Monday, November 16, 2009
Blog #10: Reflection
Group 8 we made it!!!! I would like to say it has been a pleasure reading all of your posts and being able to help you Cornerstone students along your IDS journey. For me it has been a very rewarding experience knowing that I may have been able to eliminate your frustrations or questions you have encountered in Cornerstone. For our last discussion I have three things I would like for us to talk about. The first question is I would like for you to share your understanding of reflection and tell us how it is different from description for you. The second topic is for you to share how you have used reflection in developing your e-portfolio content pages. For this you can tell us if any assignment you had to do was very difficult or any you enjoyed the most for your e-Portfolio. The last topic I would like for you to reflect on this assignment. What have you enjoyed the most from this assignment and how have we been able to help you in your journey? It has been a wonderful semester with you all and I wish everyone the best of luck in the future!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Blog Discussion #9 Interview Pt. II
Well for this week, we will be continuing with the topic of interviewing. Last week there was a bit of a delay in the posting of Blog #8, that was our fault, and on behalf of the capstone8, its great students, I apologize. So, Professor Spraker created a post that outlines a number of steps that you will need to do including logging on to (www.perfectinterview.com/ucf/). Also, Amanda posted some interesting points and questions as well. So, for this week, we will simply continue from last weeks postings. Thank you, good luck!
-Ben DiBiase
-Ben DiBiase
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Blog Discussion #8: Interviewing
I am posting so that Cornerstone students have ample time to complete this assignment.
1.) Review further information about informational interviews by clicking here (http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/summer/art03.pdf). Also, review some information from UCF"s Career Services by clicking here (http://www.career.ucf.edu/UserFiles/File/Plan%20for%20the%20Interview/player.html).
2.) Log on to Perfect Interview (http://www.perfectinterview.com/ucf/). For "Your Level of Experience," choose the level that fits you the best.
3.) Complete one "short" interview where the selections are chosen for you. Complete one "short" interview where you make the selections. Choose at least three areas you'd like to work on the most. Note the options of the "Alternate Response" and the "Coach" that can be used.
4.) You may choose to either use video capture or no video capture. If you choose no video capture you will be required to type your responses. Save both interviews.
5.) Draft a reflection of at least a paragraph about your practice interview, commenting on the questions asked and your responses to the questions. You might comment on what questions were problematic. What were the strengths of your responses? What could you improve in your responses? How did your responses compare to the "Alternate Response"? What did you learn from the "Coach?"
6.) At the end of the reflection give one question about interviewing or a piece of advice that you've gained in your interviewing experiences.
7.) Click on "Review Saved Interviews." Click on the "Share" button. E-mail yourself your interview and include the links in your posting.
1.) Review further information about informational interviews by clicking here (http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/summer/art03.pdf). Also, review some information from UCF"s Career Services by clicking here (http://www.career.ucf.edu/UserFiles/File/Plan%20for%20the%20Interview/player.html).
2.) Log on to Perfect Interview (http://www.perfectinterview.com/ucf/). For "Your Level of Experience," choose the level that fits you the best.
3.) Complete one "short" interview where the selections are chosen for you. Complete one "short" interview where you make the selections. Choose at least three areas you'd like to work on the most. Note the options of the "Alternate Response" and the "Coach" that can be used.
4.) You may choose to either use video capture or no video capture. If you choose no video capture you will be required to type your responses. Save both interviews.
5.) Draft a reflection of at least a paragraph about your practice interview, commenting on the questions asked and your responses to the questions. You might comment on what questions were problematic. What were the strengths of your responses? What could you improve in your responses? How did your responses compare to the "Alternate Response"? What did you learn from the "Coach?"
6.) At the end of the reflection give one question about interviewing or a piece of advice that you've gained in your interviewing experiences.
7.) Click on "Review Saved Interviews." Click on the "Share" button. E-mail yourself your interview and include the links in your posting.
Blog Discussion #8: The Interview
The dreaded interview... Dun Dun Dun, *dramatic pause*
If you are anything like me this is terrifying! Having to sit in front of a stranger and sell yourself the best you can in order to win that one spot on the team.
It is a nerve bending experience no doubt, but when you have the right tools it can be a lot less scary and a lot more fun. The interviewer just wants to get to know you better and see if you match what they are looking for. If you have made it to this point congratulations! They saw something in your resume that they liked so relax a little.
