The Friday Five

[susandennis]

The deal is that you answer the questions in your journal and then copy a link to your answer entry in a comment on the FridayFive. Although, I have found that people tend to leave their answers in comments to whatever entry they like. And, that's cool, too.


1) What has been your favorite job?

I've been fortunate enough to have more than a few favorite jobs! It's actually hard to pick one. But, I guess I'd go with Executive Assistant to the Director (sounds, fancy, doesn't it?). The director headed up the lab and plant that created the IBM AS/400 which, at the time, was a mind blower. My job was to prepare the executives for the product announcement and launch.

2) What did you like about it?

I got to sit in on all the high level meetings and learn all the inside skippy. Then see the executies use the tools I'd given them and be successful because of those tools. I was good at my job and I had tons of appreciation for every little thing I did. It was wonderful.

3) How can a kid become like you when they grow up?

Good question and I'm not sure except just be open to stuff. Particularly stuff that interests you. Find what you really love doing and then figure out how to do it best. That sounds so pollyanna but really, it's the trick. Be willing to do the work and show up and do it. School or work.

4) What safeguards do you use to avoid mistakes?

Stay awake. Pay attention. Heck now everyone has the internet so you can sit in your pajamas and learn everything you want to know!

5) What's changed in the world that you've had a hard time keeping up with?

Honestly, I can't think of much. I would like for everyone to keep up. And I truly hate the assumption that old people are stupid. I'm old. Not stupid.

Comments

[bill-schubert.livejournal.com]

1 - You do the same thing I do (and I know this because ... I just do). We both fill the void. Find a job and do it. If it turns out no one else is doing it you've just created a new position for yourself and your boss(es) LOVE you. And never bring a problem to a boss without bring at least one and preferably more than one solution. I had a boss once that loved it when I knocked on her door since I was never going to make her work. It was always 'hey, there's this going on but I'm going to to that and run with it, OK?, ok.. bye'.

2 - During our training recently there was a video that had a cartoon grey hair type who 'had a problem' and needed help.

On the call I immediately put the word 'ageism' in the chat box and boy did they jump at that and apologize. Since I'm helping most of the people on line during training including the trainers with computer problems they don't understand I'm with you.

It was a stupid slide since I find ages across the board that have problems with technology. Their problems are different but none are particularly immune.

[susandennis]

yes to all of this but particularly the number 1. i had a boss, early on, who told me, 'if you have a problem, i really would rather wait to hear about it when you also have a solution to propose'. SO VALUABLE!

[terri gordon (from livejournal.com)]

Wow! AS400 ! Haven’t heard that term in ages. We used that as our main system in the AP dept for years. It was bombproof, loved it as it was very forgiving with “mistakes”. I since moved to another job where we use Oracle/PS, Birchstreet and Canon.

[susandennis]

Since I was only there at the inception and beginning, it's always fun to hear about it's life after :)

[seekerval.livejournal.com]

I, too worked on AS/400s for several years. First as an installer on a large program of technical upgrading for a national insurance company. Then--for about 8 years--as repair tech for many of the ones I'd installed. Finally, as National Tech Support Specialist for the same group. It was (?is?) a well-designed machine for processing, relatively easy to maintain, and with a fairly small physical footprint compared to how much they could do. I often miss those days.

[susandennis]

Awwww That is so cool. Here's a photo from the product announcement days... We had one taken of every department as a momento. I'm on the front row next to the box in the white suit. The head guy is behind me in the red tie (the shorter of the two red tie guys).

And... you probably know this, the AS/400 was born and raised in Rochester, MN!

[seekerval.livejournal.com]

And don't you look efficient, smart, and charming! The entire crew looks good, as well as rightfully proud and happy.

I did, indeed, know about the Rochester connection. As a matter of fact, late in my Tech Support period, I used to drive to Rochester once a week to work on repairing the swap-out PCs for the insurance customer at the same facility that the AS/400s came from. Those PCs were much less cooperative about repair work than the AS/400! Over the years as Field Tech, I got to know the AS/400s pretty darned well--and certain parts of the system software. In fact, the customer's Help Desk occasionally called me to help them figure out what was going on at some site. I always felt so pleased with myself..... *blush*

[susandennis]

To me, there is very little more wonderfully satisfying than to be respected and known for your smarts.

[seekerval.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree!

[nt.livejournal.com]

I did a lot of programming (in RPG) on an AS/400 early in my career. With all the connected disk storage and tape drives, it occupied a fairly large room. Probably had less processing power (and definitely less storage) than the iPhone in my pocket.

I had earlier worked on IBM System/32, System/34, System/36 and System/38.

[susandennis]

Hey, stranger! What fun to see you here again!