Do you have what it takes?

Looking for a new career? Are you a journalism student or recent grad trying to figure out how you’re going to use that journalism degree after you graduate? Maybe all that time you spent managing your Facebook page will come in handy after all.

Have you considered becoming a community manager?

I recently stumbled upon Seven Traits of Highly Effective Community Managers, according to Tish Grier. Here is the list of traits and some commentary from yours truly. Do you have what it takes?

1. Commitment to “the cause.”
I agree with Tish, community managers must be passionate about the community topic, however, I also think the community sites can, and do, help drive traffic when they are often and consistently fed.

2. Love people.
Yes, community managers must be social networkers. Do you have your own blog? Are you active on MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.? Do you participant in online discussions on a variety of sites?

3. Must enjoy technology.
Yes, a community manager must first, love people. But second, love technology. It’s always changing. And a good community manager should always be open to learning something new.

4. Must understand online culture.
Yes, it is different. Very different. Do not be fooled. Again, I agree with Tish, just having a MySpace or Facebook account does not make one fully qualified to be a community manager. *See number 2.

5. Powers of observation.
Not only do you have to use analytic tools to gather stats on the community, but you must be embedded in the community, not just posting but also listening, very carefully, to others.

6. Flexibility.
I would add to this that a community manager must also venture OUTSIDE the newsroom/office. By this I mean an online community manager should have a presence in the offline community.

7. Life experience trumps youthful enthusiasm.
I wouldn’t discount a recent grad’s ability to be a community manager, however, he/she must posses most, if not all of the other six traits. They also must be able to grow with the job, and have a good mentor with whom he/she can discuss the community.