Yesterday marked my final day of class...ever. But strangely, life still feels the same. I was not sure what would happen when class ended, but I thought it would be a much more momentous occasion.
One reason for this might be because of my schedule all semester long. I worked around 20-25 per week and only had four classes (and one was a one hour class). After spring break one of my classes never even met. So essentially I was only attending two classes a week. On top of this, all of my classes were project based and the projects are still going on. Small homework assignments were never a big part of my classes this semester.
All this will change in about one week, or two weeks at a maximum. Next Wednesday I have my final presentation. This will truly mark the end of all school related work. If, for some reason that day does not seem grand enough, on May 18 I will be done with my internship. That will indeed be the day that this chapter of my life comes to an end. I will then have two weeks before the next chapter starts.
Ready or not, here comes real life.
Aaron Roecker
Advertising the United States?
Recently a commercial was released to draw tourists to the States. You can watch it here.
It is interesting, but I do not know if it will be effective. I was especially confused when it showed obscure locations in the United States. Many people seem to visit big cities, but I suspect that very few will go the swamps in the South, random fields of flowers, or large dinners in the country. It is also hard to know whether they are telling people to visit or move here.
Personally, I think a better technique would be to find what people like about America and promote that. This ad seems to show everything that we offer, thereby showing nothing specific that would draw tourists. I want to go to other countries to see specific and well-known sites. While this did show some big name locations, I thought it could have done better.
What do you think? Would you want to visit the US after seeing this?
Aaron Roecker
It is interesting, but I do not know if it will be effective. I was especially confused when it showed obscure locations in the United States. Many people seem to visit big cities, but I suspect that very few will go the swamps in the South, random fields of flowers, or large dinners in the country. It is also hard to know whether they are telling people to visit or move here.
Personally, I think a better technique would be to find what people like about America and promote that. This ad seems to show everything that we offer, thereby showing nothing specific that would draw tourists. I want to go to other countries to see specific and well-known sites. While this did show some big name locations, I thought it could have done better.
What do you think? Would you want to visit the US after seeing this?
Aaron Roecker
Apartment Hunting
Apartment hunting. You either hate it or love it - I have yet to make up my mind.
Now that the real world is starting in just over a month, I need to find a place to call home. For the past 22 years my home has been various places around the Peoria area, so I have not done any apartment hunting. I'm not really sure what I thought it was going to be like before starting the adventure a few weeks ago, but I am definitely realizing that it's no walk in the park.
It wouldn't be nearly as bad if I was moving across town and could easily visit an apartment at any time. But instead I move across the state and there are so many choices! The biggest (and probably most important) variable is cost. A one bedroom apartment in the Northwest suburbs can vary by hundreds of dollars and it is hard to know what you get for your money. Internet reviews make searching so much easier, but there are many locations with no reviews, so I am essentially walking in blind.
Due to the apartments being three hours away and school being busy until early May, I am going to Chicago this weekend to look for places. My goal is to find a place and fill out an application (and hopefully sign a lease) this weekend. I want to get something finalized so I can cross another thing of the list of activities I need to do before I move. I also want to try to find a place before everyone else starts looking.
This weekend is going to be crazy going from apartment to apartment, but hopefully at the end of the day Sunday I can relax knowing that I have my new home.
Aaron Roecker
Now that the real world is starting in just over a month, I need to find a place to call home. For the past 22 years my home has been various places around the Peoria area, so I have not done any apartment hunting. I'm not really sure what I thought it was going to be like before starting the adventure a few weeks ago, but I am definitely realizing that it's no walk in the park.
It wouldn't be nearly as bad if I was moving across town and could easily visit an apartment at any time. But instead I move across the state and there are so many choices! The biggest (and probably most important) variable is cost. A one bedroom apartment in the Northwest suburbs can vary by hundreds of dollars and it is hard to know what you get for your money. Internet reviews make searching so much easier, but there are many locations with no reviews, so I am essentially walking in blind.
Due to the apartments being three hours away and school being busy until early May, I am going to Chicago this weekend to look for places. My goal is to find a place and fill out an application (and hopefully sign a lease) this weekend. I want to get something finalized so I can cross another thing of the list of activities I need to do before I move. I also want to try to find a place before everyone else starts looking.