There are many resources available to UCF students to better hone your interviewing skills. The career center is one of my favorites (http://www.career.ucf.edu/categories/Students/Undergraduate_Students_50_30.aspx). I know I have mentioned it before but it truly is a great resource for students who are uncomfortable with interviewing or those of us who just want to see how we can do a bit better. You can walk in or make an appointment and one of the advisors will sit down with you and go through a mock interview. This will allow you to get familiar with standard questions employers ask, such as "Tell me about yourself" or "What are you goals" etc. Would you be willing to try this out? Why or why not? And if you are really excited about it go and interview with them and let us know what you got out of it! :)
What are some of the things that you find important in the interviewing process? How do you deal with questions you don't know the answer to? Are you familiar with the interviewing etiquette?
For this posting I want you all to find one article/web site/blog/etc. that deals with interviewing that you found helpful and share it with us. Let us know why it was helpful to you.
Here are a few examples sites, feel free to browse through them, they have a lot of valuable information!
http://www.naceweb.org/press/display.asp?year=2009&prid=295
http://tars.rollins.edu/careerservices/interviewingskills/index.html
http://www.careercc.com/interv3.shtml
-Amanda Anthony
If you are anything like me this is terrifying! Having to sit in front of a stranger and sell yourself the best you can in order to win that one spot on the team.
It is a nerve bending experience no doubt, but when you have the right tools it can be a lot less scary and a lot more fun. The interviewer just wants to get to know you better and see if you match what they are looking for. If you have made it to this point congratulations! They saw something in your resume that they liked so relax a little.
There are many resources available to UCF students to better hone your interviewing skills. The career center is one of my favorites (http://www.career.ucf.edu/categories/Students/Undergraduate_Students_50_30.aspx). I know I have mentioned it before but it truly is a great resource for students who are uncomfortable with interviewing or those of us who just want to see how we can do a bit better. You can walk in or make an appointment and one of the advisors will sit down with you and go through a mock interview. This will allow you to get familiar with standard questions employers ask, such as "Tell me about yourself" or "What are you goals" etc. Would you be willing to try this out? Why or why not? And if you are really excited about it go and interview with them and let us know what you got out of it! :)
What are some of the things that you find important in the interviewing process? How do you deal with questions you don't know the answer to? Are you familiar with the interviewing etiquette?
For this posting I want you all to find one article/web site/blog/etc. that deals with interviewing that you found helpful and share it with us. Let us know why it was helpful to you.
Here are a few examples sites, feel free to browse through them, they have a lot of valuable information!
http://www.naceweb.org/press/display.asp?year=2009&prid=295
http://tars.rollins.edu/careerservices/interviewingskills/index.html
http://www.careercc.com/interv3.shtml
-Amanda Anthony
Monday, October 26, 2009
Blog discussion #7: Personal Philosophy and Career Goals
Hello group members! This week we will be discussing your personal and philosophy and career goals. I will begin this discussion by telling you about mine and I would love to hear about each of yours.
For me my personal philosophy is to live each day like it's you're last. You only get one life in this world so you need to make the most of it and, live it to the fullest. I live my life so I have no regrets, and I won't ever look back and say, "I wish I would have done that." That is one reason why I chose to go to college. I wanted to make the most of my life and get the most education I could. I feel like we as IDS students each should have a philosophy and if ever asked in and interview or by someone in general, have a great answer to tell them! Now you may not have a personal philosophy yet but you must have a motto you live by, what is it?
We as IDS students all have career goals since we have chosen to go to collge and picked this major. For some it is business and others it is engineering, for me it is the health field. The health care industry has always been a passion of mine since I was little. I love how the human body works and its functions. I feel like with this field of study you either love it or hate it, for me it truly provides me joy. Once I graduate I hope to find a job working in a hospital with one on one patient contact. Whether it is bedside or just trying to help improve their quality of life somehow, I want to help people. The IDS major has allowed me to explore areas of study that will help me in the health care industry along with having a minor in health sciences. I am looking forward to entering the real world and beginning this journey my life holds in store for me. What are your career goals, and how has the IDS major helped you in the process to achieve them in the future?
