I got the opportunity to join my manager in a conference call meeting yesterday. Some members were running late, so while waiting, I looked around her office a bit. She has a bookcase littered with a combination of books about technology and books about management. Another shelf holds binders containing information regarding clients, instruction manuals (for interfaces and Microsoft Office applications), and meeting logs. Atop this bookcase are so many awards I couldn't see all of them from my chair; the most prominent was an award for having worked with the company for over ten years. She has two calendars, a few pieces of art, and a smart board. She also has a separate fiscal calendar, another large calendar for her desk, and a table of the time in different time zones across the world relative to the time in the US. For some reason, she also has a periodic table, but who am I to judge. As I sat there waiting for our meeting to begin, I just had to pen out some notes. I got to thinking - is this the life I want to live one day? My manager informed me that she was very tired, as she had been working since five the previous morning and was on her e-mail until midnight the night before, just to wake up to come in to work at eight again. She looked flustered and exhausted, and is constantly in meetings. Even while we were waiting for this meeting, she started doing other work. As I am helping her with her project, I am aware it is incredibly complicated to implement and requires a lot of time. Even now, so soon to the go live date, problems are being found. Every issue requires so much extra time. She is in meetings almost all day long, every day. On the other hand, these are special circumstances as she is getting ready to go live on her project, so I'm sure she is not nearly as busy as she is now all the time.
It just makes me wonder: is the corner office really worth all the stress? My current answer is still yes. Perhaps this job also seems not as rewarding because I am growing to realize I never want to work in the department I'm currently interning for.
What are your thoughts on management? Does a higher salary have to come with a lack of sleep? I'd love to hear your response.
And as an aside: Michael Jackson passed away yesterday. Crowds were seen outside the hospital where he passed, crying for their icon, their hero. Here's my deal. It may seem heartless, but Michael Jackson has not provided anything positive to our society since he stopped making music in the early 2000's. Sure, he was going on tour, but really, he's been just tabloid fodder for the past few years. He touched little boys. He named his children Prince Michael I, Paris, and Prince Michael II (I think - the point is, they're silly names). Now I can sympathize for his family, friends, people that knew him well. I understand their grief. But to mourn his death as more than the passing of an icon is just ridiculous. I was really ticked by an away message one of my friends had on her buddy list; it went something along the lines of "Michael, you changed the way I saw music and now you're gone. RIP." Okay, first statement can be true, but what does his death have to do with the fact that he changed the way you appreciate music? Why don't you just aknowledge he impacted your life and that him being gone has nothing to do with that? (Trust me, there'll be a post about bad logic sometime) I just get so upset when people emphasize the death of celebrities. I understand why it needs to be in the news, but I think that comparing him to Elvis (I heard a fan on NPR this morning) is just ridiculous. Conclusion: Call me heartless, but Michael Jackson, rest in peace and good riddance. Maybe now I don't have to hear about your next molestation or plastic surgery. And RIP Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Downside to a Great Outfit
Another one today! Lucky you! Unlucky me, for undergoing the following situation that required writing about.
Along the lines of clothing, I was very excited for my outfit today. I'm wearing white jeans, a black blouse, black flats, and a long silver necklace. My boss is wearing white jeans, a black blouse, and black flats. Huh. That's awkward. Especially since she noticed, and made some joke about how I should go change. Then proceeded to tell me everything I had done wrong with a report she asked me to do.
So here's the question: what do you do when you match your boss?
Here's my answer: pretend it isn't true and go about your day, avoiding her at all costs. And then when you have to run into her, make a joke about how she hasn't changed yet.
I think I lost this one.
Along the lines of clothing, I was very excited for my outfit today. I'm wearing white jeans, a black blouse, black flats, and a long silver necklace. My boss is wearing white jeans, a black blouse, and black flats. Huh. That's awkward. Especially since she noticed, and made some joke about how I should go change. Then proceeded to tell me everything I had done wrong with a report she asked me to do.
So here's the question: what do you do when you match your boss?
Here's my answer: pretend it isn't true and go about your day, avoiding her at all costs. And then when you have to run into her, make a joke about how she hasn't changed yet.
I think I lost this one.
The Rules of Office (Cube) Decor
So it comes time in every office worker's life that the cube seems bare. To trudge to work every morning just to look at an empty, purple tackboard and some green felt covered storage units gets very dull. What's a girl to do? Decorate, of course!
