Although my posts tend to be more of the upbeat, positive variety, it has been a challenging few weeks. Two weeks ago this evening, my Uncle Tango passed away--my father's brother. It was tough on all of us to see a great guy leave us way too early, and his funeral gave us all a chance to honor a great man and reflect on how important family is; in both good times and bad.
Uncle Tango had a great heart and a genuine passion for helping everyone who crossed his path. He and I spent many of our hours together talking about our beloved bears/bulls, our careers, and our travel odysseys. Fortunately, I had a chance to see Uncle T plenty since moving back to Chicago and he will always serve a reminder that I should keep my mind active and curious while helping those around me in some way, shape or form. Uncle Tango did those things better than most I know, and those are two ways I'd like to be described someday.
Where I seem to be doing most of my helping these days is at work. For those not keeping score at home, I'm working for a large clinical lab in Quality Management, where I work with the folks who do the testing (and their leaders) to deliver a positive experience for the patients (and docs) who rely on their work. In the simplest terms, I help teams get better at serving their customers.
I've been involved with this type of work for the past few years and I really enjoy it--I get to work on behalf of the voice of the patient to ensure they get what they need, and I also get to work with teams to examine their work and improve through the use of a framework called Lean. It can be challenging work at times, and things have been very busy of late as I acclimate myself to the intricate world of the laboratory, while figuring out how I can help the organization using Lean principles. Everyone I work with has been great, and I enjoy the work, its just taken a lot out of me over the past few weeks.
Speaking of work, I promised a three part series on Jobs, which brings us to Part II; the college and after years. It is Sunday night, and I am looking at a long week, so I'm only going to write about one of my college jobs. And frankly, I don't think you're going to find it interesting to read about me as a bus boy working in a restaurant.
For those not familiar with my academic transcript, High School was not a strength for me. I am frequently described by my mother as the kind of kid "with all the brains in the world who never applied himself." She's probably right to a degree--I think I could have probably figured out most of what it took to get good grades, but it wasn't important to me back then. So when I left high school for college I took a flier on a small school in Tampa; the University of Tampa.
I had been used to working, and when I arrived at UT I looked in to ways I could make a few extra bucks to pay for Ramen Noodles and the occasional concert ticket. I came across some fliers during "new student orientation" related to the radio station and figured what better way to make a few bucks than to play music and hear myself talk over the radio? I had my choice of shift, based on my musical preference (mine was Heavy Metal at the time) and ended up in the 9 - 11 slot on Sunday Night; broadcasting solo over the airwaves of the University of Tampa.
Before you get all excited looking for archival footage recorded by one of my fans, you have to realize there were more kids at my high school than the University of Tampa, my program aired on shortwave radio through the university (and cafeteria), and ABSOLUTELY NO ONE LISTENED TO IT. So I had plenty of fun with my two hours on the radio--I'd play some random Megadeth tunes, sprinkle in some Pantera, and have visions of the school loving what I was playing. And when I got done with listening to my own music, I'd pick up the phone and call people on the air for no reason. I'd call my buddies at other schools in the Midwest (who obviously weren't listening), my roommate, and anyone else to kill two hours of time. As you might expect, my radio career was short lived, but it was one of the funnier jobs I've had and I actually like the idea of being on the radio.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Jobs, Part I
One of the unique things about the job I began a few months ago is the amount of time I spend in the car. The service area of the company I work for spans from the far south suburbs of Chicago, all the way up to northern Wisconsin. And although most of my work is in northern Illinois and Southeast Wisconsin, I spend a ton of time in the car. Most of that time is spent listening to the blowhards spew their nonsense on Chicago sports talk radio (both hosts and callers), but when I've had enough of their dribble I'll turn my attention to other subjects.
Earlier today, I was thinking about my current job in light of all of the jobs I had before this one and what makes this current one unique from the others. In a nutshell, I was trying to piece together exactly how it became that I got to where I am today. Its really not that interesting of a story, but I found it semi-humorous when I thought back about all of the jobs, the bosses, the companies, and experiences I had prior to today. And after hearing from Mardy King (an alias for an amiga of Romeo Sierra) that my blog needs less sports content, I decided to give readers some insight into the jobs (both good and bad) throughout my life. I'll do it in parts, with the first installment a summary of my early work history and I'll try to provide some relevant insight into what I took from those experiences.
