For anyone not in the know, this week is a big one for the digital world. New Yorkers are taking part in the annual Internet Week New York City. It’s a week for unveiling new tech, for awesome new internet businesses to get some exposure, and to explore what just might be in the internet’s future. Since the internet is an entire world of possibility, the event is a great mix of just about everything. From memes, to fashion, to food, the week is like a convention for just about every interest, focused, of course, on the internet.

A major unveil that took place yesterday, however, was not about fun and games. It was the unveiling of a seriously useful and downright necessary tool. Mayor Bloomberg, Chief Digital Officer Rachel Sterne and Internet Week New York Chairman David-Michel Davies joined many to announce the creation of Made in NY, a digital map that already charts hundreds of the city’s internet companies and the jobs they are currently offering. The site itself states:

 

 

“The Made in NY Digital Map is a visual testament to the vibrant state of New York’s digital industry – showing a powerful constellation of over 500 homegrown startups, investors and coworking spaces across the five boroughs. Browse by neighborhood, review job postings, or add your own startup to the digital landscape – the Made in NY Map is a living resource that reflects New York City’s dynamic innovation ecosystem.”

It’s an extremely valuable tool for the many currently seeking a job. The map also shows which areas of the city are major hubs for digital companies. The site is also very smooth and user-friendly. It’s extremely easy to find investors, places that are hiring, or simply digital companies that may interest the user.

Some criticize the unveiling as a bandaid on the job problem facing New York City, since job losses are still on the rise. It is definitely a push to establish New York as a major tech hub, and with good reason. Technology, the internet, and digital businesses aer a major part of our present and will become even bigger in our future. Still, the unveil does not create new jobs at this stage. It only displays ones that were already available. The focus of the push also seems to be attracting workers from outside of the city--a move that would make New York itself more money, but doesn’t do much for the many already living there who are desperate for work except another advanced form of Classifieds. Still, there’s a lot of potential in this new site. Companies will not just be looking for designers or I.T. specialists and hopefully, many people will find the site to be a very valuable tool!

Check out Made in NY here!