Career Planning

Today in class we had someone come in from the career development center or something of that sort, and discuss career planning. Before she had started her presentation, Dr. Tao had stated that 85% of the enrolled students in the CSU system come to have a good career. He also told us the 4 important things to do while we're here in college getting our degree:

• Learn something
• Do an internship
• Create a Portfolio
• Social Networking

Those are the 4 things that will help us get ahead of the game in our chosen career paths, and help us land a job when we graduate. When we discussed these things, I thought to myself that getting a job after graduating in my career is in my control and it is possible. From what I've seen and with the economy, I have been telling myself that it will be difficult after I graduate. I didn't want to set myself up for failure, but talking about these things lets me know that this is important, and that getting a job after graduating is possible if you do all the necessary things. When the Career Center person was giving her presentation, she made it clear to plan ahead and don't leave looking for a job or building a portfolio after you graduate. It's better if you do it before, since you'll be prepared.

After this lecture, I feel like having a career in this horrible economy is doable.

Class Lecture Oct. 7th

This class we had a pretty interesting lecture. Dr. Tao talked more about group projects and group presentations. We also got put into our groups and discovered what our final presentation was all about. My group consists of 4 different emphasizes: an ISSM Major, a CSIT major with an emphasis in Information Systems, another CSIT major with an emphasis in Software Engineering, and then myself as a CD major with an emphasis in web design. I believe that somehow, our group can all relate to one thing. I believe this will be a difficult task, but that's what life's about, and you just have to learn how to deal with it.

My S.M.A.R.T. Goal

By June 2012, I want to graduate with a degree in Communications Design, emphasizing in Web Design. I want to be able to design and code a visually-pleasing, fully-functional website. I would like to have the knowledge of HTML, CSS, PHP, and possibly Javascript by the time I graduate. I also want to be familiar or at least introduced to creating web applications, since that is where the web is being directed to. I also want to become familiar with Drupal. For my capstone, I'd like to create a web application that is useful to the campus.

Project Management

The last lecture we had we discussed project management. We talked about what was important, what it was, and what was needed for successful project managing. Project management is planning, organizing, and managing resources in order to complete a successful project goal.

Project management is important to me because if I want to be a web designer, I will have many projects that require me to manage my time and resources in order to complete a successful project goal. If I don't manage my time well, then the project goal will be more difficult to reach. This is important because as I take on more projects, I will have to be organized with what I want to do. I need to create deadlines that are in my reach in order to help me succeed as a web designer.

The main key concepts in project management is definition, planning, and control. First, you need to define the project specifically and note what you want the outcome of this project to be. Second, you need to plan what you need to do in order to meet goals for the project. Third, you need to make sure that the project is actually progressing and working towards the goals you make.

Another thing we also learned was to create S.M.A.R.T. goals. Goals need to be specific, measurable, agreed upon, realistic, and time-framed. If all goals meet these specifications, then they will be achievable and in the reach of the group in order to create a successful project.

Class Lecture Sept. 23rd

This class was pretty interesting and informative. For the first hour, we went over the CD ILP. Kevin Cahill came and explained the process to us. They handed us the new ILP, even though I had already filled out the old one. We learned what our MLO's are, our core classes, electives, and certain things like that. He had also talked about having a new program for the CD major. They are offering classes such as Typography, Digital Drawing, and Intro to Web Design because the CD faculty are realizing most students are lacking these simple skills. After they had announced this, I was considering using the new program instead of the old one. I am deciding to stick to the old one because I am already close to graduating, and that is the plan I want to stick with. Although, for my breadth, I am considering taking Typography and/or digital drawing if it's allowed. I'm not sure if it will be though, or if it's even considered 'upper division'.

Class Lecture Sept. 16 / Academic Advisor

During this class we discussed virtual worlds and real life, the information systems concentration, Eric Tao's life story, and a bit about our academic adviser, specifically for capstone.

Ben came and talked to us about what he was interested in. He discussed ways that virtual worlds can improve real lives. He also said he was a meso-immersive kind of guy. Ben showed us a virtual world he created, called Cloverdale. It's main function is to increase ecological literacy and systems thinking. He showed us Cloverdale in a very basic program where you can see the repetition of the pattern on the mountains. He then showed us Cloverdale in Unity. Unity is a free program for people who are interested in video game development, where it does most of the javascript coding for you. When Ben showed us Cloverdale in Unity, it looked amazing. I was so amazed at what a free program can create.

After Ben finished, Eric Tao then talked about our academic adviser, and how we would go about choosing one. From the list, I would want my academic adviser to be Kevin Cahill. I am choosing him because he is the Program Lead, and also because I am really enjoying the way he is teaching web design. I always feel like every class is useful, and my thought process is changing because of this class, for the better. My second choice would be a  tie between Bude Su and Bobbi Long. I would probably end up choosing Bude Su if my capstone consists of only web or some sort of advanced program for the web. If my capstone consists of a little more print design, I'd go with Bobbi.

Eric Tao then discussed his life. He went to UC Irvine, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and the the National Sun Yat Sen University in Taiwan. He's gotten all the way up to his Ph.D in Computer Engineering. Kate Lockwood also spoke during this class time. I also was confirmed she was pregnant! I could kind of tell but not exactly. She graduated from the University of Michigan. Her emphasis she focuses on is information systems, which is a new concentration being offered.

Class Notes 9/9

CSIT - Individual Learning Plan

This class time was focused mostly on the Individual Learning Plan for CSIT. They were shown the classes they had to take, and were given tips on how to figure out if they were only offered in the Fall or in the Spring. Sathya also mentioned how if you wanted to not have an emphasis you could choose certain classes, just as long as they had some sort of goal in the end.


Web Design Emphasis - Kevin Cahill

Kevin Cahill also came in the class to talk about the Web Design emphasis in the CD major (which is my emphasis). This was by far the most interesting thing in the class! He talked about Google Analytics, and HTML 5. We had gone to thewildernessdowntown.com and saw what HTML 5 is going to offer the future and it made me excited. Also, he mentioned how if you want to achieve in the web design field right now, that learning drupal would be helpful.

Capstone

Bude Su also came in and talked a bit about capstone, and what it was. She said the top two reasons why people fail capstone is procrastination and if they are not capable of the project. It made me think about my capstone and what I would do.. but I think revealing my ideas would be too much.