Okay, so now what? What's acceptable? Obviously I don't want obscene beer pong pictures of me all over my wall, but what about a frisbee? Is that weird? I think not, but who knows? I remember my mother used to have framed pictures, artwork, some memorabilia from clients, etc. But then again, she'd been working there for fifteen years. I am but a wee summer intern. Obviously I don't want to deck out my cubical with posters - this isn't my bedroom. It doesn't help that the intern before me didn't decorate at all, and all that was on the walls when I came in was a checklist, a certificate of participation in a company event, two calendars (one has a Pooh picture over every month - the previous intern informed me that was not his), and a dartboard with competitors on it. In effect, it was barren. Incredibly depressing. I literally had thought no one was working there before me. I decided this would be unacceptable for the whole summer.
I started small; today I brought three photos in individual stands of me with friends and my boyfriend and my UCLA Football Mr. Potato head to put on my desk, a little bear in a bee costume with magnetic hands to stick to a cabinet that says "Bee Mine" on its chest, a small wooden m that has my name written on it and a motivating sign that says "the best was to predict your future is to create it" to tack on the tackboard, and my "Princess Maya" mini umbrella from Disneyland and a disc to put somewhere, once I figure that out. It's the little things that make me smile!
So it occured to me that one might be reading names from now on, so I will introduce some important people in my life (basically, the ones in the pictures on my desk). First, my boyfriend's name is Alex; we've been dating for almost four years. Second, my best girlfriend Priyanka, or Pri, from high school. Third, my best guy friends, Peter and Chris, also from high school. Now, in case I ever need to use those names, all my loyal readers will understand who I am talking about.
Again, thanks for reading. I'd love to hear what you have to say, or any experiences you have had in the workplace, or life in general.
Okay, so now what? What's acceptable? Obviously I don't want obscene beer pong pictures of me all over my wall, but what about a frisbee? Is that weird? I think not, but who knows? I remember my mother used to have framed pictures, artwork, some memorabilia from clients, etc. But then again, she'd been working there for fifteen years. I am but a wee summer intern. Obviously I don't want to deck out my cubical with posters - this isn't my bedroom. It doesn't help that the intern before me didn't decorate at all, and all that was on the walls when I came in was a checklist, a certificate of participation in a company event, two calendars (one has a Pooh picture over every month - the previous intern informed me that was not his), and a dartboard with competitors on it. In effect, it was barren. Incredibly depressing. I literally had thought no one was working there before me. I decided this would be unacceptable for the whole summer.
I started small; today I brought three photos in individual stands of me with friends and my boyfriend and my UCLA Football Mr. Potato head to put on my desk, a little bear in a bee costume with magnetic hands to stick to a cabinet that says "Bee Mine" on its chest, a small wooden m that has my name written on it and a motivating sign that says "the best was to predict your future is to create it" to tack on the tackboard, and my "Princess Maya" mini umbrella from Disneyland and a disc to put somewhere, once I figure that out. It's the little things that make me smile!
So it occured to me that one might be reading names from now on, so I will introduce some important people in my life (basically, the ones in the pictures on my desk). First, my boyfriend's name is Alex; we've been dating for almost four years. Second, my best girlfriend Priyanka, or Pri, from high school. Third, my best guy friends, Peter and Chris, also from high school. Now, in case I ever need to use those names, all my loyal readers will understand who I am talking about.
Again, thanks for reading. I'd love to hear what you have to say, or any experiences you have had in the workplace, or life in general.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Day 1
So in general, I always used to dislike the idea of blogs. I find them a little pretentious, assuming people want to read what you have to say, or are thinking about. But lately I've been having some thoughts and experiences I thought I would write about, and thought blogging might be a good creative outlet for writing, which I haven't done is a very long time. So really, if you are reading this, I am completely flattered. Thanks :)
So this summer, I have the pleasurable opportunity to work for a tech company in the Bay Area. I will not specify which one, nor specific location. Regardless, I have been waiting for a long time to get to work in what I consider a "real" job with a "real" office and a "real" badge, etc. I must say, it really is everything I thought it would be - corner office, here I come! Some of my friends can attest to hearing me say the following many times: I can't wait for a job where I get to wear a suit and heels every day! Well, I don't exactly wear a suit; it's more like business casual attire. For those of you that might not know what MY definition of business casual is, I will provide it now. For women: skirts, blouses (incl. button ups), no "spaghetti straps," no flip flops or sneakers, subtle makeup, pants are acceptable but never any denim (except, of course, on casual Fridays!). For men: pants (again, no denim), a nice clean shirt, either button up or polo, nice shoes (One of my pet peeves for men is when they wear sneakers with slacks. Please, get one pair of comfortable leather shoes to wear to the office!), and clean facial hair. Gosh, men are really easy to dress.
