CTS 396: Discovering ProbeRequest.org, a new initiative to get and provide Wi-Fi help
45 min
Finding someone to ask can be difficult, even in a welcoming technical community. A mentor can offer a useful perspective on a certification, a career decision or a presentation. Mentorship can also happen informally when someone shares their experience or gives you an opportunity to learn. Stephen Cooper created ProbeRequest.org to help Wi-Fi and networking professionals find people willing to share their experience. We discuss why he built it, how a Requestor can connect with a Responder and what makes a mentoring conversation useful for both people. What we cover Stephen’s experience of mentorship and community in networking The idea behind ProbeRequest.org and its Wi-Fi discovery-inspired name How Requestors find Responders and send Association Requests Practical ways to start a focused and respectful mentoring conversation The difference between mentoring, technical support and professional consulting How the community can contribute and help shape the platform Before you reach out Identify the question or decision you want help with+ Look for a Responder whose topics and availability fit your request+ Introduce yourself and explain what you have already tried or considered+ Ask for a conversation within a reasonable scope Agree on expectations and respect the other person’s time Follow up and share what you learned Key takeaway You do not need to figure everything out alone, and you do not need to know everything to help someone else. A clear question and a willingness to share experience can start a useful conversation. Resources ProbeRequest.org — the mentorship platform for Wi-Fi and networking professionals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-FWJowm4dI&pp=ygUbd2xwYyBwcmFndWUgc3RlcGhlbiBjb29wcGVy About ProbeRequest.org — the project’s purpose and background ProbeRequest.org FAQ — practical questions about the platform ProbeRequest.org on LinkedIn — community updates and the project’s description Stephen Cooper on LinkedIn — Stephen’s p...