IWC CAREER SYMPOSIUM

I was recently invited back to Iowa Wesleyan College by the Director of Alumni Relations to participate in a career symposium.

I engaged fellow IWC Alumni in a panel discussion in front of the current student body, the IWC President (Dr. William N. Johnston), the Director of Alumni Relations, and the Director of Career Services. The discussion was based around our experiences on how to aquire a job after graduation. We all talked about our own career paths and any ups and downs during the journey to where we're at today.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the floor was open to questions. We received a few questions, but perhaps my favorite question of the day was "what was one course (class) you took while in college, that you never thought you'd need at your current job?" The most popular answer from panel members was"math." Another answer I heard was some sort of science. I, All Beef, simply could not resist this question. With a raised eye brow I looked straight into the heart of the audience and proclaimed "gymnastics." Then, the explanation was on. When you're out shooting video for TV, you sometimes have to get in the most awkward balancing acts to get that perfect shot. I've been on top of the company van with the tri-pod in one hand and the camera in the other. This maneuver gets even harder when the van's moving. I've been upside down, on the ground, and in tight spaces. ALL for that perfect shot.

After the Q/A session, we broke into small groups with each Alumni receiving their own table. This allowed a more personal interaction and allowed students to ask more specific questions.

It was a fun experience and I was glad to have participated.

--All Beef

CITO 2007

On April 14th, 2007 - International Cache In Trash Out Day - we created and hosted the "1st Annual Cedar Rapids CITO Extravaganza!" This is a geocaching event in which we organized a litter pick up of Cedar Rapids, IA. We cleaned a two mile stretch of city park along 'L' Street and 3rd Street (which border Interstate 380) between Wilson Ave and 3rd Ave SW. We had 35 geocachers attend and by the end of the event we had picked up 55 bags of garbage! KCRG TV9 was there and did a nice story about the event on the 6PM newscast that evening.

The event was a huge success and everyone had a good time. We had plenty of prizes to give away at the conclusion and next year we hope to have food for everyone. On my final check of the clean-up area I came across two residents who were scoping out the handywork. I stopped to talk with them for a minute and they were amazed at how clean it was. One said "You guys did a great job, it hasn't been this clean around here in years!"

Next year the event will be moved to a different location as we want to benefit Cedar Rapids/Marion and surrounding communites. The intent of this annual event is to be held on International Cache In Trash Out Day each year. You can find more about CITO (Cache In Trash Out) at www.cacheintrashout.org and more about geocaching at www.geocaching.com.

This event took over two months of planning and I'm glad it was a big success. The biggest scare came three days before the event as the spring weather turned cold and snow began falling. We had 2-3 inches on the ground less than 72 hours from the event! Luckily it melted quickly and the weather was warm for the "1st Annual Cedar Rapids CITO Extravaganza!"

--All Beef