Another voice chimes in . . .

This is quite a privilege. For me that is. I will leave it to you to draw your own conclusions.

My name is Chris Miciek and I have been drafted as part of the 2008 conference's blogging corps. As of this moment I am the Director of Career Services for Baker College's Online and Center for Graduate Studies campuses. Baker is Michigan's largest private, non-profit institution of higher education. I assumed this role a little over five years ago. At that time my two campuses did not offer career services and were facing a majority population outside of the state. Since the institution's mission statement expressly addresses lifetime career support, there was a need to develop a response and enfranchise those students and alumni. My task was to create and run what became the first 100% online career services office. This has included a full slate of standard career services offerings, plus supporting a required internship program. Our combined student population is currently just shy of 6000. Over 60% are outside of Michigan. Some of those are overseas as expats or foreign nationals. It has been an amazing ride.

Yes, I have a bit of interest in the intersection of career services, education, and technology. Because of the strong technology environment I have lived in the past five years, I will be focusing much of my attention on the technology and future casting content of this year's conference. Technology isn't strategy, but it must be a key piece of our strategic plans and vision.

I say "as of this moment" because when I have the chance to meet all of you in New Orleans I will be there as a Drexel Dragon. And I do expect to meet all of you at the Future Directions Committee's session on Thursday morning. Sure it's early but what better way to start the day? Okay enough shameless plugging for now.

Other's have mentioned it so I'll chime in - join us at the Habitat worksites. These are great opportunities to be contributors and not just tourist/conventioneers. It is a pertty good way to network, too.

Embrace your chopsticks.