I went to Me Inc. this Tuesday down at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Their mission: “to inspire students to pursue a career they are truly passionate about”
It is a conference designed for Sauder students to listen to a bunch of different speakers and talk to professionals about what they do and what we can do to get there. It was hyped up like crazy with all the plugs that went to the COMM classes to get it out there.
My motivation for going: my COMM 299 class was cancelled just so everyone could go, I really have no idea what I want to do with my degree, try something new, participate in something.
So, did I figure out what I want to do? No, not at all. However, after talking to one, I know for sure now I do not want to be a tax auditor. (Not anything personal, it just didn’t sound like very much fun)
Cost: $30, Experience: priceless… I guess…
Part of Me Inc.’s convincing tactics involved the intrigue of a mystery bag of free swag. For those who didn’t go, here is what was actually in it:
Info brochures, PWC notebook, CMA pencils, Deliotte pen, 6 packets of mini eggs (I ate one), CA branded gum, CGA lanyard, Ernst & Young tote baggy thing, Halls Refresh, and my favorite, CGA stain remover.
The opening keynote was Sean Aiken, man who worked 52 jobs, each for a week for one year, asked us who knew what they wanted to be. When only that handful of people put up their hand, I felt so relieved. I really don’t know, and I’m not ok with it but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one.
The closing keynote, David Bentall was very inspiring. Actually, all the speakers were if not inspiring then very informative. Even though 4 days later I still don’t really know exactly what I got out of the conference, I am still shifting through the stuff I learned and really feel like there is something important I’ve discovered but I haven’t found the exact words yet.
Sidenote: David Bentall’s family is responsible for the Bentall Towers. Those are the white towers above Burrard Station. I was there yesterday and I went to use the washroom and they have these awesome solar powered taps. Go green yay.
The most unique part of the day I would have to say was the lunch. The food was probably equal to the price of the ticket, but who eats $30 lunches (well it’s the Four Seasons, what do you expect?) Salad, chicken entree thing, cheese cake. Yum.
Ok it wasn’t just the food. The best part was this “networking” lunch thing. It was this networking part that actually made me hesitant to go. I mean, what do I say? It seems so intimidating. I gathered an “oh well, just try it” attitude and made myself go. I only really connected with the person who I sat next to first, but it was a very valuable experience. I only feel a little bit better about “networking” but at least now I know what it is.
The speakers all said “it’s about who you know.” I really wonder how true that is to the so called real world. Is that what it takes to be successful and happy “out there?”
To be honest, it feels extremely cheap to talk to people with the primary purpose being to gain contacts and not to just… share. So I don’t think I’m going to do that.
What do you think? Is it really about who you know?
[edit] Re-reading what I wrote now seems like I’m totally putting down networking. Honestly though, the conversation that I had with the person I connected with was awesome. It’s really fun just being able to talk with strangers about stuff that matters to you and I learned a lot from the other person. Though there is still the dark side of networking.
