I have to agree with you, Brian.

I started my career at a small shop doing a little bit of everything  
from data entry to database re-organising to get Quiz to generate  
reports faster and everything in between as you describe in your  
first posting and much more. As it was my first job, between high- 
school and University, I didn't mind doing everything as I regarded  
the more technically challenging activities as a kind of bonus.

When a shop wants a do-it-all they really should be honest about the  
person they're looking for--a person willing to risk their career and  
sacrifice their professional aspirations for a dead-end job.  
Unfortunately, nowadays such offers are disguised with the new-speak  
term "Team-Player" to deflect critisism of an offer and a company  
that are probably better to be avoided. At least this employer  
stopped short of a snow-job!

Best,
Andre.



On Oct 27, 2007, at 4:43 PM, Brian Donaldson wrote:

> Dave:
>
> <<snip>>
>
>> Same reason Christopher Columbus wanted to discover the new world,
>> because it's there ;-) >>
>
> <<end snip>>
>
> I totally disagree with your statement.
>
> It's just a way of getting cheap labor out of their employees.  
> Either hire people
> in this country to do more than they are paid for -- or hire these  
> overseas
> Indians who will do it for minimum wage thus doing us all out a job.
>
> I have been down the computer operations road already, can do it  
> blindfolded,
> but I certainly wouldn't do it when my job title is (senior) P/A.  
> No way. Let
> them hire a person whose job title is "Computer Operator" or "Network
> Whatever."
>
> As a P/A, improving my skill set(s) would be to learn new programming
> languages or new aspects of the programming/analysis arena. If I  
> wanted to
> learn networking I would move over into the Networking arena and  
> would no
> longer be a part of the P/A environment. I certainly have no  
> problem with that
> and welcome it with open arms. However, expecting me to play computer
> operator or network guy while my job title is P/A is just not on.
>
>
> Brian (bullet proof vest is on.)
>
>
> On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:25:08 -0400, Dave <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
>> Brian Donaldson wrote:
>>> Why would a Cobol programmer need to know anything about Lantronix,
>>> switches and computer operations and other networking stuff? Not to
> mention
>>> all the stuff they want an HP3000 candidate to have that has  
>>> nothing to do
>>> with HP3000?
>>
>> Same reason Christopher Columbus wanted to discover the new world,
>> because it's there ;-)
>>
>> Not to mention, improved skill set.
>>
>> Now don't hit me with that 2 x 4.......
>>
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>
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