Student Influencer Salma Elsaie shares the benefits of making connections through social media
One of the Seven Social Standards that The Social Institute believes in is: Finding Your Influencers. This means surrounding yourself with positive role models who support you and encourage you to play to your core. To help students find these positive and credible influences, we began our Student Influencer Program. Each week we select a different student to take over our Instagram and highlight how they act as a positive influence and inspiration in their communities.
This week, we are excited to introduce Salma Elsaie. Salma is a Junior at NC State studying Business Administration. Recently, she took her studies abroad to Milan, Italy and spent a semester learning about the culture and industries in Europe. Outside of school, Salma has a passion for fashion, and got the opportunity to volunteer at a fashion show during Milan Fashion Week while she was studying abroad. She also enjoys reading, painting, and picnics in her free time and takes advantage of whatever opportunity she gets to pursue these hobbies. When it comes to social media, Salma is grateful for all of the connections and virtual networks these platforms have provided her. They have allowed her to make and stay in contact with people she thought she wouldn’t be able to, as well as share her experiences to her connections online. Salma wants others to use social media to share what makes them happy, whether it’s their work, their travels, their friends and family, or something else they are passionate about.
Recently, we interviewed Salma to learn more about her and how social media impacts her life. Here is what she had to say:
What do you value about yourself or others?
I value a lot of things about myself, as well as others. For me, I am proud of my resilience that keeps me reaching towards my goals, no matter what gets in my path. I also value my friendliness as well as my honesty. This is something I value in others as well, because I am someone who believes a good conversation can be an amazing experience, and honesty is needed to ensure that.
What are your personal goals?
While I have a lot of personal goals, I like to think that they are attainable. One of my main goals is to make the world a better place in any way I can. I don’t have a very specific way in mind right now, but as long as I can do something, big or small, that helps people, I will be happy. Another one of my personal goals is to travel and immerse myself in as many different cultures as I can.
What are the things you try to accomplish each day?
One big thing that I try to accomplish each day is to make at least one person smile, in hopes of making their day a little bit better. I try my hardest to be kind to others because you never know what someone is going through and how a little bit of positive encouragement can impact them.
What or who inspires you most?
My biggest inspiration is my mother; as an immigrant she has worked tremendously hard to achieve her dream and be able to provide for my siblings and I. I am forever grateful for what she has done for our family, and I hope I can be as hard working and successful as she is one day.
How has social media acted as a positive influence on your life?
Social media has acted as a positive influence in my life by allowing me to meet so many different kinds of people and establish good relationships with them. Connections are a big part of why I love social media, and they’re very useful for all different aspects of life. I’ve made friends from all over through social media, but I’ve also been able to connect with people who have helped me academically and in my work life.
Of our Seven Social standards, which one would you most resonate with and why?
I resonate with the Use Your Mic for Good social standard because I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to use their voice to achieve the change they want to see. Using your voice to spread positive messages on social media can go a really long way and make a great impact, one bigger than you may expect. I use my voice to talk about causes I care about and spread awareness of certain crisis going on in the world, mainly bring help to these areas.
If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what advice would you give to her about navigating social media or social relationships?
If I could talk to my younger self, I would tell her to worry less about how others perceive you on social media, and focus more on the positive impact you can provide for others. Everyone is focused on how they are perceived on social media, so I find that people are not as focused on judging your content as you may think. Post what makes you happy, don’t worry too much about the rest.
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.