The Great Educational Paradigm

Ever since we were little we received certificates. Pieces of paper that denote our accomplishments. Everything from Honor Roll and Jump Rope for Heart to High School Diplomas and College Degrees.

What does it all mean? It would appear that I got A's and B's in elementary school, jumped rope against my will, and completed both high school and college. So why are we constantly barraged with tests? Not just the kind during a class to prove that your actually learning something, but the kind you have to take before you start learning something.

Take jobs for instance. Lots of jobs have "entrance" or "assessment" tests you have to take before you can start something new. That's silly. Their reasoning is "to show you have the capacity to continue your learning". What? I have a high school diploma. Even better, a college degree. Don't make me take a test to determine if I can make proper change (talking to you, Subway), or if I can read house plans and a map (that would be you, City of Gautier). Even the "honesty test" at Taco Bell. It's Taco Bell! You're going to be slapping meat all day and reheating precooked food with Bunn Water!

I've even dealt with on the spot interview tests. I've been asked how to put torque on a pen that was held in front of me, how to increase the flow rate in a pipe, even what 4/5 of 4/5 is. Simple stuff any person applying for the job would know.

Mind you, I've been able to pass these tests no problem, but it's still a waste of my time and an insult to my intelligence. If you have to ask a process engineer why you don't put steam traps at the top of a pipe layout, you got some problems with past hires.

Why do we have these fancy pieces of paper that apparently mean nothing? Is the hiring process so generalized that we treat everyone as if they have no clue?  I've already taken plenty of advance level tests. Everything from my FE certification to my Vol Fire Fighter Level I. They prove that I'm able to do math and squirt water, respectively.

Is the certification system so unreliable that these job specific tests are required? I would think a high school diploma, often awarded when one is between 17-19, entitles a person to say "I can count change with reliable accuracy" or "I won't steal anything if I feel I'm not being paid enough". Usually when you reach that age you can determine right from wrong, and dimes equal $0.10.

So this is the Great Question. Should we go through the trouble of getting all these fancy certifications and degrees, or just wing it and take the test now to see if we qualify? Sometimes you need that degree or certificate just to take the remedial test which further complicates things.

It seems the only thing the paper proves is that I'll be breezing through whatever elementary questions you can throw at me. If that makes me look good then so be it. Just don't be surprised when everyone else is able to pass them, too.

Buy Me A Ticket

Looks like everything is in order for me to go to Atlanta at the end of the month. Just got my travel itinerary and it includes a rental car (: I hope it's another G6 like I had when I went to Frito-Lay ^_^

I'll be interviewing with at least 3 different people and taking a plant tour of the facility in ATL. It'll be just like How It's Made o:

I also received a super cool rubber gym floor so I can do plyo without busting my ass. It's a lot bigger than that cheapo yoga mat.

In other news, I'll be attending a LifeFlight helicopter training session tonight. I had to miss the Search and Rescue Dogs last Sunday because it rained (it's been raining for a solid week) so hopefully this one won't get cancelled and I'll be able to bring the 21ton giant in just like in Call of Duty (:

A 12 Point Week

+1
Hiring personnel in Atlanta emailed me and wants to fly my out to ATL for a couple days to interview me at the end of the month. This is the company that makes plastic milk jugs and such. I might have a good chance since this most likely is not a spot that is being mass recruited AFAIK.

Which brings me too...

-1
The water treatment place called and said they had filled the position. I was rather bummed because it seemed like a cool job. They did post the job on the Career Center and the guys interviewing said they were looking at 10 people to fill 1 spot. The odds are pretty slim.

+/-0
When I went to the training session for the fire department I wasn't issued any gear. Rather sad, but they are probably looking for jumbo sized boots. I was able to get familiar with the SCBAs they use (Survive Air). I did get issued a number, 428, so it was a win/lose.

+2
The Assistant Chief said he would call me if they needed some manpower until I got my complete gear, and he did call me yesterday for a car fire (glad to know they didn't forget about me). However, I was unable to respond because I was on my way to Meridian for a DEP call.

This brings me to...

+10
The physical activity we did on this particular day was a mock PT test - sit ups, push ups, run. I was able to do about 35 sit ups and push ups each in a minute, and then we moved to the 1.25 mile run.

This particular course was rough, steep inclines/declines, balls hot, and I hadn't slept all night, literally just up drinking till 6am then watching tv/xbox until it was time to go.