Anyway, so keeping my guidelines in mind, I went shopping with my mother, who offered further guidance, and bought a few key pieces that could match many outfits. In case this matters, I would consider my style very classic - I like buying basic pieces that I can wear with many different things, and then dressing up with accessories to make each outfit unique. So today, I am wearing a khaki pencil skirt (boys: google image), and black polo tee tucked in, and black heels with a gold buckle. Earlier this morning, I needed to use the restroom. As I walk into the bathroom, my manager came out of one of the stalls. Now, as an added note, I despise public restrooms. Not for the cleanliness or anything, but I feel a significant discomfort when I know others can hear me, well, doing what one does in the restroom. Consequently, I don't like running into people I know in the bathroom, because I always feel as if every time they see me from then on, they'll be reminded of the sounds of me using the toilet. Silly, I know, but it's just how I feel. So not only do I run into my manager, but she compliments me on my outfit! Here's the issue: if I don't want to say a quick thanks and turn my back on her, because I feel that is a little awkward to your superior, and it emphasizes how bad you have to pee. But on the other hand, I don't want to stay and have a chat - the bathroom is not for chatting! Add this dilemma to my previous discomfort with public restrooms, and you have a thought forming that I needed to write down.
The point is that no one prepares you for all the little things that can happen when you enter the real world, and as I experience all of these events/situations, I will write about them. You can practice for an interview or brush up on your Excel skills, but nothing will ready you for an awkward bathroom encounter with your superior.
So this summer, I have the pleasurable opportunity to work for a tech company in the Bay Area. I will not specify which one, nor specific location. Regardless, I have been waiting for a long time to get to work in what I consider a "real" job with a "real" office and a "real" badge, etc. I must say, it really is everything I thought it would be - corner office, here I come! Some of my friends can attest to hearing me say the following many times: I can't wait for a job where I get to wear a suit and heels every day! Well, I don't exactly wear a suit; it's more like business casual attire. For those of you that might not know what MY definition of business casual is, I will provide it now. For women: skirts, blouses (incl. button ups), no "spaghetti straps," no flip flops or sneakers, subtle makeup, pants are acceptable but never any denim (except, of course, on casual Fridays!). For men: pants (again, no denim), a nice clean shirt, either button up or polo, nice shoes (One of my pet peeves for men is when they wear sneakers with slacks. Please, get one pair of comfortable leather shoes to wear to the office!), and clean facial hair. Gosh, men are really easy to dress.
Anyway, so keeping my guidelines in mind, I went shopping with my mother, who offered further guidance, and bought a few key pieces that could match many outfits. In case this matters, I would consider my style very classic - I like buying basic pieces that I can wear with many different things, and then dressing up with accessories to make each outfit unique. So today, I am wearing a khaki pencil skirt (boys: google image), and black polo tee tucked in, and black heels with a gold buckle. Earlier this morning, I needed to use the restroom. As I walk into the bathroom, my manager came out of one of the stalls. Now, as an added note, I despise public restrooms. Not for the cleanliness or anything, but I feel a significant discomfort when I know others can hear me, well, doing what one does in the restroom. Consequently, I don't like running into people I know in the bathroom, because I always feel as if every time they see me from then on, they'll be reminded of the sounds of me using the toilet. Silly, I know, but it's just how I feel. So not only do I run into my manager, but she compliments me on my outfit! Here's the issue: if I don't want to say a quick thanks and turn my back on her, because I feel that is a little awkward to your superior, and it emphasizes how bad you have to pee. But on the other hand, I don't want to stay and have a chat - the bathroom is not for chatting! Add this dilemma to my previous discomfort with public restrooms, and you have a thought forming that I needed to write down.
The point is that no one prepares you for all the little things that can happen when you enter the real world, and as I experience all of these events/situations, I will write about them. You can practice for an interview or brush up on your Excel skills, but nothing will ready you for an awkward bathroom encounter with your superior.
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