I have learned much from this internship here at MAG. I have been given a great amount of responsibility, and the opportunity to hold my own and be a vital part of the team. I have enjoyed working on a study that will hopefully seek to improve civil legal assistance access, information, and the process for both victims and legal professionals. It has also been the first real study I have been able to conduct, other than those simulated studies in undergrad.
The experience of understanding social issues within the region affecting those senstitive populations has had a huge impact on me. I believe I have gained more empathy and understanding of these difficult situations that anyone can find themselves in. Moreover, representing MAG at various events, being a presentable figure, and having the ability to be vocal and improve public speaking at meetings has been extremely valuable to me.
Also, I have enjoyed working with each of those within the Human Services Department. I feel as if I bonded with each person here in the department and really got to understand the person behind the professional. I think this is something that we in the professional world overlook in our workplace. The friendships I have gained, as well as contacts within the organization have been irreplaceable, and cherished by me throughout my career within the public sector. I have learned at least one or two unique things from each of the staff here, and that is something which has no price tag on it. Along with that those I worked with maintained where professionalism, yet were able to have cubicle comedy from time to time sharing laughter.
There are also little things that I will miss at MAG. For starters the parking garage, especially with every crevice within five miles of downtown being metered from 8am-8pm. Also, those lunchtime conversations, the dynamics of the office, the collaboration on projects, and yes, those full staff meetings at the end of the month. I really like the direction and the way the organization is moving, as well as its style of how it is managed. It has truly been a great experience for me and I thank MAG for giving me the opportunity to intern for them.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sleep vs. Work
Earlier, I spoke about weather being a factor towards work productivity, but another key aspect of a healthy life and work life is sleep. Yes, I do this while it is 1 am, but I am sort of a night owl. I always here figures about sleep and its affect on our bodies. I believe the recommended amount of sleep is somewhere around 8 hours. In my opinion 8 seems somewhat unrealistic in our world.
With the fast-paced nature of the American culture, coupled with Western values and economic productivity, sleep gets compromised all too often. I personally only receive about six good hours of sleep, seven if get a hard work out in. I find it difficult and somewhat like I am squandering time in the place of sleep at times. While the world sleeps, you get ahead; at least that seems the mentality of at least half of those in Western nations.
However, that being said, I understand the health related issues of not getting enough sleep. Potentially, it could affect your work productivity, but you could always insert coffee or caffeine to fix that dilemma. Also, you can be at more risk to have a heart attack later in life, which reflects from your body not being able to repair itself while you sleep.
I am also curious to find out how sleep affects those who work within hospitals and settings similar, having doctors on call for 36-48 hours at a time. How much of a toll do jobs like that take on your health. In some ways I see a little bit of irony behind that comparison. If everyone were mandated in some unrealistic dream, how would productivity be affected in both the public and private sectors?
With the fast-paced nature of the American culture, coupled with Western values and economic productivity, sleep gets compromised all too often. I personally only receive about six good hours of sleep, seven if get a hard work out in. I find it difficult and somewhat like I am squandering time in the place of sleep at times. While the world sleeps, you get ahead; at least that seems the mentality of at least half of those in Western nations.
However, that being said, I understand the health related issues of not getting enough sleep. Potentially, it could affect your work productivity, but you could always insert coffee or caffeine to fix that dilemma. Also, you can be at more risk to have a heart attack later in life, which reflects from your body not being able to repair itself while you sleep.
I am also curious to find out how sleep affects those who work within hospitals and settings similar, having doctors on call for 36-48 hours at a time. How much of a toll do jobs like that take on your health. In some ways I see a little bit of irony behind that comparison. If everyone were mandated in some unrealistic dream, how would productivity be affected in both the public and private sectors?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Productivity In the Workplace
In light of the 110 degree heat recently, I started thinking about what factors affect productivity, including things like weather. I, myself, love the hot weather and would take a 110 or 115 day over 10 or 20 degree days of the northeast and midwest. Also, I did grow up in Texas, where it can get to 105, with humidity sitting at a muggy 85 percent. However, I think weather is one factor that affects productivity in the workplace. It is nice to see sunlight and blue skies when you peer out the window in between breaks on a report.
