So here's my recount of this conference journey...
Last week began just like any other week, I went into the office to wrap up a few projects and I also consulted with a CI faculty before leaving the area on Tuesday afternoon after an early dinner. I wish I could say the drive on the 101S was enjoyable but that would be largely untrue. It took an hour from Thousand Oaks to the 405!!! All in all, I was grateful to reach my family's home that I would be staying at to commute to Anaheim. It would be an understatement to say I was a ball of nerves Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. I was up before my 5:30a alarm and headed out the door early Wednesday morning at 6:00a. I knew I had to be at the conference by 7:30 to finalize some moderating business and I wanted to attend the general session with Sir Ken Robinson. Thankfully I arrived shortly after 7:00a which gave me plenty of time to take care of the things I needed to and unexpectedly "run" into my former/current boss, Jill Leafstedt. It was at that point that I allowed myself to take a deep breath and step back to revel in the fact that I was at the largest information technology gathering for higher education in the US. We then proceeded into the general session together.
Unlike the veterans at the conference I had never heard Sir Ken Robinson speak and was thrilled to see an acclaimed expert in Creativity and Innovation.. He spoke of culture, imagination, and innovation; stating that "cultural nuances pervade every aspect of our life" and that "imagination is the most extraordinary capacity that we undervalue". He referenced innovation as "putting good ideas to practice" and reminded the audience that tools are used for things we can't do unaided and that it is crucial that "we think differently about ourselves and our institutions in education" while also "learning to ask questions differently". At the end of the session, it was announced that he would be doing a book signing (but it wasn't specifically announced where in the exhibit hall it would be held). The scavenger hunt began to try and find the location to try and get a signed copy of the latest edition of his book!!!
I discovered the booth by accident, quickly remembering the sponsor of the session had been Pearson and quickly got in line. It was then announced that he would only be signing 50 books/50 autographs and that it was expected to run out before my turn but we stayed put and boy was I glad I did, as you can see below (Jessica is also pictured, thanks Jill for taking this photo):
I even managed to make him laugh by thanking him for explain what the "duplicator" process was since I was one of the < 30 in the crowd.
I discovered the booth by accident, quickly remembering the sponsor of the session had been Pearson and quickly got in line. It was then announced that he would only be signing 50 books/50 autographs and that it was expected to run out before my turn but we stayed put and boy was I glad I did, as you can see below (Jessica is also pictured, thanks Jill for taking this photo):I even managed to make him laugh by thanking him for explain what the "duplicator" process was since I was one of the < 30 in the crowd.
I also have to admit I was a bit starstruck because I had never been to a book signing and up until it was my turn was wondering how much the book would cost in hopes I had enough cash on me. I never would have expected that I didn't have to pay for it. My first book signing was a success. Another book to add to my slowly growing library within Instructional Technology. Shortly there after I had to leave them and get to the 3rd floor to start moderating. I don't want to rehash my experience in too much detail but I'll just say after the first two sessions were over and it was time for lunch I was in sheer panic (my CNS was overstimulated and I'm surprised my sympathetic nervous system didn't short circuit) because of technical issues that seemed beyond my control. By the time they were fixed, I had lost all track of time and thought the session was almost over. I was able to meet up with part of the CI Team for lunch and had somewhat recovered by the time I left to go back upstairs. Thankfully the last two sessions on Wednesday went much better.
At the end of the day, I commuted back to where I was staying, met up with a friend I hadn't seen in months for dinner, and then went to bed.
Thursday morning was about the same, I was out the door by 6:05 and at the convention about an hour later.
I was mentally prepared for the long day 8-6:30 plus CI Team dinner right after.
At the end of the day, I commuted back to where I was staying, met up with a friend I hadn't seen in months for dinner, and then went to bed.
Thursday morning was about the same, I was out the door by 6:05 and at the convention about an hour later.
I was mentally prepared for the long day 8-6:30 plus CI Team dinner right after.
The first two sessions went well. I was even able to "handle" tweeting about the sessions too (another first for me) and by Saturday I was at 200 tweets!! After the second session, I packed up as quick as I could and headed downstairs to find Jill before the general session with Jane McGonigal (someone Jill had spoken very highly of). We must have been early because we found seats in the 7th row from the front in the center left section. Once again, I pulled out Dizzy (my iPad), opened my Notability app and prepared to take notes. Her session was very interesting, the facts compelling, and the games quite impressive. Plus, it was fun playing multi-player thumb wrestling as an audience. I wonder what the final count really was?? At the conclusion of her session, it was again announced that there would be a book signing but at the Follett booth. Simultaneously we all glanced at each other with the same idea. I quickly pulled out the little book on the back of my badge and found their booth number, 1719 which meant it would be in Hall B, not C.
