By Jeanna Carter
The term ‘social media’ is somewhat misleading. Though web-based platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have greatly transformed the way humans interact with one another on an informal level, this technology also has many applications in the business world. Today, self-made professionals are using social media to find work, network with potential colleagues and market themselves to the World Wide Web.
Academia has also begun to take notice of this shift in marketing and customer service and has even begun offering courses in social media. Schools as prestigious as the University of Washington and top online programs in Utah still in their nascent stages have begun providing students with opportunity to take classes on these techniques and many graduates are able to begin careers in startups and large corporations with the intent to find and woo potential customers.