Also, I always here from people who have lived or currently live in cold weather/four season places that your mood is brought down during the winter months. My sister always tells me it is so dreary from November to February or even March; waking up to the dark, brisk mornings, and leaving work on cold evenings chasing down the bus. I suppose we, Phoenecians could make the case that the heat hinders productivity, but I would not.
So how much of a factor does weather play in human being's day-to-day job or life? Surprisingly, more than we may think. I remember reading a CRS report about a year ago about climate change and its affects on the Earth, more importantly Americans. Actually, places like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia were expected to witness more economic productivity and growth due to their climate becoming much warmer. Now I do not know how much of a factor our current economy is on this, but I think the City of Brotherly Love would love to actually hold some truth to the phrase, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." I did kinda take that from the FX show.
We may all get sick of seeing the sun 345 days of the year out here, but I much rather be sick of light, than gloomed to misery of dark, cloudy, and cold days of fall and winter.
Also, I always here from people who have lived or currently live in cold weather/four season places that your mood is brought down during the winter months. My sister always tells me it is so dreary from November to February or even March; waking up to the dark, brisk mornings, and leaving work on cold evenings chasing down the bus. I suppose we, Phoenecians could make the case that the heat hinders productivity, but I would not.
So how much of a factor does weather play in human being's day-to-day job or life? Surprisingly, more than we may think. I remember reading a CRS report about a year ago about climate change and its affects on the Earth, more importantly Americans. Actually, places like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia were expected to witness more economic productivity and growth due to their climate becoming much warmer. Now I do not know how much of a factor our current economy is on this, but I think the City of Brotherly Love would love to actually hold some truth to the phrase, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." I did kinda take that from the FX show.
We may all get sick of seeing the sun 345 days of the year out here, but I much rather be sick of light, than gloomed to misery of dark, cloudy, and cold days of fall and winter.
Monday, June 29, 2009
9-5 vs. student life
The internships I have had in conjunction with class at night here in graduate school have made me think about undergraduate years. Your typical work day consists of a 9-5 with that trusty lunch break, plus or minus 30 minutes at the beginning or end of the day. You plow through work throughout the morning, until your 11 o'clock meeting with stakeholders. Then you have lunch either munching on a sandwich in your cube, or joining the gang to hit up a hamburger joint.
We all shuffle back in around 12:30 or 1:00 dreading the break's end, knowing you have to finish that report and make calls about next week's event; not to mention you have another meeting. This time it's your boss though, in an update of how things are going and what you are working on. 3 o'clock rolls around and you stop by your supervisor's cube to share a joke or a story you just caught. 4:30 hits and you feel good about the day, completed the report, finished emailing and calling people, plus both meetings went smoothly, and you managed to share a couple laughs with colleagues.
5 peers its head and its off to class, while you grab a granola bar, holding you off until 8:45 when you get home. You conversate, debate, and discuss all the topics dealing with your course, sometimes wishing that breaktime would mean class is done for the night. Home hits, it's 9, you eat, work out, shower, do the dishes, and catch the news, as the clock strikes 11:30. Yawning your way to the bed, you ask, "what do have due tomorrow, or what do have to do tomorrow" as you drift into that 6 hour sleep.
Now looking back at my undergrad years, there was no structure, even with a part-time job. It was merely, come as you are, when you feel like it. You are in class from 9-2 or maybe 10-3 Sure I went to class everyday, seeking to get my money's worth of knowledge, reading my international law and judicial systems books, along with plenty of history, and other core classes like geology, which I've failed to find useful; but following that was an endless amount of questioning friends, "hey what do you want to do?" Spending hours catching a ballgame or at the gym, then only to catch a bite with friends, going to sleep anywhere between 12 and 3. It almost seemed like a vacation.
I suppose it is that three or four years of catharsis that makes you productive following those years. I have to say also, it is good to have that routine, which brings stability to your life, yet I think it is healthy for people to have the laizez-faire life of undergrad. As long as your work gets done and you do not forget your purpose of being in school all is well.
