Analysis of Technology, Mass Media, and Cultural Changes.

There is no question that someone currently looking for a new job in the communications field (either to advance their career or change careers all together) needs to be aware of technology, digital tools, the Internet, and how they have changed the skill needed to be successful. There are so many benefits to understanding and learning skills that will help you understand technology better and use it to advance your career. There are also so many benefits to learning how to use technology and digital tools, in general. Digital tools make communication easier. We have the ability to talk, text, tweet, message, and email anyone in the world because of tools like a computer or smartphone. Digital tools have allowed us to have easier access to information, they have made us smarter, and they have opened our eyes to more content (RoryP1, 2013). 

Unfortunately, there are also limitations to technological developments and digital tools. Anyone that consistently uses technology, for work or personal use, should be aware of some of these limitations. One limitation is privacy. People put so much content online and so much of our personal information can be accessed on the Internet. In the article, Some of the advantages and disadvantages of communication technology, the author explains that "though information technology may have made communication quicker, easier, and more convenient, it has also brought along privacy issues. From cell phone signal interceptions to e-mail hacking, people are now worried about their once private information becoming public knowledge". 

One way that technology can be improved is by having more options for security and privacy. But it is also important that anyone utilizing technology be smart and aware of what they are posting online. Take so time to learn what information is publicly available to others and protect yourself.

If you work in the communication field as a journalist, or plan to, it is important to understand that another limitation with using digital content for news gathering is that it has made the ability to deliver information really quick, which means that there is more competition to release information first. Kolodzky explains that, “Our ability to get information easily and quickly wherever we are and from whoever we want, thanks to mobile and digital technologies, has put the pressure on those of us who deliver it, i.e journalists, to meet those expectations”. The best way to overcome this limitation is to learn how to use social media and all the other features online that could help make you compete and deliver content faster.

Another way to overcome any limitation brought on by digital tools is to also develop some much-needed skills that will help you to thrive in a fast-paced and competitive communication and news industry. A person in this field should improve social media engagements, learn to retrieve and deliver content faster, learn to write better, and stand out among competitors (Reid, 2012). The more skills a person has and the more polished a person is, the better. It will help their job performance and make them better communicators.

Below are two excellent resources with more information about the advantages and disadvantages of technology. 

References:

Kolodzy, J. (2013). Practicing convergence journalism: An introduction to cross-media storytelling. New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. 

Reed, B. (2012, May 4). The 10 skills modern communicators have (or need to get) [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://blog.wcgworld.com/2012/05/the-10-skills-modern-communicators-have-or-need-to-get

RoryP1. (n.d.). Some of the advantages od disadvantages of communication technology ICT. Retrieved from https://storify.com/RoryP1/some-of-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-communication