DQ 4-2

Dq 4-2 Responses

1.

I plan on using the online forums provided by gcu in order to find like-minded people are who pursuing similar things that I am and making connections with them. Asking them questions such as if there currently interning at a company or if they have a company in mind that they'd like to work for after the program is finished. Additionally taking the time out of my schedule and attending things such as better business conferences or TED talks is a great way for me to open up my circle and hopefully get in touch with people and business who are looking to find motivated individuals for their company. All these things will keep me motivated due to the fact that they'll get me one step closer to finding my dream job! Additionally using sites such as Linkedin in order to connect to local professionals in my field is one of my main priorities currently due to the fact that I feel it’s a quick and easy way to make connections that can, in fact, lead to my dream career (Yeung, 2009). With all of this being said, making connections on and offline is key for moving into any industry.

Yeung, R. (2009). Rules of networking . Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org

2.

Networking is a beneficial tool in gaining experience beyond what is learned in the classroom.  Taking advantage of online forums offers a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of classmates' views, experiences, and knowledge.  Being involved in discussion forums also brings a narrower focus to certain topics and allows classmates to expand on each other's thought processes and to reflect on points and offer support of different ideas (Romero, 2015). 

 

Attending events, meetings and conferences will allow me to interface with professionals that are active in the line of work I'm interested in.  Being able to glean from professional knowledge and experience can help me uncover new ways to grow academically and professionally.  Events can be very engaging, exciting, and inspiring which can be extremely helpful in staying motivated toward my academic goals.  Attending events, meetings, or conferences is a great way to meet people who share the same interests and are excited about sharing like-minded ideas.   Having a broad exposure to different professionals, staying up to date on changes in my field of study, and learning about different companies and hiring opportunities are all helpful in preparing for my future success (White, 2015).

 

Romero, L., (2015), 3 academic advantages of online programs. U.S. News & world report: Education.  Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-learning-     lessons/2015/10/16/3-academic-advantages-of-online-programs

 

White, B., (2015), 5 reasons why students should attend industry events. The Griffith collective. Retrieved from http://thegriffithcollective.com/2015/05/14/5-reasons-every-student- should-attend-industry-events/

3.

I believe that networking is an extremely important part in any field. Taking advantage of any and all networking opportunities is a huge part in being a professional but also as a scholar. In the graduate field, we learn by doing extensive amounts of research. We take the knowledge that we have learned in an undergraduate setting and learn how to add to it, in hopes of transitioning into a “scholar” (DiVincenzo 2014). It is a belief of mine, that a large part of that transition is networking. It is through networking, that we are able, to not only learn more about our field, but learn about the individuals who are in it. By doing this, we are able to make connections with people who can teach us more about our career path but could also provide us with opportunities. I have recently discovered; how valuable it is to surround yourself with “likeminded” people. Those who will encourage you to stay the course, motivate you when you’re feeling like you want to give up, and also paint a picture of what the end result looks like.

 

DiVincenzo, A. (Author)(2014) Academic and Career Path. In DiVincenzo, A. (Author), Alexander, M. & Quow-Thomason, N. (Consulting Eds), Mastering Graduate Studies (p.1-11). Retrieved from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/grandcanyon-university/2014/mastering-graduate-studies_ebook_1e.php