Core 1

Lizzy Cole

Professor Moody

8 February 2009

ENC 1102

Technology is becoming more dominant in our society. New innovations and digital technologies are found every day. Some people appreciate these new technologies, while others would say technology is just a burden. Pursuing a degree in Digital Media requires me to be very technologically savvy, and have a wide variety of skills in various software programs. According to Jesse Matos, a Harrington Group Simulation Engineer-Sr. Flash Developer, "The most important quality a person must possess is a willingness to learn, and continue to learn. Technology is an ever changing thing. Something useful learned one year maybe obsolete the next. So if one is serious about a career [in a technological field] they must be prepared to commit to staying in touch with what's going on in the world of technology” (Matos, 2009). Technology shapes my degree path in digital media, while at the same time social networking hinders my concentration and the technological trends that worry as well as excite me.

Choosing a major is one of the most important decisions a person has to make in their life. It ultimately leads students to a career that will support them for the rest of their lives. For many people making a decision on a single major is difficult. Taking web design classes all throughout high school helped me in my decision making process. These classes influenced me to choose a major that involved imaging and expressing my individuality through the digital world, hence the words Digital Media. According to Digital Media Alliance Florida, digital media is “the creative convergence of digital arts, science, technology and business for human expression, communication, social interaction and education." This major completely won me over because it involves so many of my passions.

Being in a field with digital technology, you must be able to cope with change; new technology is coming out constantly while old technology is trying to reinvent itself. Trying to learn about these advancements and how they work is what I do best. For instance, when a new program comes out that I really want to try, I will work hours on end just trying discover new things in it. Digital Media not only requires you to understand that technology is constantly changing, but it requires you to have a variety of knowledge in various programs (Matos, 2009). For example, a web administrator with a Digital Media B.A. should have an extensive knowledge in coding language, HTML, xHTML, CSS, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, and any other program used in creating and testing web pages (O*Net, 2010).

In Brandt’s essay College Communication and Composition, she talks mostly how communication is unavoidable and it is everywhere. She is completely right! Most people probably would not say they rely solely on technology, but I do. I take notes on the computer, I always have my cell phone and I’m always logging into my Facebook to check recent updates. Sometimes it is hard to actually get work done when these things are around. When you are taking notes in class you are just so tempted to click the “little E” on your toolbar and go on Facebook and chat with your friends.

Another thing that causes a hindrance is my cell phone. I love it, but at the same time I hate it. I love the fact that I can just shoot someone a text telling them where I am. But, I hate when people constantly text you and it is like they have nothing better to do. In a sense I feel that we rely solely on technology but it is not in a bad way. We all use technology everyday it is just a matter of how addicted some people get.

Some people on social networking sites get so caught up that they forget the concept of privacy. They will post anything to make them look cool, but if it is pictures you wouldn’t want posted on a newspaper they could actually harm you. Nowadays, jobs actually look at your Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc. to see what kind of character you have. Do you think a prestigious company would want to hire someone who is drinking underage and posting pictures of it? Do you think they would want to hire a girl who is drinking sloppy and is taking pictures on top of guys at a bar? The answer to these questions is No. No one wants to hire an underage drinker who tries to make him or herself look “cool” on a social networking site. They want to hire a reserved person who doesn’t have a bad reputation in the community.

Lastly, many people have some sort of technology trend that really excites or worries them. Whether it is a role playing game like World of Warcraft or a Facebook Application like Farmville they all have their common worries and excitement. A trend that worries me most is the intensity of role playing games and the amount at which they are played. Studies have shown that people will sit and play these games for hours on end until that is all they know. People often have a hard time distinguishing between reality and fiction, which often leads to violence.

Although these games can be intense people do not realize how exciting it is to actually sit and play one of these role playing games. For example, in Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 2 you can take the persona of someone else and complete missions as if it was yourself. Although there are a lot of people worrying about these role playing games, there is also controversy with Facebook applications like Farmville. In this game, you create a virtual farm in which you help your friends, harvest, plant and plow crops to get money so you can level up. All of these games evolve with different editions and newer prototypes just like technology does. Everything changes and you always need to be ahead of the game.

Overall, technology is an ever changing thing. If one is serious about a career in Digital Media they must be prepared to commit to staying in touch with what's going on in the world of technology. I have told you how technology influences my career and degree choices, how social networking and technologies hinder concentration, and how some technological trends worry and excite me.

---

Works Cited

Brandt D. College Composition and Communication. Vol.49. No.2 (May,

1998). pp.165-185.

Digital Media Alliance Florida. DMAF. 6 February 2010 .

Matos, J. (2009, December 5). Harrington Group Simulation Engineer-Sr. Flash Developer. (E.

Cole, Interviewer)

O*Net Online. O*Net. 5 February 2010 .