# Social Media Industry & Portfolio Course

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/social-media-industry-portfolio>

## Overview

Social media has opened up an entirely new career field, often falling under the marketing or public relations umbrella. These roles include social media management, content creation, and more. In this course, students will develop an earned-first creative project for their portfolio and update their resumes and social media profiles to prepare for emerging job opportunities in the social media industry.

## What you'll learn

- Learn about earn-first creative thinking
- Create personal ideas and learn how to showcase them in a portfolio
- Resume and LinkedIn optimization
- Social media presence optimization

## Prerequisites

Participants should have knowledge equivalent to the [Social Media Marketing Certificate](/certificates/social-media-marketing) (which includes this course).

## Curriculum

### Section 1 - Brand Research & Building

#### Understanding the Competitive Landscape

- 
 Examples of successful social campaigns
- 
 Examples of social media portfolios

#### Build Your Brand

- 
 Research brand goals
- 
 Define target audience
- 
 Define what makes you unique
- 
 Determine brand voice
- 
 Determine your visual identity
- 
 Consistency in online presence
- 
 Creating your own brand image with references

#### Understanding the Earn-First Approach

- 
 Establish your audience’s needs
- 
 Earn-first approach
- 
 How to make creative ideas
- 
 Incorporating gamification and/or call-to-action

### Section 2 - Social Campaign Development

#### Portfolio Project Brief

- 
 Introduction to client brief
- 
 Establish a target audience
- 
 Establish a project purpose

#### Portfolio Project Development

- Establishing the project challenge
- Creating a valuable insight through research
- Develop a big idea solution
- Create concept mock-ups
- Showcase how it will earn coverage through research
- Establishing brand ambassadors
- Media and social coverage mock-ups

### Section 3 - Networking for Social Media

#### Networking Optimization for LinkedIn

- 
 How to clearly showcase your skills and experience
- 
 Sharing content and engaging the community
- 
 Reaching out to hiring managers
- 
 Finding companies and organizations to follow
- 
 Building a lasting network

#### Building a Network

- 
 Compiling a list of successful professionals
- 
 Reaching out to book informational interviews
- 
 Career considerations
- 
 Conferences and Summits

## Schedule
- Aug 18, 2026 – Aug 20, 2026 — Live Online
- Sep 15, 2026 – Oct 1, 2026 — Live Online
- Nov 17, 2026 – Nov 19, 2026 — Live Online

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $975
