But...You're in IT

I had a phone interview this week with a company for a consulting job. To be fair, this company is not an IT company, they are more situated in accounting, but I was interviewing with their IT department. My interviewer asked me about my semester and this class came up.

I mentioned LinkedIn, and this person had a no idea what I was talking about. Now granted, this person is a little older, but working in IT, I was surprised that they had never heard of the site. Isn't this supposed to be the future of business? If you are working in computers and technology, then wouldn't one of the most popular networking sites pop up on your radar sooner or later? I was caught off guard, especially when the person asked me to explain what the site is for.

To be honest, it gave me a bad impression. How up on things can they be? I know that they know much more than I do, but how do you now know what LinkedIn is when working in this field? Does this surprise anyone else?

Well, all I can say is I am certainly glad that I know what it is as well as many other networking sites. These tools have a lot to offer us and the sooner people learn about them, the more effective they will surely become. (Maybe through a little networking? Eh? Eh?) Although, I will say I was happy to find out that I am, in fact, not the only person, who knows what all of this stuff is. Apparently I don't live in a hole, which comes as quite as a relief.

Taking the "Social" out of "Social Good"

It only seems natural that online social networking would be utilized by everyone, and this trend has made its way into the world of Social Good. Websites, emails, and other methods of getting in touch with fellow do-gooders has become a new avenue to get people to get together to do whatever it is that they enjoy doing.

One such network, Razoo, hosts a social networking site for those who want to come together to share what's going on in the world. It is really great that we have the capability to connect so easily with each other. Although, I have to admit when I first heard about all of this I was a little confused. When I think of social change, and getting people together to make a difference, the internet doesn't really come to mind. I always think of those types of efforts being more face to face and actually going out and doing something. I know that a site like Razoo can make giving and updating others about efforts is a great tool, but something about it seems to easy. I think that such a lofty goal as "social change" needs to be a little more out there where the public can see it. Let's face it, when a person is online they are going to their favorite sites and looking for what they are interested in and if we aren't looking for something, chances are they will be harder to stumble upon.

Another site trying to promote some of these same concepts is Fatdoor. Some of their ideas include a network for neighborhoods to help out the elderly, or sending money to a local grocery store for a homeless person. Personally, I have a hard time with these ideas. Are we so out of touch with our neighbors that we need to actually look them up from the comfort of our own homes? And why can't we just give the homeless person a couple of dollars? I mean really people, not everything needs to be on the internet. We need to be concerned about the three dimensional people too. It's wonderful that we can bring people together, but when you live on the same block, just go outside...

And What do We Have to Show for It?

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. This year, while at the table, I was waiting for the conversation of the evening to some how turn towards social networking and all the new things going on in the cyber world. Guess what? It never did. It wasn't until after dinner that it even surfaced. I guess all of this talk of internet connections in class made me think that everyone was talking about this kind of stuff. Although it was refreshing to be reminded of what I used to talk about before I took on the IT classes.

After dinner I started making fun of my cousin for finally joining Facebook and telling her boyfriend to get in when he told me he refused to "sell out". That's a whole other topic for another time and if anyone is in the mood for a good Facebook rant make sure and hit me up. It was at this time that my aunt commented in how it changed the whole way we now connect with each other. The woman is absolutely right.

Things like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Delicious have changed the ways we keep in touch, look for jobs, and even find entertainment or news. While our generation may not have any physical thing to show for it, we certainly have made in impact on how the world runs. (Not too shabby for a bunch of computer nerds.) We are now out there creating content for ourselves and others, and turning to this user generated content rather than the same old advertising, agenda pushing sources from before. Sure everyone is trying to get our attention but we have much more variety than we used to. It's a new time and I'll bet the advertisers are panicking now that I can get someones attention just as fast as any of them, although I can do it on a students budget. (That would be $0, for anyone who was wondering...)

Join Facebook, Make My Day

When reading "How the Web Polarized Politics" I have realized what a huge impact the Web is going to have on potential candidates this election. Gerry McGovern, an author focusing on this exact topic, points out that those who will be looking out for candidates on the internet are "waiting for them to slip up".

McGovern could not have said it any better. A particular blog entry, "How Facebook Will Change Politics", written by Sunny caught my eye. The blog points out that while the Internet has the opportunity to bring us together politically, it does a better job of polarizing us. Candidates have, hopefully, figured this out by now. So being the tricky little devils that they are they will probably try to utilize that medium as much as possible.

