I recently met an undergraduate science major who is debating going into environmental consulting. Should he go directly to grad school? Work for a few years first? And what is this environmental consulting gig really like, anyway?
I was so tempted to tell him, “Check out the blogosphere! There’s this chick who has a blog called “accidental remediation” and it’s perfect for the sorts of questions you’re asking!”
Unfortunately, the blog might be a little too applicable to his situation. I had visions of him reading it and saying, “heyy…wait a minute. Do I know this person?”
Have you run into this, my pseudonymous readers/bloggers? Would you bring up your own blog if it’s super relevant? I didn’t, but maybe I’m overly paranoid.
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8 comments:
I actually do mention my blog to people, who mostly then don't seem interested. But I'm not that psued anymore because of other connections, and I don't blog about current stuff.
I haven't ever wanted to suggest my own blog, but there have been many times I've wanted to recommend another blog to someone but then I didn't. I realized that I frequently comment on the blogs I wanted to suggest, and that I'm on their blogrolls, and so it would be easy for the person to find my blog. Anyone who knows me in real life would recognize me on my blog.
I just started my blog, but I used a pseudonym myself because I didn't want my name popping up all over google (I only created it as an outlet for my thoughts). I also wanted the freedom to say what I thought without censure. My situation is a tad different than most Geology students though- as I am working my life path in reverse. I had my kids first, now I am back to school and older than the average undergraduate. At times I get approached with advice, at others I just offer it unsolicited if they are spouting off about something in my presence. I ALWAYS advocate to finish your degree to completion, which for Geology an MS is a must. IMO, an undergrad degree in geology will get you nothing but a geo-tech job and a mountain of regret. One peer in particular balked at my advice and said he was going to get a job when he graduated last year. Last I heard he had applied to grad school in CO. and was accepted, so I am thinking he discovered I may have not been so wrong after all.
Now back to your question about telling the student about your blog- I think I would have to say that he was asking YOU as a person and therefore should be answered as thus. He obviously values your opinion or he would not have asked you. You could always suggest the blogosphere for further resources, but if you like posting your thoughts unchecked, then it is probably best to protect your identity. Those who know you in person are more apt to guess the identity behind your pseudonym than those who do not- and even those who do know you IRL may not catch on that who the author is if they find your blog by chance. However, by outright pointing someone towards your blog you run the risk of 2 and 2 being put together.
ack! I got distracted when I was responding to your blog post and just re-read it. Obviously, you already realized what I said to you and did not tell the student about your blog. Your question was asking if we had come across that situation. Yes, I have. I'm not overly stealthy about my own blog- as it has my picture on it. But I don't think anyone in my circle will ever come across it, and if they do (Geology-wise) they would tell me they found it. The military side is different. My husband is a commander of a unit, so I'm careful to keep my blog private from them. I don't tell anyone I know in real life even have a blog actually. the only person who knows is my husband.
@Silver Fox: the few people who know me and my blog (a few close friends, my sweetie) aren't environmental or geology people and got bored quickly.
Short Geologist: I actually tell people in the industry, and they just aren't interested. (Either that, or they are heavy-duty lurkers!)
CPanda: Good to meet you, even though you don't have comments enabled on your blog!
I have found myself wanting to say "hey, I just wrote a post about that!" in some recent conversations, but I've only shared my blog with a few people in real life. I don't know why I'm so reluctant to share it with people, I'm careful not to say anything that might get me in trouble, just in case.
I tell people of my (mostly orphaned) blog. But I don't usually write about work, or family. And I rarely see my friend Phil much any more, even though we still work in the same building...
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