It was much easier to find, we realized we were definitely going to get a book when we saw where we were in line and the number of books displayed. I secretly did a happy dance in my head. Although, I will say I felt more awkward at this signing and fumbled over my words.
It was an inspirational reminder that I can do and be whatever I choose...a strong, independent, confident woman in this industry.
We then headed to the lunch area, chatted with other professionals, and then I left for the 3rd floor with four more sessions to go before dinner.
The afternoon went smoothly with only minor hiccups along the way. The last session even ended early at 6 instead of 6:20 so I messaged Jill and made my way to our meeting location, the Hilton hotel which to my surprise really was but a hop, skip, and a jump from the convention center. I was entering in from another side so I had yet to go out the main entrance. I arrived in the lobby and was surprised by the boom of conversation buzzing and the social interactions that were happening all around. I had no idea which direction Jill would be coming from so I glued myself to the first pillar I saw and checked my email until she got there. We briefly chatted before meeting the rest of the team (Michael Berman, Lacey, Neil, Melissa) and walking to Downtown Disney for dinner.
[Confession: I was both excited and nervous because this was my first social outing as an employee and not a student assistant, something I am still adjusting to; I knew of everyone that would be there but never had really talked to three of them...Lacey, Neil, Melissa.]
We all chatted along the way and walked over to the Jazz Kitchen and were promptly told the wait would be 90 minutes so we decided to go to the Uva bar to wait. I would say we waited about 20 minutes to be seated and a few more before we ordered our drinks. Unexpectedly, Berman got the text moments later saying our table was ready and that we had 5 minutes to get back to the restaurant. At this point, we were still waiting for our order. Once the drinks arrived, I quickly finished it and Lacey finished hers moments after. Fifteen to twenty minutes have gone by at this point and the rest of the group was still chatting and slowly drinking so we, Lacey and I, decided to go back to the restaurant to see if we could salvage our table. The restaurant staff weren't exactly happy, more flustered if anything (which Lacey and I found humorous considering that we were expecting to wait 90 minutes rather than about 35) but they gave us a table in the front. We contacted the rest of the group and they soon joined us. We ordered our meals and enjoyed great conversation. I was very thankful for our waitress who was willing to take my onion allergy much more serious than most places allowing me to freely enjoy my meal without concern. The night ended shortly after 10 I think and the group walked me to my car. Little did I know that another adventure was about to begin.
It was much easier to find, we realized we were definitely going to get a book when we saw where we were in line and the number of books displayed. I secretly did a happy dance in my head. Although, I will say I felt more awkward at this signing and fumbled over my words.It was an inspirational reminder that I can do and be whatever I choose...a strong, independent, confident woman in this industry.
We then headed to the lunch area, chatted with other professionals, and then I left for the 3rd floor with four more sessions to go before dinner.
The afternoon went smoothly with only minor hiccups along the way. The last session even ended early at 6 instead of 6:20 so I messaged Jill and made my way to our meeting location, the Hilton hotel which to my surprise really was but a hop, skip, and a jump from the convention center. I was entering in from another side so I had yet to go out the main entrance. I arrived in the lobby and was surprised by the boom of conversation buzzing and the social interactions that were happening all around. I had no idea which direction Jill would be coming from so I glued myself to the first pillar I saw and checked my email until she got there. We briefly chatted before meeting the rest of the team (Michael Berman, Lacey, Neil, Melissa) and walking to Downtown Disney for dinner.
[Confession: I was both excited and nervous because this was my first social outing as an employee and not a student assistant, something I am still adjusting to; I knew of everyone that would be there but never had really talked to three of them...Lacey, Neil, Melissa.]
