On the real...
Well here I am again writing, thinking, wondering, hoping and praying for my break-through. It has been almost 2 months since I have gotten up to go work for someone else and recieve little to no credit or respect for what I do. In a way it is such a relief to not have to deal with the stress but in another (and most important) way it has brought on stress...
Financial stress, Emotional stress and in some ways physical stress. I have applied for numerous jobs (most outside of the DC area) and have gotten some replies. But the truth be told I have become a little tired of having to PIMP myself to show my worth when it comes to seeking employment. What I lack on paper and certification-wise, I do have in years of experience. Is it not said that experience IS THE BEST TEACHER? Then why is it so hard for me considering I do have the experience.
I will not lie when I say one of my biggest goals is to have my own business. Not for me but for my children to one day run or reap the benefits from. I don't want them to have to be employeed by a company that really doesn't appreciate what they bring to the overall success of that company. I don't want them to have to work for a company that has someone in charge who has NO people skills, shows NO respect to the person, is not willing to help in growth career-wise, and is only concerned about themselves and their image. I have been there and done that.
Now there was something on the news not too long ago that stated employers are now surfing the internet to see what kind of activities prospective employees are indulging in. This is to determine whether they would be a suitable fit for employment. That to me is a load of crap. The same folks that are doing the searches could be indulging in possible activities that are grounds for termination too. But who is checking them? Speaking of checking...is it me or does it seem like everybody is checking everybody, and the ones that really need to be checked are slipping through the cracks? Now my last job was probably one of my biggest challenges. I TOLD YOU IT WAS GOING TO COME!!! Here's the story:
I had the honor and priviledge of working at NMIMC for at least 2 years in at least 2 different positions. The majority of the work I did was mainly IT Support (Helpdesk if you will) as a contractor mostly and boy did I learn a lot. In that place alone I had established quite a few valuable relationship with so many people. I perfected my customer support skills...or at least I thought I did. I got to know how to respond promptly and effectively and in some cases was a liason because the customer wasn't happy with the level of service they were recieving from another tech. On the personal side it had been said numerous times that I brought energy and smiles to many people. I have been told that just by a small joke, compliment or even a smile that I made someone's day.
Well I got an offer to be an Executive Assistant (Secretary) there (I had done my time in the IT side and there were no openings at the time) making more than I would have imagined (compared to what I was making) at that time. No this job had me doing some things I had done a long time ago (summer job action) and some things I had never done before. But the vibe I got was because I had such an established relationship there they felt more comfortable with me filling that position.
*SIDE NOTE*One of the biggest changes for me personally was having to wear shirts and ties everyday. Now if you ask anyone that knows me personally they will tell you I can't stand wearing ties. Why you ask? Simple...Over 400 years ago my ancestors arrived here with shackles around there ankles and necks. And even though that was then and I didn't live in that time the pictures that I have seen showed me that as long as that shackle was around their neck they were limited in movement, growth and achievement. But take the shackle off and they ran. They ran because they knew it was more out there for them to do and learn. Freedom to prosper from their work and knowledge but it was no secret that master feared a smart black person that was given opportunity. Ask any free slave.
So now I got this job that I have to wear a tie to everyday. Now that particular wardrobe was limited for a reason but change is something that is part of life. Now my stand on this particular change was "how do I do this and not lose me in the process?" Well I am known for wearing clothes and colors that most men are afraid to wear or won't wear. Call it unique...eclectic...or in our community P.I.M.P'ish but to me it is a sign of a leader. There are rules for pulling it off correctly and properly. Certain colors & stlyes at certain times. So I was BLESSED to be able to find a place that I could coordinate my wardrobe to be professional looking, have the SEAN FLAVA and most importantly feel comfortable. But like most stereo-types I ran into a few who assumed I was PIMPing, sold drugs, or flatly was making too much money which was far from the truth. I even had a few of the clients think I was in charge of the whole operation. I believe that was mainly because I was their Primary contact.
Now supporting (because that is what I did, I wasn't working for him I work for GOD) the Deputy Director had it's good moments but the majority of the time it challenged my patience. Here was a guy who had been in this position for a long time, he seemed to enjoy the 2nd man spot because in that position he could order other people around. When the Director was in the house he seemed to not like being told what to do or be corrected when he was wrong. From where I stood I was wondering why everytime he ever applied for the Director position he got rejected. But that was between he & his superiors.