My first job ever was at Northmoor Country Club as a caddy at age 14. Northmoor is a private club that I only knew about because it was located across the street from my junior high school and very close to my parents' home. I wasn't particularly interested in golf, but heard they'd hire just about anyone as a caddy, and the job seemed reasonably easy. I don't recall much from the interview process, other than I was asked to caddy for the caddymaster to demonstrate my skill in raking traps, staying out of the way, and my understanding of etiquette.
Once I began the job, I was the lowest of the low on the caddy totem poll, which meant caddying for golfers that weren't exactly young, good at the game of golf, or remotely interesting to be around. I worked for a caddymaster with a handy little drug and gambling problem, but he was always nice to me and most of his funny business took place outside of my line of sight. And if it was going on, I was way too clueless to know what was going on.
Most of what I learned from that job still stays with me to this day; but those lessons are much more applicable on the golf course than the corporate world. I got hooked on the game of golf, developed some understanding of its rules, and how to follow direction from an adult that wasn't my mother or father. But that's about it.
The following summer, I decided to "take my caddying talents" to Lakeshore Country Club, also located near my parents' home. At Lakeshore, I had a bit of a sense for what I was getting in to, and was much more comfortable interacting with members, my boss, and other caddies. The caddymaster was an old, bitter guy but he liked me, and even acknowledged my service to the Lakeshore members by bestowing upon me the "Rookie Caddy of the Year" award. You won't find that in the "honors and achievements" section of my current resume, but I do remember being proud of that award. There were a few 'regular' members I caddied for who may have had a say in the outcome, but it was nice to get some form of recognition for a summer full of ass-kissing.
But despite the public praise, I hated the job. I grew tired of lugging around tons of weight and as a golfer it was painful to watch wealthy hacks make a mockery of a game that I wanted to be playing every waking minute of the summer. I used to have these fantasies of getting to the furthest hole from the club house, dropping the bags, and turning to the members and saying something like, "carry your own damn bags." But I never had the courage to do that, and that was probably the biggest lesson I took from that job: even if I didn't necessarily enjoy or like it, I owed it to my employer to put my best foot forward. And it also was nice to be recognized for putting a good effort in to something; which I try and remember whenever the tables are turned and I'm in the position where I'm the recipient of good service. It matters to the person who hears it, and I try to remember that as I go about my day (both at work and elsewhere).
After two summers baking in the sun, I knew it was time for me to move in to a more 'service' oriented business, and took a job at Lebo's Shoe Outlet as a sales associate. Luckily, Juliet Mike (a close friend) joined me in the quest to become the best 15 year old shoe salesmen this side of Lake Cook road. He and I spent most of our summer shooting baskets (there was a hoop in the store), organizing shoe displays, and helping the occasional customer pick out a new pair of shoes. I learned how to understand what a customer needs, how to sell them something they had very little interest in (Reebok Pumps?), and how to handle a timecard. Juliet Mike and I stuck it out for probably 9 months to a year, which in the world of a 16 year old kid is a lifetime.
My Lebo's experience also gave me some appreciation for having fun at work. Look, if you're going to spend your time there, you might as well laugh a little and have some fun along the way. And with that spirit, I moved on to health club where I was essentially paid to look after kids while their parents worked out. In addition to being around kids all day, I worked with another close friend (Charlie Sierra) and it was easily the most fun I've had in any job. I mean, what other job can you be paid to play dodgeball, do a bunch of arts and crafts, and generally goof around for the entire time you're there?
I think this job helped me be comfortable around little kids, and that experience has benefits that extend well beyond my professional life. Its not easy to entertain little kids, and although my brother and sister might not love some of the "Uncle Dan" influence, my experience at the club forced me to find creative ways to entertain kids. This job was also pivotal in the establishment of the Delta Whiskey Diaper Changing Policy, which is essentially "#1s are fine, #2s require intervention from a parent." The nice thing was, the health club supported this policy, so whenever we smelled a stinker we'd find the parent on the treadmill and have them come down to change it without a single wipey-dipe. I'm not certain that policy would hold up if I end up having kids of my own, but for the time being it has worked out OK for me. For parents or caregivers out there, I would NOT suggest implementation of this policy without first checking with your significant other.
Stay tuned for Part II, when we'll visit the jobs throughout college and my 20-something years....
Earlier today, I was thinking about my current job in light of all of the jobs I had before this one and what makes this current one unique from the others. In a nutshell, I was trying to piece together exactly how it became that I got to where I am today. Its really not that interesting of a story, but I found it semi-humorous when I thought back about all of the jobs, the bosses, the companies, and experiences I had prior to today. And after hearing from Mardy King (an alias for an amiga of Romeo Sierra) that my blog needs less sports content, I decided to give readers some insight into the jobs (both good and bad) throughout my life. I'll do it in parts, with the first installment a summary of my early work history and I'll try to provide some relevant insight into what I took from those experiences.
