Job searching

Life is a weird place. No one values hands on skill.


I recently had an interview with a staffing company for an IT consultant/ analyst position. The interview was going good. We where having a great conversation about what I have done and where I have worked. It was one of the best interviews I have ever gone through.


At about the end of the interview he said that I need to take a test on Windows 2000 and Windows XP, Operating Systems. I was a little taken aback. A surprise test. I was like okay lets do it, not to show a reservations about it. He said that there is a curve. Just take you time and let me know when you are done.


I went to go take this test. It found it to rather frustrating at times with its all of the above answers. I knew the correct answer of what works all the time on the commands but didn’t know the back up answers. Let me give you an example.


One question was "How do you bring up task manager.”The answers where 1) CTRL+ALT+ DELETE 2)CTRL+SHIFT+ESCAPE 3)A way through control panel 4)
All of the above.


I answered 1, because of two reasons. I wasn’t sure of 3 because I have never had to go through that way, and I know that 1 will always get you to where you need to be for if.


I got the question wrong


There were many of these questions. When it was all said and done I got a 36% of XP and 56% on 2000. They were both 10% under the average. I was like It was just a test and I nailed the advanced portions on the test. The interviewer said yes but the people he was going to give my application to wanted intermediate level employees.


So now I talk to my friends who he got jobs for all had lower scores that I had. Now I am not sure why the recruiter said that to me. If this was actual requirement then how did my friends get jobs the place he was recruiting for? So I am snubbed again.


When will the world get off of their test = performance rationale. This is one of things that I think are holding us back in today’s society.

lifes questions

We’ll folks it’s Christmas time again and it is my third here in Columbus. It has been along road down here, meet with success and failure. I have gone to my favorite school Ohio State and now I can’t go back until I pay them 1200 bucks. I got, what I thought was going to be a good job, that has turned out to be a hassle at times. But other than that things have been, for lack of a better term, middle of the road.

As the year comes to an end I have a few questions about my future.

1.) When are you going to be done with school? Well, until I pay off OSU, I am done for now. I hope to be able to go back to OSU or transfer to CSCC.
2.) Are you going to try to get a better job? That is a more difficult question to answer. I applied for SOD at Calltech but got a letter saying I had too many points. After I got that straighten out, they put my name back in the pool for SOD but I am not holding my breath. I have also applied with a few other places but the best prospect is opening my own business.
3.) What about a girlfriend? (This is the biggest question my parents have.) Well I am taking it slow right now. I work the third shift right now so it makes it hard to go out. Also I am financially strapped. This means I am broke. I hope that this will turn around soon but only time will tell.
4.) What about your weight? Ok. Everyone knows I am a big guy which is probably part of the problem with question number three. I am going to be making some hard strides starting at the first of the year.

Well folks these are the only question that really stick out to right now. I hope to answer more soon.

Stop it all. Please

Outsourcing. Definition: the practice of subcontracting manufacturing work to outside and especially foreign or nonunion companies. This is according to Merriam Webster online dictionary (www.m-w.com). This is a big problem facing this world today. Trust me I would know, I work in tech support. I have to live in the fear that some one over seas is going to be taking my job because it is "economical". Yes folks I and millions like me have been written of as not being "economical" for companies. They are willing to take the jobs of people like me and ship them to places like Malaysia and Indian, and give them to people who work for less.

Now, I am not blaming the people in India who are looking for a job and will work for less that some one in the states does. I blame the super huge conglomerate companies who have gotten so big that they can just write peoples livelihoods off as "good business." These businesses say that they help out the world economy and try to show that they are helping homeless and jobless in India to try to say, "Hey, Look what good we have done." When in realality they made that many skilled people here in America, where they pedal their goods and services, out of a job and soon to be out on the streets.

Some of these people will say that the labor market in these far off destinations are cheaper and saves money for them. Since there is no tariff on this service it is more economical to have some one around the world try to explain how to fix the computers, internet, what have you. They work for about a considerable of a percentage less than that of people here in the US make. These people are able to do this because of the three big reasons. One there are many people and few jobs and people are poverty stricken. Two because of the job make being so small people are will in to more for less. Finally, the cost of living.

