I'd like to take this thread in a slightly different direction for a moment- but
a related direction.

I will be leaving my current job as Technology Strategist for a master degree
program starting in Sept. And I was thinking about creating a volunteer
technology strategy committee made up of computer-wise/socially conscious
strategists who are interested in 1) promoting cool technology solutions and 2)
protecting the environment/contributing to humanistic causes.

This is still in idea form- but what would it be like to serve several times a
year on a committee to lead one or many grassroots organizations in the
deployment of cutting edge technology solutions that ultimately result in policy
change that benefits mankind?

In terms of networking, you'd get a chance to meet many Executive Directors of
non-profits as well as other gurus from around the Twin Cities. In terms of
resume building, it'd separate your resume from the crowd to have volunteer
experience that really let you sink your chops into technology deployment and
policy change. And in terms of all of the new and emerging technologies out
there, you'd have the opportunity to work on/review projects thereby giving you
experience at the development/ maintenance/ implementation/ administration/
evaluation levels.

And then, in the open source community arena, there is the opportunity to create
this as a case study of how the Linux community is leading the revolution of
social and environmental change. Everything "on the leading edge" about this.

Thoughts? Interests? Feedback? I'm quite serious about this committee and I'd
like to have it in embryonic form by the end of August.

All feedback is welcome.

Kjell Stenberg
Technology Strategist
Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy
stenberg at me3.org

-----Original Message-----
From: tclug-list-admin at mn-linux.org
[mailto:tclug-list-admin at mn-linux.org]On Behalf Of Ben Lutgens
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2002 9:28 AM
To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
Subject: Re: [TCLUG] Jobs


On Wed, Jul 24, 2002 at 09:08:05AM -0500, BN wrote:
>
>I saw one that wanted 5 years of .NET experience. Also, back in 1999,
>there was a posting that wanted 7 years of Java experience.

Sounds like a broken HR department if you ask me. Call them about the job
and inform them that thier requirements are not likely to be met because
the skill they require didn't exist 5 years ago. It's be interesting to
know how they reacted when recieving that little nugget of information.

Also I can't stress enough the importance of "Networking" when looking for
work. (No not IP networking, people networking) It's important for us dorks
to get out, get some sunlight once in a while and get to know some people,
at some point if you're mingling in the right circles and can sell yourself
you'll get lucky. I can assure you that staying indoors and not going to
LUG meetings, trade shows etc is not going to net you many offers.

In fact, I got my current job by introducing myself to the sistina founder
at a LUG meeting and asked him to keep me in mind for a sysadmin job.

--
Ben Lutgens				 | http://people.sistina.com/~blutgens/
System Administrator	 | http://www.sistina.com/
Sistina Software Inc. |

"If you love something set it free, if it doesn't come back to you
hunt it down and set it on fire" -- George Carlin