Yes, I said that. Read. > How about the fact that all the professions you mention have been around = > for hundreds of years? > > > > > > > Joshua Morgan > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Greg Deckler [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]=20 > Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 2:45 PM > To: Exchange Discussions > Subject: RE: Shortcuts to Outlook objects > > > Man. It does not matter how you view yourself, it is a matter of how = > others perceive you. Military, doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc. are = > held in much higher regard in society than the "computer guy". Why? The = > reason this is the case is because these are viewed as professions = > whereas the computer industry is viewed as a trade. > > Actually, it really makes no sense to discuss this anymore. Profession = > vs. trade, go look it up and then compare IT to the other professions I = > have mentioned. Look at the real differences between these industries. = > Open your mind a little bit and really look. There are stark = > differences. > > The problem is, until the IT industry gets over its fascination with = > vendors and products (tools). For example, take a hematologist. A = > hematologist is a specialist in the process of taking blood. A = > hematoligist is NOT a specialist in this or that needle or syringe. By = > being a specialist in the PROCESS, they automatically have to be = > specialists in the tools of their profession. It is a completely = > different paradigm. > > Look at how long the IT industry has been around, only several decades. = > Doctors, lawyers, engineering, etc. have been around for centuries. Who = > do you think has things figured out, us or them? If we ever want the IT = > industry to be considered a profession on par with other professions, = > then we need to take steps to emulate those other professions. Chief = > among these is getting rid of this fascination with vendors and tools. = > It is idiotic. You get certified in a tool and a year later that cert is = > worthless. How about getting certified in "email migrations", a process? = > Learn the process, don't learn the tool. By learning the process, you by = > definition must learn the tools in order to execute the process. > > Well, I guess this problem really is systemic to the IT industry and = > there is quite likely no hope. In a century or two, maybe the IT = > industry will mature to the point that it can become a true profession. = > But if this myopia continues, it will never get there. And there are = > many, many reasons that we, as an industry, should WANT to get there. = > But until people recognize this issue, we will forever be mired in a = > trade. > > > <rant> > >=20 > > I'm sorry, but I have to finally step in here and add my $.02 worth. =20 > > You state and I quote: > >=20 > > "Go talk to lawyers, doctors and architects...The difference is stark. = > > > In one, drug reps giving away free samples is seen as a huge problem,=20 > > in IT it is not." > >=20 > > What a crock of $H!T! It is COMMON practice, for drug reps to leave=20 > > piles of free samples with every doctor they visit. Doctors are then=20 > > able to let patients try different brands/different types or strengths = > > > of medicines in order to see what works for them, without what can=20 > > sometimes be HUGE out-of-pocket expenses to the patient, for a product = > > > that doesn't work for them. It also keeps the doctors from having to=20 > > fight with an HMO over paying for a prescription, until such time as=20 > > they know for sure which one works. > >=20 > > As Bill Cosby would say, "Grab a Coke and a smile" and go buy a clue=20 > > somewhere. > >=20 > > IT people can be viewed as a Professionals instead of "craftpeople",=20 > > anytime they want by simply following a few simple rules: 1. Dress=20 > > professionally. For guys, this means slacks, dress shoes and a=20 > > button-down, collared shirt...maybe with a tie. It does NOT mean=20 > > raggedy, holey jeans/shorts with stained T-shirts and sandals. For=20 > > women, it means slacks, dresses or a professional length skirt nice=20 > > blouse and dress shoes. It does NOT mean mini-skirts, flip-flops,=20 > > short-shorts and blouses that expose all their cleavage. > >=20 > > 2. Know your product, make an INFORMED decision and consider all your = > > > options, before opening your mouth in front of management or outside=20 > > of your own IT group. Your status as a Professional will be greatly=20 > > enhanced and your opinions will carry much more weight, if your work=20 > > and your advice stand up to the test of time. > >=20 > > 3. Don't go out partying / socializing in public with your management = > > > or subordinates. Keep work at work and your social life separate. =20 > > There is nothing that will damage a person's professional reputation=20 > > in the company they work for faster, than to go out and get drunk and=20 > > rowdy with their boss and everyone else in the company. Some of the=20 > > biggest problems in companies are caused when former co-workers get=20 > > promoted up the management chain, they still go out partying together=20 > > and then the subordinates expect special treatment from their "buddy". > >=20 > > I have met almost every single one of the people that have taken the=20 > > time to participate in this "discussion." Every single one of them in = > > > my opinion, displays the utmost in Professionalism and represents our=20 > > industry VERY well. I could have a discussion about any IT-related=20 > > topic I wanted to and this group of people would be the FIRST ones to=20 > > propose changes to my configuration or propose alternate Non-MS=20 > > related solutions to my problem. They do what it takes to get the job=20 > > done. Most of them are my what I strive to emulate professionally,=20 > > because they follow the rules I've outlined above (well, except for=20 > > Andy. He does tend to get a tad bit rowdy now and then...but he's a=20 > > lot of fun anyway. :0P ) and are respected by their peers because of=20 > > it. > >=20 > > I'd say that if you don't view yourself as a Professional, it's=20 > > because of your attitude or because of a shortcoming of your own...not = > > > theirs. > >=20 > > </rant> > >=20 > > _________________________________________________________________ > List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm > Archives: http://www.swynk.com/sitesearch/search.asp > To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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