Code Academy

As an IIT student I try to be as realistic as possible concerning my capabilities as an IT professional.  With that being said, I have always liked the "thought" of coding but often the "thought" of actually doing serious coding makes me nervous.  I've taken several java courses and even a cobol course so I feel confident that I can successfully work in the industry and at least be able to partner or communicate with a developer however there has been this nagging feeling that I should not let my coding demons defeat me.  Therefore I have embarked upon a journey via Codeacademy.com to strengthen my coding skills!  I have overcome many obstacles in life and now that my August graduation is pending I have decided that learning to code decently will be my new hobby.  I have started with Python and although my demanding schedule has not allowed me much time to delve deeply into the language, I am very impressed with how code academy approaches the language and cannot wait to delve deeper into the language.  I've worked with several computer science students and excellent coders and I definitely think that I can hold my on if I stop being wary and embrace being uncomfortable.  It has worked well for me so far so I see no reason I can't add to my existing skills!  It seems like the site takes a very laid back approach and makes a genuine effort to build a comfortable environment that makes the languages seem accessible and manageable to those who may have kept a healthy distance from in depth coding.  So here goes nothing!!!!

Sales Engineering "The Inside Job"

http://www.thesalesengineer.com/2013/04/17/the-inside-job/

As an aspiring sales professional I find this blog to be very useful.  I make it a habit to try and stay abreast of what's going on in the industry even if some of the issue's are a bit above my head technically.  Furthermore I follow Sales Engineer Blogs because I ultimately want to be a technical sales manager.  Darrin Mourer does an awesome job blogging about how issues in today's technical world pertain to today's sales engineers.  This particular blog speaks about champions and it makes perfect sense to me!  I think the best way to close some of the biggest deals is to work with an inside connection.  This notion resonates with me because I've managed to land two prestigious internships and various awards with a cumulative GPA that is anything but stellar however I know and believe that I am capable of comprehending and delving into any technical issue.  I know how to build relationships   and therefore I have learned how to get people to look past small weaknesses to see the bigger stronger picture that is me.   The practice of using a champion to succeed on a deal seems like it will be second nature to me.  I've made a habit out of overcoming obstacles in various ways and I imagine these qualities will serve me well as a future sales engineer!

Questions to Ask Employers

http://www.businessinsider.com/6-questions-to-ask-during-your-interview-that-will-make-an-employer-want-to-hire-you-2013-2?goback=.gde_1855043_member_227898007

This article was a homerun!  Asking questions can differentiate a student from the rest of the crowd and show's the student has a genuine interest in joining the company.  I would like to take this one step further however in that while it is a severe mistake to not ask questions, it is potentially an even greater mistake to ask the WRONG questions.  I believe sincerity is important in an interview so therefore if you have a list of the same three questions you ask each and every interviewer you could potentially be coming across as insincere.  I believe it is good practice putting in significant time in what questions to ask.  I also believe that too many students get caught up on the true purpose of asking these questions.  While it is true, asking appropriate questions can make you seem like a better candidate, but above all it gives you a chance to learn more about the company!

Endorsements not all they are cracked up to be on LinkedIn

http://www.linkedin.com/e/euikez-heqx0ser-56/nab/5720234406476513332/true/weekly/eml-ced-b-art-N-3/?hs=false&tok=3IboHAIScKZlE1

I totally agree with this article!!!  I have tried to shy away from endorsements due to the fact that I do not believe that one click of a button determines that one actually has built trust and confidence with others in the specified skills.  In my mind, an endorsement is like co-signing on an auto loan or a lease.  You should always do so sparingly and with care.  With that being said, I have been endorsed on LinkedIn before and I do appreciate the compliment from classmates, but with that being said....it is still just a compliment.  Compliments do not get you jobs, provide deliverables or even land you interviews.  Truth be told, I have exposed myself to many technologies but I am reticent to put them on my resume and unless I am confidents that I have a significant working knowledge of the technology.  Most hiring managers have many years of experience and when I think of the subjects that I know a great deal about, it takes me just a few seconds to identify a person that has a similar, higher or lower knowledge level.  Therefore, I am careful about the skills I claim to have and I think that this feature on LinkedIn is much too easily accessible.  I equate this feature with the "Like" button on Facebook.  There is nothing wrong with it, but it shouldn't carry a lot of weight.

