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What have I learned? Part 1
By Matt | April 5, 2007, 9:47pm
Topics: Lessons of Life, Thoughts, Work |
I wrote this at two separate times back in 2005 when I spent most of my year working at Kennedy Space Center. I never published it, but I kept it. I figured its time to post it.
Essentially I wrote about what I learned while working there. Some of it’s geeky. Okay, maybe a lot of it…
What have I learned working for KSC?
Spring 2005
I’ve learned that the gov’t is different than your average job. I’ve learned that Microsoft’ Marketing department (and consequently their licensing fees) is really the evil side of MS. I’ve learned that if you put enough computer gurus together, one of them might actually know what he is talking about. I’ve learned that I’m a pretty good troubleshooter. I’ve learned the value of meetings (or lack of). I’ve learned the government has tons of documentation, paperwork, rules, and regulations.I’ve learned that working for the government has some benefits. I’ve learned a lot about the shuttle program, rocket program, and other inventions coming out of NASA. I’ve learned that deadlines are tentative (is that a good thing?
) I’ve learned that there are lots of neat toys like software, hardware, etc. and that some of them are actually useful. I’ve learned the usefulness of 1600×1200 resolution and a 19′ flat screen monitor. I’ve learned that if there is a rule, some are bound to break it (either accidentally or on purpose) and then they make more. I’ve learned that size does matter. I’ve learned that it is hard to over-accomplish in a gov’t environment. I’ve learned that some people are willing to change and some are still stuck in the 80’s.
I’ve learn that there is politics involved with any major project and once you are beyond the typical “grunt worker” you have to consider these things. If you’re the grunt worker, you get fired or “layed off” (the politically correct term) for others’ political mistakes. Nothing new there though.
Fall 2005
I’ve learned to enjoy a dual monitor display. I’ve learned that no matter how much time or effort you put into a project, there are always things to improve upon. However, a finished project is one that meets the given requirements or satisfies the end user, even if it has defects. I’ve learned that estimating time for a project in Information Technology is usually under estimating because there are almost always things that take longer than expected.