When we started I wasn't feeling to strong because my legs were sore from P90X, but I didn't want to be dead last so I pushed. After a while of pushing, I noticed several people walking after the first hill about 500 feet in. As I slowed to a horribly slow jog, I was steadily passing people. Some would get a burst and pass me, but this big guy just chugged by them again.

It turns out we all stopped at the wrong area, so it was more like 1 mile. My time was 11 flat. I then noticed that I finished about 15th of 30. It's nice motivation to see that all this hard work I'm putting in is paying off so I can beat the skinnies at running. That's why this accomplishment deserves 10 points.

I thought this was a sales job?

Today I took my trip to Hattiesburg to meet with the water treatment people. The interview was cool. The tone was more of me doing the talking and asking questions and the interviewers would answer back. It was cool to just talk about what I've done and what I enjoy doing.

They did have a couple "technical questions". The first was "what is 4/5 of 4/5 in decimal?" and the second dealt with "how many 55 gal drums full of water would it take to fill this room?". They caught me by surprise, but I was able to get them right.

The more we talked the more I found out that this isn't exactly the "sales job" I expected. It's more of a field engineer position. I'll be going around to clients' plants and evaluating how they treat boiler, cooling tower, and waste streams. Even going as far as designing a delivery system if needed.

Lots of travel and even the possibility of working under licensed PEs stand before me. All I need is the callback for a second interview and then rock that.

In other news, I passed my P90X fitness test so I shouldn't die doing the workouts. I'll start the program Sunday with a weight of 255 and 25% body fat. Time to Bring It!

It's A Double Rainbow!! All The Way!!

Yeah I had a Double Rainbow Moment today. First was my phone interview that went stellar. Since I already chatted with the VP on the plane, I didn't have to sit through the boring stuff and we cut right to the chase of what my job would entail.

It looks like I'll be wearing a mechanical engineer pin on my hat since I'll be working with chillers, air compressors, and cooling towers. Still withing the realm of chem e's as far as heat transfer goes so I'm not worried. The interviewer assured me that most of the hard work is done by the vendors anyway (how true!). He also wants me to get on a huge water treatment project. Sweet action.

The call ended with an invite for a face to face interview in Atlanta. WIN

Speaking of water treatment, the water treatment company guy called me and confirmed that we'll meet at the Hampton in Hattiesburg for a sit down interview tomorrow. I was hoping for a restaurant for noms, but it's all good.

In true Double Rainbow fashion, it was almost a Triple Rainbow! My recruiter texted me to see how I was coming along with my physical requirements. Nice to know he hasn't forgotten about me (:

In other grown up learnings, I found out that the clubs in the casinos are very picky of what you wear. I got denied at the Hard Rock Roadhouse VIP last week because I didn't have a collared shirt, and hit a stop sign at Coast in the Beau because I wore shorts.

They may be the "unfortunate plaid" shorts, but I think they are stylish. Better than all that Affliction crap the jooseheads in Starkville would wear. Oh wait, they do it here, too. /:

Even though I was separated from my friends due to my blatant disregard for proper attire that was required for getting wasted on ladies night, I let the magic of the Double Rainbow work for me and hit up the video poker. During which I consumed many a cocktail while playing my $5 and hitting straights and flushes repeatedly.

Nothing like cashing out with what you put in and just being out what you tipped the bartender. Thanks Double Rainbow! You're so beautiful!!

In case you don't know wtf my obsession is with rainbows, watch this video. It will change your life. Full on.

I can has update?

I woke today with three things on my mind. I was hungry, I wanted to do something outside, and I had an email asking if I wanted an interview from the guy I talked to on the plane.

Given that I had a blackberry, I responded to the interview question first. I snagged myself a phone interview tomorrow morning at 9am. w00t!!

I also made myself useful and weed whacked around the yard for spots I couldn't get with the lawnmower. I hope I didn't mow any "flowers" down /:

I also had a delicious breakfast of eggs and English Muffins so I could cover all my immediate needs this morning.

My mom would probably appreciate if I did the dishes. However, my parents didn't install a dishwasher because my mom prefers to do them by hand. I think I'll play some FFX instead (:

MSU Career Center to the rescue!!

Looks like the tip I got from my buds at the career center was a good one! I just got of the phone with a dude over at the water chemical company that wants a salesman. Got me an interview slated for next Friday. He decided to come to Hattiesburg and meet me along with some other candidates there so we all don't have to drive as far. Hopefully it'll be at a restaurant so I can get some free noms!

