Thursday, April 23, 2009
Ember, the new fire of communication
I was searching on my Iphone the other day and I found a social networking tool used between iusers called Ember which is just a high speed way to set up a profile and chat with people based on the information on your profile. When I downloaded it and went to a chatroom I was sent to a campfire, or chatroom, with a few golfers around the country. I was amazed to find out that the other golfers were actually using the medium while in class at UGA and they were talking about their recent tournaments. I was kind of am odd man out given that I wasn't really part of their group but I had some good conversation. Eventually after talking to them awhile I said I might have to come down there sometime and play some golf and they agreed.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Active virtual community
I have discovered the virtual community active.com. It is a networking/virtual community sight that primarily connects people interested in competing in athletic events with the events and others interested in competing. In addition they provide training tips and heath information. Basically it is a one-stop site for the amateur fun-loving athlete. You can virtually schedule an entire year of athletic events, make a calendar of your athletic progress and your day to day training, and chat with fellow athletes.
Recyclable Worker
To avoid being disposable I have many different jobs. I am in the army, I am a server, I am a motorcycle safety instructor, and I coach swimming. At any particular times one of these modes of being employed may become more profitable than the others, and generally that keeps me financially on top of things.
Many people may find it distracting having so many different jobs, however knowing that I could be let go of at least a couple of them at any time gives me more comfort knowing I have more. Having many jobs it simply the way I have lived and the way I have grown up. Having moved around a lot since I had to support myself I had to become an employable chameleon so to speak.
Many people may find it distracting having so many different jobs, however knowing that I could be let go of at least a couple of them at any time gives me more comfort knowing I have more. Having many jobs it simply the way I have lived and the way I have grown up. Having moved around a lot since I had to support myself I had to become an employable chameleon so to speak.
Virtual Community
I am blogging about World Of War Craft. This is an online game that does not end. Basically people on computers wonder around a mythical land as a character. I see how much of an impact this community has on people. They spend all their free time and money to enter this online community. Members of this sommunity get eager to buy acess cards. They line up with the new release of a card. They also call and asks so many questions about acess cards. I have never seen such a loyal community.
Disposable WORKERS!!
being temporary isn’t very plausible when you are supporting others.
My thoughts on the recent increase in the disposable worker lead me to believe that our current economy is another contributing factor. Unemployment has gone through the roof and people that have their jobs are struggling to keep them. I am so lucky to be working right now it is ridiculous. Employers have more control over us than ever by making us feel disposable. We do what they want, when they want, how they want because if we get fired new jobs don’t come “a dime a dozen” these days. This is the kind of situation that I am in. I am in school, therefore I have a temporary job that isn’t my career to hold me over until I graduate. Most employers look at people like me as a short term investment. They know that when I leave there will be another person—in their eyes—just like me to fill my place. That makes me a disposable worker, because if I am fired there is no problem for O’Charleys to find a replacement within a week. The implications of this trend are pretty drastic. The unemployment rate has skyrocketed and temporary jobs have become more common place. The minimization of wages has caused people to earn less over their lifetime and retire later. Part-time jobs are becoming more prevalent as full-time are cut. Also, less and less people are receiving benefits and healthcare.
My thoughts on the recent increase in the disposable worker lead me to believe that our current economy is another contributing factor. Unemployment has gone through the roof and people that have their jobs are struggling to keep them. I am so lucky to be working right now it is ridiculous. Employers have more control over us than ever by making us feel disposable. We do what they want, when they want, how they want because if we get fired new jobs don’t come “a dime a dozen” these days. This is the kind of situation that I am in. I am in school, therefore I have a temporary job that isn’t my career to hold me over until I graduate. Most employers look at people like me as a short term investment. They know that when I leave there will be another person—in their eyes—just like me to fill my place. That makes me a disposable worker, because if I am fired there is no problem for O’Charleys to find a replacement within a week. The implications of this trend are pretty drastic. The unemployment rate has skyrocketed and temporary jobs have become more common place. The minimization of wages has caused people to earn less over their lifetime and retire later. Part-time jobs are becoming more prevalent as full-time are cut. Also, less and less people are receiving benefits and healthcare.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
No Longer Trash
How will I make sure I am not a disposable worker? The answer is have a skill that everyone wants and is rare. The less people that have the same skill that I have, the better chances of me beeing non disposable. To do so, I will go to school and learn as much as I can. the mroe I l earn, the more knowledge I will have. Knowledge is power.
back to basics-
The age of the disposable worker just sounds scary. It almost feels like a term someone came up with to instill fear into people entering the workforce. I was visiting with a friend's mother the other day and she said, "it is such a tough time to be graduating and coming out into the workforce with the recession happening." So what is a worker to do?
I say stick with the basics. Basic number one- work hard. Hard work seems to be underrated today in young employees skills. I deal with this everyday at my current job. We want to hire new employees, we have applicants coming in the door, but we have very few who actually want to work for their money. Somewhere along the line the idea of coming in to work to actually work hard got lost. Along with the idea of working hard is being willing to work your way up. Sometimes you do have to start at the bottom in order to end up at the top.
Basic number two- Develop your skills and bring as many to the table as possible. It seems like in this economy you have to be a double or triple threat. Companies are looking for someone who has the knowledge(college degree) and the experience (real life work experience) and a special skill or quality on the side. The more you are able to develop yourself the better off you will be and the more competitive you be.
Basic number three-Stay sharp. It is too easy to become comfortable at your position, but change usually brings progress. If you are comfortable chances are you have developed and understand your current level and need to push your into a new environment. Along with this- be willing change. Like we learned in the book change is inevitable in organizations and if you can be the change adept person in the organization you will be remembered and appreciated.
I don't know if there are special tricks you need in this work environment, but it seems like whenever things get out of control if you go back to the basics you can survive. That's my plan.. and even in a bad economy I believe companies will always be looking for a double threat hard worker.
I say stick with the basics. Basic number one- work hard. Hard work seems to be underrated today in young employees skills. I deal with this everyday at my current job. We want to hire new employees, we have applicants coming in the door, but we have very few who actually want to work for their money. Somewhere along the line the idea of coming in to work to actually work hard got lost. Along with the idea of working hard is being willing to work your way up. Sometimes you do have to start at the bottom in order to end up at the top.
Basic number two- Develop your skills and bring as many to the table as possible. It seems like in this economy you have to be a double or triple threat. Companies are looking for someone who has the knowledge(college degree) and the experience (real life work experience) and a special skill or quality on the side. The more you are able to develop yourself the better off you will be and the more competitive you be.
Basic number three-Stay sharp. It is too easy to become comfortable at your position, but change usually brings progress. If you are comfortable chances are you have developed and understand your current level and need to push your into a new environment. Along with this- be willing change. Like we learned in the book change is inevitable in organizations and if you can be the change adept person in the organization you will be remembered and appreciated.
I don't know if there are special tricks you need in this work environment, but it seems like whenever things get out of control if you go back to the basics you can survive. That's my plan.. and even in a bad economy I believe companies will always be looking for a double threat hard worker.
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