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  • Beaches and More Beaches

    Temperatures are rising, the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming. I think it’s safe to say that spring has sprung! Wilmington is one of the most beautiful places to be this time of year; what could be better? The beaches, the food and the people make for not only a great place to visit, but also a great place to live. The unique thing about Wilmington, is there are a multitude of beaches that are each different in their own way. Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach and Carolina Beach should be on everyone’s list of places to visit and here’s why.

    Wrightsville Beach

    Wrightsville Beach

    The best part about Wrightsville, is that everything you could possible need is located directly on the island. Not only is it accessible, it is one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in North Carolina. The blue waters, delicious restaurants of all varieties and nightlife are what attract most people to this delightful place. There is a numerous amount of activities year round that are available to everyone. Standup paddle boarding, amazing surf and fishing are just a few reasons why you have to visit this amazing place.

    Kure Beach

    Kure Beach

    While Kure Beach is a smaller beach, it is one of the best places to go to unwind and relax. Not only is the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic coast located here; there is an oceanfront park and a slew of summer events! This beach is known for its way of bringing the family closer together and giving its visitors a way to wind down and relax.

    Carolina Beach

    Wayne Moran Photography
    Wayne Moran Photography

    Carolina Beach is one of a kind, and if you go there you’ll understand why. There is a seaside boardwalk filled with family fun and incredible dining. There is a state park with some of the most beautiful scenery and miles of stunning beach. The state aquarium is located here and is filled with hundreds of different species and a numerous amount of festivals and events. What makes Carolina Beach so unique is that camping is allowed on the beach and you can even drive your SUV out onto the beach right by the water! This place is a must see.

    Sloane, Pauline & Addison

    Source: http://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com

     

  • ETEAL Instagram Contest

    The time has finally come to start thinking of what post you will send into ETEAL’s Instagram contest this year. For those of you who are unaware of what this contest is, we are here to help.

    ETEAL is a way for students to showcase what they have learned outside the normal classroom setting. ETEAL encourages students to learn and grow on their experiences by taking time outside of their schedule to explore their major or field of study. This can either be studying abroad and learning a new culture, working as an intern, or hands-on experience that enhance learning.

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    So, how does this apply to Instagram? Well ETEAL is asking students to post themselves experiencing learning outside of the classroom. The goal is to increase awareness of ETEAL and to promote learning and exploring your major. Students must post their picture to Instagram and tag @UNCWETEAL. Students can follow the ETEAL Instagram account in order to see their picture possibly be reposted. This year ETEAL is using the hashtags #ETEALExpedition and #DiscoverYourPassion when reposting your images.

    Students who participate in this contest will be eligible to win lots of amazing prizes. Prizes include: ETEAL merchandise, Starbucks gift cards, Harris Teeter gift cards, SeaHawk bucks, and more. In order to win these prizes, ETEAL has come up with categories that the photos will be judged upon. These categories include: Most Liked Photo, Most Original, Faculty Favorite, and more. These awards will be celebrated at Hawks Nest on April 28th from 12:00- 1:00 p.m. This is when winners will be announced and there will be food and fun!

    Don’t miss out on this fun event and be sure to post a picture and contribute to ETEAL’a Instagram contest. Any further details can be found at: http://uncw.edu/eteal/News/2016/InstagramContest.html

    Any questions feel free to comment below!

    -Caitlin R, Megan S, Erin F, & Sarah G

  • Azalea Festival

    north-carolina-azalea-festival-2016

    It is that time of year again for Wilmington, NC. On Wednesday April 6th, Wilmington will begin the annual Azalea Festival beginning with the Queen’s Coronation. The Azalea Festival has been an event held here since 1948 and has become a very anticipated time of year. People travel from outside of Wilmington to attend all the events. This five day event includes various activites and outings available for everyone. It starts off with the Queen’s Coronation, followed by a visit to the Brigade Boy’s and Girls Club, recpetions and parties, and a concer by The Avett Brothers. This weekend is sure to be fun with more musical performances including the one and only Snoop Dogg and Doug E. Fresh, various tours and shows, parades, and fireworks. For a complete list of the events  click here.

