For the past century, the way humans live and how they live has dramatically changed the course of time. The Internet has shaped our society by making some individuals lazy, dehumanized and developing lower self-esteem. The article, “Losing Our Souls in Cyberspace” by Douglas Groothuis, “Does the Internet Make Us Stupid?” by Hermann Maurer, What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains by Nicholas Carr, and the interviews with Sarah Dorvil and Johnathan Smith shows the supporting evidence that the internet is having a negative effect on society.
From new inventions to new discovery’s and technology, the evolution of the lifestyle of people have advanced faster than any human could ever predict. However, is it for the good or worse? Is the advancement of new technology evolving faster than our brains can handle? Humans are obviously far more capable than other animals. There’s no comparison in personal capacities and social achievement. Therefore, are we losing what makes us human? Being provided with endless resources to information, communication and entertainment, technology has changed the way people think and how they do things.
With the internet people tend to get more invested with fantasy rather than reality. In “Losing Our Souls in Cyberspace” by Douglas Groothuis, he states, “The internet distributes information widely and quickly, but in a merely electronic form, which lacks the personal presence at the heart of discipleship, fellowship, and worship. When cyberspace begins to replace embodied interactions, we fail to honor the nature of humanity. We may be “connected” to people around the world through the Internet while we neglect our spouses, neighbors, and churches.” Groothuis means even though the internet is a useful way of communication and finding information, the Internet distracts us from our daily lives. Many people find that the social media are their homes. Having five missed calls or mailing piling up for days outside because of a gaming website shows us how easily a person can be dragging in. From spending time with our families to seeing information without thinking rationality. For example, many teens rather stay on the internet to communicate on social platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Instagram more than communicating verbally. It has an impact on their social skills making it harder for teens to make personal relationships with friends and families. The internet also makes most people lose their ability to rationalize. People intake certain information in many different ways by the way they perceives things to be. However, the internet takes information to disperse it so it can be interpreted in one way. So, are we losing the human ability of thinking for ourselves?
Eighteen-year-old female Sarah Dorvil attending her freshman year at a University shares her experiences with the Internet and how it has affected her growing up. Sarah states, “The Internet is making me too lazy even though it’s a great source for information, like Google.” Many people rely on the internet for answers to their questions without thinking it through as a first option. For most people Google has become a dependency to a point where most people are being spoon fed information than actually learning Sarah also states, “That I don’t do anything productive. I rather stay home than go out.” The internet has a way of keeping us distracted and busy for a long period of time. From spending it all on playing video games online to interacting with people virtually, to online shopping. There was a time when all these activities were actually done physically. These advancements are positive for those who are physically incapable of doing it, but there are incapable people using them just for the convenience. Instead of a student going to a museum to do a project, some would automatically go on Google and find the paintings. The option of convenience has had a huge impact on what and why people do certain activities from online schooling to online shopping. This leads to people choosing the less challenging way out. This might be the reason of certain habits such as doing a certain task, studying, problem-solving. The Internet might be causing us to negligent.
With the investment of time comes the emotional investment of the internet. In the article, “Does the Internet Make Us Stupid?” by Hermann Maurer, states that “Knowing how to navigate the Net does not make up for synapses generated in our brain. We will be using algorithms doing some job for us (like calculating something, speech translations, finding a route, and other functions). Yet it is clear some basic information and the facility to do serious logical thinking must not disappear. Whether logical thinking can be best achieved by learning mathematics, or by some other means like learning how to play chess or bridge (might be more fun) will still have to be determined.” Maurer is saying that even though the internet is a good source, we might be losing the actual meaning of learning. In the book What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr, Carr talks about the ‘The numbing effect’. Nicholas explains that the numbing effect is when you use tools to enhance our natural ability to do things but most people while using these tool may rely too much on the use and lose sight of their natural ability
Forty-eight-year-old Johnathan Smith, a father, and husband of four children has a lot of strong opinions on how the Internet has changed over the years. Being an older generation Mr. Smith hasn’t had the most advancement with technology and how it has evolved today. Mr. Smith states, “The internet is making kids more emotional in affecting their moods.” He further explains, “The Internet is showing kids images of what they should act and look like. Deterring them from what they personally like and want to do.” Women are now more active than men across major social media platforms such as Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and have a stronger attachment to social networking than do men. Intense internet usage contributes to increased anxiety and depression and even psychosis. The Internet and what are often regarded as factors that influence girls and guys as a certain image. There are hundreds of studies that draw conclusions between media like the Internet and magazines with poor self-esteem. Mr. Smith states that “The Internet has made children less open to speaking their feelings.” Because of the lowering of the self-esteem of most children that the Internet has contributed, most children have had trouble expressing their feelings and opening up. The internet is a pathway to shallow relationships and emotionally detached communication. When we look into the Internet, we end up comparing ourselves to what we see. On the Internet, everyone’s life looks perfect but people will show you what they want you to see. We can be whoever we want to be on the internet.

