In January 2011, I taught another 3 week class on personal branding to undergraduate and MBA students at The University of Nevada, Reno. It was one of my best classes ever, and students like Mackenzie Heys, Gian Sorreta, Jessica Plassmeyer, and Christian Fey worked hard to create great sites that reflect their work ethic and professionalism.
And then there was Jessica Torres. Back in January when Jessica told me what she was going to blog about, I was not impressed. But in 5 short months, Jessica has built her site My Time As Mom into one of the most impressive pieces of work by a student I’ve ever seen in my entire career.
My course only gives students the most basic framework they need to get started blogging and tweeting. It’s only through initiative, effort, and high personal expectations that any student can take what I show them and create a brand that truly testifies to the fullness of their character and talents. Not only did Jessica learn how to create a remarkable blog for the audience she intends to reach, but she also helped others in my next class do the same. Jessica’s blog routinely gets 10 times as many comments as mine, and her Twitter Klout score is 5 points higher than mine.
Jessica, I am very proud of you. Thank you for taking the little that I taught you and running with it, and for encouraging others to do the same. People like you are the reason I love this gig.
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Thank you so much Dr. Bret! This makes me feel great. I’m so glad that I took your class and it has changed my life for the better. I have so many good things going on with my blog right now and a possible job lined up from it that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t take your class. Truly the class that I have learned the most from.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Welcome, Jessica! Exciting news about the new job. They will be lucky to have you. Keep us posted and keep up the great work – thanks! Bret
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Thanks for the mention! I really enjoyed your class and I am continuing to enjoy it! Without your foundation I wouldn’t have known anything I know! Thanks!
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
You are doing a great job, Jessica. Keep it up! Bret
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I follow both Jessica’s blogs – what a great post here on the teacher becoming the student. Jessica (Torres) has actually become one of my best blogging buddies – so I’m glad you helped her get started. I’m a high school teacher and I try to get my students to blog and they rarely have interest – I’m sure it must be very rewarding to see a student not only take interest, but also succeed at what you taught them.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Welcome, Elena! As you teacher, you know what a joy it is to watch your students succeed. The difference with these adults is that if they will allow themselves, they can become peers very quickly. Thanks! Bret
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Thank you Bret for the mention! Both classes had some great talent and a great professor! Hopefully my brand will be as prosperous as yours (or Jessica’s
)
C
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
May 19th, 2011 at 1:06 am
Absolutely right that our 726 class was also full of great folks. I need to watch them a few more weeks now that class is over to see what they do with what they started. Thanks for all the help you provided everyone in both classes. Bret
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Bret, watching Jessica’s blog grow this past semester was amazing. As you would say, “she really gets it.”
As Christian said, the class has unleashed some great talent. It will be interesting to see who continues nurturing his/her personal brand. Miriam
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
May 19th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
I’m watching! You too are off to a great start. Keep it up! Bret
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Thanks for the mention Bret! I think the class is great. It really opened my eyes to something that I took for granted and truly did not understand.
The best part is that this is really fun to do!
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
May 19th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
You did a great job, Gian. I really appreciated how helpful you were to me and other students. Thanks! Bret
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I looked at all of the blogs and they are a great reflection of their teacher/leader.
It’s great when anyone can learn from another, but the reason why it’s most remarkable to me is because you are a teacher and you’ve managed to avoid the typical pride issues.
The more we all learn, the more we can all teach.
Great work, looks like a worthwhile class.
Aaron@Biebert
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
May 19th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Thanks for checking out their blogs, Aaron, and thanks for the kind words! Bret
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