We all shuffle back in around 12:30 or 1:00 dreading the break's end, knowing you have to finish that report and make calls about next week's event; not to mention you have another meeting. This time it's your boss though, in an update of how things are going and what you are working on. 3 o'clock rolls around and you stop by your supervisor's cube to share a joke or a story you just caught. 4:30 hits and you feel good about the day, completed the report, finished emailing and calling people, plus both meetings went smoothly, and you managed to share a couple laughs with colleagues.
5 peers its head and its off to class, while you grab a granola bar, holding you off until 8:45 when you get home. You conversate, debate, and discuss all the topics dealing with your course, sometimes wishing that breaktime would mean class is done for the night. Home hits, it's 9, you eat, work out, shower, do the dishes, and catch the news, as the clock strikes 11:30. Yawning your way to the bed, you ask, "what do have due tomorrow, or what do have to do tomorrow" as you drift into that 6 hour sleep.
Now looking back at my undergrad years, there was no structure, even with a part-time job. It was merely, come as you are, when you feel like it. You are in class from 9-2 or maybe 10-3 Sure I went to class everyday, seeking to get my money's worth of knowledge, reading my international law and judicial systems books, along with plenty of history, and other core classes like geology, which I've failed to find useful; but following that was an endless amount of questioning friends, "hey what do you want to do?" Spending hours catching a ballgame or at the gym, then only to catch a bite with friends, going to sleep anywhere between 12 and 3. It almost seemed like a vacation.
I suppose it is that three or four years of catharsis that makes you productive following those years. I have to say also, it is good to have that routine, which brings stability to your life, yet I think it is healthy for people to have the laizez-faire life of undergrad. As long as your work gets done and you do not forget your purpose of being in school all is well.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Personnel Decisions
I was watching the NBA Draft last night, and it got me wondering about personnel moves and decisions in pro sports. Also, it had me wondering how would public or private organizations perform if they were subject to the same treatment as professional teams. I do not remember draft day ever being this busy with this many big trades within 24 hours.
We see this every season, you start slow, don't live up to expectations, and miss the playoffs, changes take place. The coach is usually first to go. Could you imagine if this was the case in organizations or companies in the US. An executive director of an organization gets booted because they do not receive the amount of grants expected of them. Also, we see major trades and moves to find those pieces to win championships. If employees were subject to this it would be an outcry. What if the chief of staff for the DOE could be traded for two project managers at the DOE? Or maybe a private sector CEO for a couple Cabinet members?
Now you might be saying, these guys get paid millions yearly to win games and perform to their highest level of potential. However, alot these players do and are still subject to release or trades. The thing that might get to me are the trades and building relationships with those in the community. When a player sees five teams in seven years it has to be frustrating, regardless how much they make. It also has to take a toll on their family life of constantly moving and not being there for those great moments in life.
Also, for those of you who are basketball fans, what do you think about the Suns trading Shaq for pretty much nothing, well two cans of beans and cash?
We see this every season, you start slow, don't live up to expectations, and miss the playoffs, changes take place. The coach is usually first to go. Could you imagine if this was the case in organizations or companies in the US. An executive director of an organization gets booted because they do not receive the amount of grants expected of them. Also, we see major trades and moves to find those pieces to win championships. If employees were subject to this it would be an outcry. What if the chief of staff for the DOE could be traded for two project managers at the DOE? Or maybe a private sector CEO for a couple Cabinet members?
Now you might be saying, these guys get paid millions yearly to win games and perform to their highest level of potential. However, alot these players do and are still subject to release or trades. The thing that might get to me are the trades and building relationships with those in the community. When a player sees five teams in seven years it has to be frustrating, regardless how much they make. It also has to take a toll on their family life of constantly moving and not being there for those great moments in life.
Also, for those of you who are basketball fans, what do you think about the Suns trading Shaq for pretty much nothing, well two cans of beans and cash?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Outside Work Activities
I am a firm believer in having a healthy balance between work and personal life. I think both translate and reflect off of each other. At the end of the week it is great to have that reward of hanging out with friends, going hiking, or catching a ballgame. It can almost be somewhat like a natural detox of the mental stress you have gone through during the week.