Best of luck to everyone!
Stephanie Hart
For me my personal philosophy is to live each day like it's you're last. You only get one life in this world so you need to make the most of it and, live it to the fullest. I live my life so I have no regrets, and I won't ever look back and say, "I wish I would have done that." That is one reason why I chose to go to college. I wanted to make the most of my life and get the most education I could. I feel like we as IDS students each should have a philosophy and if ever asked in and interview or by someone in general, have a great answer to tell them! Now you may not have a personal philosophy yet but you must have a motto you live by, what is it?
We as IDS students all have career goals since we have chosen to go to collge and picked this major. For some it is business and others it is engineering, for me it is the health field. The health care industry has always been a passion of mine since I was little. I love how the human body works and its functions. I feel like with this field of study you either love it or hate it, for me it truly provides me joy. Once I graduate I hope to find a job working in a hospital with one on one patient contact. Whether it is bedside or just trying to help improve their quality of life somehow, I want to help people. The IDS major has allowed me to explore areas of study that will help me in the health care industry along with having a minor in health sciences. I am looking forward to entering the real world and beginning this journey my life holds in store for me. What are your career goals, and how has the IDS major helped you in the process to achieve them in the future?
Best of luck to everyone!
Stephanie Hart
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Blog Post # 6: Professional Documents, The Resume and Cover Letter
Hello everyone, I hope all is well. This week we will be discussing professional documents including the resume and the cover letter. At this point (college) we know how important a resume is in getting that perfect position within a company, or institution. We all got into college and probably had to write some derivation of a professional resume, and I am sure most of us have worked at least a few jobs, which required a resume to even be considered. I have often wondered how much a resume actually matters when a person is applying for a position, and I guess that really depends on the situation, but I believe it is very important. Often we are told that the key to securing the right job depends on who you know, rather than what, but that may or may not be the case. What do you all think?
An interesting point that defends the theory of a resume being important, is the fact that it will help a potential employer to better understand out interdisciplinary degrees. A professional resume will most likely list our education first, and with an interdisciplinary degree, we can adjust the description of that degree a bit depending on the position we are applying for. For example, I have applied for a job in public history, so I put Humanities before political science, and when I have applied for jobs at law firms, I put Political Science first, so that the emphasis is placed on that particular area of study that applies more to the position being applied for.
It seems important that the professional resume show how multidisciplined we IDS students are in terms of the variety of jobs we may have had, or at least how we have used interdisciplinary methods to work in a certain position, or perform a particular task. Do you all believe that a resume should focus on job variety or task variety within a particular position?
The cover letter is also a very important part of the application process. I believe that this also gives the applicant the opportunity to grab the attention of the potential employer by explaining our IDS degrees, or, more specifically, how our multi-disciplined educations make us a better fit for that particular job. When speaking with employers, many say that the cover letter will generally make or break an applicant's chances. The cover letter provides that initial, (first impression), of the applicant. How much weight do you believe is placed on the cover letter. Has it become obsolete? Has the resume itself become obsolete?
Of course, we have already discussed in an earlier post the important of an e-portfolio, so do you think that the E-Portfolio is enough? The next question is how does an employer even get an E-Portfolio? In my opinion, the good ol' hard copy resume is still extremely important in the application process as it gives the employer a good "first impression" of an applicant, and then the E-Portfolio could be given in the resume for further reference.
An interesting point that defends the theory of a resume being important, is the fact that it will help a potential employer to better understand out interdisciplinary degrees. A professional resume will most likely list our education first, and with an interdisciplinary degree, we can adjust the description of that degree a bit depending on the position we are applying for. For example, I have applied for a job in public history, so I put Humanities before political science, and when I have applied for jobs at law firms, I put Political Science first, so that the emphasis is placed on that particular area of study that applies more to the position being applied for.
It seems important that the professional resume show how multidisciplined we IDS students are in terms of the variety of jobs we may have had, or at least how we have used interdisciplinary methods to work in a certain position, or perform a particular task. Do you all believe that a resume should focus on job variety or task variety within a particular position?