With the help of The article, “Losing Our Souls in Cyberspace” by Douglas Groothuis, “Does the Internet Make Us Stupid?” by Hermann Maurer, What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains by Nicholas Carr, and the interviews with Sarah Dorvil and Johnathan Smith supporting my evidence that the internet is having a negatively effect on our society. The Internet is showing just as much negative effects as positive. Therefore, it’s up to us to clarify and border ourselves with the amount and how we use them. We always hear the saying “ You are what you eat” but how about “ You are what you use”. Less can be more while using the internet.

Kellner, Mark A. “Losing Our Souls In Cyberspace.” Christianity Today 41.10 (1997): 54. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Dec. 2015.
Maurer, Hermann. “Does The Internet Make Us Stupid?.” Communications Of The ACM 58.1 (2015): 48-51. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Dec. 2015.

Carr, Nicholas. The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. W.W Norton & Company Norton, W. W. &, 2010. Print.

My name is Sasha; I am a student at City Tech. I am very passionate with the major and future career path I have chosen. The major I have chosen is Fashion Marketing. Fashion Marketing is the best career for me because it brings my creativity and drive   to take control, while overcoming challenges such as ones in the fashion and business world. Fashion brings out my artistry and Marketing brings out my competitiveness and ability of persuasion out. In this essay, I will explain my reasons for choosing this major, and more about how I plan to excel in my major and future career.

First, I’ll take you inside the Fashion Business world. Because I have an eye for fashion and a mind for business, fashion marketing was the best of both worlds for me when it came down to choosing a major for my future. To start, what is Fashion Marketing? Someone in Fashion Marketing is known as a fashion marketer or a fashion marketing manager. A Fashion Marketing Manager is a professional that focuses on publicizing and increasing awareness for a particular brand, such as designer labels or department stores. Individuals that are employed as fashion marketing managers usually have job experience and an undergraduate degree in the business industry related subject, such as marketing or fashion merchandising. Professionals who work in fashion marketing and merchandising study fashion trends, help retailers stock fashion lines, coordinate sales, and promote goods. “However, you actually wouldn’t design clothing as marketing and merchandising professional, but you still would be responsible for helping designers by ensuring that their lines will and can sell. Professionals in this field have a wide mix of business skills and textiles knowledge, ability to identify consumer behavior and desires. Therefore, the knowledge of the field of fashion and business are necessary. However, even though Fashion Marketing is one major, it has to aspects that creates it. One is Fashion and the other is Business. This means the study of two different curriculum is a must.” The field of fashion marketing and merchandising covers a wide variety of positions. A fashion buyer, customer service representative, retail store owner, visual merchandiser, retail manager, manufacturer’s representative, operations manager, marketer, advertiser, and more are many options. The expectation that will be performing will differ by job type and title (learn.org par, 3.)

If I told you that Fashion Marketing was my first and last decision on a major I wanted to study, then I’d be lying. As a child growing up, we all had many jobs we admired and wanted to do. But also being a kid, you never settled for one just because there was a big world of endless choices. In my case, the endless world was limited to one field of work and one field one, and that was medical school. Being the oddball out, coming to a doctor wasn’t in my interest but then my family praised them. As I got older and got steps closer towards making a somewhat of a decision on what I found interesting, I felt obligated to go into that field of work. Therefore, I can say I forced and talked myself into it. I hopped through many of the choices in the medical field   in hopes of conniving myself that I’d love doing a certain job, and it’ll be worth it. But, that left me feeling more frustrated and pressured. Closer to the ending years of high school and looking up a little research, I realized that wasn’t for me. One day, hanging out with my older sister and her friend, she asked me what major I wanted to do for college. Thinking that I didn’t have the answer, I gave her the truth and said, “I don’t know.” She asked me “Well, what are things you like to do and then we can find a career like”. I thought for a while and told her fashion and business. She suggested and summer program at The Fashion Institute of Technology. With no hesitation, I went home and absorbed all the information and details about this program and the major. I honestly can say I’m grateful for that day, or I wouldn’t be studying a major I love.