My first job ever was at Northmoor Country Club as a caddy at age 14. Northmoor is a private club that I only knew about because it was located across the street from my junior high school and very close to my parents' home. I wasn't particularly interested in golf, but heard they'd hire just about anyone as a caddy, and the job seemed reasonably easy. I don't recall much from the interview process, other than I was asked to caddy for the caddymaster to demonstrate my skill in raking traps, staying out of the way, and my understanding of etiquette.
Once I began the job, I was the lowest of the low on the caddy totem poll, which meant caddying for golfers that weren't exactly young, good at the game of golf, or remotely interesting to be around. I worked for a caddymaster with a handy little drug and gambling problem, but he was always nice to me and most of his funny business took place outside of my line of sight. And if it was going on, I was way too clueless to know what was going on.
Most of what I learned from that job still stays with me to this day; but those lessons are much more applicable on the golf course than the corporate world. I got hooked on the game of golf, developed some understanding of its rules, and how to follow direction from an adult that wasn't my mother or father. But that's about it.
The following summer, I decided to "take my caddying talents" to Lakeshore Country Club, also located near my parents' home. At Lakeshore, I had a bit of a sense for what I was getting in to, and was much more comfortable interacting with members, my boss, and other caddies. The caddymaster was an old, bitter guy but he liked me, and even acknowledged my service to the Lakeshore members by bestowing upon me the "Rookie Caddy of the Year" award. You won't find that in the "honors and achievements" section of my current resume, but I do remember being proud of that award. There were a few 'regular' members I caddied for who may have had a say in the outcome, but it was nice to get some form of recognition for a summer full of ass-kissing.
But despite the public praise, I hated the job. I grew tired of lugging around tons of weight and as a golfer it was painful to watch wealthy hacks make a mockery of a game that I wanted to be playing every waking minute of the summer. I used to have these fantasies of getting to the furthest hole from the club house, dropping the bags, and turning to the members and saying something like, "carry your own damn bags." But I never had the courage to do that, and that was probably the biggest lesson I took from that job: even if I didn't necessarily enjoy or like it, I owed it to my employer to put my best foot forward. And it also was nice to be recognized for putting a good effort in to something; which I try and remember whenever the tables are turned and I'm in the position where I'm the recipient of good service. It matters to the person who hears it, and I try to remember that as I go about my day (both at work and elsewhere).
After two summers baking in the sun, I knew it was time for me to move in to a more 'service' oriented business, and took a job at Lebo's Shoe Outlet as a sales associate. Luckily, Juliet Mike (a close friend) joined me in the quest to become the best 15 year old shoe salesmen this side of Lake Cook road. He and I spent most of our summer shooting baskets (there was a hoop in the store), organizing shoe displays, and helping the occasional customer pick out a new pair of shoes. I learned how to understand what a customer needs, how to sell them something they had very little interest in (Reebok Pumps?), and how to handle a timecard. Juliet Mike and I stuck it out for probably 9 months to a year, which in the world of a 16 year old kid is a lifetime.
My Lebo's experience also gave me some appreciation for having fun at work. Look, if you're going to spend your time there, you might as well laugh a little and have some fun along the way. And with that spirit, I moved on to health club where I was essentially paid to look after kids while their parents worked out. In addition to being around kids all day, I worked with another close friend (Charlie Sierra) and it was easily the most fun I've had in any job. I mean, what other job can you be paid to play dodgeball, do a bunch of arts and crafts, and generally goof around for the entire time you're there?
I think this job helped me be comfortable around little kids, and that experience has benefits that extend well beyond my professional life. Its not easy to entertain little kids, and although my brother and sister might not love some of the "Uncle Dan" influence, my experience at the club forced me to find creative ways to entertain kids. This job was also pivotal in the establishment of the Delta Whiskey Diaper Changing Policy, which is essentially "#1s are fine, #2s require intervention from a parent." The nice thing was, the health club supported this policy, so whenever we smelled a stinker we'd find the parent on the treadmill and have them come down to change it without a single wipey-dipe. I'm not certain that policy would hold up if I end up having kids of my own, but for the time being it has worked out OK for me. For parents or caregivers out there, I would NOT suggest implementation of this policy without first checking with your significant other.
Stay tuned for Part II, when we'll visit the jobs throughout college and my 20-something years....
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