FINAL-YEAR Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) students will on Thursday, November 29 stage ‘CLICK: Sign in to cash in’, a social media seminar aimed at exposing students to entrepreneurial opportunities in the virtual world.

The seminar, organised by the public relations class, will be held inside the CARIMAC Annex lecture room at the University of the West Indies, Mona. It will run from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and will serve as part of the students’ final assessment grade.

Recently appointed director of CARIMAC Professor Hopeton Dunn said the event explores new limits in Caribbean business development.

“Social media is the new frontier for youth opportunity and Internet-based business enterprise. Accordingly, I fully support the initiative, and encourage all youth entrepreneurs to explore this new option and to actively participate,” said Dr Dunn, who will bring remarks at the event’s opening ceremony.

According to project manager Shavar Maloney, the seminar’s focus was chosen in light of the many employment challenges faced by young university graduates.

“Social media has become a part of everyday life and as young persons there is now the presentation of opportunities to be entrepreneurs in this field,” said Maloney. “We are hoping to equip students with the ideas and framework to begin exploring their own skills to build businesses for tomorrow. This is not only helping in creating employment but aiding national and regional development in line with the strategic plan for graduates of the UWI,” he continued, promising an innovative and interactive seminar.

The event will feature presentations by three of Jamaica’s successful entrepreneurs — Tyrone Wilson, founder and CEO of eMedia Interactive Limited; Jo-Marie Malcolm, founder of the fashion blog Lace and Zippers; Jermaine Robinson, founder of SocialMediaJamaica.com; and Ayeola George, creator of the blog CaribbeanCelebs.com.

Wilson will speak on ‘starting your business in social media’, outlining his journey from an ordinary 22- year-old student to becoming the owner of a publishing company that generates more than $4 million in sales revenue. Malcolm, a law student and graphic designer, will present on ‘writing for social media’, as she shares her experience of managing several of her clients’ Facebook and Twitter accounts. George, a Dominican public relations student, will speak on her responsibilities as an entertainment and gossip blogger.

This is the seventh staging of the annual graded event. Last year’s event was dubbed FRASS — Fit Ready And Striving For Success, which focused on health and wellness.