The search for bloggers is on, as RBC announces
its plan to hire six post-secondary student bloggers this fall to represent
the interests of their postsecondary peers through the bank’s soon-to-be
launched peer-to-peer (p2p) information exchange site.
RBC p2p – an online forum where students can speak openly and honestly
about their financial struggles and successes – is scheduled to go live by the
end of August. The site’s content will be driven by students, while the six
new student hires will manage discussions, blog about their own banking
experiences, and share information and solutions about the money issues that
matter most to undergrads and graduate students.
“When I was a college student I had lots of questions about managing my
money through the school year – now that I’m out of school, I want to make
sure students have easy access to the information they’re looking for,” said
Michel Savoie, a bilingual francophone from Sudbury, who will be hosting the
RBC p2p site and leading the blogging team. “I see RBC p2p as a place where
students can share stories and experiences and talk about solutions that will
work for them – and what better way to do that than with a site for students,
managed by students.”
Those applying for the RBC p2p blogging team will be asked to create and
forward their homemade audition videos, which will be uploaded onto the RBC
p2p web site. Once the videos are posted online, students visiting the site
will be able to view and vote for their favorite candidates. The six positions
as RBC bloggers will go to those with the most votes.
“Step one is to find our bloggers,” said Savoie. “To make sure students
have a part to play in deciding who gets these jobs, we’ve decided to take a
whole new approach to hiring that will actually leave the final decision with
the student community.”
As soon as RBC p2p is up and running, video applications will be accepted
on site until October 31. There will be a two-tier selection process with RBC
choosing and posting 12 candidates and students voting on the final six who
will then be hired for a one-year contract term
.
“After speaking extensively with students about their circumstances, we
looked into creating a space that would connect them with the financial
information they need and expect, all in way that is familiar and convenient
for them. We believe we’re doing that with RBC p2p,” said Judy Murchison,
director, Marketing Strategy, Student Market, RBC Royal Bank. “Not only that,
RBC p2p is the icing on the cake for what is a truly comprehensive suite of
offerings for students – we’re on school campuses, we’re offering no fee
student banking, we’re podcasting money information to students, we keep
adding to our student scholarship support, and we’re on Facebook.”
Last week, RBC launched its new sponsored Facebook group, RBC Campus
Connection, where students can access student offers, financial information,
scholarships, RBC contests and other promotions such as a free trip to
Australia.
Information about the application process for RBC p2p will be posted
online at www.rbcroyalbank.com/student/ at the end of August, and will also be
featured on RBC’s new sponsored Facebook group.
