Technology reduces the need for transportation

Cameron Ripley, a sophomore at UGA, checks up with friends on Facebook between classes.

By Stacie Luke
ATHENS, Ga.--Passenger pigeons, smoke signals, telegraphs, town criers, and even snail mail as means of communication have basically become things of the past. Throughout history transportation has been used in much of the communication process. However, in recent years, instant communication through the use of technology has eliminated some of the need for transportation as a tool of communication.

Today, people communicate with others at a distance largely through technology such as cell phones or the Internet. According to a recent study published by Lee Rainie on the Pew Internet & American Life Project Web site, 74 percent of American adults use the Internet, based on data from telephone interviews.

Some uses of the Internet among University of Georgia students include keeping in touch with friends and family through sites such as Facebook and Skype, and searching for jobs and internships through sites such as DAWGlink and CareerBuilder.com.

Kate Hughes, a freshman linguistics major from Decatur, Ga., likes to use Facebook to keep in touch with friends at different colleges. According to Hughes, using Facebook is easier than driving to see her friends.

“It’s easy and doesn’t require pre-planning,” Hughes said. “You both don’t have to be free at the same time.”

Caroline O’Kelley likes to use Skype, a free download that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet, and has video call and instant message services.

“I use it to talk to my friends in other states who have moved for college or whatever reason,” said O’Kelley, a sophomore graphic design student at UGA. “My phone has a plan where I can’t talk to people long-distance, but if they have Skype downloaded it’s free.”

Skype is also being used more in job interviews. TIME magazine published an article online in October 2009 reporting that more companies are looking to cut travel and transportation costs by using video-chat software.

The Internet is often used to find jobs and internships. Instead of calling around from place to place or driving from place to place, some students at UGA opt to use Web sites such as DAWGlink or other job search sites.

Katherine Willis, a senior from Powder Springs, Ga., who has looked for internships on cruise ships and jobs teaching English in other countries, said she feels that looking for jobs online saves time and doesn’t come with as much pressure.

A popular Web site for UGA students to use in searching for jobs or internships online is DAWGlink which connects students to over 1,000 companies that visit UGA to hire students and graduates.

“I liked DAWGlink because it condensed everything,” said Eddie Welch, a senior who looked for Information Technology jobs. “The thing I liked the most is that it’s UGA only. You know that the employers are interested in UGA students.”

Some students like to visit local companies’ Web sites to fill out applications online, along with DAWGlink or other job search sites.

Josh Hedrick, who holds a bachelor’s degree in biology, has been looking for a job since he graduated in May 2009.

“I’ve gone to a bunch of company Web sites like Target, Wal-mart, PetSmart, Belk, Blockbuster, and Staples, which are all close to my house, to fill out applications,” Hedrick said. “I looked online because it was certainly easier and after visiting a couple of places in my area, they all directed me to their Web site to fill out an application anyway.”

Holly Getchell, director of employee relations at The University of Georgia Career Center, believes old-fashioned face-to-face communication is the best strategy for finding a job.

“From my observations, it seems like many people rely too heavily on searching for jobs online,” Getchell said. “It's really important to go to career fairs and networking events and try to interact face to face as much as possible—especially since the majority of jobs are usually not posted.”

No matter how you choose to stay connected or find new opportunities, taking advantage of new technology can save time and gas.

Edited by: Charles-Ryan Barber