Into
As I reflect on my experience in MIST5720, I can say with confidence that this course has been a game-changer for me. At first, I was unsure about taking this course as I didn’t know much about the subject matter or the professor. But I am glad that I did take the leap and enroll in this class. The course structure was unlike any other class I have taken before. The professor, Dr. Kane, encouraged us to explore emerging technologies and entrepreneurship, which opened my eyes to new possibilities in the business world. I found myself learning about venture capital, startups, and even blockchain, which I had little to no knowledge of before this course. At the beginning of the course, I was worried about having to write blog posts as I usually despise writing to be honest. However, being able to choose what we wrote about kept it interesting and made it a whole lot easier as I enjoyed the research I was doing for my blogs.
Class structure
One of the highlights of the class was the guest speakers. It was refreshing to hear from industry professionals who shared their experiences and insights. I particularly enjoyed hearing from Dennis Crowley, who is a wealth of knowledge and a great person to talk to. I also appreciated the presentations by Rich Nanda, Jerry Doyl, and Bill VanCurhen. Each speaker brought a unique perspective and gave me a better understanding of what is possible in the business world. Before this class, I always felt a heavy burden on my shoulders that I needed to know what I was doing after college and where I was going to go. The constant reminder from just about every speaker about how the unknown in your twenties the best feeling is very reassuring. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to interact with people from a wide range of career experiences. Listening to advice from individuals who just got out of college all the way to individuals who are basically retired showed me that there is an infinite number of directions and possibilities I can choose. As an MIS major here at UGA I have always felt the pressure of going straight into consulting. Honestly, before this class, it kind of seemed like the only direction to go but I have learned that there are many different opportunities with MIS.
Another aspect of the class that I found valuable was the Twitter component. Initially, I was hesitant about using Twitter for academic purposes, but I found it to be a great way to share and discuss emerging technologies with my classmates. It was also interesting to see what my classmates were tweeting about and to learn about their interests in the field. I usually don’t get on Twitter that much but because of this class has piqued my interest more. I also enjoy having a social media platform where I am directed to more news that is related to my major than my normal social media accounts.
Conclusion
Overall, this course has been extremely beneficial to my career development. It has given me a better understanding of the emerging technologies space and entrepreneurship, which I believe are crucial in today’s business landscape. I now feel more confident in my ability to make connections and pursue opportunities in these areas.
Also, I want to express my gratitude to Dr. Kane for his years of experience and knowledge. His connections and experience in the Boston area were invaluable, and I feel fortunate to have been able to learn from him. MIST5720 has been one of my favorite and most impactful classes, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have taken it.