I would caution for them to watch out. If I see these suckers on Facebook I'm going to stalk them as much as I do everyone else. (Don't roll your eyes, you know you do it too.) These people better hire some people who know what's going on in the Web, which I know they can afford to do. Because like McGovern said, I am just waiting for the next UTube video or dumb statement to come out so I can use it as one more reason to vote for the person that I dislike the least.

I assume that using social networks on the Web would want to target college age people if they are using mediums such as Facebook and with programs such as Rock the Vote encouraging us to vote, candidates have to understand that we won't be so easily convinced. I guess what Big Brother didn't anticipate is that we would be watching "him" right back. We are a passionate age group and chances are we are online so the best strategy for potential candidates this year would be treat your PR online as you would any where else because it will come back to haunt you faster than ever imagined. (I know I still remember Howard's Dean battle cry from back in the day...)

My Fantastic Resume

Is anyone else confused? While job hunting and taking this Social Networking course I am beginning to wonder about the value of my resume. I have had this remarkable piece of paper since middle school and now when I need it, I fear no one else cares to look at it. Reading articles labeled "The Blog is the New Resume" and "Six Degrees of Recruitment", I am quickly approaching the conclusion that this job search is becoming less about what I know and is more tied to who I know.

Well isn't that disappointing for anyone else? I have worked my entire educational career about building up experiences that would hopefully one day land me a job where the interviewer would take one look at this baby and say, "Wow, I gotta hire her." Apparently I was wrong. And it still doesn't seem fair. I can have all of the experience but if the other candidate knows someone I don't I think can safely assume that the battle is almost over. That is almost, I have decided to continue to believe that all of that work has to be impressive to someone. Unless you know someone I can contact, do you think they would want to read my resume?

So, who wants to cut me a break?

When I read that seven out of ten people find their jobs thorugh networking I had to read it over, the last I heard it was nine. This whole job search can be a very intimidating process, and the beginning can be the worst part. Where do we even begin? Between classes and an internship, I have found it very frustrating to make time to start looking for connections.

Enter Linkedin.com. I joined this sight a couple of weeks ago at the request of my internship coordinator. I asked my bosses if they were on to which I was answered with raised eyebrows as if to ask, "Yeah, you're not?!?!" So now I'm on and my network has grown since I signed up. Nothing has come from the site itself but some personal networking did a lead to a phone interview. So apparentely this is the new way to go. As ABC News put it: Out with the business lunch and in with the email. I know that the networking tactic has been working for me. There doesn't seem to be a good chance of getting a job otherwise. From experience I have seen this to be true.

Last semester I was abroad and thought I would be sneeky and start sending in resumes in December for an internship in June. Guess how many emails I got back. (That would be none.) But now I have interviews set up through my contacts so wish me luck. I still don't like the idea of needing a contact to get someone to pay attention to me, altough I understand the reasoning behind it. What is yet to be discovered is if I will be able to land something that is as interesting as the jobs I applied for.

Well aren't we just one big far flung (possibly frustrated) family?

I'm so accessible I could just about lose my mind. Isn't it great? Now we can work on teams that are not only in our office but we can work with people all over the globe. Sounds great, doesn't it? Personally, not at all. Team building, from what I have experienced is a process that can be made easier by getting to know my teammates. In the article "Collaboration Tools are Ready for the Battlefield", we can learn about how technology can be helpful and super cool is helping our world become more efficient.

But then again, in the article "Working Together when Apart", we are reminded of just how frustrating technology can be. Gaining insight and knowledge from all different types of people is a great resource, but can we be over-exerting ourselves? I think it is a strong possibility, and one that we should be cautious of. Technology has made our lives easier and harder at the same time. It's a cool idea to be able to check your email from a hand held device from wherever we are provided we can get a signal, but when that starts creeping into the weekend and on family vacations the idea gets less cool with every sneaked glance we get it. It is no longer a challenge to connect to each other, technically speaking, as the article points out. But I believe that we are making ourselves so accessible that it is starting to get hard to focus. Reaching across the world to one another is great, but maybe we should see what the person sitting next to us has to offer as well. Maybe the best answers can be found in a closer proximity.

