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A newsletter for the students, faculty and staff of the Collin College. Published monthly. For information or submissions, call 972.599.3142. Cougar News welcomes student and faculty submissions. Next deadline: April 10 All submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the due date. Photos cannot be returned. Text should be emailed to mrobinson@ccccd.edu or sent on disk. Please submit copy that is proofed, edited and saved in Word format. Cougar News staff: Lisa Vasquez, director; Mark Robinson, editor; Marcy Cadena-Smith, contributor; Dana Schmitz, contributor; Sydney Portilla-Diggs, campus correspondent; Stephanie Hall, student correspondent; Nick Young, photographer and layout.
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Convergence tech grad eyes bright future
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| Mary Hawkins | Fridges that cook dinner? Countertops that access recipes based on the foodstuff placed on top?
What seems like the stuff of science fiction stories is closer than anyone could imagine. Not that anyone will be zipping around in a flying pod any time soon, but the gap between mind-blowing technology and the present is fast narrowing.
This is due to people like Mary Hawkins. This May, Hawkins will be the first graduate of the college’s convergence technology program. And convergence technology is responsible for all the wonderful advancements that could affect the way people live in the next five, 10, 20 and 50 years.
Hawkins first discovered convergence technology in the spring of 2005 during the program’s TechKnow Fire event, an interactive opportunity for students to learn more about the discipline. It was at the event that Hawkins heard a Comp USA representative speak about convergence technology and how today’s students will be able to affect where it goes.
“He talked about what technology is now and where it will be going, and all the products that area companies are working on,” she said. “Things you never thought possible are a reality or are becoming a reality in the next five years. I’m looking forward to never cooking again.”
This is where the refrigerator that cooks meals comes into play. Or the cabinet that keeps stock of what food and supplies you have. Take the food out of the cabinet and place it on the countertop, and recipes are brought up. And that’s just the kitchen.
Convergence technology utilizes voice, data and video to create a flexible network, and it affects almost everyone daily from MP3 players and cell phones to Blackberrys and smart homes.
Currently, Hawkins is looking for a full-time job while taking online classes for a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. At some point, she wants to earn a master’s degree to work herself up the food chain of a larger company. She also recently received the Terry O'Banion Award as Student Technology Champion from the League for Innovation in the Community College. The league and award-sponsor Microsoft presented her with the prize March 6 along with $5,000 and a variety of software.
“I’m not too keen on sitting at a desk,” she said. “I prefer a job that I can meet with people and play on the computer.”
Being No. 1 at anything has its perks. For being the first graduate in the convergence technology program, Hawkins was -- for lack of a better word -- a lab rat. Many times, she was the first student to take new classes as faculty and staff worked out the usual wrinkles that crop up when a new program is introduced.
“It was a great experience,” Hawkins said. “The great thing about the program is that you have some of the same instructors several times, and you get to know them. They are very supportive. Now, I have some great contacts in the industry. It’s a close-knit community in convergence technology because you also get to know all the other students.”
For any occupation, there has to be some connection between the individual and the discipline in which they study. Otherwise, one runs the risk of -- gulp! -- hating his/her job. Hawkins cites the aforementioned technology gap as her inspiration. Although time is nearing when regular households have superior technologies at their fingertips, so is a time when every child has access to technologies that many take for granted.
Hawkins said the One Laptop Per Child program is a good example of what keeps her motor running. The program was established by faculty from the Masschusetts Institute of Technology in an attempt to develop a $100 laptop, thus making access to computers and the Internet relatively affordable to most children. Also, there is a time coming when high-speed Internet access will be available to anyone no matter how remote they are.
“In this country, there is a big digital divide of the haves and have nots,” Hawkins said. "One of the great things about technology is it will help get rid of that. I’m glad to be part of something that’ll bridge that gap. Hopefully, all kids will have the same access over time.”
For more information about majoring in convergence technology, click here.
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