Very excited about this one. It's in Brookhaven so it isn't to far from the coast or Jackson. It'll give me something to do until I make weight for the Navy (;

Up in the air

While on my flight from ATL to MEM I happened to sit next to a business man. He simply asked me if I was heading home and I said "almost, gonna catch a flight in Memphis to Starkville". We then started talking about Mississippi State, what I did in Jacksonville, where I've been looking for jobs and how I've been looking.

Then he starts talking about *his* company and positions he has open. As we are talking I'm wondering if this dude is thinking about offering me a job and if this is like a mini-interview. About halfway in the flight, he hands me his business card and starts telling me about the hiring process. A quick glance at his card reveals he is the VP of Manufacturing. Sweet!!

It turns out he works for a company that makes plastic bottles like milk jugs, and they need some chem e's to be "utilities engineers". From what I gathered, my job would be to go around to the different plants and fix things or install new things. Not bad, I love traveling!

Well after I shot off the email Monday and didn't hear anything back except an auto generated "bounce" notification. After double checking the email, I had it wrong ): After resending it, I still heard nothing. When I went to check, it turns out I never clicked the "send" button. WTF?!

So going for the 3rd time I definitely send it and 15 min later he replies and says he's already chatted to the Hiring Manager about me and he'll forward my resume to him. COOL!!

In other news, I emailed my Navy recruiter my measurements this month and I'm at 25% blubber. Only 3% away from the 22% limit. Then it'll be off to MEPS to do the duckwalk (:

Almost caught up now...

So we are almost caught up with recent events, and there's a few new things to report.

The biggest problem I have with being unemployed isn't the lack of money, it's the lack of self worth. I feel like a burden on society because I'm not contributing anything. I'm not making sure that the paper mill is able to supply everyone with rolls of copy paper. I'm not even making sure everyone's fries are piping hot and pizzas are delivered in 30 min or less. I'm just sitting around, washing my car, and plastering my resume at everyone.

However, just when I'm about to take a bite out of my shit sandwich, something nice pops up. This time it comes in the form of Saucier Fire Rescue.

This small group of volunteers service the north central area of Harrison county, including the "metropolitan" area of Saucier and residential Success.

Last night was the monthly meeting, and my first impression walking in was that of a backyard BBQ. There were kids running around, fire fighters' wives hanging out, the place was crazy! I spoke with the Chief and handed him my papers and then the meeting got started. Once Chief took his seat, it was all official with "old business" and "new business" and so on.

Afterwards, we had a brief send off ceremony for one of the guys (who happens to live next door to me) and he requested that everyone take a picture in front of the pumper. As everyone was filing into the bay, one guy told me to "come on and get in, you're one of us, too".

That single phrase right there is what the fire service is all about, the comradery amongst brothers (and sisters in this case). Even though it was my first meeting they considered me one of their own. It was then when I felt the time had come to start contributing again.

Later on in the meeting, I hung out with the Chief and Assistant Chief as they gave me copies of their SOGs and brought me up to speed on how they do things. I also got fitted for turnouts and will probably have my own set and a radio by the end of the week.

Speaking of everyone gets a radio (which is awesome!), the spouses are also fire fighters for the dept, called "support units". They are trained to drive tankers for watter shuttle operations and change/fill bottles on scene. Totally awesome!

I also can't forget that when you get a bunch of guys together, shenanigans will result. It turned out to be someone's birthday so he was handcuffed to the back of a truck and whipped. Too funny!!

All in all, it was good to meet my new crew and I'm excited they are pushing to have me on the dept quickly. I'm ready to do what I can to assist the community. It will definitely give me a chance to contribute to the greater good.

As far as the job hunt goes, I checked out Dave's Chevron, one of two stop n robs close to me. The manager said she didn't need any help, but would gladly take my application. I'll drop it by just to see what happens.

I also was able to post my resume to some water treatment company looking for a salesman. Maybe selling pool chemicals won't be too bad?

Lastly, I was able to get an email through to a VP of Manufacturing I met on the plane ride after my VIP trip for the Navy. The complete story on that will have to wait until later (:

A Brief History of Recent Events

As with all new blogs, the first post can be lengthy. There's just so much I want to share, but no one wants to be hit with my life story all at once. So for your reading pleasure, I've saved it for post 2.