"My reputation grows with every failure" -George Bernard Shaw

Our reputations on EBay remain on EBay, it's very hard to get that reputation to benefit you elsewhere on the net. Oh, but your real reputation, right, that one can be ruined within a matter of seconds. The articles "Are Online Reputations Portable" and NPRs "Startups help clean up online reputations" point out that a reputation given to us in the online world can't help us in other aspects of our lives but the mistakes we make can haunt us forever. That doesn't seem very fair...

Well, I guess in the words of my mother, life isn't fair. It's interesting that a reputation we work hard to maintain, like for a seller on EBay, won't get us fair else where but a mindless picture posted by a buddy can hurt our chances of gaining employment. And just think, we went to college to get a job and didn't realize we were hurting our chances on the weekend.

Quite honestly I would like to meet someone who has missed out on an opportunity because of what they had posted on the web. (What was up there in the first place and how do these people let that happen? Note to self, no more keg stands...Just kidding boss!) Now there are businesses that will help you heal your wounded reputation such as Reputation Finder. Although, what if your potential firm finds out about the online PR firm you hired, wow, that will look great too. Moral of the story: I don't know what Big Brother is doing but everyone else is checking you out on the net. Our generation shouldn't be worried about our credibility on the internet, rather, they should be worried about how our credibility in the real world can be impacted without us even knowing it.

Better Together

Wow, I seriously need to get off of facebook. I had never heard of Digg or Reddit, or any other version of this little phenomenon. Am I the only one who has never heard of this stuff? And where have I been? Well, these community based websites look cool and I spent some time exploring them. I'm surprised I hadn't at least heard about them and maybe the readers of this blog will be just as equally surprised.

The article "Citizen Journalism Wants You" opened my eyes at to why this is such a good idea. Not only had I not heard of these sites, I hadn't seen any of the material on them. (Not that my life has been lacking since I made these discoveries, but they're nice to know about it.) So why have these sites in the first place? As my title suggests, maybe there is something to the collective that makes us all a bit better off. Assignment Zero was discussed in the article to bring different, unapid authors to the project to report on differet topics together. I see some potential problems such as accuracy and skewed editting, but if one were to think positively the concept is really great. The best example for me to look at this concept is Wikipedia- but I like Wikipedia. So I say continue on information sharing people! Tell me about all the new exciting things out there that I don't have a clue about you certianly seem to know more than I do. (Although if you have any questions about facebook bring 'em on...)

Second Reality

Does Second Life make anyone else nervous or is it just me? After learning about this phenomenon I have wondered who is playing in this game and if I know anyone involved. Granted, I still don't know enough about it so it might not be as crazy as a I am thinking it is. While watching the slide show explaining this virtual world I saw that the average user is in their thirties. I don't see how that is possible, not that I am arguing with the stats.

I always assumed that after college people go out into the real world, get jobs, and start a new social life that involved going outdoors. I can't help but be confused about all of this. People are seriously going on Second Life and building a whole new reality for themselves which they apparently take very seriously. I know am being highly judgmental of the whole thing but I can't help but feel sorry for people.

Our society is so focused on who can get ahead and successful we are in terms of material things and now this pattern is even hitting us on the internet. So if we can't get where we want to be in real life we now have a Second Chance at doing so in the virtual world. I don't know about everyone else but it all seems like too much pressure to me.

Blogging: PR nightmare or dream?

Articles read:
-Blogs Will Change Your Business
-Bloggers Send a Warning Shot to Corporate America

It seems today that blogs are helping businesses as well as hurting them. Good PR is considered to be a valuable asset to a company- one they are willing to spend enormous amounts of time and money on. It seems that blogs are now capable of ruining or boosting any established name a company has made for itself within the privacy of our own homes. And my opinion is just as important to consumers as the tag line that their marketing team spent all night creating.

How can that be? Well, I guess there are people out there who want to hear what I have to say. I was always convinced of the opposite. It has been reported that only 27% of Americans bothering looking at blogs, and yet they are able to make a huge impact. I guess as the trend continues more and more will become more aware of the blogging world. I guess the best way businesses can handle such a phenomenon is to join the crowds before its too late and their name starts being a keyword in these online journals before they have even bothered to sign on. By being online a company has the ability to reach customers in a much more personal fashion, as opposed to an ad, and can do it for a much cheaper price. (i.e. $0.00) So it must be better to be safer than sorry, might as well beat your customers to the punch.

