- What is the best part about working here?

- How is this job different from other jobs you've had in the past?

- What's your background / how did you get here?

You get a good sense of the type of people you'd be working with and what they really like about the job.

Tech Support: "I'm sorry, are you from the past?"

There was this sort of thing in an episode of Max Headroom, where you could leave a few videos of yourself for your loved ones to interact. Of course, the implementation was backed by a corrupt industrialist, who had coin slots on the interaction kiosks, soaking people for their cash.

Hopefully in our world Edison Carter will be there to right the wrongs this new technology will cause.

In these cases, I usually write an email to a Senator. Does some one have one of those pages going (like the ACLU has) that will auto email a protest to my Senator and/or Rep?

Stop posting partisan crap and do something!

DO NOT let lack of money dissuade you from what you want to do. That breads resentment and bitterness. Do it, do it well, and the money will come.

I went to MIT. I hate it when people assume that you have to be rich to go there, or make comments like "my parents couldn't afford that." That isn't a reason to not even try. I'm not sure about the original poster's financial status (upper middle class can be a big range), but MIT recently announced it will be tuition free for those families making $75000 or less.

And the name does make a difference. I got my first job due to it (poor match in the end, but that is another story). Many employers see it as a short cut to the type of person you are. You *will* get a good job if you went to another school, especially if you are good (goodness will always override name in the end), but as other posters have mentioned the fact that you are surrounded by smart and clever people kicks your own performance up a notch. Being able to see exactly what you are capable of and find and notice your limits is an amazing experience. I wouldn't trade my time at MIT for the world, despite 4 years of complaining about the workload, the pressure and the frosh.