Reflection

   If I simply had to state my opinion on SMCC and my time here, the only words that come to mind are good things. In my eyes, I honestly couldnt see why anyone would choose a different college, if their Major of interest was offered at SMCC (or any other Maine Community College). The price of the college is unmatched. There is no need to take out loans from a bank, and if you do, they arent tens of thousands of dollars big like they would be at some University or Big Campus College and for that price nothing is skimped on. Specifically in the Computer Technology Cirriculum, the teachers are all great. Many of whom are teachers as a secondary profession. What this means is that when you actually get into studying for your major, you have teachers who actively do what they teach about. They have work experience, and have access to one of the most powerful teaching tools; anecdotes. They can give multiple examples of work in the field. They can give examples of why they are teaching something. While some classes require a book, very few actually read solely from the book. They are provided as a guide to give more of a technical look at the Field of study, whereas the teacher provides the real life look at the Field. The atmosphere feels really good, mature. You always feel like you're surrounded by people who want to be there. This is more so once you get into classes for your Major. The "Core Classes" (English, Math, History, etc) can be cluttered with kids just out of high school who are more into the college experience then whats on the board, but this mentality completely dissappears in the classroom that is directly related to your Major, where people genuinely want to be there. The students are also one of the great features of SMCC, because they want to be there, they are interested in helping others, whether they are themselves already a master at the topic, or are slowly learning along side of you, many students don't hesitate to lend a helping hand and discuss topic matter to help you and to learn more themselves.

    The one thing that I didn't like about SMCC, is actually of no fault of the school, the teachers, the students or anything of the like. The one thing I didn't like is the fact that it is a two year school. The Cirriculum is designed to be taken in two years (granted it took me three years). For a newcommer to the world of computers such as myself, this can make things very difficult as class material can move fast. I felt as though many things flew over my head. I probably forgot just as much as I learned. Some of this is my own fault for not taking better notes (or sometimes no notes at all) and sort of treating it like High School, at least in the beginning, but some of it is just the Nature of the Beast. Going in to every class, there was not once single class that I went into where I already had knowledge of the material. I had never used HTML in my own time. I had never taken a class on Windows Servers in High School. I didn't have friends who were masters of the C Languages. I went into the Computer Tech Program basically on a whim, hoping it would interest me and that I would finally find something worth pursuing. I had never done anything with Computers before and while the classes don't assume you already know about the material, it definitely helps if you do. The Course is designed to give you a look at as many angles of the the Computer Tech Universe as possible. Both to help newcommers find what may be their undiscovered passion, and to help give students a base to go off of, so that they understand at least the basics of different fields, so no matter the situation they go into in the work force, they can understand, at the very least, the terminology. Because of this, most classes arent elaborated on in the future. Once you are done that's it, and for me, it led to me forgetting a lot. For example, while the Course gets you into Java and Web based coding and Databases, that's it. There is no Advanced class for these topics (though a couple of Electives are offered for them). My point is that what you learn in one class, in most cases, isnt built upon later, with the exception of Linux and Windows. I understand the sense behind this, as Linux and Windows are the two most common platforms in the IT world, and that Server Admins are some of the most sought after people and that in two years, there is only so much you can cover and build upon. The school sets you up to learn the basics of different utilities, a Crash Course in Computer Technology, but because it's only a two year school, it doesn't and can't actually teach you every Field, at least not in depth. I understand this, but being a newcommer to this entire world of computers, I won't exactly be leaving SMCC and entering the work force with much confidence because I felt like I spent so little time with everything and had so much thrown at me, I feel like I've forgotten a lot, or a lot just went over my head. I feel like I don't know/remember as much as an employer would expect me to having just Graduated from Computer Technology.

    If I had the time and money, I wish I could retake the entire Cirriculum over again (or at least most of it). I know there would be many things that I would catch the second time that I missed the first time. There would be many things I would be like "Oh ya, I remember that now" and that's what learning is. I saw it happen as I entered my Senior Year. One case in particular was in the Applications in Software Class where we work with HTML and PHP. Doing more coding like this made some things click that I had learned back in Web Design class (HTML, CSS, PERL) and Structured Programming class (Java), and that "click" was such a great feeling. It was actually that click that made me realize I had an interest in Programming. I struggled with it when I took the earlier classes. It was rough and hard for me, again especially because I had never done it, but I realized I wanted to learn more, that this may be something I would like to pursue as a career. So while I cannot retake the entire Cirriculum over again, I do plan on going back to SMCC in the Fall. I plan on retaking the Web Design class. I loved taking it the first time, and while I may never be a Web Designer, (re)learning HTML, CSS, and PERL, coding in general, will help me no matter what path I choose to take. I also plan on taking (for the first time) a class on C# Programming. From there, If I decide this is something I want to pursue further, then I plan on taking the new Computer Science Course to further educate me in the programming and scripting languages.

   The second time around though, because I know I'm going in blind once again, I will learn from my struggles and take the time to take notes. Take the time to talk to the teachers and other students, who may (and most likely) know much more then I do. Most importantly I will practice at home, do research beyond the class to learn as much as I can about whatever I can, be it Programming or Scripting, Hardware or new Software, Servers or Databases. I cannot tell where my path will take me. If it's in the world of IT, I hope that I can give myself at least a small advantage by learning a little bit about everything, so that I never go into a situation completely blind. If my path decides to take me somewhere outside the IT world, then at least I will have taken home one of an IT's most powerful tools, and that is his ability to learn, to solve, and to enjoy the challenge.