Today I am finishing up my final research paper for this semester. It is the paper that I am writing on what I have learned from this blog and this semester.
As I look back at my life since January, I see how I have grown and changed. I see how this decision to go back to school has been the best decision I have made. (Yes, I know I just got out last May....) This program is opening my eyes to things I knew about, but never had the chance to really learn about. It also is giving me the chance to see how the world is viewed by others.
In my last program, it was almost always about the great work that the professors did or where they traveled. Except for a few, it was not about learning the facts that matter. This time it is different. In my last MBA, not once did my advisor meet with me. I would email questions that would go unanswered. This time my advisor laid out a game plan with me. To me that is huge. It shows she actually cares and wants to see me succeed at reaching my goals. It is a welcomed change.
This semester I was able to see how social media impacts our world in more ways than we realize. The impact is greater than I first thought. In many ways I see that these tools can help create change that can help the greater good. I think we just need to learn how to utilize the tools that are there to accomplish the goals we set. There seems to be a lot of "experts", but it seems that they all are saying the same things, just with a different picture on the cover of the book. I feel with these social networking or social media tools being so new, there is going to be a lot "experts" until there is a standard set. In my opinion, that is something that does not happen over night. I'm still trying to figure out how I can do something to impact the world in a positive way- which I think that is what a lot of these experts are trying to do. I want the book with the new cover and content- I don't like to recycle.
What have I learned about Facebook and other social media sites? Yes, it is addictive. I can go through my friends list and point out those that are addictive just by their posts. These post show which people have the need to constantly know what everyone is doing and find a way to out do them or be the last or first to comment. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but it is something we need to be more aware of moving forward. The research shows that social media is more addictive than sex and alcohol. Truthfully, I believe it. The sad part? The professionals can not agree if this addiction actually exists. It is interesting to read- both sides of the story. I obviously agree that it is an addiction that we need to closely look at and start to address.
The biggest change has been in me. I now pride myself on living a "cleaner" life online. These sites are great for keeping in touch, but look at the research, it scares me that our society is losing the ability to interact face-to-face. To me, conversation is a good when it is face-to-face rather than screen-to-screen. I have mentioned before how I miss it. There is a time and place to play on line or on your mobile devices. I make every effort to put my phone away to be able to enjoy those that are around me. With things that are going on in other areas of my life, I see that life is precious. Would you want to remember your last interaction to be with someone in person or over a screen? These are the questions we need to start asking and answering.
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