Chaos Tamer
Lessons learned about life; pearls of wisdom I’ve gleaned through pain, failure and honest reflection
I’ve long admired the wit and wisdom of Dr. Feynman. This quote took me a bit, though, to fully embrace. For so much of my life, being “wrong” was embarrassing, something to be avoided at all costs. Generally by avoiding speaking out, by avoiding risk. I’m pleased to have passed through that, worked to embrace humility, and to risk being wrong in order to learn. That is what’s most critical.!
So, a lot has happened since my last post in May (so much for posting more often!). Last month, I completed the last of my coursework for a Web Application and Cloud Developer Associate in Technical Arts degree at Edmonds College. This is in addition to completing the coursework for these certificates:
Currently, I’m taking a class in Enterprise Architecture (first day is today). Upon completing that class, I will that have earned these additional certificates:
So, I’m rather pleased with the results of the past two years of study. I feel well suited for my goal of moving into an IT career.
Another thing that happened: in April I accepted a role at Trinity Lutheran Church, where I’ve been involved for years. I also have worked there covering for the communications coordinator’s paternity leave a couple of years ago. This role is as the Pastoral Administrative Assistant. As it’s part-time, it gives/gave me room to continue studying while earning some income (my unemployment benefits have expired). It is also a contract position (until December of 2022), which will work nicely for me. I plan to find a new, full-time position this fall. Once I’m in my new role, I plan to continue with my technological education. More about that soon.
That’s the status and plan for the next few months. Do you have any advice or guidance? Or, even better, lines on IT roles in the greater Snohomish County/Seattle area? Let me know!
I have one more quarter after this one. One! Currently, my post-school plan is to return to the workforce after I’m done. As much as I love web development, I feel that I can offer the most to a company within the realm of project management or systems analysis.
One of my “superpowers” is communication. I am excellent at connecting with people. As I’ve worked across a number of business functions, I understand the information they need, and how they think. With my developer skills, I think I would do an excellent job as the intermediary between IT and business units. I have been told that I communicate IT and other technology issues in a way that doesn’t make users “feel like idiots”. Plus, my career has a solid amount of project work (project coordination, documentation, etc). And I really enjoyed my project management and systems analysis and design coursework.
I intend to continue my studies, too. At this point, I’m looking at pursuing the Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology and Administrative Management degree at Central Washington University (ain’t that a mouthful) here in Lynnwood.
The past few years have been full of change and growth. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities that have presented themselves. Now I look forward to using all that I’ve learned to add value wherever I may roam (queue up Mettalica) and make the world better.
As we approach the middle of February, and the middle of Winter Quarter, I think it’s a good time to talk about plans.
I have one more quarter: spring 2022. My goal is to land a new role promptly after that. More specifically, late June/early July. I intend to focus on project manager/coordinator or systems analyst roles. Though I’ve spent the past two years focused on learning web development, I see my greatest value add is in the convergence of that with my project and team coordination history. I know the language of the different project stakeholders, from financial to operational to technical. Being able to keep disparate groups of people engaged, on the proverbial “same page”, is something of a superpower. One that I’m looking forward to using.
Pooja over at Life’s Fine Whine posted some goals for 2022. Made me think it was a good time to post some of my own.
I’m not sure what else to add at this point. Do you have any suggestions? What are your goals for 2022?
This quarter I’ve heavily focused on data. Of my three classes, one is on SQL and another is focused on database theory and design. As part of the theory and design class, I’ve been thinking a bit about Business Intelligence (BI) systems.
What are BI systems?
Business Intelligence Systems are tools that enable management (and other people) to analyze business activities. This includes past and current activities. Additionally, these tools are extremely valuable in predicting future behavior. They enable organizations to assess their effectiveness, strategize and plan for the future, as well as control various elements of the business. Ultimately, their function is to assist and guide decision-making.
How do BI systems differ from transaction processing systems?
