ING Nederland’s Post

Stepping into a new career in information technology fills me with an exhilarating sense of anticipation and possibility. It's like standing at the threshold of a vast, unexplored realm, where every line of code and each technological advancement holds the promise of shaping the future. As I delve into the intricacies of algorithms, networks, and systems, I'm fueled by a palpable sense of adventure and the excitement of unraveling digital mysteries. With each challenge that comes my way, I see an opportunity to innovate, problem-solve, and make a meaningful impact in a world increasingly reliant on digital solutions. This isn't just a career choice for me; it's a journey into the heart of innovation, where the thrill of discovery propels me forward, igniting my passion to create a brighter, more connected tomorrow.

Anyone who has talked to me about jobs has heard me say, "A career is what happens in retrospect." I feel incredibly lucky for the folks that I've met along the way, and the opportunities I've had. Check out my blog post to learn more about building your career in Public Interest Tech!

According to the late Douglas Adams, our reactions to technology are shaped by our age: 1. Anything that is in the world when you’re born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works. 2. Anything that’s invented between when you’re fifteen and thirty-five is new and exciting and revolutionary and you can probably get a career in it. 3. Anything invented after you’re thirty-five is against the natural order of things.

Embrace each day in the lab with a mindset primed for positivity and possibility. Remember, as lab managers, we have the unique opportunity to not only facilitate scientific discovery but also to inspire and uplift those around us. Let's approach our work with enthusiasm, resilience, and a belief in our ability to overcome challenges and achieve greatness. As Thomas Edison once said, 'I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.' Every setback is simply a stepping stone on the path to success. Let's channel our collective energy into fostering a culture of positivity, innovation, and growth within our laboratory community." #Lab #Innovation #Positivethinking

Why we spend our time in material sciences ------------------------------------------------- Over the course of my career, I've worked in a dozen industries and in a wide range of roles - starting out in consulting and contract work provides that exposure. At first, I took opportunities as they came, and later, was more selective about purposeful assignments - finally, becoming an entrepreneur and taking a more active role in shaping the world around me. Having been around all these blocks, I am often been asked why I chose material sciences as the channel for my professional passion, so I thought this was the best place to share the answer. We get to re-think everything. Every single physical thing that humanity builds is the culmination of lifetimes of scientific and technological development, from the simple bricks that build homes to recent computer chips with 28 billion circuits. (Bricks, incidentally, are not simple - just contrasting here.) Add on the layers and layers of human endeavor behind buildings, roads, electronics, ships, energy plants, consumer products - the whole modern world is built on these building blocks. Envision the economy, health care, international relations, the future of humanity as a pyramid built up on these blocks. Then - change the block. Make concrete out of algae instead of limestone (thanks Prometheus Materials). Send power over the air instead of wires (thanks EMROD). Make jet fuel from carbon dioxide (thanks AIR COMPANY) or milk in a reactor instead of millions of cows (thanks TurtleTree). Then there's our small team at FLITE Material Sciences Corporation trying to make safer products with laser surface engineering instead of toxic chemicals and treatments. See how those small changes can send massive ripples to the top of the pyramid? I'm driven to material sciences because of the promise of all this change from the bottom up, transforming industries, making safer, more sustainable products, available to everyone. It's a daily dose of optimism and enthusiasm without fear, and I'm happy to share it with my friends from Techstars, Greentown Labs, the Global Entrepreneurship Network, and others around the world. Thanks for listening. Feel free to come play with us in this space.

I was facinated by Erik Hoel's essay titled ""A.I.-Generated Garbage Is Polluting Our Culture". As a neuroscientist and novelist known for The Intrinsic Perspective newsletter his perspective differs from our typical MTS client discussions, which often focus on using A.I. for commercial applications like automation in manufacturing, retail, and contact centers. Hoel raises concerns about whether A.I. is driving creativity or leading us towards mediocrity. He observes that A.I.'s influence is expanding beyond our screens, affecting our culture and infiltrating our important institutions. "Increasingly, mounds of synthetic A.I.-generated outputs drift across our feeds and our searches. The stakes go far beyond what’s on our screens. The entire culture is becoming affected by A.I.’s runoff, an insidious creep into our most important institutions." #innovation #technology #creativity #telecom https://buff.ly/3xt7fd7

🤖 Some believe that boards need to rethink their approach to technology in the sciences. There is a narrow view in security and IT—missing out on opportunities in fields like new materials, space science, and genomics. This defensive mindset may unintentionally limit growth and innovation. Boards that embrace a broader view of scientific advancements can unlock potential in unexpected areas, placing their companies ahead of the curve. Read more about risk management in science and technology below. #BoardLeadership #InnovationStrategy #TechOpportunities #ScienceAndBusiness #FutureOfTech

Paul Graham of YC is always thought provoking. How’s this for a paragraph of career advice? “Choose work you have a natural aptitude for and a deep interest in. Develop a habit of working on your own projects; it doesn't matter what they are so long as you find them excitingly ambitious. Work as hard as you can without burning out, and this will eventually bring you to one of the frontiers of knowledge. These look smooth from a distance, but up close they're full of gaps. Notice and explore such gaps, and if you're lucky one will expand into a whole new field. Take as much risk as you can afford; if you're not failing occasionally you're probably being too conservative. Seek out the best colleagues. Develop good taste and learn from the best examples. Be honest, especially with yourself. Exercise and eat and sleep well and avoid the more dangerous drugs. When in doubt, follow your curiosity. It never lies, and it knows more than you do about what's worth paying attention to.” Full post: https://lnkd.in/escgMVEg

Industry Insight Post "📈 Navigating the Future: The Role of Technology in Creative Careers The creative industry is constantly evolving with technology at its helm. At Paier College, we ensure our students are tech-savvy and ready to take on the digital world. How do you see technology impacting your field in the next five years? Share your thoughts! #CreativeTech #IndustryInsights #FutureOfArt"

“The boards of too many publicly traded companies are downright timid when considering matters involving science and technology. More often than not they focus on security and digitization—a defensive posture that overlooks the bigger opportunities emerging from new materials, space science, and a better understanding of the genome, to name just a few areas. It’s easy to be lulled into thinking that science doesn’t matter to a nontech company. But that distinction isn’t quite so meaningful when it comes to capitalizing on the technological change that is now ubiquitous, rapid, turbulent, and often emerging from increasingly unlikely corners.” This thinking extends far beyond companies. Most government agencies embrace a defensive posture with the attitude of taking on something new as a default no. This plays out very predictably. A default stance is a recipe for achieving the mediocre… at best. Engaging in conversations and evaluating opportunities opens new avenues to success. https://lnkd.in/gqMw7YmH