Cathleen's Life

Cathleen's Life

My Life with the Internet

I can't remember when I first encountered the Internet; although today my life is fully entwined with the Internet. I do remember during my time in London when people approached me and asked directions. And, even though I was also a foreigner, I whipped out my A-Z (A to Zed,) the London street guide and sent people on their merry ways with the correct directions. No matter where I am, country, state, or city people ask me for directions. I love information, knowledge, and learning.

I graduated from the College of Saint Rose in 1992 with a degree in Public Communications. I couldn't find work I wanted and get paid, so I went to work for the state of New York. I took the first position I was offered, Keyboard Specialist for the Department of Correctional Services. I took on much more than was required of my position. I filled in anywhere I could. At one point I was coordinating the Court of Claims, where inmates are suing the system. I set up E-forms and instructions to complete the forms. The forms served as notification to all concerned from the Inmate Transportation units to the receiving facility where the judge was presiding. Originally, I attempted to use just E-mail notifications, but this allowed too much leeway in completing the information. Sometimes, not all who needed to know were notified, and sometimes not all needed information was forwarded. Inmates and cases fell through the cracks in the Court of Claims process, ergo my E-forms. They took the job away from me because I was only a Grade 6 and a Grade 20 was supposed to handle it. I tried to explain my system to the newly hired Grade 20. She didn't understand the process so returned to the previous process and problems.

The Director of Classification and Movement decided that I should be able to fill in for a Grade 9, who transferred to another department. A Grade 9 was not totally out of my reach. I started working for the Transportation Coordinator and Assistant Transportation Coordinator. They explained the complex email that was sent out daily with periodic updates. I guess this was my immersion into certain aspects of the Internet. I know that I had some previous experience with the Internet, but unfortunately I have had a brainwipe and all knowledge has disappeared.

In 1996 just before the Olympics I moved to Atlanta. I worked for TBS, Inc. Everyone there had the Internet on their PC's, but not everyone used it. The aspect of the non-usage that was most disruptive was the refusal to read or use email. I found the Internet exciting, finding information that people needed with a few clicks of my mouse. I started in New Business Development, once again as an administrative assistant. The people in the office were very supportive and appreciative of my work. The office manager loaned me some of her books, so I could learn. I also listened as much as I could to what people were discussing. I searched on the Web to learn more about issues and news, which concerned people. I did find it easier to learn when I had questions or issues to research. Having the whole unconstrained world to discover was daunting and overwhelming. Having the world at one's fingertips is wonderful; however, it is easier to investigate one fingertip at a time.

After approximately one year I started permanent work at Georgia State University Library in Information Services as, you guessed it, an administrative assistant. A major portion of Information Services is reference work. Even though I was only an administrative assistant and it wasn't required, I did much telephone reference work. Many of the librarians and other staff continued to use the traditional tools of reference - books. For the walk-ins, this avenue was often required; however, telephone reference information questions leaned more to short, straight-forward answers. The answers were needed were easily and more quickly accessible on the Internet. That movie with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, "Pat and Mike" I think, would in today's world be incorrect. Or no, that's right, the Katharine Hepburn character, the head librarian, used the computer and learned that it could be used as a tool to improve their work. Because of my reliance on the Internet (I do know that not all information on the Internet is correct and verified before dispensing the information.) more staff began using it for the simple reference questions

I moved north to the Boston the middle of December 1999. I began to use the Web in my job search in addition to some more traditional methods. Many of the positions that were posted were computer-related. I did not feel competent to succeed in getting any of these positions; however, I decided to look for administrative work with an Internet start-up and develop some more technical skills. Some agencies I spoke with told me they could put me in many jobs in the mid-twenties; I told them I didn't need their help for that. I located a very talented employment agency. They helped me immensely in learning to appreciate my skills and market myself.

I began with another agency that sent me on some interviews with start-ups. I asked questions of founders and some didn't know their product, others were totally disorganized. The agency also made some helpful suggestions regarding my online resume, specifically on Monster. Within a couple of weeks I received a call from OpenOrders. They designed and maintained an integrated order management software package for the Internet. I found the job I was seeking and they found the employee they were seeking.

Unfortunately (for me,) we were acquired by IBM in October 2000. Most people were taken on, but I was let go January 1, 2001. This time I started right away on the Internet. I posted my resume on several job boards. I read articles on many sites. I research different companies online. I surf, looking for companies that are hiring. I have also been researching a career shift from administrative to more technical. Actually, I have extensive administrative and managerial skills, but lack the technical expertise to transfer my skills to a project management position. So, I am taking the Accelerated Web Technologies Certificate program to build my technical knowledge base. I am continuing my search with start-ups. I have determined my dream job would be as Project Manager at Oprah.com.

Today I use the Internet for most aspects of my life. I looked up a telephone number for a church not listed in the yellow pages. I shop and complete many bank transactions online. I use email to maintain contact with many people. I complete the main part of my job search online. I research topics that interest me online. I often find information for other people online. I look up the television schedule for my mother for her area because her cable station doesn't have a channel for scheduling information and for my sister in a different area because her cable company has run out of room on the band and only shows the schedule through 7:59 p.m., online. Where before I would research various sources to help people, like the A-Z in London, today my first source is the Internet at sites like MapQuest. As you can see the Internet has become an integral part of my life.