The cover letter is also a very important part of the application process. I believe that this also gives the applicant the opportunity to grab the attention of the potential employer by explaining our IDS degrees, or, more specifically, how our multi-disciplined educations make us a better fit for that particular job. When speaking with employers, many say that the cover letter will generally make or break an applicant's chances. The cover letter provides that initial, (first impression), of the applicant. How much weight do you believe is placed on the cover letter. Has it become obsolete? Has the resume itself become obsolete?
Of course, we have already discussed in an earlier post the important of an e-portfolio, so do you think that the E-Portfolio is enough? The next question is how does an employer even get an E-Portfolio? In my opinion, the good ol' hard copy resume is still extremely important in the application process as it gives the employer a good "first impression" of an applicant, and then the E-Portfolio could be given in the resume for further reference.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Blog post #5: Professional Opportunities & Job Skills
At this point in our academic life, most of us are not going to school just to have fun, we are planning on getting a degree so that we can obtain jobs in a professional setting.
Here is a link to the UCF career site which lists skills that employers have ranked in order of necessity. http://www.career.ucf.edu/ployers_Are_Seeking_16_74.aspx After looking at the website, did the information surprize you? What are your weakest and strongest skills? Do you have any plans on improving the weak skills and if so what are they?
How do you think interdisciplinarity can be used in your professional life? If you have some professional history already, what is it?
A lot of UCF programs require you to participate in volunteer hours, internships, or externships, if you have done these do you think it has helped you in your professional development at all? If you haven't done these, find and list 2 professional organizations that you think would be useful to your target career.
I know this week has you answering a lot of questions but they are all very important. EEmployers are eneviatably going to ask you what your stongest and weakest skills are, so it is important to recognize it early so you have time to think about it and adjust if necessary.
Here is a link to the UCF career site which lists skills that employers have ranked in order of necessity. http://www.career.ucf.edu/ployers_Are_Seeking_16_74.aspx After looking at the website, did the information surprize you? What are your weakest and strongest skills? Do you have any plans on improving the weak skills and if so what are they?
How do you think interdisciplinarity can be used in your professional life? If you have some professional history already, what is it?
A lot of UCF programs require you to participate in volunteer hours, internships, or externships, if you have done these do you think it has helped you in your professional development at all? If you haven't done these, find and list 2 professional organizations that you think would be useful to your target career.
I know this week has you answering a lot of questions but they are all very important. EEmployers are eneviatably going to ask you what your stongest and weakest skills are, so it is important to recognize it early so you have time to think about it and adjust if necessary.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Blog Discussion #4
Hello all. The discussion for this weeks blog involves critical thinking. Specifically, how it relates to being Interdisciplinary. First, what is critical thinking? I prefer to define it as a purposeful and reflective judgement about what to do in response to various observations, readings, writings, discussions, or arguments. There are various other definitions though, but they are all similar.
So how does critical thinking relate to being interdisciplinary? In what ways do you use it in your areas of study?
For myself, the best example is using the construction of logical arguements as learned in mathematics and applying it to understanding psychological principles. In this case, I am essentially looking at problems and such in one discipline while applying techniques from another.
So how does critical thinking relate to being interdisciplinary? In what ways do you use it in your areas of study?
For myself, the best example is using the construction of logical arguements as learned in mathematics and applying it to understanding psychological principles. In this case, I am essentially looking at problems and such in one discipline while applying techniques from another.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Blog #3: Understanding Interdisciplianarity and Integrating Areas
To start off Blog # 3 I wanted to define integrate. From the Princeton dictionary online the definition is make into a whole or make part of a whole. We as IDS students know this very well with our major. We are constantly integrating each area of study into the other to achieve the most out of our education thats possible.
For me, I have integrated both my areas of study along with my minor. I have chosen the Behavioral and Social Sciences and Hospitality as my areas of study and a minor in Health Sciences. I have integrated my areas for the health field by knowing how people behave with the behavioral aspect, how to take care of them better with the hospitality aspect, and learning about the health field with my minor. Each of my areas relate to one another even though it may not seem like it at first, once you understand that I want to work in the health field, you realize why I chose those areas of study. How have you integrated your areas of study and your minor to make one collective degree?
I feel that integration among your areas of study is important because many things relate to one another. It is important to focus not only on one sold entity, rather than the big picture and multiple aspects. This goes for your personal and professional lives as well. When you are placed into your career after you graduate, you may be asked to call upon many different areas to solve a problem rather than just focus on one aspect of it. Do you feel like it is better to use integration in your academic and professional life or just focus on one single aspect?