As this blog will focus mostly on my job hunt, I'll start out with how it's been going. It's been about 50/50. While I was in school I had lots of actual interviews through the Career Center. Even several 2nd interviews and plant tours. None worked out, but it was nice to actually be able to have a solid chance to have an interview. Unlike just posting your resume or filling out applications from some online source like indeed.com. They really don't even have the merit to send you a Dear John letter.

As far as my fire service goes, Gautier City Fire was a good prospect. During the interview, the Chief basically told me I had the job. I started to worry when they didn't call, and when the letter showed up, it sealed my fate. I am, however, still in the system for the next fire fighter they want to hire. That could be 6 months from now, and I plan on being long gone by then.

Long gone you say? Where am I going? Well, the Navy of course!!

Back when my last semester started, I got a tip that the Navy would take engineers to be Nuclear Officers (or NUPOCs) to run the reactors on subs and carriers. I figured this could be a backup in case I didn't get a job. Little did I know how awesome this job really is.

I also had no idea how lengthy the process is. Application here, huge security form there, references from ALL my employers for the last 3 years, etc. To top it off, I'm in a long list of other people who haven't gotten jobs and want to join as a NUPOC.

The most recent thing to happen as far as jobs go would be the VIP trip for prospective NUPOCs. The Navy flew me down the Jacksonville, FL for a few days and took me on a tour of the training facility and an SSBN Ohio Class submarine. It was epic.

So now it appears that the only thing holding me back is the weight requirement. I'm not worried about dropping my waist since I'm not afraid of going outside and I have coordination. After I get withing range, it's off to MEPS and then hopefully I will qualify for an Interview in DC. If I'm accepted, it's 15 large in my pocket and E-6 salary until I go to OCS. Also, all my problems will disappear, since most of them are financial.

There you have it. The short tale of a kid who wanted to be a monster truck driver when he grew up, and then an engineer so he went to college. Now he wants to be a fire fighter or a naval officer. Crazy how things change when you grow up.

Greetings All!

Hello! My name is Chols and I'm 24. I graduated from Mississippi State University in May 2010 with a Bachelor's of Science in Chemical Engineering. It has been my greatest accomplishment that took 6 years for me to do. All of this was done to ensure that I would have a future and be financially secure (read: make bank).

I did everything that I was told to do. I went to college. I was told that an engineering degree would suit my talents in math and science. I was even prodded into the chemical field because chem e's, on average, make the most starting out of college.

While in college, I even did the highly recommended co-op program, because graduating with experience could give me the edge I needed to snag that full time position (and make bank while in school).

As my Senior Year progressed, I went head-to-head with the Engineering Judge, Jury, and Executioner. That would be, the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (or FE). Now that I had passed the hardest test I would ever take, I was able to tack on Engineering Intern, or EI, to the list of accomplishments on my resume and finally be recognized (as far as the State of Mississippi is concerned) as a bona fide Chemical Engineer.

Alas, graduation came and went. My friends who had jobs, moved away. The ones who didn't, decided to hide out in grad school and pursue Master's in Business degrees, while others went for the gold and are working towards Masters in their respective engineering fields.

I decided that since I had neither a job to go to, nor the desire to keep going to school, I would jump on funemployment and ride out my time in Starkvegas until my apt lease was up.

So after a summer of goofing off, it has come to D-Day, H-Hour. I have done the unthinkable act - albeit very common now - of moving back in with my old roommates from high school, the parents.While home cooking, satellite TV, and unemployment checks ease the pain, they only address the symptoms, not the disease.

I have been afflicted with Start a New Life-itus, which is Latin for "get out on your own for good". I have decided to pool my options into a category called: Things I'm Good At. These options include 1) engineering and 2) fire fighting. Yes, during my time at school I took on the task of protecting my neighbor as a volunteer fire fighter.

So as this blog continues, I invite you to be along for the ride. The wild and crazy roller coaster of job hunting. It all starts scary as you make your way up the hill to the interview, but soon you will be filled with everlasting hope as companies tell you how great you are and how much they can use you. Then after a few loops, while your stomach is churning, the tell tale letter arrives. Either a "We are please to offer you the position of...", or a "Although your qualifications and experience are impressive...".

Don't forget that every roller coast does end, and you even get to see a picture of yourself at the beginning. Before you were jaded from the whole process of getting a big career opportunity you're smiling and carefree. I plan on ending this roller coaster, and when I do I won't mind paying the overpriced amount to take that picture home with me. That way I will remember how much fun it was to learn how to live with grown ups.