharton — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:03:56 +0000

I have been able to find more people now that are interested in the same topics I am. I am really excited, because I think I am going to be able to bounce ideas now. I was really encouraged. I also found many of the same people interested in World Vision, clean water, and world hunger are blogging and followed some on twitter. Networking and social media is great at least for now… I may never be able to reach some of those lands, but attempting to make connections with as many people as possible. Hope to make a difference.

Posted in Clean water, JB 4520, Non Profit, Social Media, Twitter, World Hunger, World Vision Tagged: #jb4520, Clean water, Social Media, Twitter, World Hunger, World Vision

HipHip Hurray for Tweets?

tiawharton — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:56:07 +0000

I am just curious on everyone’s thoughts about Twitter. I am still not convinced that tweeting about our blogs get the information out to people who actually care about our topics? Any other thoughts or am I just being a pessimist. I want people to read my ideas and become aware of my topic. I just wanna know if I should Hip Hip Hurray for Twitter? Should I turn on the applause light that is used for live studio shows or leave it alone?

Posted in Friends, JB 4520, OSU, Social Media

Awareness: Activate and Motivate

tiawharton — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:44:07 +0000

Blogging has become something that hundreds of thousands of people do on a day to day basis. My topic, World Vision, is one I want everyone to become aware of. The need for clean water and world hunger. Even with the various catergories and tags, I still don’t feel my efforts are as productive as they could be. I want more exposure. I want my voice to be heard. I am being active, but what else can I do.

My goal for this week is to have 5 people ask me for more information about World Vision, why getting clean water to nations in need is important to me, or how they can become involved not only giving, but spreading the word, or any information about the world in need. If I can’t find the answer I will do whatever to find the answer or point them to a place that can get them more information.

As of right now, launching this campaign seems a little out of reach. There is so many things to do to launch a successful one, but I don’t have enough time and resources to do so. My heart is in it and ready to take the next step with is AWARENESS. I feel right now all I can do it make people aware that 1.8 billion people need clean drinking water and 2.75 million children die each year from water related illnesses. We have the resources to do something about it, if we would just take the time. Another goal I have in mind is to have a speker from World Vision come to campus sometime in the next year.

I feel strongly about this cause. I know that even if one person’s life is changed for the better. The efforts of everyone involved were completely worth it. You can be active. The question is will you do something about it?

Click here for more information.

Posted in Christian, Clean water, JB 4520, Non Profit, Social Media, World Hunger, World Vision, World Vision- My campaign vision for clean water, Worship Tagged: #giving, #jb4520, #PR, Clean water, Non Profit, World Hunger, World Vision

Networking- Does it make a difference? Guess I’ll see.

tiawharton — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:47:49 +0000

Today, I decided to start doing some research more about the World Vision’s staff. I found contact information for several people and have started to to build relationships with these people via facebook. I gave some of them the link to this blog. I am really excited to see the kinds of tips they can give me. I am still spreading the word about this via mouth. I haven’t started an any other PR tactics yet. I am really excited about how this project will end up. It is very important to me.

Posted in World Vision- My campaign vision for clean water