Joe, have you ever pulled your transcripts to see what kinds of classes you have on there? I'm not sure it was like this for you, but when I went and got my B.A....I took CORE classes first before I delved into the specifics of my major. SO..if you decide to go in a different direction for a degree, most of those credits should transfer. Seriously, you should look into it. I take it BSEE is Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering?

I agree with what you said..a college degree IS NOT an equalizer for experience, and I can see why you're irritated. However, if the military and private companies want some of the young talent, they have to offer them good positions and advancement opportunities. Upper management is probably hoping that once they have experience under their belts, they might turn out to be good employees.

Randy was one of those "straight out of college" managers on the railroad. It took years and years of hard work and proving himself before he had any respect, most of the guys he managed were twice his age. So, just because these young punks have the position, does not mean they have an ounce of respect to go with these positions they walked into. So with your experience, you should be able to get your degree and cruise right past them.

 

Same to you Lisa.





A college degree is a good thing, but there is something to real life-work experiance too. I have worked with Electrical Engineers whojust went to school and they were horrible no practical experiance at all. If it works on paper then it is a ok. I have worked with a couple of them that have worked in the trade and then got their degree. They were a pleasure to work with. They understood the real world practically of things.

 

Yes, a BSEE is an Electrical Engineering degree. The biggest problem I see with your logic is that if they have experienced guys with good management skills, why **** them off by putting the young new guy over them? That's what has happened to me, and I walked. Now the young guy is left with a nice shiny piece of paper, and nobody with the experience to do the job. That's EXACTLY what I saw at my previous company. A few young hot-shots came in, promoted or brought in their buddies, and pissed off people like me. They were left witha pile of "managers" and no experience.

Not everyone is cut to be a manager, and not everyone WANTS to be one. Sometimes that comes with time. But bringing people in and slapping the manager title on them when they don't have an ounce of experience is just silly in my book. How on earth can you manage someone when you have no clue how to do the job? You can't. Just like what Randy ran into. If it were me running things, the new guy with or without a degree is a new guy. He learns the job, does well, excels on his own merits & accomplishments, and gets promoted accordingly. Attracting new folks is fine, but not at the expense of the people there already.

Every situation is different of course, and I'm not picking on Randy. So don't think of it that way. The best example I can think of is Scott. He's obviously a great manager, and his senior leadership is recognizing that. I don't know if he has a degree or not, and it doesn't matter!! A good manager is isn't taught -- they either have it or they don't. It can be acquired over time though! I've seen that over & over.

Have a look at this -- I think it's pure genious:
A Leadership Primer from Colin Powell

 

Happy Valentines Day everyone!!!
I need to get a pic of my roofers car, 5.0 convertible, lighting bolt on the side, and dual 6'' tips for exhaust, neither of which is lined up with the other, or pointed straight out for that matter... Dang, the whole reason to add things is to make the vehicle look better and personalize it right? What the heck does it say when you cant even get the tip on right?

 

OH I totally agree. I wasn't necessarily agreeing with how they do things, I was just saying that was probably the motivation. You can't totally shrug off a college education. It obviously has its merits. BUT...like I said earlier it doesn't make up for lack of experience. There are several things I have done in my career that I would not have been prepared to do (or had the knowledge to do) had I not had my degree.

Randy...yeah he was hired directly out of college for Union Pacific, and went directly into a management position. I don't agree with how UP does things..and actually their track record for this program speaks for itself. I'd say the majority of these young managers quit or get fired early on...for simply the reasons you suggested. They have zero experience and they don't even know where to begin in trying to manage a group of 50 or 60 crusty old railroaders. Maybe thats what UP had in mind...to thin out the ones who couldn't handle the pressure of learning the job, I have no idea. Randy of couse struggled at first, but eventually flourished. He truly is a manager..he was meant to do it. He is such a people person, leads by example...gets dirty with his guys, is great at conflict resolution. He has also made it a point to learn everything he can from his guys. In his words "these old railroaders make this place run. No one pays attention to them, and when they retire, all of that knowledge is lost".

So, anyways...I agree with what you're sayin Joe, just trying to offer a different perspective of course. I definitely don't think education makes up for lack of experience, but in some situations experience doesn't make up for lack of education either. It depends on the person I suppose. No one should be left behind for a deserved promotion because of it, thats for sure.

 

HEy Brent,

We need a picture.

Speaking of ugly, I'm curious what you guys think is the ugliest car that was ever manufactured.

.

 

Pretty much anything in the mid-80s, with few exceptions.

BTW, See your PM, Lisa...

 

I can tell you right now theyre not 10" wide. I was just a college kid back when I bought them! 16x8's

Goin shootin!

 

 

probly a Nash or Hudson

 

Sounds perfect!!! See you in a bit.....
As far as ugly cars, pinto always comes to mind, or anything with wood paneling on the side....Vista cruiser from That 70's show is pretty nasty....

 

wow...thread died!

 

Good morning every one. Just got rid of the muffler on the 01 for a while.

 

LOLOLOL.... That just reminded me that the girl I posted a pic of last night drove a blue pinto (later model) with rust holes in the floor pan. I seem to have fond memories of that car for some reason. Back seat was fairly comfy.

 

my brother had a 73 pinto wagon...he and 12 classmates took it offroad, got it stuck and the cat started a brush fire...firefighters were a lil upset as they got scratches all over their truck!

we took my F250 over and freed the car...not a mark on it!