This weekend is going to be crazy going from apartment to apartment, but hopefully at the end of the day Sunday I can relax knowing that I have my new home.
Aaron Roecker
Bradley University Recap
Since I am only a month away from being completely done with my college career, I though it is appropriate to take a look back at the last four years. I decided to go to Bradley because I wanted to stay close to home and didn't want to leave Peoria. A few years into Bradley my mindset completely changed and I started second guessing why I stayed in the area. But looking back at the past four years, I realized how many opportunities I had at Bradley.
One of my favorite experiences at Bradley have been my study abroads. I had the privilege to go to both China and Finland for a few weeks in 2010. This opened my eyes to how big the world is and gave me a desire to hopefully travel (and potentially work) abroad again.
Also, the marketing professors I have had at Bradley have been great. Although I have had many long nights and weekends trying to finish projects, these projects have taught me more than mere lectures could. The teachers make class interesting, relevant, and challenging.
Finally, Bradley has helped me land my most important internship. I simply put my resume on Bradley's career website and I was contact by the recruiter at Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, which has then led me obtaining a full-time position with the company. Although Bradley's career website helped me, it can be frustrating due to Bradley's lack of relationships with large, out-of-state companies.
All-in-all, I have enjoyed my time at Bradley. There are many things Bradley can improve upon and many schools that are better than Bradley, but it has been a good experience and I thankful for the past four years.
Aaron Roecker
One of my favorite experiences at Bradley have been my study abroads. I had the privilege to go to both China and Finland for a few weeks in 2010. This opened my eyes to how big the world is and gave me a desire to hopefully travel (and potentially work) abroad again.
Also, the marketing professors I have had at Bradley have been great. Although I have had many long nights and weekends trying to finish projects, these projects have taught me more than mere lectures could. The teachers make class interesting, relevant, and challenging.
Finally, Bradley has helped me land my most important internship. I simply put my resume on Bradley's career website and I was contact by the recruiter at Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, which has then led me obtaining a full-time position with the company. Although Bradley's career website helped me, it can be frustrating due to Bradley's lack of relationships with large, out-of-state companies.
All-in-all, I have enjoyed my time at Bradley. There are many things Bradley can improve upon and many schools that are better than Bradley, but it has been a good experience and I thankful for the past four years.
Aaron Roecker
Kiva - Amazon's Robots
I wonder how many know about Amazon's army of robots? Or how many know that Amazon spent $775 million to buy the company that manufacturers these robots?
You can watch the video explaining how the robots are used here.
It is amazing to see the behind-the-scenes work at Amazon's warehouses. I guess I take it for granted that my random orders can be found so quickly and delivered with the same speed.
Even more amazing is how these robots work! It is astonishing to see how these robots move throughout the warehouse and do so with such accuracy. I can now see how Amazon is able to keep their costs down. It would require an army of employees to find each product and transport it to the right place. These robots, to me, are a huge technological breakthrough! It would seem like it would be so easy for them to break down or run into each other, thus damaging all the products and slowing the process.
This video goes to show everything that must take place behind-the-scenes. In order for companies like Amazon to be successful, everything must perfectly align. The internet allowed for global access to their online store and personalization of ads, improvements in transportation allow products to arrive within one or two days, and machines like the Kiva allow for quick access of inventory. If any of these advances in technology were not available, Amazon would not be successful.
I can only imagine what new company will take advantage of upcoming new advances in technology to create the next powerhouse.
Aaron Roecker
You can watch the video explaining how the robots are used here.
It is amazing to see the behind-the-scenes work at Amazon's warehouses. I guess I take it for granted that my random orders can be found so quickly and delivered with the same speed.
Even more amazing is how these robots work! It is astonishing to see how these robots move throughout the warehouse and do so with such accuracy. I can now see how Amazon is able to keep their costs down. It would require an army of employees to find each product and transport it to the right place. These robots, to me, are a huge technological breakthrough! It would seem like it would be so easy for them to break down or run into each other, thus damaging all the products and slowing the process.
