http://disqus.com/by/TomBierly/enWed, 14 May 2008 23:30:59 -0000http://www.istbuilding.com/2008/05/14/thoughts-from-the-sarma-conference-1/#comment-468081<p>I just re-read what I wrote. It sounds mean and that was not intended. I'm sorry. I know a lot about the college and what goes on behind the scenes. Growing up here and being a part of the community gives me a lot of connections and insight into these sorts of things. I kind of just assume that what I know, others do as well. I forget that much of what I consider general knowledge isn't all that general as it doesn't directly affect anyone's lives, and thus these things don't come up. I guess it all comes back to the definition of IST and SRA as majors and what that means for the definition of IST as a college. Everyone's is different, most likely because no one ever explained how the college was created or why it came to be, and what’s more, how the SRA major came to exist in our college. The concept which holds our college together is simple and can be summed up in 5 or 6 words… but those words most likely need explaining (I’ll write a post this weekend explaining it). While entrepreneurship isn't discussed directly in class, the classes are geared (assuming the professor is doing a good job) to make you think and look for gaps or voids that you can fill. So much of entrepreneurship is based off of your personal character. You need so many traits to make it successful. Characteristics are very difficult to teach large classes of students, especially at our age. The background information and the skills needed to make the product can be taught though. What makes a person a great entrepreneur is their drive to take it a few steps further.</p>TomBierlyWed, 14 May 2008 23:30:59 -0000http://www.istbuilding.com/2008/05/14/thoughts-from-the-sarma-conference-1/#comment-467640<p>Wow... you didn't think the college originally intended for SRA majors to develop that software!?! That's what most (if not all) of our professors are doing. In fact, during the initial stages of creating the major, our IST minded faculty went too far in that direction and had to drastically alter paths. If we were only intended to hunt down terrorists they would have expanded the criminal justice, poly sci, or law department. Glad to see you're excited about making that software though!</p>TomBierlyWed, 14 May 2008 22:34:34 -0000