For me, I have integrated both my areas of study along with my minor. I have chosen the Behavioral and Social Sciences and Hospitality as my areas of study and a minor in Health Sciences. I have integrated my areas for the health field by knowing how people behave with the behavioral aspect, how to take care of them better with the hospitality aspect, and learning about the health field with my minor. Each of my areas relate to one another even though it may not seem like it at first, once you understand that I want to work in the health field, you realize why I chose those areas of study. How have you integrated your areas of study and your minor to make one collective degree?
I feel that integration among your areas of study is important because many things relate to one another. It is important to focus not only on one sold entity, rather than the big picture and multiple aspects. This goes for your personal and professional lives as well. When you are placed into your career after you graduate, you may be asked to call upon many different areas to solve a problem rather than just focus on one aspect of it. Do you feel like it is better to use integration in your academic and professional life or just focus on one single aspect?
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Discussion Post #2 (E-Portfolio)
Hello Cornerstone Students, I hope all is well. I would like to take this opportunity to initiate Blog post #2. This week, the focus of our discussion will be on the E-portfolio. A digital record of our academic work and achievements throughout the degree process. It is an interesting concept, that I didn't even know about until I took the cornerstone course a year ago. The initial process can seem difficult, but it is important to keep in mind how the E-Portfolio broadens a graduate's job prospects. An employer has the opportunity to know a person, and a person's work, without ever meeting them. Of course, all of this is true for any student in any major, but how does the E-Portfolio demonstrate the interdisciplinarity of our degrees?
I have noticed that many of use have difficulty even explaining our degree programs to people we know, how can we, not only explain it, but convince a potential employer that we have excelled in our chosen disciplines? In my opinion, it is all about the visuals aspect of one's E-Portfolio. However, it is important to know who will be looking at your portfolio. How will they interpret what they see in your E-Portfolio? For example, I have studied political science and history, so for me, I want my research to show through. So, I focus my E-Portfolio around papers that reflect good research and analytic skills. This focus point will be different for everyone. What is your interpretation on how your audience should interpret your portfolio?
How can we show that we, as IDS students, have mastered our areas of study in a short E-Portfolio? I believe that showcasing work involving two disciplines used to solve a common problem, which should be easy to find in your academic history, would make for the best examples.
The definition of an E-Portfolio is not exremely simple. It can be used for showcasing one's work, or presenting ideas. Take a look at Bucknell University's definition and guidelines for an E-Portfolio at http://www.bucknell.edu/x46468.xml. Now look at San Franscico State University's definition and guidelines http://eportfolio.sfsu.edu/stud_overans.php. The two websites give great examples, and instructions, but I believe that each portfolio needs to be as unique as the individual presenting it. A basic structure seems to be good, but a well planned, unique E-Portfolio is much better. It is that extra amount of creativity, such as personal stories relating your discipline to real world situations. Does this seem important to your E-Portfolio? Well, I invite all comments, so that we can discuss the E-Portfolio.
Hello Cornerstone Students, I hope all is well. I would like to take this opportunity to initiate Blog post #2. This week, the focus of our discussion will be on the E-portfolio. A digital record of our academic work and achievements throughout the degree process. It is an interesting concept, that I didn't even know about until I took the cornerstone course a year ago. The initial process can seem difficult, but it is important to keep in mind how the E-Portfolio broadens a graduate's job prospects. An employer has the opportunity to know a person, and a person's work, without ever meeting them. Of course, all of this is true for any student in any major, but how does the E-Portfolio demonstrate the interdisciplinarity of our degrees?
I have noticed that many of use have difficulty even explaining our degree programs to people we know, how can we, not only explain it, but convince a potential employer that we have excelled in our chosen disciplines? In my opinion, it is all about the visuals aspect of one's E-Portfolio. However, it is important to know who will be looking at your portfolio. How will they interpret what they see in your E-Portfolio? For example, I have studied political science and history, so for me, I want my research to show through. So, I focus my E-Portfolio around papers that reflect good research and analytic skills. This focus point will be different for everyone. What is your interpretation on how your audience should interpret your portfolio?