The first reason is because of the poverty that has infected the population of these country and they can be pinpointed to many different reasons from over population and lack of reproduction controls, to the miss management of government infrastructure or bad social policies. With over population issues in most of the out sourcing companies, this is one of the contributing factors. With so many people there is a need for work. The immense size of the population has put a heavy strain on the economy. They need to take any job that comes along. An issue with overpopulation is that f a lack of education. So when companies come over here they first try to hire those who have an education, weather they got in Indian of were students in the good old USA. After that they start taking people who can learn the best. The next step is letting them select an American name like Jack, Bob, or Susan. Then they try to teach them English and how to get rid of there accent.

The second reason is of a direct lack of jobs in these countries. Not many jobs exist. Many are temporary and hard work. Getting a job in a call center would have to a near miriceal for there families. An equivalent would be someone who was homeless one day and the next was offered a job, money and roof over there head. So when some one gets this job they are willing to work for less because they know the importance of it. It is a matter of living on the street or in a room.

The third reason is that of the cost of living. Yes, this has more to do with it than people think. In these countries the cost of living is far less than here in the US. Where some one here would scrape by at 12-15 bucks an hours; in these other countries it takes about 2-3 dollars per hours. As any one can see that is a great business move. In return for this great economic boom for these foreign countries, there are an equal amount of problems made here in our country.

One is that homeless people that the company says they are helping and that we hear so much about are being replaced by someone in this country. Yes, people with college degrees are having there jobs yanked away in the name of economic sense and told sorry, have to save money. These people are now in a spot of trying to look for another job in their field only to find that most of the jobs in their field are gone, and the ones still left here in the states are not hiring and are in the process of moving their jobs as well. This outsourcing has created social and economical problems. Our government, I feel has done little for the American worker in the past 6 years except make it easier for businesses to grow and rape the economy.

The standard of living here in America never decreases, it is always getting bigger. It is being backed by the corporate monsters that are taking the jobs away from the worker. They go over seas to save money, but the price of there products never seem to go down though. Who is winning in these businesses that are hurting us? It is presidents and CEOs that are making out. These are the same people who feel that making 10 million a year is not enough and that they need to have private jets and retirement plans that could feed a small country in Africa for years. I find this shocking and appalling when people are making 100-200 million a year feel the need to lay off thousands to make sure there is enough in the budget to give him a raise this year. It is this corporate greed that is driving this country in to an economic ruin. The government doesn’t help the situation either.

The government is as much to blame as these corporate devils. With treaties like NAFTA and participating in the WTO and eliminating tariffs for these things, it has paved the way for these companies to bail on the America people and go over seas. Even the president is guilty of this. In a number of speeches, most notably in his State of the Union speech, where he states that that these jobs are going over there, and that there is going to be newer high tech jobs here in the future. Well my president the future is now and there are no new high tech jobs here in Columbus Ohio. Ohio has lost 1.2 million jobs since you took office and we have yet to see any increase in employment. Where are these new high tech jobs at?

They are more than likely not going to come here. They are more likely to go directly over seas and start out there and total by pass America in the name of Economic well being for the company. I put it to you government. Prove me wrong, help out the American work, restore our faith in hopes that you will still do your duty and save our jobs and correct thing at home first before worrying about the rest of the world.

Sometimes.

Did you ever feel that everything you want you can't have. That everytime when you think that everything is about to turn around and change you slammed back down and end up lower than where you started. This seems to be a commen them in life. Everyday I try to wake up and think to has got to be better than yesterday. It never does get better. For an example, the otherday at work we were doing our job and everything was going smooth, a change from the norm. Then I was going to Toxic Hell (aka Taco Bell). They told be that they where sorry and that they have run out of beef and soft taco shells. I was like man that sucks but, hey, shit happens. So went to leave. All of the sudden I am rear ended by some one going 5 MPH. I was like at least it wasn't fast. I got out to say hey what where you are going. The woman in the car could give two shits that she had just hit me. So I yeld, " WTF. You can't drive." She goes my footslipped. I thought to myself man people are fucking assholes.

