Hey all,
This is the last topic for the S.T.E.P program.  I wanted to give you all a chance to make sure that you've read the other blogs.  So please try and read the blog on study skills, if you haven't already!

So what is branding?  Well let's start with a brand product.  A brand product is one with a unique identity intended to set one apart from similar products.  So interestingly enough, a brand is similar to your "reputation".  When you see the Penn State symbol what do you think of?  When you see the Mercedes Benz symbol, what do you think of that "brand" when you see the symbol.  Just about every brand has a symbol and just about every brand has a slogan that speaks of that particular brand product.

So how does this relate to you?  Well when people, meaning your peers or your professors or the staff at the Punxsutawney campus, hear your name or see you coming, what do they think?  What do they see?  What message are you sending people based on how you act.  Do they see A student?  Do they see lazy student?  Do they see angry student?  Do they see positive outlook on life student?  Do they see encourager or motivator student?  Do they see give up easily or do they see hardworker?  Do they see self destructive student or do they see I'm determined to be successful student? 

If you have dreams and aspirations, know that if you remain focused on them and how to accomplish them,  they will help to steer your BRAND!  You're brand is the steering wheel and will take determine whether you make right or left turns in life. 

What is YOUR BRAND?  What are you selling?  How would you like to be seen to your peers and others around you?


A well defined personal brand will help you more easily determine which opportunities don't fit into your life plan and which ones are worth pursuing because they fit into your long term goals. 

Much of this topic is based on the book Build Your Own Life Brand by Stedman Graham (Oprah Winfrey's boyfriend)  I'd like to share this quote straight from the book

If you have any goals or dreams for your life, then, whether you realize it or not, you are already pitching your own "brand" every day in many different ways.

So let's be conscious of your life BRAND!  What your marketing to your peers, to the staff and faculty, etc.  What are your goals and if you don't have any, write 1 or 2 down, because your goals will help market your brand!