My Future

It is difficult to grasp the thought of almost being done with school. With these thoughts come the expectations of what I will pursue in the near future. After completing my Co-op in Boston, I was offered a full time position as a financial manager. While I am not quite sure whether I would like to work for this particular company, it is assuring to know that there is something there. The increasing unemployment rate and hiring freeze going on today, make me thankful for at least having a job available after my school graduation.

In ten years hopefully everything will be stable as well as optimistic for our society. I envision myself as a career oriented person; therefore I can see myself as a possible Chief Financial Officer down the road. Through hard work and commitment this goal should not be out of reach. I am a strong believer in earning everything you have, instead of being given everything for free. A prime example in my life would be paying my way through school. This has allowed me to take on more responsibility financially and has given me the opportunity to become more mature as an individual. Outside of the working world, I can see myself starting to develop a family. Ten years is ample time for me to establish my career and will allow me to support my family. Growing up I did not have a father, which was disappointing for me as a child. I made the best of it and was fortunate enough to have a loving mom to make up for the lack of support from my father. However, this made me realize that I would never do this to any of my children. Regardless, of how my life may be going financially or emotionally, I would never be an absent father.

I have been part of the Big Brother Organization since my senior year in high school. I have been the Big Brother to two fatherless boys, which has been nothing but great. Just playing basketball or playing catch can make all the difference in the world. I think it has been easier for my little brothers to accept me as well because I can relate to how they are feeling. I know exactly what it is like to have your father not at your basketball game or to just not be there at all in your life.

Most of the opportunities in the financial world would lead me to New York or somewhere up North to live. However, if possible I would love to live in California because the weather is great which equates to a lot of golf. I believe that you have to do the things that make you happy in your leisure time to become successful as well as pleasant to be around. While it would be great to be a millionaire it is not a must for me to be happy. As long as I am comfortable, able to support my family and do the things that I enjoy, my lifestyle will have no regrets.

The Power of the Web

Perhaps "The Machine is Us/ing Us" is referring to our lack of control over the computer. Many people browse the internet and explore their computer, but do not realize how little they are actually in command. Everything that an individual does online can be traced and watched by millions of unknown strangers. This can be a very overwhelming thought to digest because it easy to forget.

Many times the primary purpose for which a person goes online is lost. There are so many distractions on the web, which we can rarely stray away from. While, the web does not possess our human thought it does tend to direct our minds towards certain areas. For example, simple Google search engines tend to result in countless responses to our simple initial inquiries. Sometimes it is a good thing, but most of the time it results in answers unrelated to what is being searched.

The web 2.0 is affecting new job applicants all over the world. Anything that is posted about an individual on-line is available to everyone. While going on a Co-op interview in Boston, the person who went before me was viewed on facebook by the Human Resource staff. While, there was nothing negative about this person, it very well could have worked against their favor.

The people already in the workforce have to be cautious as well. If an individual is acting strange at work, this may lead to research on that person. It is a simple process to find anything ever posted about someone. Therefore, people who are high up on the corporate ladder must be intelligent and weary of what is revealed about them online. Examples may include, ( inappropriate videos, pictures, quotes...).

Perhaps "we will have to rethink everything" is referring to the change in times. We are no longer in the primitive era before the computer and the internet. We must never assume and always be prepared when it comes to technology and the information it can reveal.

Introduction

My name is Nathan Kaufman and I am from Providence, Rhode Island. Currently, I am a senior majoring in financial Management. I initially came to Clemson for the professional golf management program, however after a summer internship at the Agawam Hunt Club in R.I., I decided it was no longer the dream job I envisioned. I will always love golf, but I came to realize that I'd rather be a member of a distinguished club rather than serving one.

My family is small but I think that just makes us closer. My sister Eve is eight years older than me, but as I have gotten older we have grown closer. I will always be her little brother, but I feel we can relate more, now that I am an adult. Eve is the more creative child; she is currently working for the Lifetime Channel, while I am the accounting and numbers guy. My mother is a photographer which can get rather annoying if you don't like your picture being taken all the time. My grandmother lives with my mother and is almost 88 years old. However, you would never guess her age by her lifestyle as well as the way she looks. She takes a two mile walk every morning to get a cup of coffee and is always finding different activities to keep herself busy.

I just finished an eight month Co-op in Boston Massachusetts, working for the accounting department of an electrical construction company. Boston is a great place to work because there is always something to do, whether it's going to a Celtics or Sox's game or just walking downtown. The only downside is driving around the city everyday, which can make any sane person go crazy. If there is one thing I can recommend it would be to experience as many Co-ops/internships as possible before you graduate. The job market is extremely competitive right now due to the struggling economy, so any advantage you have will help.