6.9 A Degree That Equips You for the Digital Marketing Age

CVTC Digital Marketing Program at a Glance

The Digital Marketing program, offered at Chippewa Valley Technical College, educates students on new technology, topics, and programs that expand upon traditional marketing. These topics include: 

• Digital marketing analytics: The understanding of each market audience and learning how to cater to that defined audience. Creating and sharing strategies backed by professional data and course work.  
• SEO: Short for search engine optimization, SEO course work learns how to interoperate, work with, and change the data from website and social media traffic and analytics.
• Social media marketing: Creating a marketing plan, executing that plan, and learning how to use social media platforms as a tool in the modern age of marketing.  
• Mobile marketing: Marketing material to mobile and social platforms. Understanding the difference each platform and mobile will have in terms of marketing. 
• Promotional design: Creating and curating marketing materials in the forms of logos, photos, videos, graphics, and others. Understanding how to create and how to promote these materials. 

The Digital Marketing program gives you the ability to learn, grow your skills, and real results for future career opportunities. By completing the degree, you will have a richer understanding of the foundations of the digital marketing landscape and acquire a set of skills, concepts, and tools to help you digitally create, distribute, and promote products and services.

Skills That Make Your Future Possible 

Throughout this program, you will gain these amazing digital marketing skills including:

• Mobile Marketing Strategies
• Social Media Campaigns
• Audio/Video Recording and Editing
• Digital Design Concepts
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Google Analytics
• Responsive Web Design
• Basic Coding for Marketers
• Policies, Laws, and Ethics
• Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, Dreamweaver, and Muse

As a student in this program, you'll be required to purchase and use a preapproved laptop to complete much of your coursework. This allows you to keep the skills and marketing materials for your professional portfolio.

A Place I Have Never Been

Imagine going to a place hardly anyone knows about. A tiny oasis, filled with a rich history and beautiful scenery. Inhabited by diverse people and covered with sandy beaches. There is a place that exists such as this. This tiny island is called Malta. 

Interesting Information About Malta 

Off the coast of Italy and Libya, there is a tiny island country named Malta. Malta is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. This small and independent country, consisting of a string of three islands, is 17 miles long and 9 miles wide. In comparison, the United States is about 31,119 times bigger than Malta. It's average weather consist of mild Mediterranean costs, similar to Greece. Inhabited to this day by the indigenous Maltese people. The island has a unique story that dates back to the dawn of civilization. Having had many famous historic and religious figures happen on its shores. St. Paul was said to be shipwrecked upon Malta. Napoleon Bonaparte took over the island on his way to seize Egypt in 1798. Among many other notable events in Malta's history. 

Why I Love Malta (Even Though I've Never Been There) 

Malta is a place I have dreamed of traveling to ever since I discovered it as a tiny speck on the globe. With the deep history attached to its land, I would enjoy wandering the ancient roads learning about all the history. Submerged in history, one of my favorite things to learn about. Malta is known for its gorgeous rich land and sandy beaches. I would wake up to the perfect weather for any occasion or plan. Known for its cuisine, I would enjoy my favorite Mediterranean dishes with Malta's friendly inhabitance. The idea of being on a small and secluded island, surrounded by amazing weather and gorgeous beaches entices me to my core. This is where I would be if money was no object, if the world was better, and if I had no obligations. If I ever am able to get to the island of Malta, I do not believe I would come back. 

4.6 Beginners Guide to Homemade Falafel

 Beginners Guide to Homemade Falafel

One of my favorite meals I have prepared was a Mediterranean inspired meal for my fiance’s birthday several years back. I had decided to make this meal as a surprise since it was one of the first meals we had when we started dating. I had no experience making falafel, but I gathered all the ingredients and a good recipe to create the perfect meal for a fun picnic outside. This falafel recipe is now a staple in our meals, as do I hope it will become in yours! 

To make this delicious meal you will need: 

• 2 cups canned chickpeas
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 cup fresh parsley leaves 
• ¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves 
• ½ cup fresh dill 
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 7 - 8 garlic cloves
• Salt to taste
• 1 Tbsp ground pepper 
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin 
• 1 Tbsp ground coriander 
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• Canola Oil for Frying

Directions: 

1. Soak chickpeas and baking soda in a large bowl of water. Soak overnight for 18 hours. Drain and pat dry. 
2. Add chickpeas, herbs, onions, garlic, and spices to the food processor and pulse about 40 seconds at a time till combined. 
3. Transfer the mixture to a container and cover it tightly. Refrigerate for at least an hour until ready to cook.
4. Before frying, combine baking powder and sesame seeds to falafel mixture.
5. Form balls from tablespoonfuls of falafel mixture. ½ inch in thickness. (use wet hands to form the balls.) 
6. Fill a saucepan with 3 inches of canola oil. Heat on medium-high until it bubbles softly. 
7. Carefully drop falafel balls in batches into the oil. Let fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or until crispy and medium brown. 
8. Place fried falafel balls on a plate lined with a paper towel to remove excess oil. 
9. Serve hot or let cool to refrigerate. Enjoy!

