Now before I start, please don’t get me wrong–the consequences I outline below are generally positive ones, but this is by no means a positive situation. These are purely my observations and some potential side-effects of the tragedy that I can envision. The crisis in Haiti has the potential to have an incredible national impact here in the United States. Clearly, the nation of Haiti will never be the same, but this crisis may affect us more than you imagine. Below, I’ve listed three areas where I can see this crisis having–potentially–a major impact.

Communications

This event, much like Obama’s usage of social media in 2008 and the Iran Election in the summer of 2009, promises to once again strengthen the role social media plays in modern communications. Just last week I tweeted about a new, important article on Twitter by David Carr. In it, he referenced this Time article by Steven Johnson saying:

“The history of the Internet suggests that there have been cool Web sites that go in and out of fashion and then there have been open standards that become plumbing,” said Steven Johnson, the author and technology observer who wrote a seminal piece about Twitter for Time last June. “Twitter is looking more and more like plumbing, and plumbing is eternal.”

Plumbing. It couldn’t be more true, and the past 48 hours’ activities on Twitter proves it. Not only have at least one of the words or phrases “Red Cross”, “YELE” or “#haiti” been in the top trending topics since the tragedy occurred, but organizations like the Red Cross are using the service in unprecedented ways to build support and solicit donations for aid to the struggling island nation. That people are turning to a service like Twitter for a tragedy such as this shows just how essential of a communications tool it has become.

Twitter lists are finally coming of age with the events in Haiti. Until now, Twitter lists seemed like just another handy feature to have, good for organizing people on Twitter or recommending large groups of people to other users. Now they have an all new, potentially life-saving purpose: monitoring the situation on the ground in Haiti. Many users on Twitter have already started lists of people on the ground in Haiti. CNN has a list of its own I’d recommend following.

Finally, Twitter has blogged about the event and even explained how you can find searches on the ground in Haiti and even even translate them into English. Go here and on the right select the link for “Translate to English”. Never before, in any catastrophe such as this, has there been so much potential to help, donate and save lives. I think this–possibly more so than any of the events before it–will change the perception of Twitter from a “fun” social media activity to a serious communications medium. Twitter is not just a Web site. It’s not just a company. It’s a revolutionary form of communication.

Politics

I am never, ever in favor of politicizing any tragedy. But I refuse to ignore the fact that this event will no doubt have political implications for the United States.

It’s no secret the Democrats have been struggling lately against an onslaught of bad news, negative media coverage and Republican attacks. Many things can and surely will happen between now and November that will all have significant impacts on the 2010 midterm elections. However, I strongly believe this event could also be a turning point for Democrats, for a few reasons.

First, this tragedy clearly shifts the media agenda. In the past two weeks headlines have been dominated by problems passing healthcare reform, negative polling data for Democrats, blusterous attacks by Republicans, controversial quotes, and more. Flip on the TV now and what do you see? Haiti.

Secondly, President Obama’s swift action to send humanitarian aid to Haiti has received incredibly positive coverage. On both sides of the aisle politicos and politicians are putting aside divisive issues and praising his action to provide outstanding support to the struggling island nation. His statement this morning acted as a sort of rallying cry for America to come to Haiti’s aid. It was forceful, detailed, and spoken with powerful conviction. In many ways it was a return to his rhetorical style of the campaign, spoken with more confidence and direction than many of his recent speeches.

This rallying cry doesn’t just rally Democrats but all Americans. It brings us together in an effort to support Haiti in any way possible. And despite the completely nonpartisan nature of this speech and President Obama’s actions, he will likely be looked upon quite favorably for it.

Finally, the events of Haiti place the political “game” off of the table for at least several days. Any of those caught criticizing the government for spending money in aid of Haiti, for “losing focus”, for using Haiti for political game–they will all be skewered by media and the American citizen, and rightly so. Regardless of who gains in this tragedy politically, it will not be by their choice nor will politics be their motivation to act. But for any and all who attempt to directly politicize this (I’m looking at you Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson)–shame on you.

Truth be told, I would rather see Democrats lose every election this year than see a tragedy like Haiti. But the potential political consequences are there.

The Economy

The consequences of Haiti on our economy may not be direct and they may not be great. But I believe they may be there. It’s simple and rational: despite the economic hardship the United States is currently facing, Haiti is clearly in much worse shape. Even before the earthquake, Haiti was a severely impoverished country. Now, the island is facing literally almost 100% unemployment (compared to our 10%) and has absolutely nothing. How’s that for a little perspective?

It’s my thinking that as Americans see this images coming out of Haiti, perhaps they’ll take a moment to reflect on their own economic situation and begin to take heart in what us Americans too often take for granted. Even those jobless and living in poverty in the United States can hardly relate to the dirty, diseased and impoverished conditions in Haiti.

As Americans take into account this radical comparison, perhaps they’ll understand that far too many opportunities are being missed and taken for granted here in the United States. I know that there are jobs out there, many of which require little in the way of education or previous experience. Far too many unemployed have simply not looked hard enough, or have given up far too early. Perhaps images of Haiti will motivate down and outs in our own country to take a look around and take advantage of what we are so lucky to have.

