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
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
KONY 2012
I realize that this will simply be another blog post about this huge trending topic, but I believe, as the director says, that this is one big social experiment
For anyone who have not seen the video, it can be found at http://vimeo.com/37119711
The film maker knows exactly what he is doing and how to appeal to the masses. What I find amazing about the beginning is how the director basically inserts us into a worldwide story. When you think that this is a 30 minute video and the call to action doesn't happen until the end, the director has to create the perfect video. Most viewers make a judgment call within the first few seconds, but this video manages to capture the interest of viewers. The first few minutes lays the ground work and shows viewers that this video deserves their respect and time.
I find it so amazing that this video has appealed to such a wide audience. Hundreds, if not thousands, of videos have gone viral, but very few explain such a difficult topic and can capture the interest of viewers for such a long period of time. It will be interesting to see how much momentum this movement can sustain, or if it will suffer from the great disadvantage of social media - that people quickly lose interest and move on to the next new idea/event.
This is the challenge of brands and causes. With the proper techniques it might be possible to consistently develop viral videos, but sustainability is almost impossible to maintain due to the onslaught of new ideas and the decreasing attention span of consumers and supporters. If Kony 2012 can maintain its support, then causes and charities can learn from this campaign. Awareness will keep growing for the next week or so, but it remains to be seen whether this idea grown through social media will fall prey to the next trending topic.
Aaron Roecker
For anyone who have not seen the video, it can be found at http://vimeo.com/37119711
The film maker knows exactly what he is doing and how to appeal to the masses. What I find amazing about the beginning is how the director basically inserts us into a worldwide story. When you think that this is a 30 minute video and the call to action doesn't happen until the end, the director has to create the perfect video. Most viewers make a judgment call within the first few seconds, but this video manages to capture the interest of viewers. The first few minutes lays the ground work and shows viewers that this video deserves their respect and time.
I find it so amazing that this video has appealed to such a wide audience. Hundreds, if not thousands, of videos have gone viral, but very few explain such a difficult topic and can capture the interest of viewers for such a long period of time. It will be interesting to see how much momentum this movement can sustain, or if it will suffer from the great disadvantage of social media - that people quickly lose interest and move on to the next new idea/event.
This is the challenge of brands and causes. With the proper techniques it might be possible to consistently develop viral videos, but sustainability is almost impossible to maintain due to the onslaught of new ideas and the decreasing attention span of consumers and supporters. If Kony 2012 can maintain its support, then causes and charities can learn from this campaign. Awareness will keep growing for the next week or so, but it remains to be seen whether this idea grown through social media will fall prey to the next trending topic.
Aaron Roecker
A Semester of Lasts
When the semester started I realized how this is my last semester at school, but as it goes on I start to realize just how many more lasts I will be experiencing. I took notice of my last first day of school, but these other last milestones continue to make themselves known
My occupation for the past 16 years has been that of a student. Yes, I have worked at various jobs since junior high, but my full-time occupation has been my schooling. Now that I am about to graduate, I realize how many times over the next few months will be my last time to do many things.
The halfway point of the semester is coming up in less than two weeks and it just hit me today that I will be having my last spring break. I also had my last, first test of the semester and will have my last midterm later next week. Not all of these things I will miss, but it does leave a bittersweet taste knowing that a whole chapter of my life is coming to a close, ironically, even for things I dislike such as my tests.
School has been my life and my identity has been based on this for so long that it seems strange that I will no longer be called a student. I have had so many great school experiences and now I am coming to the realization that it will all end and my life will no longer revolve around this.
As I am create my list of lasts and think about all my past school memories, I am excited to start another journey and create many new firsts.
Aaron Roecker
My occupation for the past 16 years has been that of a student. Yes, I have worked at various jobs since junior high, but my full-time occupation has been my schooling. Now that I am about to graduate, I realize how many times over the next few months will be my last time to do many things.
The halfway point of the semester is coming up in less than two weeks and it just hit me today that I will be having my last spring break. I also had my last, first test of the semester and will have my last midterm later next week. Not all of these things I will miss, but it does leave a bittersweet taste knowing that a whole chapter of my life is coming to a close, ironically, even for things I dislike such as my tests.
School has been my life and my identity has been based on this for so long that it seems strange that I will no longer be called a student. I have had so many great school experiences and now I am coming to the realization that it will all end and my life will no longer revolve around this.
As I am create my list of lasts and think about all my past school memories, I am excited to start another journey and create many new firsts.
Aaron Roecker