No good title for this post, oh... Weekend Assignment #2

Really like this quote that was in my technical communication textbook: "truth is the view 'which is fated to be ultimately agreed to by all who investigate.'" Harvard philosopher Israel Scheffler, Technical Communication, pg. 174

Feeling a bit sad because I just wrote a long blog including the memo I wrote for ProSc and then it all got deleted when I tried to post it, even though I saved it. Hum. Blogging has not been good to me lately. (Other things have happened but I'll spare you the details, especially because I have to post my memo and it is so ridiculously boring.)

Here it goes,...again (I made it small to emphasis how much I dislike it):

MEMORANDUM

TO: ProSc

DATE: July 14, 2008

SUBJECT: Weekend Assignment (interview)
___________________________________________________________________


The following is a summary of my interview with Viona Budge- retired Human Resource Director of the old ZCMI that was located in Orem, Utah in the University Mall. The interview took place on July 13, 2008 at her home in Mapleton, Utah. The purpose of my interview was to better introduce myself to the world of business retail.

The interview started with some basic introduction questions. Viona began her work at ZCMI in 1973, a little bit after the store had opened. She was hired on as a temp to work through the May Day Sale in the accessories department. After a few weeks, management was impressed by her professionalism and moved her into an interview with the head manager. She recalls the interview going poorly, and feeling under-qualified and under-educated. However, at the end of the interview, she made small-talk about the sparkling geode set on the manager’s desk. He was thrilled by her geological knowledge and she got the position as his secretary. She worked the switchboard and PA system.

Viona advanced her way up until she eventually landed the position as the Director of Human Resources. She then had to fight to maintain this position as more, and younger, business students applied for her job. She was good at working with people though, despite her lack of education. However, she advised me to seek specific training in computer and accounting skills as well as organizational behavior. “I hired some turkeys,” she commented with regret, “and I should have made more fuss and noise.” She added without hesitance.

I found it interesting that the one thing she replied, when I asked her what she wished she would have known before she started her career, was how lonely it was. She explained that as you climb the corporate ladder, or any work-ladder for that matter, that you have less and less friends. You can’t associate yourself with any of the particular “clicks” because that may get you into trouble with a different department or group of people. A good director, manager, or CEO has to remain objective, especially with work-related friends.

As we ended, she recommended that I set some kind of “mission” goals before I take a job. And ask myself, “is this job a stepping-stone or where I want to end up and grow in?” And then be honest with those interviewing me about what my plans are. “Some bosses are okay with a high employee-turnover rate; they suck the talent out of them and send them on.” Viona remarked. To close, I asked for any last words of advice, “when you start something, finish it,” she stated boldly.

It was most interesting to interview someone, without a college degree, work her way through the 1970’s all the way to the late 90’s. She witnessed the technology boom and also felt the pressure of needing the college degree. But it was her innate ability to work with people that qualified her, and kept her qualified. “I prayed a lot,” she admitted, “some days I was praying all day long.”

In conclusion, as far as identifying specific skills needed for future employment, this interview wasn’t very helpful. In the future, I need to interview someone in a more specific job position in book editing. I didn’t have enough time to schedule and hold an interview. Maybe next time I could interview you. However, it was most interesting from the point of view of a Human Resource Director to know what employers are thinking when they are hiring new employees.

Sincerely,

Tian Tian