make it so

Make It So: More Specific Career Panels

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Awhile ago I spoke at Con-Volution, a new convention in the Bay Area (we are blessed with cons out here) that was very practically focused. It had a lot of panels examining things in depth, talking specific skills, and getting pretty deep into doing things. I of course took my usual career roadshow there becaus I’m me. You know me.

It also got me thinking. In depth panels? Skill-building workshops? People with career interests. Career Panels?  Hmmm . . .

Right now there’s a lot of separate skillsets you need to do your job search and career building properly. There’s also specific things you have to do to get your career going that are also separate skillsets – making a good resume, for instance. Conventions, which often have “effectively doing stuff” events could have workshops and panels that address these various elements and skillsets. Not just a resume panel here or a website workshop there – instead have as many as possible that cover all aspects of careers.

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Make It So: First Episode Con

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As you saw awhile ago I’m pretty sold on the idea of smaller mini conventions. I think there’s a real place for them, I witnessed an excellent one in the form of Kraken-Con, and I’ve had good experiences with them.

Now recently in a Muse Hack get together the gang was discussing how we’d share and experience new media, those one-off viewings, seeing premiers, etc. That consolidated in my head and I want to make a proposition, an idea, something for someone to Make So. Something for you to try.

(Why not me? Well . . . we’ll see. I’m busy here. But I plan to push for this in my spheres when/if I get a chance).

So imagine this . . .

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Make It So: Honey I Shrunk The Con (and Kraken Con review)

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Last weekend I went to Kraken Con in the Bay Area, doing one of my creative gameshows. Kraken Con (this year’s motto “New Squids on The Block”) is an attempt to do a small, one-day convention done twice a year.

They succeeded in my book. Massively.

It was a tight, focused, event. No wasted room, no wasted time – and no hurried pacing or inability to choose what to do. There was one (shockingly huge) dealer’s room, organized events, a nice relaxation spot/cafe, and a tightly run ship. No fluff, no mess, and no overload.

In turn, everyone I talked to was pleased and having fun. From artists telling me how it was even bigger than they expected to attendees mentioning how they enjoyed it, people seemed to really like this. Frankly it felt like a second or third year convention – and this was the first time it had run.

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