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	My Life with the Internet
	I can't remember when I first encountered the Internet; although today my life is fully entwined with the Internet. I do remember during my time in London when people approached me and asked directions. And, even though I was also a foreigner, I whipped out my A-Z (A to Zed,) the London street guide and sent people on their merry ways with the correct directions. No matter where I am, country, state, or city people ask me for directions. I love information, knowledge, and learning.
	I graduated from the College of Saint Rose in 1992 with a degree in Public Communications. I couldn't find work I wanted and get paid, so I went to work for the state of New York. I took the first position I was offered, Keyboard Specialist for the Department of Correctional Services. I took on much more than was required of my position. I filled in anywhere I could. At one point I was coordinating the Court of Claims, where inmates are suing the system. I set up E-forms and instructions to complete the forms. The forms served as notification to all concerned from the Inmate Transportation units to the receiving facility where the judge was presiding. Originally, I attempted to use just E-mail notifications, but this allowed too much leeway in completing the information. Sometimes, not all who needed to know were notified, and sometimes not all needed information was forwarded. Inmates and cases fell through the cracks in the Court of Claims process, ergo my E-forms. They took the job away from me because I was only a Grade 6 and a Grade 20 was supposed to handle it. I tried to explain my system to the newly hired Grade 20. She didn't understand the process so returned to the previous process and problems.
	The Director of Classification and Movement decided that I should be able to fill in for a Grade 9, who transferred to another department. A Grade 9 was not totally out of my reach. I started working for the Transportation Coordinator and Assistant Transportation Coordinator. They explained the complex email that was sent out daily with periodic updates. I guess this was my immersion into certain aspects of the Internet. I know that I had some previous experience with the Internet, but unfortunately I have had a brainwipe and all knowledge has disappeared.
	In 1996 just before the Olympics I moved to Atlanta. I worked for TBS, Inc. Everyone there had the Internet on their PC's, but not everyone used it. The aspect of the non-usage that was most disruptive was the refusal to read or use email. I found the Internet exciting, finding information that people needed with a few clicks of my mouse. I started in New Business Development, once again as an administrative assistant. The people in the office were very supportive and appreciative of my work. The office manager loaned me some of her books, so I could learn. I also listened as much as I could to what people were discussing. I searched on the Web to learn more about issues and news, which concerned people. I did find it easier to learn when I had questions or issues to research. Having the whole unconstrained world to discover was daunting and overwhelming. Having the world at one's fingertips is wonderful; however, it is easier to investigate one fingertip at a time.
	After approximately one year I started permanent work at Georgia State University Library in Information Services as, you guessed it, an administrative assistant. A major portion of Information Services is reference work. Even though I was only an administrative assistant and it wasn't required, I did much telephone reference work. Many of the librarians and other staff continued to use the traditional tools of reference - books. For the walk-ins, this avenue was often required; however, telephone reference information questions leaned more to short, straight-forward answers. The answers were needed were easily and more quickly accessible on the Internet. That movie with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, "Pat and Mike" I think, would in today's world be incorrect. Or no, that's right, the Katharine Hepburn character, the head librarian, used the computer and learned that it could be used as a tool to improve their work. Because of my reliance on the Internet (I do know that not all information on the Internet is correct and verified before dispensing the information.) more staff began using it for the simple reference questions
	I moved north to the Boston the middle of December 1999. I began to use the Web in my job search in addition to some more traditional methods. Many of the positions that were posted were computer-related. I did not feel competent to succeed in getting any of these positions; however, I decided to look for administrative work with an Internet start-up and develop some more technical skills. Some agencies I spoke with told me they could put me in many jobs in the mid-twenties; I told them I didn't need their help for that. I located a very talented employment agency. They helped me immensely in learning to appreciate my skills and market myself.
	I began with another agency that sent me on some interviews with start-ups. I asked questions of founders and some didn't know their product, others were totally disorganized. The agency also made some helpful suggestions regarding my online resume, specifically on Monster. Within a couple of weeks I received a call from OpenOrders. They designed and maintained an integrated order management software package for the Internet. I found the job I was seeking and they found the employee they were seeking.
	Unfortunately (for me,) we were acquired by IBM in October 2000. Most people were taken on, but I was let go January 1, 2001. This time I started right away on the Internet. I posted my resume on several job boards. I read articles on many sites. I research different companies online. I surf, looking for companies that are hiring. I have also been researching a career shift from administrative to more technical. Actually, I have extensive administrative and managerial skills, but lack the technical expertise to transfer my skills to a project management position. So, I am taking the Accelerated Web Technologies Certificate program to build my technical knowledge base. I am continuing my search with start-ups. I have determined my dream job would be as Project Manager at Oprah.com.
	Today I use the Internet for most aspects of my life. I looked up a telephone number for a church not listed in the yellow pages. I shop and complete many bank transactions online. I use email to maintain contact with many people. I complete the main part of my job search online. I research topics that interest me online. I often find information for other people online. I look up the television schedule for my mother for her area because her cable station doesn't have a channel for scheduling information and for my sister in a different area because her cable company has run out of room on the band and only shows the schedule through 7:59 p.m., online. Where before I would research various sources to help people, like the A-Z in London, today my first source is the Internet at sites like MapQuest. As you can see the Internet has become an integral part of my life.