Secondly, the depth background of Fashion Marketing, and the steps and challenges to overcome to be in this major. Fashion is a very fast paced, and exciting business, but it’s also very competitive and stressful. According to agmaglobal.org, a brand is regarded as a name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods or services of one seller or group. To succeed, you’ll have to be both highly skilled and highly talented of some sort. A Two- and four-year degree programs will give valuable training in the technical and creative sides of the wide style industry. Degree programs for fashion design, merchandising and marketing will have many similar educational core requirements, but each one will focus on the skills you’ll need in each particular design fields. Fashion design is a very technical field that suits students who are highly creative and full of new ideas.   Fashion merchandising and fashion marketing focus more on the business side of the fashion industry. Students in fashion merchandising learn the ins and outs of apparel manufacturing, textiles, promotion, buying and selling. Fashion marketing students will learn the best ways to attract and keep customers, evaluate new products and designs, decide on pricing and arrange advertising campaigns. According, to the City Tech catalog   “The Fashion Marketing program at City Tech will help students learn: Theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for career success and professional advancement in fashion marketing. How to meet the professional employment needs and obtain a career in fields such as fashion merchandising, merchandise planning and control, textiles, and fashion buying. Hands-on experience through field trips to fashion markets, showrooms and trade shows that enhance the overall learning experience. How to further your college career by transferring to a senior college to acquire a baccalaureate degree.” “Therefore, City Tech was one best options in a school choice to further my knowledge in Fashion Marketing and furthering my overall skills. With the hands-on skills, I can learn with trial and error as well as learning visually. This will all lead to my advancement in this field.”

Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers which is a similar field as Fashion Marketing. Because the work of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers directly affects a firm’s revenue, they typically work closely with top executives. The jobs of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers are usually stressful, particularly near deadlines. They may travel to meet with clients or representatives of communications media. Marketing managers held about 180,500 jobs in 2012. The industries that employed the most marketing managers in 2012. ( Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers.)

“It may be important to distinguish between a fashion system, fashion, and fashion leadership. Indicated that a fashion system consists of both people and organizations that give symbolic meanings to particular goods. He further notes that fashion could be thought of as A code that helps an individual decipher these meanings” Solomon (2002), According to The Importance of Fashion: The Chinese and U.S. Gen Y Perspective. Agreeing with what was said in the “The Importance of Fashion: The Chinese and U.S. Gen Y Perspective” (Solomon , par, 3.) “Knowing the difference between the fashion as in clothing, the system of fashion such as in depth of the process and production and the knowledge of leadership in the fashion world. “Every career comes with its core, but each career and job has different approaches and solution toward   a specific area or problem. Therefore, it is important to be aware how to distinguish between each factor.”

The lighting is comprehended as the message of a brand, which has an impact on the appearance of architecture and the brand communication. Therefore, the theoretical Background includes marketing with brand identity and two models for brand classification as well as retail lighting design. The first two-dimensional model for brand classification originates from sociology, and the second one derives from marketing with four factors of a   brand. These models are applied to different lighting situations to evaluate the impact on brand perception. The lighting as a cause for brand effects is from both a perception and a technical point of view. To convey a clear brand identity to the consumer, consistent design concepts for retail outlets help a company to form a uniform image. The built interior and exterior environment belongs to traditional media that enhances the communication of an identity Stated by Lighting Res. Technol. 2015; Vol. 47: 672–692.

According to ebscohost.com, “grade point average (GPA) is a criterion sometimes used to determine the preparedness of students before r to their internship placement. GPA might be one measure of success,     but does not necessarily embody determination or career success as found by Beard and Morton (1999). Although Beard and Morton found that GPA was a less important predictor of internship success, Bacon (2006) found that GPA was a valuable indicator of job success. Internship opportunities in the fashion field are typically of three types: 1) store-based; 2) corporate office; and 3) others, such as assistant to a stylist, fashion director, vendor, and so forth (Paulins, 2008). Faculty and/or program administrators decide on acceptable types of internship experiences. In Paulins’ research study, other types of internships were more satisfying to students because there was enough variety of activities when compared to store-based and corporate office internships.” “Therefore, it’s important that not just myself but also anyone interest in the Fashion marketing field look up educational requirement for certain job title. This can help prepare or hinder your chances on landing a job or internship.”