I am a big fan of athletic activities such as football, softball, hiking, and racquetball. I am also a history nut, musical connoisseur, and love travelling. I try to recruit as many people as I can to play racquetball; it's an intense game and helps with footwork, coordination, and reaction time. Also, I think it is good to have these "outside of work" bonds with your fellow employees in either a pickup game of basketball or a 5-on-5 touch football game.
Throughout my life I have tried to maintain a balance between academics, athletics, and hobbies, and have found that not overloading in either one of these areas has alleviated much stress. Sometimes I see people who cram and dive into their studies without having these other outlets, and start to burn themselves out. Also, by being involved in these different activities, you become more of a well-rounded individual, making those social interactions at academic functions and work-social gatherings much more easier and comfortable to speak with everyone.
I am a big fan of athletic activities such as football, softball, hiking, and racquetball. I am also a history nut, musical connoisseur, and love travelling. I try to recruit as many people as I can to play racquetball; it's an intense game and helps with footwork, coordination, and reaction time. Also, I think it is good to have these "outside of work" bonds with your fellow employees in either a pickup game of basketball or a 5-on-5 touch football game.
Throughout my life I have tried to maintain a balance between academics, athletics, and hobbies, and have found that not overloading in either one of these areas has alleviated much stress. Sometimes I see people who cram and dive into their studies without having these other outlets, and start to burn themselves out. Also, by being involved in these different activities, you become more of a well-rounded individual, making those social interactions at academic functions and work-social gatherings much more easier and comfortable to speak with everyone.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
$10...$30...$120
Lunch time or coffee break, what is more affordable to you? I think last week one of you guys brought up the issue of spending money on lunch and its benefits of social interaction. This is something I think occurs in almost every office. A couple benefits from going to lunch or grapping that afternoon cup of coffee from Starbucks could include the quality of food, beverage, out-of-office interaction with co-workers, and momentary relaxation from the busy and stressful hours of the workday.
However, there are few negatives, especially for those which are near-poverty graduate student; I am somewhat embellishing. First, the cost of course which adds $10 three times a week; totaling to $120 a month. Additionally, I enjoy getting my coffee at home before I go to work, and easing into the day, while getting the news and sports. Also, the health consequences of eating rich foods, while the job calls for you to be less active in an office setting. When I interned in DC, this was my biggest concern. I would come home late, and unmotivated to workout at 8 or 9 o'clock.
Furthermore, it seems though the more and more I speak with those mentors and colleagues in the professional setting the more I am encouraged to enjoy life. The phrase, "you're not going to save money while in school," seems prevalent. Also, I am told that I need to cherish these pre-career days, and enjoy the student life, because it will come to a halt sooner than I realize.
These recommendations sort of go against my financial principles which I was taught however. I was always a thrift spender, seeking to save 2/3 of my income or more. Also, restraining myself from accumulating credit bills is something I learned from two older siblings. Now, I find myself somewhat in the middle of those two sides, by smart spending, yet enjoying life and these years.
However, there are few negatives, especially for those which are near-poverty graduate student; I am somewhat embellishing. First, the cost of course which adds $10 three times a week; totaling to $120 a month. Additionally, I enjoy getting my coffee at home before I go to work, and easing into the day, while getting the news and sports. Also, the health consequences of eating rich foods, while the job calls for you to be less active in an office setting. When I interned in DC, this was my biggest concern. I would come home late, and unmotivated to workout at 8 or 9 o'clock.
Furthermore, it seems though the more and more I speak with those mentors and colleagues in the professional setting the more I am encouraged to enjoy life. The phrase, "you're not going to save money while in school," seems prevalent. Also, I am told that I need to cherish these pre-career days, and enjoy the student life, because it will come to a halt sooner than I realize.
These recommendations sort of go against my financial principles which I was taught however. I was always a thrift spender, seeking to save 2/3 of my income or more. Also, restraining myself from accumulating credit bills is something I learned from two older siblings. Now, I find myself somewhat in the middle of those two sides, by smart spending, yet enjoying life and these years.
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