We all chatted along the way and walked over to the Jazz Kitchen and were promptly told the wait would be 90 minutes so we decided to go to the Uva bar to wait. I would say we waited about 20 minutes to be seated and a few more before we ordered our drinks. Unexpectedly, Berman got the text moments later saying our table was ready and that we had 5 minutes to get back to the restaurant. At this point, we were still waiting for our order. Once the drinks arrived, I quickly finished it and Lacey finished hers moments after. Fifteen to twenty minutes have gone by at this point and the rest of the group was still chatting and slowly drinking so we, Lacey and I, decided to go back to the restaurant to see if we could salvage our table. The restaurant staff weren't exactly happy, more flustered if anything (which Lacey and I found humorous considering that we were expecting to wait 90 minutes rather than about 35) but they gave us a table in the front. We contacted the rest of the group and they soon joined us. We ordered our meals and enjoyed great conversation. I was very thankful for our waitress who was willing to take my onion allergy much more serious than most places allowing me to freely enjoy my meal without concern. The night ended shortly after 10 I think and the group walked me to my car. Little did I know that another adventure was about to begin.
I pulled out the parking structure and heading East on Katella towards the freeway only to find the ramp on both sides of the street closed. The navigation I had with me wouldn't turn on and I couldn't get a hold of anyone. Thankfully I remembered State College Street traveled North and eventually directed me to the 91 which quickly took me to the 57. The additional bonus was that there definitely wasn't any traffic, I arrived "home" and basically fell in bed what felt like a few moments later.
Once again, Friday morning followed the same protocol but I arrived 20 minutes before 7 and it was much cooler. The last day of the conference was much shortest with two sessions and the closing general session.
I arrived so early that I decided to go around to the ballrooms I had "worked" in to personal thank the techs and staff for the assistance and guidance they provided. The sessions went off without a hitch and at the last minute decided to meet Jill for the last general session. I will have to say this was the one session that I felt most out of place in and the slides were not easy to read or see from where we sat. The session ended, I said goodbye to Jill and then left to go back to pack up before meeting another friend for lunch. I was relieved to be back in Ventura County shortly after 6, mentally exhausted but still able to fall asleep before midnight even knowing that I had to be up at 6 on Saturday because I was participating in The Color Run (5K).
I think I'm still adjusting back to life day to day, can't quite get back to that fully rested and not tired during the day feeling (something I'm not used to).
My takeaways from the conference:
Once again, Friday morning followed the same protocol but I arrived 20 minutes before 7 and it was much cooler. The last day of the conference was much shortest with two sessions and the closing general session.
I arrived so early that I decided to go around to the ballrooms I had "worked" in to personal thank the techs and staff for the assistance and guidance they provided. The sessions went off without a hitch and at the last minute decided to meet Jill for the last general session. I will have to say this was the one session that I felt most out of place in and the slides were not easy to read or see from where we sat. The session ended, I said goodbye to Jill and then left to go back to pack up before meeting another friend for lunch. I was relieved to be back in Ventura County shortly after 6, mentally exhausted but still able to fall asleep before midnight even knowing that I had to be up at 6 on Saturday because I was participating in The Color Run (5K).
I think I'm still adjusting back to life day to day, can't quite get back to that fully rested and not tired during the day feeling (something I'm not used to).
My takeaways from the conference:
- The conference was huge!! (No amount of mental prep could have prepared me for that first day)
- The companies in the Start-Up Alley were my favorite to converse with; bigger companies were anything but interested in engaging me
- I was able to contribute to meaningful conversations with professionals outside my CI Network
- If I ever go again, I have to bring my camera...it would be photography heaven!!
- I just might be hooked on book signings :-D
The saddest takeaway:
The fact that all but one CIO (that I could tell) that I heard speak hates their job, is full of complaints, bitter, and convinced that no one would take their job. I didn't not find acronyms like "Career Is Over" to be at all humorous. This is extremely disappointing and unambitious.
The fact that all but one CIO (that I could tell) that I heard speak hates their job, is full of complaints, bitter, and convinced that no one would take their job. I didn't not find acronyms like "Career Is Over" to be at all humorous. This is extremely disappointing and unambitious.
- I am just starting my career and a position that I consider to be one of the highest I'm aware of (however true that may or may not be) is something I shouldn't aspire to if I were to follow any other model that my CIO, Michael Berman.
- Last time I checked, nothing is forcing them to stay in position that they are unhappy with AND
- How can they expect to find replacements if they have nothing good to say about the position?
- I am thankful that I work for a University that has a CIO that's doing it right, someone that deserves to hold the title and someone I know it passionate about the betterment of the educational experience to the best of his ability. No one is perfect but when you hold a title such as this I would hope that you would serve at least as a means of inspiration and mentor-ship to others (particularly newbies like me).
I have also never been so happy to work for a smaller campus that is student centered. I didn't hear many positives from larger schools. I love where I work and I love what I do. GO DOLPHINS!!!
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