May 20, 2010 at 9:22 am
Of course it matters!
If there's no usefullness for others or my self then I can't be happy doing my job. This doesn't mean that work must te a source of joy or hapiness, there are tough works and jobs, but we should at least try to give meaning to the things we do and if possible extract some pleasure doing so. There's no free beer and nothing like a job well done.
Regards,
--
Paulo A. Nascimento
May 20, 2010 at 9:33 am
I have found that I can be happy doing almost anything. Each job truly has its own rewards. I work in IT because it is a field where continuous learning to overcome new challenges are the norm. I never want to stop learning, and I always like to be challenged.
May 20, 2010 at 9:41 am
Norman_Berube (5/20/2010)
A prime example is that I spend 40 hrs a week coding (mostly) behind a computer. Last year I felt the need to get out some. I figured the best way to do that was to get a second, temporary part-time job doing something that I wasn't doing daily.
Nice, Norman, and good for you. I've thought about getting a second job in the restaurant biz again, cooking or waiting, when my kids get a little older. I think there was great comradeship there when I did it in College and afterward.
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May 20, 2010 at 9:45 am
On the first day I reported to my current job as Web/DB Developer, I was appalled to find out that I have to sub in as a receptionist whenever our receptionist has the day off or is on another call. Talk about mixing programming and secretary duties! I love my programming job but my receptionist duties wrecks my concentration and it is gradually affecting my enthusiasm to come to work.
May 20, 2010 at 9:51 am
For me I've always said that who I work with and who I work for are more important than what I do. In other words the working environment is more important than my day to day tasks.
This has been my comment in most of the interviews I've had in the last decade. The job is the job, for me. As a DBA, I enjoyed what I did, but the job was essentially the same. I like solving problems, but I'm OK with checking the logs as well. Happy to grind as needed, and so the job is the job. What's important is who I do the job with and for.
In terms of doing what needs to be done, I do the job that is asked of me. Change printer paper, sure. At $100k a year, if you want me to change paper, I'll do it. Make network cables? Load servers into racks? Happy to do it. I'll remind you that I'm not doing db work while I'm doing this, and I'm not working extra hours because you want me to make Exchange mailboxes, but if you're happy paying me to do it, I'll do it.
In terms of SOX, it's about how you do the job. If you have a sysadmin account, and someone asks you to do xx, you can't use your account. You need a separate, auditable account that has permissions fitting the job. You can do other jobs, but you can't do other jobs in any way that circumvents controls.
As far as IT v other jobs, I'm not sure I care. I have lots outside of work to keep me busy, with kids, my wife, hobbies, those are more important. So while I do a professional job, it doesn't matter in my life. I think a doctor could be professional, and be excellent, but not have it matter to him/her in the grand scheme. That's me. If I could make this money and have similar hours doing something else, I might do it. I have a fantastic job, and I enjoyed being a F/T DBA as well, so I did it. If I had some other great passion that might provide similar levels of compensation and flexibility, I might do it.
Life is what you make of it. That can be your career and how it affects the world, or it can be the affect you have outside of work. Your choice, and there is no wrong answer. Do what works for you.
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May 20, 2010 at 10:00 am
WORK FOR A LIVING.. DON'T LIVE FOR WORKING 🙂 ENJOY LIFE! IT WONT LAST FOR LONG!!
May 20, 2010 at 10:07 am
I have defined responsibilities and I have things I do. Most of the time they run in the same groove and some times they do not. I do not man the reception desk and I do not clean the floors but in the area of IT I have done most of things and continue to do same.
Over the years besides IT I have worked as a baker in a Deli, a longshoreman loading ships with logs from out of the water, custodian and handyman in a museum, school teacher, pastor, and counselor. Besides my current major job I work as an unpaid advisor to a small Engineering IT outfit, I am a husband to my good wife, and teach a Bible Study. For recreation I garden and repair furniture, and invest when I have a few nickels to spare.
Here at work my boss is constantly aware of the items that could sneak onto my plate and runs interference for me to keep them at bay. This is done so I can focus on what my main job is.
When you strive to do the best you can and focus on the needs of the business you will make a place for yourself, and the powers that be will do everything they can to keep the other items off your plate so you can do what you are best at.
That all said, if they ask me to do something new and it is in a new area, as long as it is cleared with the boss I do not care. By doing I can analyze what is going on in that area and if allowed do a little Business Process Re-engineering to make that job better for all who do it.
I guess the way I feel is that if given a task I will do it, I learn from it, change it for the better if I can, document it so others can do it easier, and move on to the next thing. I am part of a team and the people I help one day I may need help from.
Sorry if this is a ramble. I guess I just Do It!
M.
Not all gray hairs are Dinosaurs!
May 20, 2010 at 10:08 am
I have had a previous career in kitchens for 15 years, worked my way up as a chef until I was in control of a small kitchen. Left to go to another country for the language, and was in control of a section of the kitchen. I did different 'jobs' while working in the kitchen and (mostly) enjoyed it.
