Advice – Page 175 – Steven Savage

The Technology Timeshift and Careers

November 6, 2009 by Steven Savage

We all know technology has changed how the world works, careers, go, and so on and so forth. However I think one thing technology has done to careers – especially fannish and geeky ones – is that it's created an odd timeshifting effect.

Technology has the obvious effect of making a lot of things faster and easier to do and distribute to people. The upside of course is obvious – the downside is that EVERYONE is able to do and distribute more things faster. Everything is faster but the competition is the same – if not moreso.

Let Me Bore You: Geek Your Budget

November 5, 2009 by Steven Savage

It's time to geek your budget.

Financial planning is always important (if recent events haven't made that abundantly clear). That's why you have to make sure that you have budget set aside for the "importantly" geeky things that make you both a geek/fan, AND a progeek.

Consider:

Are you setting aside money for the technology you use – a new cell phone, computer, etc.? You're going to use those in the job search, in running your own business, to keep in touch, etc.
Are you setting aside money for conventions and events that are important to you both as a fan and as a networking tool?
re you making sure you have your assorted enjoyable pointless spending worked into your budget – so it doesn't sneak up on you?

I actually set aside money once a week for such things, and keep track of it. That way I'm always prepared for my pro-geek and general fan needs.

For a lot of us our fannishness, geekyness, etc. doesn't fall too far away from our personal and professional ambitions. Go on and geek your budget ahead of time – you'll be glad.

– Steven Savage

A Challenge – Take Your Fandom/Geekery FARTHER

November 3, 2009 by Steven Savage

You've probably had times people tell you to give up your fannish hobbies, your meekness, etc. Grow up, they'll say. Get a life,you'll be told. This is immature, you'll be informed in a snooty manner.

Forget that.

The problem for many people is NOT that their fannish hobbies and geeky interests are immature, or time-wasting, or whatever. The problem is people do NOT take them far enough.