My good friend Jason sent this in as a reply to one of my postings a few months ago. I have really found it comforting in the past few weeks as I bug out over some overdue deadline that was caused by lack of funds or a dwindling supply of support staff. It's some good advice for those aspiring to a career in IT, and from a very knowledgable source to boot.
By the way, Jason is one of the people who helped me keep my sanity when I was flipping out at another company last year with lots of little tips and advice. He was also on hand with a beer on occasion at ye olde watering hole.
"We are the Electron Janitors, we clean the feces out of the wires and pretend we don't see the empty bottles of vodka in the recycle bins. They discount our worth the most when we work the hardest. The better we get at what we do the more invisible we are to them, in spite of how hard we are working. This is why, when it comes time for staff cuts, they look around and say, “We never have any network problems, why are we spending so much for network staff?” For the best of us this is the gypsy curse we slave under, “In your career, at your best will they notice you least.” We can work to mitigate it, and even do so with some success, but we must never forget that it is there."
4 comments:
Damn, I had forgotten about that. That turned out better than I remembered, almost makes me seem kinda wise and profound. :p
Just picture it: A wizened bundle of hair standing on a stack of discarded servers brandishing a walking stick at a team of newbie sysadmins while they work. "Upgrades are a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into different systems. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed that is. Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose."
Seriously though, glad you liked it. That is how I think of what we do when I am in the head space you seemed to be in.
Oh, and you misspelled my last name. Dork. ;)
Though, now that I think about it, your spelling is a bit more fun.
:)
You coming over for a goddam beer, or am I gonna have to drive out and drag your punk ass across the lake?
I too, am here for the Kumite!
Well if you did not live out on the arse end of nowhere it wouldn't be such a trial to come over and hang out.
I mean, I know you're probably going for that whole "Pilgrimage to a Guru" thing but really, Renton?
;)
Post a Comment