Diversity Training

Well, today at the job they had all of the newbies go to a meeting where we would be treated to a talk and video about diversity in the workplace. It wasn't really that educational. Nothing was put forth that we didn't already have a knowledge of. I guess it is just a way that the Company covers their butt. During this little meeting I did begin thinking about some things, namely about respect of persons during work.

One of the key things that was impressed upon us was the fact that we should respect other people's background, lifestyle, up-bringing, etc. This made me think. When I am at work I shouldn't have to know anything about anyone else except what is their overall work function and what is their overall use to me in that respect. Religion, background, sexual-orientation, and any other underlying difference they have with me shouldn't even be an issue unless we are spending personal time together. In other words, unless I get involved with a co-worker outside the work arena then there is no reason for me to have to respect their lifestyle because it wouldn't/shouldn't come up.

Am I being narrow minded here? Probably, but my point is still valid. There are things about me that I know many people would gladly argue against (even co-workers who would claim to be my friend) but it isn't an issue because these things aren't related to J2EE development. I know that there are certain things I should leave at home when I go to work. I can't get all up in arms or go all hoity-toity at work over my religious convictions or lifestyle choices, they don't belong there.

I didn't go into a job interview trying to make my personal points or sway people to accept my religion or background, if I had then my resume would have found file thirteen. How can I expect my day to day job life to be different.

Now all that being said I would say you shouldn't worry about me being non-social in the work-place. But realize that there are places in personal conversations I may choose to go that I won't go in a conversation with a colleague.

Now with that ramble, which probably makes no sense and treads on the thin line of causing me loss of respect (as if I had any to lose), I will exit until next time.

Les

blog, don't die

Well, we're back at The Company and everything is going great so far. I think pretty much every one of us is getting really anxious to have our own cube and computer. I myself am definitely ready. In the meantime however, we're programming, analyzing, designing, meeting, and learning. Essentially, we're making the most out of our time with the senior programmers as we possibly can. Even though I'm ready to start contributing to the team, I know that I've learned so much from my mentor, and learned a lot more about how we are expected to do things at The Company, so in the end I guess it all works out.

It's really cool that we all had the 7 weeks of training to get to know one another. Aside from the fact that we're already pretty well acquainted with the basics of the architecutre, there is also the fact that there are nine other faces that you're familiar with. That alone makes the acclimation process so much easier.

Well, I didn't really have much to say. Everyone else should post...don't let the Gang of 10 die!

Peace out,

List

I want:

My own cubicle.
My computer.
More money.
Fewer bills.
Someone to take care of all the boring stuff I need to do so I don't have to do it.
More sleep.
More free time.
Dark Tower VII.
A new car.
A girlfriend.
Someone to cook for me.
Waffles.
To write a book.
A good idea for a book to write.
To learn Tae Kwon Do and Bushido.
And some other stuff...

-NFJ

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Well, coming in in mid-to-late in the current iteration has been very interesting. Point in fact: we get to see things in an almost complete state so we may not know exactly what they are intending and they may need fixed. If that sentence doesn't actually make sense then you do get the picture. There is no way we could have been injected into this project without being paired up with someone already working on it. I guess that is why they planned this. I am really looking forward to finishing this iteration and starting a new one. At that point we may actually be more involved in the a&d so we will know way more about what is going on and actually have some claim in the code.

I think everyone is fitting in well, as far as I can tell they paired us up with compatible counterparts (I speak for myself and what I've seen, if I'm wrong I apologize). Everyone seems to be getting on well after training. My team is currently in bug-tracking-and-smashing-phase (yeah that one's not worded exactly like that in the books) and there seems to be a bit of pressure to get to a release point, but nothing major.

On a personal note, life after Dallas is good. I really don't get to rest as much now that I'm home as I did there (huh, responsiblities), but everything is starting to fall back into place.

Until next time.
Les Martin