Transaction processing systems, aka: operational systems, facilitate and monitor primary business operations such as sales, purchasing, and inventory control. They are involved in the ongoing stream of daily business operations. Operational systems are, generally, the core program of the business.
Business Intelligence Systems focus on management’s decision-making and analysis needs. Often, BI systems are disconnected from operational databases. BI systems pull their data from three possible sources:
I am finding data systems to be incredibly fascinating. Though it is one of the “areas of the future”, that’s not the whole thing. I see how valuable data is to, well, everyone. There are so many ways to benefit any organization and so many ways to misuse it.
Here in the US, it’s Thanksgiving, a day where we’re supposed to step back and look at what’s good in the world, and, well, be thankful. It’s challenging to not obsess over the problems, over what’s wrong. I’m thankful for my family, good friends, and the opportunities I have.
And for each of you, my dear readers. Thank you for reading my thoughts and for being a part of my life.
* I created this with Adobe Spark using a built-in theme.
I was chatting with one of the baristas at my favorite local coffee shop earlier today. I like how she described her current, I guess I’d call it “focus”: the acquisition of skills. She’s gained barista skills, store manager skills, she’s now working on hair-dressing skills. There was far more to that, but you get the drift.
This describes much of my career life. I’ve loved learning, new skills, new business types, new business functions (you can see the range of work I’ve done over on my resume). I relish breadth of knowledge. However, I did get to a point where I wanted depth, to become an expert in something. Much of my mental effort over the past few years has been seeking that something.
As I love so much, and focus requires denying, saying “no”, this has been a painful challenge for me. But I’m making progress. I do have something of a focus now. Something.
When I started down this web-development path, I assumed that at the end I’d be good at making websites and, well, then I’d make websites. Oh, my goodness, no…it’s been far more than that. I’ve studied data systems, systems analysis and design, graphic design, programming, project managment…so many things, and I would argue I have explored databases and system analysis in more depth than I have HTML, CSS and JavaScript. So, even while refining my focus, my opportunities have expanded.
Back to my friend, and to anyone else out there in a similar place: there’s value in focus. Maybe, to start, just start compiling a list of what you want to study/learn. First, having a list is the first step in a plan. And having a written list makes it much more likely to happen. Also, you’ll start to see patterns. Within that will be the first inklings of a focus.
I’m working on the same. I’ve started journaling on paper again (I’m using a Leuchtturm 1917, if you’re interested). And that’s where I’m working on this sort of thing. Paper engages the brain differently, which I find important. It also slows me down (I type pretty darn fast). Right now, I’m focusing on the kinds of work I want to do. Do I want to code? Do I want to design? Do I want to dig into data? Manage projects? Figuring out these elements, I can then craft a plan to achieve them and build the next phase of my career.
Have you done anything like this? What do you think of this notion? Let me know!
When I started this career transition, my vision seemed clear: at the end of this I’ll get a job managing websites. Well, my vision has evolved. This is standard in my life, at least. As I learn more, interact with people, expand my view, my understanding grows and new opportunities become visible.
I expected that I would come out knowing nearly everything about building and managing sites. The main thing I’ve learned is how little I know. There is so much left to learn. I expected to study html, Javascript and CSS far deeper, that I’d spend more than one quarter on each. I also didn’t expect the breadth I’d be exposed to. Things like the database theory and design classes, and the SQL classes I’m taking now. Nor did I think I’d dive deeper into project management, systems analysis and design, Visual Basic, or Amazon Web Services.
This range of classes opens up some career areas that I hadn’t considered. Analyst roles for one, data systems for another. Another area I see is project management. And there’s communications, with a focus on digital comms. So much to consider. And I want to launch my need stage of my career plan soon. So I have work to do.
so the week begins
cool air, grey clouds, gentle mists
my tea calls to me
Tis a grey morning in Seattle. Autumn’s coolness fills my senses. Time to rise, drink some tea, then face the world.