CONTINUED in PT. 2
Financial stress, Emotional stress and in some ways physical stress. I have applied for numerous jobs (most outside of the DC area) and have gotten some replies. But the truth be told I have become a little tired of having to PIMP myself to show my worth when it comes to seeking employment. What I lack on paper and certification-wise, I do have in years of experience. Is it not said that experience IS THE BEST TEACHER? Then why is it so hard for me considering I do have the experience.
I will not lie when I say one of my biggest goals is to have my own business. Not for me but for my children to one day run or reap the benefits from. I don't want them to have to be employeed by a company that really doesn't appreciate what they bring to the overall success of that company. I don't want them to have to work for a company that has someone in charge who has NO people skills, shows NO respect to the person, is not willing to help in growth career-wise, and is only concerned about themselves and their image. I have been there and done that.
Now there was something on the news not too long ago that stated employers are now surfing the internet to see what kind of activities prospective employees are indulging in. This is to determine whether they would be a suitable fit for employment. That to me is a load of crap. The same folks that are doing the searches could be indulging in possible activities that are grounds for termination too. But who is checking them? Speaking of checking...is it me or does it seem like everybody is checking everybody, and the ones that really need to be checked are slipping through the cracks? Now my last job was probably one of my biggest challenges. I TOLD YOU IT WAS GOING TO COME!!! Here's the story:
I had the honor and priviledge of working at NMIMC for at least 2 years in at least 2 different positions. The majority of the work I did was mainly IT Support (Helpdesk if you will) as a contractor mostly and boy did I learn a lot. In that place alone I had established quite a few valuable relationship with so many people. I perfected my customer support skills...or at least I thought I did. I got to know how to respond promptly and effectively and in some cases was a liason because the customer wasn't happy with the level of service they were recieving from another tech. On the personal side it had been said numerous times that I brought energy and smiles to many people. I have been told that just by a small joke, compliment or even a smile that I made someone's day.
Well I got an offer to be an Executive Assistant (Secretary) there (I had done my time in the IT side and there were no openings at the time) making more than I would have imagined (compared to what I was making) at that time. No this job had me doing some things I had done a long time ago (summer job action) and some things I had never done before. But the vibe I got was because I had such an established relationship there they felt more comfortable with me filling that position.
*SIDE NOTE*One of the biggest changes for me personally was having to wear shirts and ties everyday. Now if you ask anyone that knows me personally they will tell you I can't stand wearing ties. Why you ask? Simple...Over 400 years ago my ancestors arrived here with shackles around there ankles and necks. And even though that was then and I didn't live in that time the pictures that I have seen showed me that as long as that shackle was around their neck they were limited in movement, growth and achievement. But take the shackle off and they ran. They ran because they knew it was more out there for them to do and learn. Freedom to prosper from their work and knowledge but it was no secret that master feared a smart black person that was given opportunity. Ask any free slave.
So now I got this job that I have to wear a tie to everyday. Now that particular wardrobe was limited for a reason but change is something that is part of life. Now my stand on this particular change was "how do I do this and not lose me in the process?" Well I am known for wearing clothes and colors that most men are afraid to wear or won't wear. Call it unique...eclectic...or in our community P.I.M.P'ish but to me it is a sign of a leader. There are rules for pulling it off correctly and properly. Certain colors & stlyes at certain times. So I was BLESSED to be able to find a place that I could coordinate my wardrobe to be professional looking, have the SEAN FLAVA and most importantly feel comfortable. But like most stereo-types I ran into a few who assumed I was PIMPing, sold drugs, or flatly was making too much money which was far from the truth. I even had a few of the clients think I was in charge of the whole operation. I believe that was mainly because I was their Primary contact.
Now supporting (because that is what I did, I wasn't working for him I work for GOD) the Deputy Director had it's good moments but the majority of the time it challenged my patience. Here was a guy who had been in this position for a long time, he seemed to enjoy the 2nd man spot because in that position he could order other people around. When the Director was in the house he seemed to not like being told what to do or be corrected when he was wrong. From where I stood I was wondering why everytime he ever applied for the Director position he got rejected. But that was between he & his superiors.
CONTINUED in PT. 2
posted by DJ Seaniemo @ 9:52 AM
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