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When describing how to best take advantage of Podcamp Boston 3, Chris Brogan said something to the effect of, “It’s not what people are teaching in the classrooms that makes Podcamp special. Rather, it is what goes on in the hallways, lounges, and small informal gatherings that makes the magic that is Podcamp” (Loosely quoted).
It was soon after podcamp that I started to learn this same principle while interning for the IT consulting firm, Accenture. We had formal training, workshops, on the job learning and the rest but what made working for them so special was the day to day interactions passing by a coworker’s desk. It was the informal talks at internal networking talks that provided huge value, not the formal reports and speakers.
As I’ve entered my final year of college, I’ve brought the lesson of informal gathering, investing in intertactions, and the value of uniting others to my every day life within the University. It is easier to parse through the lecture notes and find the important chunks. Focusing in class is far less challenging now that I know what is important. All the classwork prepares me to work with peers in the hallsways and on teams. My experience informs my actions in student groups and guides the decision making I use every day.
So what are the next steps? Here are a couple:
- Find what drives you – focus on it and develop it.
- Get extroverted – we all have introverted days but getting outside yourself lets you see the value you have to bring to others and vice versa.
- Get involved – you can find something that excites you every day that you’re alive, I promise! Find it and follow it.
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Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
Allen Taylor
As I reflected on your comments on training, I am reminded how different people learn in different ways. For example, I’ve spent considerable time introducing older people to how to use the computer. Some people just want me to give them the manual so that they can read it and explore on their own. Others just want me to show them how. Another group needs to walk and work through a series of steps. Sometimes over the same thing several times. And others need all three.