So this is my last required post and I thought it would be a good time to share my good news (good news not related to a baby that is). I've got a job with Navajo County. It's a rural county in northern Arizona, and I'm really excited to get started there. We will be moving up there at the end of the month so I can start the first week of June. It will be an adjustment in lifestyle, since I currently live in one of the busiest areas of the Phoenix metro area.
I've been lucky to interact with the county manager several times and in several situations and I think he'll be a great guy to work with. The county seems to be the kind of place where I'll really be able to contribute in a big way, so that is definitely something that appeals to me. The county also seems like it will be a good place to learn a lot, and have opportunities develop a broad range of skills. So, for those of you still looking for work good luck and hang in there and for everyone I hope you've enjoyed any of the stuff I've posted.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Why Public Service?
Well, I'm wrapping up the internship this week and I've been thinking. Some of the comments after the last post also got me thinking. A couple of the comments pointed out how busy my schedule has been recently, especially when you factor in family stuff. To recap, this semester: I have worked an internship and gone to school full time, my wife is in school full time and also has an internship, we have kids ages 4 (almost 5), 3 (just turned), and 10 days old. During this time I also had to find a job (which I did, stay tuned for details) in a relatively tough job market. And to top things off in the last few weeks/into next week we've had: a child born, my graduation, my wife's killer final week of school, the end of both our internships, our anniversary, my birthday, mothers day, and we are now in preparation to move for my new job.
So why do I bring that up, and what does it have to do with public service? Well, for those who talked about balancing their schedule it's really not that hard. Let me explain, and those of you with kids will relate. When my daughter was born (our first) we got a card from my sister-in-law implying that we had a new boss... and that is more true than a lot of people like to admit. Parents are still supposed to be in control, but I think the key is that your time is no longer your own and is now devoted to a "better purpose".
It boils down to this. Think of the top three things you like to do in your spare time. These can be spending time with friends, books, music, movies/tv, video games, sports, etc... Now take all that time and fill it with feeding a baby, rocking it to sleep, changing its diapers, running errands, and the list goes on. The things you "like to do" are now replaced by the things you "have to do" and if you can't do that (in my opinion) you're either going to change your ways or be a crummy parent.
Stay with me for this because this might be a stretch, and this is just what's in my mind so you can agree or not, either way. To me, public service can be a little similar. I chose to do public service knowing it would have certain challenges and disadvantages when compared with private sector work. I won't list those things because you've probably heard many of them. If your going into public service and you've told anyone you want to work for government I'm sure you've gotten "the look" at least once. The look that says, "ah, one of those" or "couldn't hack it in the real world" looks.
I choose to believe that public work provides opportunities, especially at a local level, to positively impact people and their lives. I'm not saying public sector requires sacrifice of your favorite hobbies, more that their is a parallel of sacrificing certain things to parent just like sacrifices to work in the public sector.
One specific gripe I will voice as I wrap this up, is the tendency of private sector folks to look down on the public sector, as in "close enough for government work." I say to those people... get over yourself and get real. Can you imagine if business were under even a fraction of the scrutiny of government right now? I work with individuals in the City of Peoria who impress me everyday with their intelligence, ability, and dedication. It must be really easy to judge others work habits when you know that your own will never be called into question outside a performance review, much less on the local news. It will become a self-fulfilling prophesy that if you call government employees stupid/incompetent enough that they will be... because no one with a brain or any ability will want to work in public service. I choose public service because I'm looking for fulfillment that not many jobs offer, not because I can't find work elsewhere.
I hope for those of you in a similar career plan as mine that you will be proud of your choice.
So why do I bring that up, and what does it have to do with public service? Well, for those who talked about balancing their schedule it's really not that hard. Let me explain, and those of you with kids will relate. When my daughter was born (our first) we got a card from my sister-in-law implying that we had a new boss... and that is more true than a lot of people like to admit. Parents are still supposed to be in control, but I think the key is that your time is no longer your own and is now devoted to a "better purpose".
It boils down to this. Think of the top three things you like to do in your spare time. These can be spending time with friends, books, music, movies/tv, video games, sports, etc... Now take all that time and fill it with feeding a baby, rocking it to sleep, changing its diapers, running errands, and the list goes on. The things you "like to do" are now replaced by the things you "have to do" and if you can't do that (in my opinion) you're either going to change your ways or be a crummy parent.
Stay with me for this because this might be a stretch, and this is just what's in my mind so you can agree or not, either way. To me, public service can be a little similar. I chose to do public service knowing it would have certain challenges and disadvantages when compared with private sector work. I won't list those things because you've probably heard many of them. If your going into public service and you've told anyone you want to work for government I'm sure you've gotten "the look" at least once. The look that says, "ah, one of those" or "couldn't hack it in the real world" looks.
I choose to believe that public work provides opportunities, especially at a local level, to positively impact people and their lives. I'm not saying public sector requires sacrifice of your favorite hobbies, more that their is a parallel of sacrificing certain things to parent just like sacrifices to work in the public sector.
One specific gripe I will voice as I wrap this up, is the tendency of private sector folks to look down on the public sector, as in "close enough for government work." I say to those people... get over yourself and get real. Can you imagine if business were under even a fraction of the scrutiny of government right now? I work with individuals in the City of Peoria who impress me everyday with their intelligence, ability, and dedication. It must be really easy to judge others work habits when you know that your own will never be called into question outside a performance review, much less on the local news. It will become a self-fulfilling prophesy that if you call government employees stupid/incompetent enough that they will be... because no one with a brain or any ability will want to work in public service. I choose public service because I'm looking for fulfillment that not many jobs offer, not because I can't find work elsewhere.
I hope for those of you in a similar career plan as mine that you will be proud of your choice.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Good Timing
Well, my internship is coming into its final weeks. I've been off all this week with the new baby here. The timing all worked out so well. I was able to be a part of the budget study sessions, and the overall preparation of the budget. I was lucky that the baby was only two weeks early so I could be a part of all those things and have that learning experience.
Unfortunately, my wife is still trying to close out her semester (she's in an early childhood education masters right now). So for her the baby coming early was a physical relief, but has left her a lot to do in a short period of time. With my internship coming to a close I've been able to spend my time on "kid duty", taking care of the older two kids while my wife can finish her school stuff and helping out the new guy.
Unfortunately, my wife is still trying to close out her semester (she's in an early childhood education masters right now). So for her the baby coming early was a physical relief, but has left her a lot to do in a short period of time. With my internship coming to a close I've been able to spend my time on "kid duty", taking care of the older two kids while my wife can finish her school stuff and helping out the new guy.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Fitting In
One thing that has been great about my internship... people. When I started with Peoria I didn't exactly know what to expect. Early on I was moving around the city and while experiencing different departments was cool, I was also physically moving my stuff often.
Once I settled into budget everything fit. The people I work with are awesome. They've worked together for a while and have a comfort level that lets the workplace be enjoyable. At the same time I've learned so much. Being in the budget office is the best way to learn about other departments, other than maybe working in those departments. The budget office just knows everything going on in the city and works with all areas of the city that I know it was a perfect place to learn the basics of all the departments of the city, and really understand how things run.
My experience has definitely shown me that finding a place you fit in is one of, if not the most important aspect of a job so I feel I've been very lucky this last year.
Once I settled into budget everything fit. The people I work with are awesome. They've worked together for a while and have a comfort level that lets the workplace be enjoyable. At the same time I've learned so much. Being in the budget office is the best way to learn about other departments, other than maybe working in those departments. The budget office just knows everything going on in the city and works with all areas of the city that I know it was a perfect place to learn the basics of all the departments of the city, and really understand how things run.
My experience has definitely shown me that finding a place you fit in is one of, if not the most important aspect of a job so I feel I've been very lucky this last year.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sprawl
I've always been a big fan of music. I wore Metallica t-shirts in elementary. In high school I drove to D.C. for a concert... and by the way, I went to high school in Michigan. My point in bring all this up? The Arcade Fire. This is band that based on my typical musical tastes, and recommendations of friends of similar tastes by all accounts I should love. That is not the case.
I've listened to their stuff and they have songs I like, but mostly it's just meh. Anyways, the latest album is called "The Suburbs" and it's been out for a while. Even though I've had access to it, I haven't really listened to it until this song came up as a random play on the music player on my computer.
I'm not trying to make a statement about sprawl or make this a debate on urban planning, I just like the song and it got me to listen the rest of the album. It was better than expected. And if you listen to the song and think about the Phoenix metro area (which I've actually enjoyed living in for the most part)... well, I guess I can understand the point of the song.
I've listened to their stuff and they have songs I like, but mostly it's just meh. Anyways, the latest album is called "The Suburbs" and it's been out for a while. Even though I've had access to it, I haven't really listened to it until this song came up as a random play on the music player on my computer.
I'm not trying to make a statement about sprawl or make this a debate on urban planning, I just like the song and it got me to listen the rest of the album. It was better than expected. And if you listen to the song and think about the Phoenix metro area (which I've actually enjoyed living in for the most part)... well, I guess I can understand the point of the song.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Baby update
Well, as fate would have it the day after I post about a baby coming soon the baby came. This was a few weeks early, so a little bit of a surprise. I was right in the middle of a training in downtown PHX, and so I had to drive back out to Peoria (technically Glendale) where our hospital is.
Unlike with the first baby where we planned everything well in advance, we had many things to still take care of. I spent a good portion of the day yesterday running errands and getting the kids to friend's houses so I could get to the hospital to be with my wife.
But, all's well that ends well... and the baby came at 5:45 yesterday afternoon. Mother and baby are well, and that means so am I too.
Unlike with the first baby where we planned everything well in advance, we had many things to still take care of. I spent a good portion of the day yesterday running errands and getting the kids to friend's houses so I could get to the hospital to be with my wife.
But, all's well that ends well... and the baby came at 5:45 yesterday afternoon. Mother and baby are well, and that means so am I too.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
And baby makes three*... wait what do you mean three*?
*What I mean by the title is this baby will be the third baby. That's right, for those of you not familiar with the Adams Family we have two kids and a third one is due any time. Surprise! What an interesting time the last (almost) two years have been. I quit my full-time career like job, moved my family of four across multiple states, started full-time school, interned, got a job (more coming on this soon), and to finish my Phoenix/grad school experience... baby time.
Kids are great, especially when they like to tell jokes and do funny stuff. I'll just share one quick story to give you a glimpse of a day in the life. This morning I had to be downtown by 8:30, but this is no big deal since the kids usually wake up between 6 & 6:30am anyway. So we were all up and I was ready to head out the door, but was keeping an eye on the kids while my wife was doing some stuff around the house. My kids have recently gotten into Wii Sports. My son (who just turned 3) loves the bowling, and even bowled an unassisted, not helped in any way, completely on his own 199 the other day. So anyway, he's also into potty training right now and so I set him up to do a little morning (around 7am) bowling and it was awesome. He also tends to jump, swing his arms, and giggle while he's bowling and this morning was no different... except wasn't wearing pants, just his big boy undies and pj shirt. I guess you had to be there, but it was pretty funny. Like I always tell my wife, that's just life in the fast lane.
Kids are great, especially when they like to tell jokes and do funny stuff. I'll just share one quick story to give you a glimpse of a day in the life. This morning I had to be downtown by 8:30, but this is no big deal since the kids usually wake up between 6 & 6:30am anyway. So we were all up and I was ready to head out the door, but was keeping an eye on the kids while my wife was doing some stuff around the house. My kids have recently gotten into Wii Sports. My son (who just turned 3) loves the bowling, and even bowled an unassisted, not helped in any way, completely on his own 199 the other day. So anyway, he's also into potty training right now and so I set him up to do a little morning (around 7am) bowling and it was awesome. He also tends to jump, swing his arms, and giggle while he's bowling and this morning was no different... except wasn't wearing pants, just his big boy undies and pj shirt. I guess you had to be there, but it was pretty funny. Like I always tell my wife, that's just life in the fast lane.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)