After a career change I am now working in IT, and yes, the job matters to me. I am willing and able to do a lot of other jobs, but only for so long. I know that I have to have a job that engages me, makes me think etc. There are plenty of things I like to try, and if I could get the same money and benefits I would. (And maybe I will in the future)
I could not see myself working somewhere only for the money, at least not for long. I have been there and was looking for a change as soon as I recognised the signs.
Who knows, maybe another career change before I retire :-).
May 20, 2010 at 10:22 am
It matters, definitely so. If the nature of the job did not matter to you it is unlikely you are going to specialise or learn anything in detail and to me that is important. To be respected among peers and community for what I know is as important as to be treated well at work. And I don't get to be that by being jack of all trades. But the said manager seems to be different in a positive way too, he is willing to step up and do what it takes. The majority managers I have seen have huge ego issues in that regard. They will complain to management on having less manpower but rarely step in to clear some of the backlog themselves which they can well afford to do. Personally to me, a manager who is wiling to get his hands dirty with no ego hassles is worth significant respect.
May 20, 2010 at 10:24 am
The phrase "It's not my job" has always bothered me. To me, it represents someone who is not concerned with the needs of the company.
At times in my career, I have helped out stuffing envelopes or doing data entry. It is not important what the job is, but that it helps achieve the goals of the company. Now if I had to stuff envelopes every day for months, I might be looking to move on.
May 20, 2010 at 10:44 am
The job does not matter one little bit. It's about making a difference for someone. I get personal satisfaction from seeing someone use an application I developed or helped solve a problem they had.
I could get the same satisfaction being a janitor and having the shiniest floors possible. I get the same satisfaction volunteering.
May 20, 2010 at 10:59 am
jcrawf02 (5/20/2010)All the more reason for employers to have job descriptions match actual duties. Didn't realize that one. What exactly is that supposed to be enforcing?
Strict separation of duties and accountability, which is what Sar-Box is all about. I am a little surprised that the author was not aware of this before posting an article like this recommending doing this kind of job-sharing thing. Sar-Box audits in many companies takes this multi-job description/ duties thing totally out of the equation. You simply can't do it, and risk getting your company into trouble by doing it under the radar as well. Some Sar-Box auditors actually encourage whistle-blowing as well, on those managers that continue to encourage their employees to do it. I have seen some managers actually fired over it, so be careful managers if Sar-Box auditors start coming to your work place 😀
"Technology is a weird thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other. ...:-D"
May 20, 2010 at 11:06 am
...I think there was great comradeship there when I did it...
That's part of the problem I have with a lot of IT shops. Most of the programmers I have worked with LIKE to just sit in the cubes and code...all day. I have worked for people for YEARS and knew nothing about their lives (trust me, I tried). Then I find out that they code when they get home, play WOW...sad.
I have worked in a shop where Agile was implemented (haphazardly I might add) and we had to at least talk to each other during scrums and retrospectives.
We don't have to go out for drinks every night, but at least open up to the people you spend 9-10 hours a day with.
Thanks for the question and all the input. I have known for years that I need a better fit, but since I don't have a trust fund or sugar mama, I work 'at the mill' and do the best job I can. ...I do like having multiple job duties, that's why I am looking into the new version of an MCSA certification. I would probably like to work in the preventative health care arena, gym, personal training. I am just looking for the right fit for my skills. If I could get reasonable healthcare on the open market...but that is another discussion.
May 20, 2010 at 11:07 am
TravisDBA (5/20/2010)
Sar-Box audits in many companies takes this multi-job description/ duties thing totally out of the equation. You simply can't do it, and risk getting your company into trouble by doing it under the radar as well. Some Sar-Box auditors actually encourage whistle-blowing as well, on those managers that continue to encourage their employees to do it. I have seen some managers actually fired over it, so be careful if Sar-Box auditors start coming to your work place 😀
Don't you just love the way Congress sticks it's bureaucratic fingers into everthing. Institutionalized inefficiency; more guaranteed work for lawyers and regulators.
...
-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --
May 20, 2010 at 11:09 am
jay holovacs (5/20/2010)
TravisDBA (5/20/2010)
Sar-Box audits in many companies takes this multi-job description/ duties thing totally out of the equation. You simply can't do it, and risk getting your company into trouble by doing it under the radar as well. Some Sar-Box auditors actually encourage whistle-blowing as well, on those managers that continue to encourage their employees to do it. I have seen some managers actually fired over it, so be careful if Sar-Box auditors start coming to your work place 😀
Don't you just love the way Congress sticks it's bureaucratic fingers into everthing. Institutionalized inefficiency; more guaranteed work for lawyers and regulators.
Agreed, but it is what it is, and it's only going to get worse, particularly if Obama gets re-elected. :w00t:
"Technology is a weird thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other. ...:-D"
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