This video goes to show everything that must take place behind-the-scenes. In order for companies like Amazon to be successful, everything must perfectly align. The internet allowed for global access to their online store and personalization of ads, improvements in transportation allow products to arrive within one or two days, and machines like the Kiva allow for quick access of inventory. If any of these advances in technology were not available, Amazon would not be successful.
I can only imagine what new company will take advantage of upcoming new advances in technology to create the next powerhouse.
Aaron Roecker
Goodbye Peoria, Hello Chicago
It's official - I now know what my future holds after Bradley!
On Tuesday I accepted a position with Robert Bosch Tool Corporation to work with digital media. This is a great first job and will allow me to develop my online marketing skills. I am joining a large and successful global organization and hope to continue there for many years to come.
My current internship at the company's offices in Peoria has helped me develop relationships in the organization and skills that will help me be successful in this position. I have managed the social presence of three brands at my current job, but I have not been able to focus on that due to numerous other projects that I need to complete. My new job will allow me to spend my time specializing in developing online advertising campaigns to drive traffic and ultimately sales. I met with three members of the marketing team on Thursday and am excited to be working with a great group.
It will definitely be a life change because I have lived in the Peoria area my entire life. I am not familiar with Chicago or the suburbs so it will take some getting used to, but I am ready for this adventure. I am going to have a large check list to complete, and I am guessing that I will overlook many small details.
The college chapter is coming to a close, and with it my life as a student. Now the next section of my book begins and I already like how it is starting.
Aaron Roecker
On Tuesday I accepted a position with Robert Bosch Tool Corporation to work with digital media. This is a great first job and will allow me to develop my online marketing skills. I am joining a large and successful global organization and hope to continue there for many years to come.
My current internship at the company's offices in Peoria has helped me develop relationships in the organization and skills that will help me be successful in this position. I have managed the social presence of three brands at my current job, but I have not been able to focus on that due to numerous other projects that I need to complete. My new job will allow me to spend my time specializing in developing online advertising campaigns to drive traffic and ultimately sales. I met with three members of the marketing team on Thursday and am excited to be working with a great group.
It will definitely be a life change because I have lived in the Peoria area my entire life. I am not familiar with Chicago or the suburbs so it will take some getting used to, but I am ready for this adventure. I am going to have a large check list to complete, and I am guessing that I will overlook many small details.
The college chapter is coming to a close, and with it my life as a student. Now the next section of my book begins and I already like how it is starting.
Aaron Roecker
Another crazy few weeks...
Even though I stayed in Peoria during Spring Break, I was able to spend some time relaxing, and it is a good thing I did. These next few weeks, and potentially months will be very hectic as my last semester comes to a close.
Our second marketing plan is due a week after we receive our results (and I doubt we will get the luxury of having the due date extended again). My other senior project is in full-swing and without proper management of the time frame we created, we will fall behind quickly. On top of both of these are my social media project and research paper on youth unemployment.
In addition to my school work, I have been given the opportunity to work on important projects at work which will require me to work more than my scheduled 20 hours a week. Combine that will helping establish the new American Marketing Association leaders and applying and interviewing for jobs, and you could say I have a busy rest of the semester.
Thankfully, I am not anxious as one would expect, but instead I know what lies ahead and am shooting for the goal of graduation. I thought that maybe the last semester could be slow, but school had other plans and will make sure that I am busy until the very last day. Then, hopefully, if all goes to plan, I can substitute a busy school life for a busy work life.
Aaron Roecker
Our second marketing plan is due a week after we receive our results (and I doubt we will get the luxury of having the due date extended again). My other senior project is in full-swing and without proper management of the time frame we created, we will fall behind quickly. On top of both of these are my social media project and research paper on youth unemployment.
In addition to my school work, I have been given the opportunity to work on important projects at work which will require me to work more than my scheduled 20 hours a week. Combine that will helping establish the new American Marketing Association leaders and applying and interviewing for jobs, and you could say I have a busy rest of the semester.
Thankfully, I am not anxious as one would expect, but instead I know what lies ahead and am shooting for the goal of graduation. I thought that maybe the last semester could be slow, but school had other plans and will make sure that I am busy until the very last day. Then, hopefully, if all goes to plan, I can substitute a busy school life for a busy work life.
Aaron Roecker