Enjoy your tasty meal with these recommendations: 

• Pita bread
• Hummus 
• Cucumbers 
• Onions
• Tahini sauce 

3.6 How I Meet My Best Friend

 July 15th, 2018, will be a day I will never forget. It was the day I brought home my best friend. Who was this best friend you may ask? She was a small, smart, fiery,  and cuddly female golden retriever named Charlotte. She would transform my life in the next few years as my companion. 

A few months prior I was feeling lonely. Having struggled with the large weight of clinical depression. I had always wanted a dog as a companion. A furry animal that would love me and make me smile when no one else could. Regardless, I was worried it wasn't the right time. Where would I have it sleep? What would it eat? How would I pay for the vet bills? Would I be well enough to take care of it? These were the pressing question in my mind. Previously I had fostered a dog through an animal shelter that prepared and strengthened my want and love of dogs. Pulling me towards having a best friend of my own.

What I did not know, is that while I was still dreaming of having a furry companion, Charlotte, referred to as Charlie, was born on May 28th, 2018. A few weeks later, while on a phone call with my fiance, I expressed just how lonely and sad I was each day. My longing for a friend who was always by my side and to make me up in the morning was overwhelming. With tears in my eyes, we had both decided that day that I needed to get a dog. That day I contacted a local Facebook group inquiring about puppies. I was contacted by the owner of Charlie's mom and found that this owner only breeds her dogs because she wanted to give bits of happiness back into the world. She told me it was what her late son would have wanted if we were still alive. Before I knew it, I was traveling three hours south to meet these little golden nuggets and pick out one of my own. 

I will never forget the first time I meet Charlie. She was the first little puppy to come up to me to get held. After being held in my arms, she promptly fell asleep. As to say "I am home". She was the littlest of the 12 siblings, the runt. Known to be the one that constantly wanted to be around humans and wanted to get attention. Although I tried to pick up other puppies, I was drawn to her laid back spirit. It was decided then, she was mine! 

Then came the wonderful day of July 15th, 2018. We had arranged to meet halfway for the pick up of Charlie. I had the kennel, food, treats, vet visits, and gates all set up and ready to go. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new addition to my family. The car ride there felt as if it flew by. We arrived at the meeting place and waited with anticipation for the owner to arrive. The owner arrived in a truck ten minutes later and promptly laid Charlie on the grass. Charlie, looking up with her ear perked, ran full force to greet me. The car ride was met with naps and cuddles all the way back to her new home. On the ride home I cried because this was always something I wanted. 

I will never forget this day because it is one of the best decisions of my life. Charlie became my companion, best friend, and she really did save me from myself. She is there whenever I need her to be. Every day following I am so glad we chose each other. It is now more than two years since that wonderful day. Charlie and I can now be found spending all our days together. 

3.4 New Puppy

July 15th, 2018, will be a day I will never forget. It was the day I brought home my best friend. Who was this best friend you may ask? She was a small, fiery, smart, cuddly, and cute female golden retriever named Charlotte.

A few months prior I was feeling lonely. I had always wanted a dog, but I was always worried it wasn't the right time. Where would I have it sleep? What would it eat? How would I pay for all the vet bills? These were the pressing question in my mind. I had fostered a dog before through an animal shelter which had prepared and strengthened my want and love of dogs. Pulling me towards having a best friend of my own.

What I did not know, is that while I was still dreaming of having a furry companion, Charlotte, referred to as Charlie, was born on May 18th, 2018. A few weeks later I contacted a local Facebook group inquiring about puppies. I was contacted by the owner of Charlie's mom and found that this owner only breeds because she wanted to give bits of happiness back into the world. Before I knew it, I was traveling three hours north to meet these little golden nuggets and pick out one of my own. 

I will never forget the first time I meet Charlie. She was the first little puppy to come up to me. Only four weeks old, after being held in my arms, she promptly fell asleep. As to say "I am home". She was the littlest of the 12 siblings. Known to be the puppy that constantly wanted to be around humans. She was mine! 

Before I knew it, it was July 15th, 2018. We had arranged to meet halfway for me to pick up Charlie. I had already arranged the kennel, food, treats, vet visits, and gates. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new addition to my family. The car ride felt as if it flew by. I was completely ready to have a new best friend who was always by my side. We arrived at the meeting place and waited with anticipation for the owner to arrive. The owner arrived in a truck and promptly laid Charlie on the grass. Charlie, looking up with her ear perked, ran full force to greet her new owner and mom. The car ride was met with naps and cuddles all the way back to her new home. 

I will never forget this day because it is one of the best decisions of my life. Charlie became my companion, best friend, and she really did save me from myself. Every day following I am so glad we chose each other. It is now more than two years since that wonderful day. Charlie and I can now be found spending most days together.