As I already discussed in this essay with the background knowledge, my relation to my interest in this specific major and career, as well as the goals and obstacles on achieving a path in this major. In addition to my previous  knowledge and new knowledge from many helpful and educational resources that I have cited in this essay, I can say that I am now more confident in the major and future career path I have chosen to pursue. With this additional new information and knowledge, I can see myself working toward a major internship with Alexander McQueen. In three years. To add, I can also see myself in the far future having my own business. Using all this new intake of information to help me not just grow has an entrepreneur but grow as an individual.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-        15 Edition,Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

New York City College of Technology College Catalog 2015-2016(city tech). New York:

New  York City College of Technology, 2015. PDF

ROBECK, JACQUELENE, et al. “The Impact of Fashion Merchandising Internships on

Careers.” Journal of Cooperative Education & Internships 47.1 (2013): 31-46. Academic

Search Complete. Web. (1 Nov. 2015.)

Schielke, T., and M. Leudesdorff. “Impact of Lighting Design on Brand Image For Fashion

Retail Stores.” Lighting Research & Technology 47.6 (2015): 672-692. Academic Search

Complete. Web. (1 Nov. 2015.)

United States. Department of labor. Bureau of labor statistics” Fashion Marketing.” Occupation

              outlook handbook. Washington: Bureau of labor statistics, (25 May. 2015.)

 
My name is Sasha Dorvil. I am in my the first semester of my Freshman year at City Tech. My major is Fashion Marketing. I’d like to tell you a little bit about my background, interests, and hobbies. I am 18 years old. I was born in Manhattan, and raised in Long island. I have many interests and hobbies such and listening to music, playing softball, photography, Youtube, sketching, blogging, and much more. In addition to those interests, Fashion is what makes me, me. Some milestones of me figuring out that fashion was what made me, me, was finding myself as an individual, High School, First impressions, and Youtube.

Finding myself as an individual. What is being an individual? As we all can google up the meaning of what an individual is and it brings us to a definition such as being single or separate. But being in a world with billions of people, what makes us truly different from each other? What defines you, as you? That’s what I was in search of. Approximately 1 in 30 births produces an identical twin pair of babies. Being an identical twin has its pros and cons. As a twin, individuality doesn’t come easy when you’re identical. Being known as “ that twin” or even “ that girl who has a sister that looks exactly like her”, you start to become known as a set instead of just one person. Weird to say, even when our friends and family call both of our names, it even starts to sound like just one name. Ever since we were little, being typical twins, we did what every other pair of twins did. Such as, dressing the same, having our hairstyles the same, attending the same classes in the same school, and not spending a day apart from each other. With growing up, you learn that life throws a lot of setbacks. I wouldn’t say being a twin is one,it just comes with many challenges. People expect because you are twins, you have to be glued to each other at all times. At a point, being separate really wasn’t a choice. Therefore, coming to realization that being known just as “that twin” wasn’t who i wanted to be seen as anymore. You’re probably thinking, it’s hard to not be known as a twin when we’re technically clones. From dressing completely the same to the same colored barrettes, down to the same colored socks. So, how was a twelve year old girl going to stand out from her twin sister? It all started when it was back to school shopping for my first year in high school. This was the first year my mom ever let my sister and i choose our own clothes. Hard at first because it came so natural for us to pick up the same thing but in different colors. After picking up my first piece of clothing I liked and my sister did not, made me realize that i finally had the chance to be different from her and being okay with it . After a while of choosing my own clothes, i’ve realized that my sister and i were more different than we actually thought. We discovered that our style and the way we projected ourselves was what makes us individuals, it was our choice of clothing that accessorized our different personalities. It was what made me, me and her, her.