Haiti is just but one event this year, but it is a major one. It’s a horrendous tragedy with serious implications all across the world, but particularly in Haiti itself and here in the United States. Whether looking at the consequences of this tragedy from a communications, political, or economic aspect, the effects will be fascinating to witness.

Don’t forget to donate, please. This is important.

Each year (now in its 8th), the American University Career Center, School of Communications, and Kogod School of Business host a three-day networking and site visit trip in New York City. The program, specifically geared towards communications and marketing students, consists of one opening event, one evening networking reception, and six site visits to companies in the city, most with AU alumni.

It’s a fantastic event. And I’ve been lucky enough to attend every single year of my college career so far.

It’s also a fantastic learning experience. My freshman year, I was completely overwhelmed. To be honest, I was absolutely terrified. I was (I believe) the only freshman to attend the trip that year, and I’m glad I did, but boy was I chicken. At the orientation I thought I’d be ok. I was obviously the youngest one attending (and probably the only one not really looking for a job or internship–hell, at that point I didn’t even know what I wanted to major in) but I got along OK with the other attendees and I figured I’d be brave enough when the time came.

Not really. I talked a bit at the opening dinner event, but at the networking reception I pretty much stuck to myself in a corner, halfway-accidentally-wandered into a few drunken conversations, and ducked out early. Huge wasted opportunity, as I quickly found out last year.

Last year, I was quite a bit braver. I put myself out there. I still wasn’t looking for a job or internship, really, but I’d come to realize the value in knowing people and making new, professional friends and contacts in my chosen fields of interest. I passed out business cards, I took down names and e-mail addresses, I followed up–I did all the things you’re supposed to do with these sorts of things. And I loved it. I discovered that deep down I kind of have a passion for networking–perhaps that’s why I’ve taken so eagerly to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and the like.

This year I’m really ready to step it up. I feel like I’ve truly evolved as a networker in the past two years. Also, I’m really excited about my site visits, as well, which include:

• The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum - at this famous museum we’ll get an hour to wander and explore the exhibits and then witness a presentation and discussion regarding all the internship and job opportunities at the Guggenheim.
• Mediavest - this marketing agency site visit will consist of “a panel of employees from across the agency and in-depth media-related Q&A”. Can’t wait!
• MS&L Worldwide - at this “leading communications firm” (soon to be my new employer for a semester internship–more on that next week) we’ll get a look at the MS&L workplace and information on job and internship opportunities.
• ABC - specifically, we’ll be attending a live broadcast of “Good Morning America” as well as getting a quick tour and information session in ABC’s New York studio. Look for us on TV, we’ll be up bright and early at 6:30 for the visit!
• GroupM - a “leading global media investment management operation”, we’ll see how the firm works and be able to discuss entry-level opportunities with them.
• The New York Times - here at one of the world’s largest media companies, we’ll hear a panel discussion and I’ll be able to indulge my not-so-secret interest in journalism (as evidenced here by my blog and my upcoming bimonthly column to appear in The Eagle, our university newspaper).

Getting here today was a bit of an interesting experience. I left my apartment at 7:00am sharp, expecting to arrive at Union Station around 7:45 (allowing for the usually-inevitable delays with the bus and metro). Much to my surprise, I arrived at around 7:30, way early for my 8:35 train. Especially since the train ended up delayed and we really didn’t depart until closer to 9:00am.

Everything was going smoothly until we hit Baltimore, and tragedy struck. A 14-year-old girl was struck and killed just 11 miles north of Baltimore’s Penn Station by a southbound train headed to D.C. from New York. You can see my updates from the train in this Twitter search.

We ended up sitting at Baltimore for almost three hours before our journey could continue. Naturally, that wasn’t the only delay we’d face for the day. We had an additional 20 minute delay in Trenton, NJ after the train just ahead of us broke down and all passengers were transferred to ours.

But in the end we (my bestie Jacquie and myself) arrived around 3:00pm. I checked into my hotel, Jacquie dropped off her luggage at her friend’s apartment building and we made it to the opening event for the NYC trip just in the nick of time. And it worked out, I used all the spare time to get over 100 pages into my newest book of choice, Bill Byron’s Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language of the United States (my review of that to come in a couple weeks, or whenever I finish).

The opening event tonight was a pleasant surprise. Although no AU alumni or networking contacts attended the event, we had an absolutely incredible opening speaker: Lindsey Pollak, “Gen Y Career and Workplace Expert”, also a spokeswoman and national campus representative for LinkedIn. She gave us five great tips for networking out of her book, Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World, and even postponed her own dinner to answer more questions from us while we ate. I even had the chance to chat briefly with her after her talk about social media and we agreed to mutually follow each other on Twitter! Check out her blog and her Twitter account to read more from her–I know I’m following!

Anyway, keep an eye on my Twitter for updates on my site visits tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll have time to give yall a quick update, but I make no guarantees.