Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/371911
50 cgw j u ly . a u g u s t 2 0 1 4 E D U C A T I O N careers we hope to have. Our teachers introduced many of us to social media services (be it websites or apps) that we use regularly, and by regularly, I mean daily, if not hourly," he says. In terms of career advance- ment, Kattis primarily uses Twitter and LinkedIn to reach out and connect with individuals, groups, or organizations that otherwise would be out of reach. "Connectiing to companies and employees through social media can act as a buff er or catalyst. It allows you to present yourself in a specifi c way, and to interact to establish a relation- ship prior to a physical meeting," Kattis says. To keep a continuous connection, all Kattis's feeds are connected to his mobile devices, enabling him to access or browse their services from any location or point in time. SVA student Christina Faraj likes the fact that with social media, a person can connect with multiple people and com- panies instantaneously. However, if used incorrectly, social media can be damaging to a person's reputation, since each post is accessible by hundreds or more. "What you post can sometimes be misinterpreted. And, having a one-on-one interaction with someone is an easier, better way to communicate in certain instances," she says. Social media user Craig Hark- ness from Indiana University, recalls forging an interesting connection a er a Twitter post. "I Tweeted about doing an app design based on the Render- Man walking teapot and ended up having a chat with Peter Moxom at Pixar," he says. "I actually met up with him at the Pixar booth at SIGGRAPH last year and he introduced me to Dylan Sisson, the guy who de- signs [the teapots] every year." All in all, Generation Y praises the use of social media in education and career building, and those who are slightly older do as well, but they remind the group to proceed carefully. Brandon Clements, who attended Purdue University, sums it up nicely: "Social media can be used as a tool to create a better career and educational atmosphere. The power, if used correctly, is unimaginable." ¢ F l u X Qualoth Fully Scalable Fluid Simulator High Quality Cloth Simulator During SIGGRAPH and at our booth only! FXGear is coming to SIGGRAPH 2014 - Buy one and get one or 30% off on all of our software - Write us a testimonial and get up to 3 free annual subscriptions - Tell us about your project for an opportunity to use FluX for free We donate our software to schools ALL YEAR ROUND! Visit us @ booth #614 www.fxgear.net sales@fxgear.net Karen Moltenbrey is the chief editor of CGW. "SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOW AN INTEGRATED PART OF OUR SOCIETY AND LIFESTYLE. OUR GENERATION AND YOUNGER ARE GROWING UP WITH THIS PORTAL OF COMMUNICATION AS A NORM, AND IT IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE A VOICE." MARISSA TONTAVEETONG SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN