Another semester is coming to a close and somehow I know how to create a blog, make YouTube videos, add music to my podcasts… that is proof I can learn new things! Who knew making a YouTube video was so labor intensive? That is something I probably would not have done without taking this class. I have always wanted to make a YouTube video to teach people how to chop, but never in my mind did I think it would be so technical. I’m stoked that I know how to create and upload videos. The most important part of this class was to learn how to brand myself and make a blog showcasing what I’ve learned in restaurants and industrial kitchens over the years. This class has taught me how to navigate around a website with ease. The thought of creating a blog seemed overwhelming before, which is why I probably hadn’t gotten around to making one prior to this semester. By learning how to create my own page I’ve taken another step toward changing my career from chef to food writer and I’m so excited!

Now, to discuss my “take-aways”: Mind blown over finding out my phone and my laptop are listening to me. The thought just bugs me out. It really shouldn’t surprise me, but I guess in my world of thinking I wasn’t technologically advanced so I didn’t have to worry about these things. I figured because I don’t use Facebook or other social media platforms I was safe. Little did I know… I’m mildly disappointed to know that the suggestion to go to Fiji after I talked about it wasn’t a sign.

Learning about algorithms in social media was also eye opening. I knew it was happening, I just didn’t know to what extent. The professor schooled the class on how Instagram and Facebook algorithms work, in regards to who appears in your feed. Finding out that people who pop up in your suggestions or feed are the ones who spend the most time stalking you online or vice versa was great. I saw some students who were mighty surprised. Nothing says WHOA like the moment you realize the person you’ve been creeping on receives suggestions to friend you. All of a sudden your suggestions take on a whole new meaning.

So now I can officially say I’m definitely, almost, nearly a semi-professional strategic presenter. Do you need tips on how to ethically obtain freely shared music or images? No problem. Want tips on how to start up a WordPress blog and embed images? Done. Why does that person keep coming up on your feed in Instagram? Let me tell you why! As long as you don’t need help with Audacity, I got you.