Additional Post #2

So now were back from where we began, my supposed mentor hasn't contacted me in a long time, I've tried to call and email him, but I would get more replies. Instead of trying to keep reaching him, I think it'll be best to move on and find someone else considering it's time sensitive. Luckily I do know two, three people in my topic, but I'm not going to limit myself to it and I am open to what ever comes my way, I just need to ask around. For example, my best friend's mom owns a sort of type of novelty shop at the Montclare Mall, it's pretty cool, so I'm probably going to ask.

Considering I do go on with my current topic, I've been doing a lot of research on the A+ Certification after the first interview.

^How the 2013 A+ Certification looks like.

Where was mentioned that the A+ Certification is a good start for like a high school senior. My interviewee also lended me a text book specifically made to study for it. So I am strongly considering getting it, depending where I go from now.

Blog 6: Second Interview Questions

1. Who is your mentor and where do they work?

• Bryan Gielen is a computer technician, he owns his own Computer Repair Shop named "Computer Parts Inc" at the Claremont Village.

2. What five questions will ask them about their background?

• Where and what did you study in College?
• How did you learn to fix computers? (College courses, High School courses, self taught, etc.)
• For how long have you been repairing computers and been interested in it?
• What made you want to repair computers?
• In my research I have read about certificates like the A+ and was mentioned in my last interview, do you have the A+ or any other certificates?

Blog 5: Project Reflection and Working EQ

The Pentagon: 
(1) Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?

• Well, I have chosen a topic, which is computer repair, computer technician, something in that sort, I just need to narrow it down. Over the summer I was expecting to do Film Production but things didn't work out. Luckily I was able to get things started with my new topic.

(2) EQ Content: Pick a piece of research or your interview. How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

• Its not just one piece of research, multiple articles I picked mentioned a specific situation which was competing against large companies like Best Buy/Geek Squad when owning a small repair shop. "Work from Home Businesses - Computer Repair" mentioned this first, and looked up more on it and found an article titled "Computer Shop vs National Chain Computer Repair Service." I'm planning in narrowing down my topic to this, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

(3) What has worked for you so far in the senior project?

• Being able to find a potential mentor within one day of completely changing my topic.

(4) What hasn't worked so far?

• Finding valuable research that contains good and useful information. I haven't really been able to find anything good. I may just need to use better key words, but I hope to find a book on it.

(5) Finding Value: 

• What is a potential question you would like to study this year? (working EQ)
• "How does one successfully compete against big named computer services?" or "What goes into becoming a valued computer technician?"
• What do you plan to do for mentorship? If you haven't found a mentor yet, then discuss where you are currently looking and who you are talking to to find it. 
• I contacted a local computer technicial named Bryan Gielen that is stationed in the Claremont Village. I have yet not started mentorship with him but he seems very willing to help me out, hopefully I would begin soon.