Check this out

Hey everyone, check out my friend Sarah's blog

Where Everybody Knows Your Name...No, seriously

Articles read:
"Inventing the Innovative Commons" (textbook)
"Social Networking targets the enterprise"

The internet was created through an open system where "hackers", which in the past was known as someone developing the web rather than trying to break into it. These hackers had a dream that the internet would be a public good for all to use and share information. The book "Smart Mobs" presents this idea as "nobody owns and everybody uses".

Before reading about this history I took a look at the article by Ephraim Schwartz discussing different technologies that can help businesses expand their social networking capabilities. At first glance these programs really scare me. These programs look for ways to expand businesses by going through email, internet chats, and profiles. Something about this is all very sci-fi and creepy to me. Whatever happened to old fashioned businesses where you knock on someone's door and actually shake their hand? Are those days over?

It seems like they are to me. Now we can have access to as much information as our mouse can click on, is nothing sacred any more? How does real life social networking continue to have value when my competitor can reach my new client through software while I have been trying to wine and dine the same business for months? Originally hackers felt that the internet would be a medium open to the public for all to reap the benefits. Now the internet's capabilities are probably at a level that these people could have never imagined. I fear that now our never ending abilities are making us weaker rather than stronger because it seems there is no way to gain an advantage. Everyone has access to the same opportunities making it harder to get ahead. It's wonderful that we are able to connect with so many people but at the same time, I think we are facing a situation where all of our connections are starting to cheapen because there are just so darn many of them.

That's great! So now what?...

Articles read:
"Valdis Krebs on Social Network Analysis from 1987 to 2007"
"A Practical Guide to Social Networks"

The slide show on Valdis Krebs points out that Social Network Analysis can be valuable in presenting patterns and links in a visual manner. What was once invisible has now been reavealed to us. How great! We can see why a company can have high turnover rates, how a business is set up and how that affects their effectiveness, we can even see how performance can be measured and discover that a slight drop can be due to the annual Christmas party. Wow, how valuable, isn't that neat?

Think of how innovative we can be now, think of all of the organizational changes we can make to be at the top of our game. Although I guess there is one problem, how are we going to do that? And are we really going to go through with all of these changes?

While interning at a local non-for-profit one summer I was told to make a chart with the company's employees names so that in the next meeting a board can be set up with the hierarchy so could be viewed, switched around, and ultimately reshaped. No problem, I heard the meeting was a success and the board was a real help. That happened in May and I left in August, I heard through the grapevine that everything is still the same. Of course this is isn't true in all cases. The Practical Guide to Social Networks tells us how Fannie Mae and Novartis, among others, were able to enjoy great accomplishments through social networking. There are now great tools that can help us in business but what I found most crucial is how we use them. We can chart, diagram, and reorganize all we want but what is most important is the people within these networks. It is crucial that we don't forget that we are ultimately the power behind these networks that cause that to succeed or fail.

The Ties that Bind can be the Loosest Threads of All

Materials read:
-Who knows who? Social Networks as Driving forces
-Six Degrees of Lois Weisberg

After reading about Lois, it would be an understatement to say that I was impressed. Having gone to school with a lot of friends who have gotten internships, jobs, etc. through family and family friends, I always took a little bit of smug pride that I was able to do the same without help. Although this article makes me think that there is a lot more to their connections than I had previously thought.

My attitude of thinking I can do everything by myself starts to sound more naive to as I write this post. I think I understood that reaching out to others was important, but reading about how Lois does this and makes it work to make everybody better off is an idea that had never crossed my mind before. Previously, networking seemed to be a way for people to use each other to get ahead without any consideration for those who were helping them along the way. This article makes me think of this practice as more of a social web of friends helping friends. Still, a cynical part of me has to ask why Lois is so willing to make these connections and make things happen. Does she feel like she gains some personal benefit from it or is this just her nature?


In Smart Mobs, Howard Rheingold writes about computer networks are social networks. These shows how the world of IT is making these social networks more accessible and even bigger than they already are. The idea of communities bringing people together is brought up, which ties back into Lois. She made all of her connections by reaching out to people wouldn't naturally be in her life. It is interesting to think that some of the most important ties we have are ones that we don't hold particularly close or interact with on a regular basis.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. My name is Rachel Brandon and I am a student at American University majoring in Information Technology with a minor in Israeli Studies. I have recently returned from a semester abroad in Jerusalem and look forward to my final year at college in Washington DC. On my honor, all posts on this blog are my own.