    The Azalea Festival is a great opportunity to see the beauty and history of Wilmington, NC.  Many of the 32 activies and events included in this years festival are held in historic downtown Wilmington. This provides a great scenery on the waterfront, and the rich history that is written all over the beautiful architecture.

    Downtown-Wilmington-Al-Fresco-Dining

    Grab a friend this week and check out Azalea Festival 2016. There is much to see and plenty to do! Have you been to the Azaela Festival yet? Share your positive experience with us!

    -Madeline, Tiersa, Sydney W., Sydney S.

  • Organizing your Bookshelf, or rather, your Facebook

    I’m sure we’ve all heard it. What goes on the Internet, stays on the Internet. With the ever expanding magic of the Internet, it’s easier than ever to connect and share. Facebook is still the baseline for social media though, and just about everyone in this day and age is expected to have one. Companies use it as a place to sell their products and answer customer question. Students have been told to watch what they put on their Facebook in case employers do a search for them online. So what’s the best way to utilize this media? Here’s a few tips for students looking to clean up their Facebook.

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    1. Those joke like pages? The ones that post links to random website and repost old memes? Go ahead and comb through them and get rid of them. I get it, I get it. They were funny when we were in high school or middle school, but all I’m saying is “I go slightly out of my way to step on a crunchy looking leaf” is not doing you any favors in the job market. It’s hard and we’re all dreading doing it, but having a concise likes page can help employers scout you and see whether or not you’re a good fit for the company. Who knows, you may spark a conversation in the interview because you and the interviewer have some eccentric mutual likes!
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    2. Political Bias (Especially for media hopefuls) Now I know that it may be hard because Aunt Joe keeps posting that thing about the candidate you don’t like, or because friend A from way back when is being stupid about voting, but a cleaner, more neutral page can go a long way for you. Express your views in the “About” or “Likes” section, not your actual profile. This is ESPECIALLY true for anyone who wants to go into media i.e. reporters, anchors, TV or news in general. You absolutely cannot have any political bias if you are expected to be unbiased.
    3. Go through your photos. Untag as necessary.
    4. Generally unclutter your profile. This includes that funny about section you wrote as a kid, those hilarious quotes from 2008 movies, and any “funny” religious or political views you and 1,000 other people have chosen. Be professional. Which brings me to the last tip.
    5. Be professional. No, this is not LinkedIn, but potential employers will still be looking at you. Have fun, but have tact as well. Don’t flame your friends or be rude or lewd. You can stay in touch with your friends and have a fun Facebook experience while refraining from incriminating yourself on the Internet.

    Finally, a rule of thumb; If you wouldn’t want your sweet little Mom to see it, DON’T PUT IT ON THE INTERNET.

    liz-sheridan-phone-11

    Someone WILL find it, someone WILL save it, and it will be on the Internet forever. So make sure you keep your Facebook just as clean as your resume, because you never know who might be looking.

    And please, please stop sending me game requests.

    -Allen, Lane, and Austin

  • Tips for Your Linkedin Profile

    Applying for jobs has many young adults worried. There are ways, however, to boost your chances of landing that job. Creating a Linkedin Profile is one way to show your professionalism and is a good way to network with countless other people, but you are probably thinking that many people have these profiles. How can you make yours stand out? We have some tips that you can use when crafting your profile.1217linkedin

    1. Join as Many Groups as You Can

    Linkedin allows it users to connect with others and start groups. It is important to be in groups because the more groups you are in the more likely you will be found when searched by an employer. Be sure to only join groups that are relevant to the jobs you want to get. The more groups you are a part of the more times your name your will appear in front of someone looking to hire. You can really make yourself standout by leading a group too.

    1. Be Very Descriptive in Your Summary

    The more descriptive you are in your summary the better your chances will be in attracting attention to your profile. This space allows you to tell what separates you from your peers. It is a good resource to share your story. Also, be sure to include many keywords in the “speciality” section so that when searched, your profile will show up sooner.  blog-cover-1024x587

    3. Keep it Professional

    Your Linkedin profile should be completely different than your Facebook profile. Linkedin is not a place to chat with your friends or create a profile to see how many shares or likes it can get. It is about networking and giving companies an online representation of who you are. Your profile needs to be organized. If your profile is a mess then whoever is looking at your page will assume that you are a mess too.