High school, the period of time when kids find new hobbies, interest, new people and themselves. High School, doesn’t define who you are as a person or who you’ll be in the future but i truly can say high school does characterize you as a type of person to those who view you. High school wasn’t like survival of the fittest for me, or even those false and overly dramatic movies that caution kids that finding a certain group would make or break your high school experience. It was mainly me finding who i was and what made me different from about 2,000 other kids that went there. After finding out that fashion was a way of expressing myself and showed people who i was, without me verbally saying it, I imaged my first day of high school as a fresh start. A start where i could finally be me and people would actually like it. I’d walk into my class and people would be amazed at what they saw. A girl who isn’t afraid to wear what she wants and likes. People would think that i was outgoing, creative, and spontaneous. But, boy was i wrong. Instead i came of weird. But the weird thing i found was that everyone looked alike. Not by their skin color, hair type or even eye color, everyone dressed alike. Walking through the hallways all the boys had the same sneakers and all the girls had the same tops. High school is place where i would say you chose to be with the crowd or stand out of it. I chose to stand out of it. It took time to feel comfortable with what i wanted to wear in school. Seeing what other people wore and thought was “cool”, did make me question what i wore. Everyone has a point where they want to fit in and think that being part of the crowd is a “better look” just for the acceptance. But, following the crowd does get boring. And standing out and being yourself can get you much more. Even though i dressed different compared to everyone, i had character, originality and courage. And all those things that some people saw help me make new friends and meet new people. Being “weird”, helped me gain pride and self-esteem in what i wore that i knew what was showed who i was in the inside. Many people would tell you not to wear something because it doesn’t look good on you or because it’s not so called “fashion”. But fashion isn’t because it’s a trend or because of the price tag. Fashion is the person wearing it. Its how it expresses feelings and emotion through clothing. Fashion is how it makes you feel and the person daring enough to wear it.

First impressions, as i got older in my high school career, meeting new people wasn’t just for making new friends, it was a way of introducing myself not just in high school but also as i got into the real world.I used the words “real world” to describe the different situations and responsibilities of growing up. Such as, going for an interview, volunteering, or even simply going on a vacation. Are first impressions worth the time and energy we put into cultivating them? And are they really as important as other say they are? Well, from experiences i can strongly agree. I can list a handful of situations where my first impression was just as important to what i had to offer, but then you’d be reading pages and pages on it. One major experience would have to be my first retail job. Being young and had a lack of education on professionalism, my friends and i decided to apply to jobs together. A weekend at the mall that consisted of shopping, talking and eating became a weekend of applying for jobs. Around the end of October it was time to find a job and any job that hired sixteen year olds. After many weekend of apply and not receiving any phone calls back, our choices started to get limited. And point we gave up. But while walking out of the mall, we entered an elevator, this lady approached me a nice big smile. As she walked in her style instantly caught my attention. Couldn’t hold it, i had to let her know about the things i loved that she was wearing. As i complimented her she complimented me back. Having a long conversation on the stores we shopped at, the pieces we loved for this season and fashion trends that should die off, she asked me questions like what school I went , how old, and if i had a job at the mall already etc. Not knowing why she wanted to know this information, i found it a bit strange, As we started to walk out she stopped me and said “i like your style, it will fit extremely well with my store in this mall. Stop by and i’ll hand you an application”. After hearing that i felt strongly about getting this job as my first ever job. After three days of waiting, i got a call back saying they wanted me to work there. This had me thinking if i didnt walk in dressed the way i did would i still have gotten the job? I learned that first impressions are important and should be thought out if given the change to. You should always dress the way you want people to see you and how they see you. As many people would say, you never know who you could be standing next too.

Youtube, many people can say they don’t get the point of youtube other than for listening and watching music videos. But, i’d be the first to disagree. I’ve been on youtube ever since i was little and only using it for little things and didn’t know much. Youtube is difficult interest to explain to people that aren’t usually familiar with it. Best way I can explain it, is that it’s like little communities of people with similar interest. For example, fashion, makeup, music, comedy, vlog etc. I truly can say this was probably the most important thing for me while growing up.Starting at age twelve when i got really into youtube. Instead of being a weekly thing it became a daily yo night routine. I could watch makeup, fashion and vlogs for hours. So much that i can it became a hobby. Makeup videos that opened up my creativity to fashion videos that opened up my variety of taste in new styles and clothes by finding out new brands, websites and even making my own clothing at home. You’re probably wondering, what is vlogging? But no it is not the same thing as blogging. Vlogging is another little community that youtube has. It’s all about people who record their lives. sounds people weird that many people would sit down and watch some in their daily lives but after awhile like me you’ll start to think nothing of it. It’s like have little built in relationships or friendships with the people you watch. From learning so much about them and relating with them.
Although, i didn’t get through every little that affected and influenced my decision on fashion, these are the key that i stated in my essay that help molded my way of thought and how i feel toward fashion. Fashion is a part of me and fashion is an art. I get to wear and live the art of fashion everyday of my life and that what truly makes me happy.