Communication is Key: The pen and the voice

We all suffer from Newton101 at some point in our lives! I for one am certainly not the exception to the rule. I can recall at least 10 situations in which I have gotten in trouble because of my communication errors. Granted most of them have also been due to knowledge issues and the ambiguity of language as a whole. To some people the word "maybe" becomes a topic of confusion. Depending on the person, the word "maybe" changes its contextual realm. We all know that one kid who, when he says "maybe," really means "sure I'll do it if you stress it enough" but just as likely remember the kid who responds "maybe" and means "when hell freezes over." Words take a definition based on cultural contexts...so is it really your fault for a miscalculation in communication? Though I may be arguing that communication can never be perfect, I am not arguing that all forms of communication are above us. We can approach it in a very similar manner as science is approached because as one should know, science is not a very conclusive field of knowledge; scientific conclusions are right until proven otherwise. How we choose our words and dictate our thoughts should be demonstrative of our need, ability, and talent to convey meaning. Each person can be a separate scientific case. It's only up to us to come up with our own hypotheses on how a group of words can effect a change in a person's mindset. Manipulating and presenting language can, in this way, be a learning process.

Social Networking at Illinois

"Not much of a daunting task but often a useful one, networking retains a vital aspect in the hierarchy of social and economic mobility." I quoted my fellow business majoring friend who in her attempt to ridicule my initial opening sentence...ended up providing me with a dressed up version of what I was about to say...but in reverse fashion. Why do I bring this up? Her thinking perpetuates a sort of stereotype whereby business students usually see the socializing aspect of work a tangible resource rather than mobility blockade. There's the glorified, simplified view of networking and then...there's the case of the "engineer" who, hiding from the face of social scrutiny, finds it difficult to shed his previous life as a cultured hermit. It's all mentality...and mentality can be mended to suit a purpose.

I for one am not saying that networking is too terribly easy but it sure isn't the hardest task at hand for any college student. Though not required, we, as students, are often told to talk to our professors. Why might you ask? It's because the smallest encounter with a professor could lead to forming other connections. It could lead to opportunities, internships, and perhaps even research. It just takes initiative really.

It's often really interesting how rather random experiences can lead to networking. Despite the lack of initiative, I managed my real life social network by meeting "a friend of a friend." As often is the case, knowing a person in common really facilitated the experience. I also took the time to get to know a TA of mine (Ilya Gurevic)who now know recognizes me from a quad away apparently...and is able to pronounce my name in spanish in a correct fashion. Now that wasn't all I did. I also experienced the harsh reality of an Engineering job fair. Underqualified and ambitious is the best that my resume could portray me. I wasn't expecting much from the experience other than for it to be "a learning experience." On the upside, I became familiar with the almost, ritualesque behaviors and practices at such a fair with all of its formalities. The networking was rather minimal but helpful for me.

iEFX Resume

Xavier Medina
Lincoln Park High School

Education
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
Weighted GPA: 4.78
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Hispanic National Merit Semi-Finalist
National Merit Commended
Illinois State Scholar
AP Scholar

Clubs/Sports
3 years of Varsity Soccer
4 years of Varsity Chess
1 year of Academic Decathlon
1 year of band (trumpet)
2 years of Newspaper club (newspaper editor)

Honors
3 years of State Playoffs (soccer)
3rd place State Academic Decathlon (medal)
3rd Place CPS Chess Tournament

Work Experiences
School Principal Assistant 2010
Technical Support / Assistant at Orion Industries, Dimension Bond and Surface Solutions Group