    1. Show off Your Worklinkedin2

    Linkedin gives its users the opportunity to attach files or link websites in the profile. It is important to utilize this so that employers have a direct link to see the work you have done. Do not be afraid to show off your work and be proud of what you have done. Remember confidence is key. Make your profile a confident one.  

    1. Keep it as Updated as Possible

    Your Linkedin profile should not be outdated. A profile is not created and then left to be alone. It should be in motion and kept up to date. Your profile needs to constantly be updated so that employers see all your experience. If you leave important information out then they will have no way of knowing of it. They can only see what you put out there. Adding that extra information could mean the difference between getting hired or getting overlooked. If you have experience then be sure to let them know. Do not limit yourself.

    Let us know what you think of our tips and be sure to comment below if you have any of your own that you would like to share!

    -Austin, Jonathan, & Kaela

    Photo Sources

     http://exclusive.multibriefs.com/images/exclusive/1217linkedin.jpg

  • Fashion is taking over the city

    However you like to know the latest fashion trends, your dream is to become a model, you love make-up and hair trends or you would like to see how to organize an professional event, this is your week. This week fashion is taking over the city: it is Wilmington Fashion Week! 

    WFW provides an opportunity to local makeup artists, hair stylists, PR professionals, writers, web designers, photographers, models, videographers, and event producers to work with a full professional fashion production team right here in our hometown. Most importantly, it is a platform for local and regional designers to showcase their work and see their designs fully realized from sketch page to runway.

    The fashion week is also about giving back. WFW has partnered with the DREAMS Center for Arts Education. The DREAMS Center provides free after school arts education for qualified students in the Wilmington area. A portion of all WFW’s runway ticket sales goes toward DREAMS’ programming and the continuation of their positive impact on our community. Both benefit, double fun!

    Monday night the event started with the kick-off, an opening night with a social in the DREAMS Center for Arts Education and yesterday a film was screening about Dior & I at Thailan Hall. Don’t worry if you missed the first two days, because there is a lot more to look forward to. Already curious? Take a look at the schedule below!

    Schermafbeelding 2016-03-29 om 10.06.18

    For more information on the schedule and how to purchase tickets for the week’s events, go to http://wilmingtonfashionweek.org.

    Let us know if you join(ed) one of the events and how you liked it, hope to see you there!

    – Pauline, Addison, Sloane

  • Instagram’s New Update

    When using social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, scrolling to the top you have immediate access to the most recent feed. As these networks have gained popularity this has started to change, it’s not so much based on a timeline but on popularity.

    More than a year ago, Facebook changed their algorithm and Instagram is right behind them. In the past few days, Instagram bloggers, models, and celebrities are posting pictures stating to allow notifications when they post. You probably thought, “What is going on? They are just doing this for likes.”

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    According to USA Today, the new algorithm is designed to display pictures differently. When this new algorithm goes in place, pictures will display based on the people you search, the photos you comment and like, and what content you would like the best. As Bustle said, Instagram will will show you the photos it thinks you like, rather than chronological order, which everyone is used to.

    So.. why does this matter? This new algorithm will actually help you and surprisingly, you will probably like it. Most people are not on their phones 24/7 and miss the majority of posts. Instagram is understanding your likes and dislikes, making sure you, the consumer, can see the posts that truly matter to you. Yes, that does sound creepy. But, you will never miss your favorite food account, blogger, and yes #MCM or #WCW post ever again.

    But, hold on. This is not happening all at once. Do not expect a change tonight or even tomorrow morning. Instagram revealed the new algorithm last month and your feed is still in chronological order. When this does go in place, you can allow notifications for all your favorite Instagram accounts and celebrities, even giving them more likes (which everyone wants… secretly).

    Are you surprised about Instagram’s new algorithm? Do you hate it, like it, or eh who cares? Let us know your thoughts below!

    -Caitlin R, Megan S, Erin F, & Sarah G
    References: Entrepreneur, Vanity Fair