How can we show that we, as IDS students, have mastered our areas of study in a short E-Portfolio? I believe that showcasing work involving two disciplines used to solve a common problem, which should be easy to find in your academic history, would make for the best examples.
The definition of an E-Portfolio is not exremely simple. It can be used for showcasing one's work, or presenting ideas. Take a look at Bucknell University's definition and guidelines for an E-Portfolio at http://www.bucknell.edu/x46468.xml. Now look at San Franscico State University's definition and guidelines http://eportfolio.sfsu.edu/stud_overans.php. The two websites give great examples, and instructions, but I believe that each portfolio needs to be as unique as the individual presenting it. A basic structure seems to be good, but a well planned, unique E-Portfolio is much better. It is that extra amount of creativity, such as personal stories relating your discipline to real world situations. Does this seem important to your E-Portfolio? Well, I invite all comments, so that we can discuss the E-Portfolio.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Introducing....
Hello everyone!
Congratulations on choosing the IDS program! I hope you get as much out of this degree as I have.
My name, as I am sure you have already read, is Amanda Anthony. I am a Senior at UCF (Go Knights!), and I am obviously in the IDS, or Interdisciplinary Studies Degree program. My 2 concentrations are Letters & Languages and Behavioral Sciences, and my Minor is in Judaic Studies. (In laymans terms I am interested in Linguistics, Anthropology, and Biblical Studies.)
My education/career goals are kind of unique I suppose, I say this because everyone tells me that. :) After I graduate UCF in December, I hope to be accepted to USF to obtain a degree in Library Science (To be a Librarian). After this I am hoping to attend Yale (Cross you fingers for me!) to obtain a PhD in Assyriology (which is, in short, the study of Mesopotamian cultures). If you have any questions please leave a comment and I will try to answer it asap!
To me the IDS degree is a godsend. I am able to narrow down the topics in which I am interested in and focus on the information that I feel will make me a well rounded student. I know that there are not that many degree programs that are tailored to my interests, however this one can be. As an IDS student I am able to choose what classes fit my interests. I think it is great that I can learn from so many varied students in this program and I have. I have worked with engineers, English majors, Philosophers, future politicians, and the list goes on.
I know I tend to be a little long winded so I will stop here for now. I look forward to your questions and insights! Again Congratulations on choosing the IDS degree!
Salut!
Amanda Anthony
P.S. Try one of these little quizzes and post your results as part of your comment! :)
http://www.tomorrowland.us/tlm/
(I am a Talent!)
or
http://www.matthewbarr.co.uk/superhero/
(I am Superman! Or woman, I prefer woman!)
Congratulations on choosing the IDS program! I hope you get as much out of this degree as I have.
My name, as I am sure you have already read, is Amanda Anthony. I am a Senior at UCF (Go Knights!), and I am obviously in the IDS, or Interdisciplinary Studies Degree program. My 2 concentrations are Letters & Languages and Behavioral Sciences, and my Minor is in Judaic Studies. (In laymans terms I am interested in Linguistics, Anthropology, and Biblical Studies.)
My education/career goals are kind of unique I suppose, I say this because everyone tells me that. :) After I graduate UCF in December, I hope to be accepted to USF to obtain a degree in Library Science (To be a Librarian). After this I am hoping to attend Yale (Cross you fingers for me!) to obtain a PhD in Assyriology (which is, in short, the study of Mesopotamian cultures). If you have any questions please leave a comment and I will try to answer it asap!
To me the IDS degree is a godsend. I am able to narrow down the topics in which I am interested in and focus on the information that I feel will make me a well rounded student. I know that there are not that many degree programs that are tailored to my interests, however this one can be. As an IDS student I am able to choose what classes fit my interests. I think it is great that I can learn from so many varied students in this program and I have. I have worked with engineers, English majors, Philosophers, future politicians, and the list goes on.
I know I tend to be a little long winded so I will stop here for now. I look forward to your questions and insights! Again Congratulations on choosing the IDS degree!
Salut!
Amanda Anthony
P.S. Try one of these little quizzes and post your results as part of your comment! :)
http://www.tomorrowland.us/tlm/
(I am a Talent!)
or
http://www.matthewbarr.co.uk/superhero/
(I am Superman! Or woman, I prefer woman!)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
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