S.T.E.M Diversity Event Review

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a diversity event and I honestly could've come up with several other ways to spend my afternoon.  I am not knocking STEM events but there are a few things about this event that bothered me.  First of all, I registered for the event and subsequently sent an email asking for a list of what employers would be there.  The event was advertised that 2 companies would have speakers there along with representatives from other companies.  I love to research people and companies, especially if I know that I 'm going to be interacting with a representative.  In my mind this is good practice at any level regardless of if you are a student or not. When I sent the email, I was told that I would receive a list when I arrived at the event.  Needless to say, I was not pleased when I arrived that there were no representatives there from any other companies.  The second complaint I have is concerning the students that showed up.  It baffles me that students will come to a professional event with professional networking opportunities and wear jeans and a tshirt.  I was also stunned at how little the attending students seemed to know about decorum and how to conduct themselves.  If i had known the level of the students that were attending I would not have gone.  The event was probably more of a benefit for those who are BEHIND the curve on how to represent their brand and reach their career goals.

Doing your homework

After reading the Forbes article on leadership I could identify with all the points the article was making but the section about "doing your homework" especially stood out to me.  I equate this section with my personal belief of knowing your craft.  Being that this is my last semester, naturally my job hunting strategy has to not only find the job that I want but also to have several offers to choose from.  I use my spare time to research technology and the industry of each of the top 4 companies I want to work for and although I cannot claim to be a specialist in these areas the knowledge I am gaining is adding to my foundation of knowledge.  You see, I believe that whether or not you specialize in mainframe, security or windows related tech, one can never have too much tech knowledge.  I believe that too many students tend to rely on gaining knowledge from either thier classes or they assume they will start learning with initial job training.  I equate this with waiting to eat food until you get starved for nutrition.  I believe that I belong in the field of IT and I strive to know my craft.  I read blogs, read whitepapers and articles about things that I understand as well as things that may be outside of my current realm of understanding but it all serves a purpose for me and will benefit my future employer.  If you want to be succesful and land a job you are happy doing, I suggest you make obtaining information about your field your hobby and not just a task you are forced to do.

Answer to Why Google Glasses Will Fail........Are you kidding me?!

http://www.techi.com/2013/03/7-reasons-why-google-glass-will-fail/
+Lynn Keane

First of all, If I had the money, I would definitely go out and purchase a pair of these glasses. I read this article and I must say that they have a few points but in order to reference these glasses as a failure, there must be more consistent and prominent definition of how failure is being viewed.  It is hard to believe that a MEDIOCRE company like GOOGLE would have to STOOP to such LOWLY and UNORIGINAL depths to plug such a MUNDANE product.  I'm not sure I can prognosticate what the first quarter of sales will be for this product but you can bet your bottom dollar the numbers will be high.

First of all, the review labels the glasses "a little too obnoxious".  There are those who walk among us that believe that the samsung galaxy note is obnoxiously big, yet sales thrive.  There are those that believe the ipad mini is a waste (I personally prefer the regular ipad and tend to agree) yet sales thrive.  There are those who think Instagram and Twitter are pointless,  yet usage is high.  Do you get my drift?

Secondly, the article brings into account "trust by peers".  These days, the folly of all can be found on Youtube or any random internet site, and it doesn't take a pair of computerized glasses to expose people.  So granted, one may be suspicious of someone donning these glasses in a social setting, this is hardly a reason to claim these glasses will fail.

The article then goes on the say "something better will come along".  I would personally love for this person to help me pick my bracket for this year's March madness because surely there exists no better prognosticator in this realm or the next!!!  OF COURSE something better will come along!!!!  The iphone was the first of its kind and I personally believe the Droids are better, but how long did it take for everyone else to catch up.

Truthfully, I would not be surprised if Google has already developed a pair that is leaps and bounds ahead of this pair but the point is for Google to be the first to make a sizable splash in the pond of wearable computing.  Apple sold us "slightly improved" versions of the iphones each year and yet garnered millions in sales and continue to thrive.  If one buys a new phone or new television, after 1 year (probably sooner)  you go to the store and start lusting after something newer and better.  These glasses are a taste and preview of what is to come.  Larry Page and Sergey Brin don't strike me as the types to just put a TWIST on a Bluetooth device and bet all their capital on whether people will accept it.  You can probably assume that there is a plan in place and whether you go out and drop the money on a pair of these glasses don't change the fact that scores of others will.  I went to the movies recently and saw many people with Bluetooth devices in their ear and although personally I want to rip them out and throw them as far as I can see them does not change the fact that they held their place in technological history.  Failure is a movie going straight to DVD after its release.  Failure indicates minimal or no success.  Failure is ultimately a relative term, but to say that these glasses will be a failure is utterly ridiculous.  Google has a plan, and whatever it is, these glasses are only the beginning.  I'll bet this person also felt the same way about Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, PS3, Call of Duty...........The Harlem Shake........................