Networking in the new age

Recently I attended the Kogod Networking event in Gallery Place/Chinatown in DC. Because internet has been so intergrated with school, RSVPed for the event through the career website. In addition, I was able to do research on the other companies that will be represented at the event. I know that in the past networking would not be as high tech as it is now for me. Throughout the event I gathered some business cards and then later utilize the internet to send out follow up emails and resumes.

In the book "The Hidden Power of Social Networks" By Cross and Parker, it discussed the steps of initiating, development, and maintaining networks. The emphasis is on building trust among strangers. A tip that the book is to make someone more "human" by having a card with facts such as hobbies in networking events. I personally thing it would be a good idea for a conversation starter. However, I also see it as something that takes away the professional tone of a relationship if collegues turn into for example drinking buddies.

However, I think it's always better to be buddies than hostile collegues in the workforce. I intern at a local consulting firm which has a very intimate office. Every once in a while on Friday the whole office would go to happy hours. Even the CEO would come. I have personally not gone to any of these events because I am the youngest person at the office and others are much older than me. The book did not mention about age differences and how that affects a network. I wonder if there is a way to help with the large age barrier among the new graduates coming into the workforce and soon to be retire baby boomers?

Extra Credit: the dirt on ITEC 333

blog about your experiences in this class. Why should students take this class? Who shouldn't take this class?

I took ITEC 333 because it fitted well into my schedule. I am a senior and majoring finance. You should take this class if you are into social networking (ie facebook, my space). You should take it if you want to know more about it. This class will expose you to many facets of social resources online and also the history of the internet.

You shouldn't take this class if you cannot turn a computer on, but since you are reading this I am assuming you have a basic knowledge of operating a computer with internet. You shouldn't take this class if you don't have internet access because this is a class that focuses on technology. Sometimes class may be conducted through Webinar and students may not even have to leave the comfort of their homes. It's a class that lets you express your thought through blogging.

To be or not to be

The last lecture the topic of identity was dicussed. The guest speaker we had pointed out really interesting methods that I have never thought about as "identity" such as the smarttrip card, which I own as a commuter in DC. He also spoke about the future of license in which a digital chip would carry an enormous amount of personal information.

Relating to this would be a chip that is implanted in somone's hand or wrist. If you are a fan of the show "Lost" (ABC) chips implants enabled certain members access to a facility base on a wave of the hand. I think that chip implants can be a sucessful mode of identification but the issue of who can have access to a reader (of the chip) may arise.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/05/technology/05verichip.html?ex=1328331600&en=55afb7f2ba98da7e&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Technology have made this possible even in pets. Dogs and cats can now have also chip implants on neck. Many pounds asnd animal shelters are equipt to read the chip with a scanner. This is helpful in cases where a dog may get loose and get lost. Yesterday, I saw a dog that ran away when a door was open at a gas station. The dog ran toward the highway. This even was not only dangerous but very traumatizing for the family of the dog. I think chip implants for animals is ok because they cannot talk for themselves. However, this can also be applied to patients of mental institution or even prisoners. There will always be an ethical issue when it comes to gray issue like this.

Reality to Virtual Reality

Before my departure to Nantes, France I wanted to do as much research as possible about the coutnry and culture. As I search the web I found blogs about Nantes and even a blog about virtual world. This upcoming class will be about Virtual World and I am looking foward to finding out what it is. The blog that spoke about Nante's virutal world was made by a lady who once studied abroad there and wanted to continue her experience by inviting people who love Nante, lived in Nante or interested in Nante to join her "world."

Although, I think it's interesting I feel like it is better just to go to Nantes and live there if you really like tha city. I can understand though if you don't have the time or the money to travel to create worlds online parallel to a town you wish to visit. I do not know the extent to what virtual world is but I think it would be nice for me to visit Washington DC virtually once I leave this coutry just by a click on my mouse.