YOakleyPR Launches Online Social Media Course for College Students

Online, February 10, 2014 (Newswire.com) - YOakleyPR, a Philadelphia-based small business that specializes in nonprofit public relations, today announced the launch of its online social media course: Integrating Social Media in Business.

Utilizing a self-paced, multimedia learning platform, the Integrating Social Media in Business course introduces participants to major social networking sites and publishing tools in a business context by examining online strategies and the roles they play in designing and implementing an integrated marketing communications plan.

Pearson's 2013 Social Media for Teaching and Learning study suggests that, although 55 percent of college faculty uses social media professionally, 59 percent do not teach social media in the classroom—leaving a gap between higher education and the workplace.
Cory Edwards, head of Adobe's Social Business Center of Excellence, agrees.

In his article for Adobe, Head of Social Business Center of Excellence Cory Edwards agrees that there is a clear need for more social media classes and curriculum on both the undergraduate and graduate level.

"As more companies look to hire full-time social media experts, the question is whether universities are teaching the skills necessary to ensure talent is ready to fill the need," writes Edwards.

"While larger institutions like the Temple University and Drexel University do offer courses with an emphasis on social media, the majority of undergraduate programs fail to prepare students to competently manage social media accounts for business purposes," says Yasheaka Oakley, owner of YOakleyPR, "This course will help fill the gap."

Participants will use the online course platform created by tech startup Everpath to create, apply, and analyze a social media plan using major social networking sites and publishing tools, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and WordPress.

The first session of the Integrating Social Media in Business online social media course will begin at 12 p.m. EST on Monday, February 17, 2014.

Young professionals and adult learners interested in participating in this seven-week course are invited to register online by visiting courses.yoakleypr.com.