Many people have not yet heard of the National Institute for Social Media and to tell the truth, neither had I. However, after meeting the President, Eric Mills, I became very excited about the organization and its impact on the industry of social media and education. Social media is a common form of communication in our personal lives, but few know the best way to utilize social media in our professional lives. That is what I find exciting about NISM and its mission to provide “premier, vendor-neutral curriculum and educational resources for social media practitioners.”

Therefore, when I was offered the opportunity to join NISM as the new VP of Business Development, I graciously accepted the adventure. My professional background is in Higher Education operations and administration, and I value practitioner oriented training and education. Life-long learning is a personal commitment that we should all be making in order to stay sharp and increase our value in the marketplace. Focused training, such as the program offered through NISM, is one such opportunity.

In my new role, I hope to assist social media strategists in setting themselves apart through certification. In addition, I will build relationships with colleges, universities, businesses and other organizations to ensure that we are providing the proper training and support for individuals currently practicing, or seeking entry into, the field of social media. Information regarding partnerships will be posted on the NISM web page, but I welcome followers on Twitter (@radkejen) and connections on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferradke).