Re: Finding content in your job title

[Steve Bertrand <steve () ibctech ca>]

On 2010.03.30 23:30, Larry Sheldon wrote:
> On 3/30/2010 22:14, Steve Bertrand wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > This is perhaps a rather silly question, but one that I'd like to have
> > answered.
> >
> > I'm young in the game, and over the years I've imagined numerous job
> > titles that should go on my business card. They went from cool, to
> > high-priority, to plain unimaginable.
> >
> > Now, after 10 years, I reflect back on what I've done, and what I do
> > now. To me, if a business is loose-knit with no clear job descriptions
> > or titles (ie. too small to have CXO etc), I feel that a business card
> > should reflect what one feels is the primary job responsibility, or what
> > they do the most (or love the most).
> >
> > For instance, I like to present myself as a 'network engineer'. I have
> > never taken formal education, don't hold any certifications (well, since
> > 2001), and can't necessarily prove my worth.
> >
> > How does the ops community feel about using this designation? Is it
> > intrusive or offensive to those who hold real engineering degrees? I'm
> > content with 'network manager', given that I still do perform (in my
> > sleep) numerous system tasks and have to sometimes deal with front-line
> > helpdesk stuff.
> >
> > Instead of acting like I'm trying to sell myself out, I'll leave out
> > what I actually do and ask those who sig themselves with 'network
> > engineer' what they do day-to-day to acquire that title, and if they
> > feel comfortable with having it.
>
>
> When the University I worked for went all touchy-feely and told us to
> pick titles for ourselves I wanted to use "Savant".
>
> They wouldn't let me, so I tried "Jack Of All Trades".
>
> Vetoed.
>
> So I just stayed with the cards I had that said Associate Director for
> Telecommunications and Computers.
>
> Which is about as void of meaning then and now as anything I have ever
> heard of.

heh.

The feedback that I've received off-list has led me to believe that I
just need to scratch the title, and have my name and number.

Who cares what I do. Those who want to call/email me will have a purpose
for doing so anyway ;)

Steve