Category: School

Lockheed

April 9th, 2008 · · School, Technology One comment - Tags: , , , , ,

Well, I just submitted my resume to Lockheed-Martin. They have several positions open at Scott-AFB, and I think I will fit in well with one of their entry-level positions. I meet the requirements except for database knowledge and a 4-year degree.

Fortunately, I feel that my personal experience, plus my first two semesters at RLC, plus learning on-the-job at EDG from Bernard make up for that requirement. Perhaps I am too optimistic, but supporting everyone out at USI’s campus has been like boot camp for IT support. Small gaps and smoothing of my knowledge has been accomplished by the CCNA program, WinXP Pro, PC Maintenance, and my other courses.

Heck, even my speech class will help in communication with users and everyone else I have contact with in my life/career.

My only concern is not being the best interviewee, should I get lucky enough to be offered an interview. I am not blessed with the ability to lie well. It’s a fault, and in an interview most people pitch tall lines of crap to get hired. I just answer as best I can and move on. Cut through the crap and give a straight answer.
Wish me luck kids, I really want a career, not another job.

I have failed with PC-BSD

April 6th, 2008 · · School, Technology 2 comments - Tags: , , , , , ,

Awhile back I loaded PCBSD, tinkered with it, and even tracked down how to configure my wireless card. Later, I got excited about the update release and got everything updated. Now, I relegate PCBSD to ‘something I may play with later’.

BSD has amazingly clear graphics, great response on the touchpad, and is often called the “most secure operating system in the world”. Unfortunately, my wireless is flaky at best and the volume control doesn’t work for me.

Please don’t misunderstand – BSD looks and feels great. On a desktop, it would probably be fine. Heck, if I had the time to spend learning and compiling, it would probably be fine on my laptop too. I am sad to say that I do not have time right now to learn a new OS.

School and work are making me learn even more about Win than I ever wanted to, and keeping up with my choice of Linux is taking up what little other time I have left. This is why I say I have failed PCBSD. I’m sure it is fine with the proper learning and patience. Sadly, I do not have that kind of time right now.

Maybe in a while after more progress has been made, or maybe once I’m not quite so busy.

Spring Break – Weeeeeeeeee

March 13th, 2008 · · School No comments - Tags: , , , , , ,

Spring break has consisted of work for me. I have to say that it is nice to just have to work again and not worry about school, tests, and homework. Unfortunately, I will have 3 tests when I go back. The snow days were nice, but only delayed the inevitable.

Perhaps we need a ‘fall break’ as well. Just a little something to give time for relaxation and unwinding. I know there’s the summer, but what about those of us who work and take summer classes?

In my opinion, regular jobs get vacation time, why not something similar for college? I mean, part of the experience (not at RLC, but real colleges) is to prepare you for real life. So this kind of makes sense in my mind.

Are schools bribing kids to do the ISAT?

March 5th, 2008 · · Illinois, Legislation, Mount Vernon, School 6 comments - Tags: , , , , , ,

Recently I was made privy to the fact that at least JL Buford school is trying to raise money to buy “prizes” for a “raffle”. The trick in all of this is that the kids will be given “tickets” for the “raffle” based upon their participation in the ISAT.

I heard that Casey Jr. High is doing the same thing, but I didn’t see any letter from them.

So basically, funding is on the line thanks to “No Child Left Behind”, and the schools have resorted to bribing our children. This is truly a sad state of affairs for our school system.

How did we get here? I’m sure some will blame the NCLB act (teachers), and others will blame the educators (politicians). Personally, I would say it is a combination of those factors and us as parents.

We elected the politicians, we employ the teachers (indirectly), and we are the ultimate responsibility when it comes to the well-being and education of our kids. If little Jimmy isn’t keeping up with the rest of the class, help him. Talk to his teacher(s). Arrange tutoring. Whatever it takes!

Our children are our future. They will one day lead this country.

While I don’t approve of the outright bribery that local schools have resorted to, I do understand the pressure they are under to produce results or else. There are already no sports for our kids to play, what happens when more funding is cut?

District 80 is a business?

February 28th, 2008 · · Illinois, Jaycees, Mount Vernon, School One comment - Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Jaycees are having a Guitar Hero tournament March 1st for primarily kids. We have been planning and arranging this for a few weeks, and it has come together nicely.

We approached the school district about giving them a flier to send home with the kids so they and their parents are aware. This way the kids have something positive to do over the weekend instead of playing in the mud.

District 80 asked us this morning what the district was going to get from this distribution. Quite frankly, nothing. We are just trying to present something fun to do late on a Saturday. (Disclaimer: there is a $10 entry fee)

Upon learning that the district would not financially gain from this distribution, they declined to allow the distribution of our information.

I could understand if we were for-profit or stood to gain greatly from this venture, but we don’t. It’s not like we were asking for an endorsement nor advertisement in their newsletter. Just send this sheet, printed at our cost, home with the kids in their folder.

Every week there are several sheets sent home with my kids wanting money for something. Also, the school holds several funding projects every year that we are, of course, obliged to give money to and harass our friends and family.

Please bear the money-grubbing ways of District 80 in mind if you ever think about doing something positive for the kids to participate in and need to let them know about it.