So the next day I get up and I say hey I think that I am going to have a better day. How could it get worse. I found out that my father was coming to visit. Not for a day but for a week. Let me tell y0u a little thing about me and my dad. We peas in a pod me and him, and not in a good way. People sometimes can't stand the person who is always stubburn and feels that he is always right and needs to have to last word in a conversations. Well that is my dad. He loves to express his opinions, over and over again. like you didn't hear him, the first seven time. I am one of those people who can shrugg off people, but when pushed too far, I sanp back.

So, at any rate, he was down here. So now I have gone from I am going to have a better day today to, PLEASE let it be better than yesterday. Between him and work, it is a toss up of where I would rather be.

My Father went home and all was right in the world and I thought for just for a second tat things are going to be great then, BOOM. WTF. Life throws you for a loop. My truck breaks down. Being the only form of transportation (thosein the same boat will agree.) threw me for a loop. For four days I was trapped. Trapped because in Columbus it is hard to get a cab and they are expensive, and with no car you get stir crazy.

Well I could go on with my crap life. How I have lost money in casinos and how viruses ate my computer, but I think it is time to end it. I can leave with this parting statement. With all the time that I had a girlfriend and through I was going to get married, All of those problems see so much more trivial then the stuff I am going throught now. Not because these things are coming at a much quicker rate, it is that I have to go through them alone. Atleast with a girlfriend I had some one to go through with it with me and was some one I could count on and could expect them to help out.

Buckeye's Giving it to Indiana

This Saturday came the buckeyes their first win in the Big Ten. The 30-7 win came on the arm of a Sophmore quarterback Troy Smith and on the legs of Freshman runningback Antonio Pitman and widereveiver Ted Ginn Jr.
This was a big win for the Buck after dropping three staight in the Big Ten, which was the first time since 1988. Though the buckeyes have been looking very anemic over the last few weeks, they came alive this week.
Hopefuuly this won't be the end to the Bucks success and they take on Penn State at the Shoe.

Browns lose close one to the Eagles

The Browns loss a close one to the Eagles this weekends game. It took over time to get an outcome, but it was not to be. This was the first loss at home this year. It was still a great game though showing that the Browns are not to be over looked in this league.

With the injury to Andre Davis and the trade of Morgan to the Cowboys, it was time for Dennis Northcutt to take the spot light. Northcutt in his starting debut had 70 yards on 4 catches. Aaron Shea and Steve Hieden combined for 9catches, 87 yards and a touchdown for the two tight-ends. Also the running backs both came in and had a touchdown apiece.

Some of the areas that the Browns need to work on is picking up the blitz a little better and need to hold on to the ball on offence. Two fumbles on kick returns will help you lose games in the NFL. On defense the browns need to get the pass rush better. McNabb was getting 4 to 5 seconds to throw the ball. That will lead to bad things down the road.

With the by-week this week the Browns can get some rest and let some injuries heal and work on their game because they get thrown to the fire going to Baltimore for Sunday night and then come home to play Pittsburg, New York and the Pats in the next four of five games.

Can the Browns Do It

This week, the Browns, take on the Eagles in Cleveland. This could be an up set week end for the Browns.
The Eagles come in to this game with a 5-0 record and boast on of the best quarterback wide receiver combos in the league with Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens. They also have the nimble Brain Westbrook in the backfield. The Browns on defense this year has been grate at home stopping Jamel Lewis in week one and shutting down the Bangles last week.
The Browns on offense finally scored a first quarter touchdown on a 99 yard pass play from Garcia to Andre Davis. It tied a record for the seventh time for a 9 yard pass play in history. The brown went on to also score two more time in that half and won the game. Even though they won the game, they still need to hold on to the ball. The Browns are at -1 for the year and sit at 3-3. Garcia is still trying to work out with the center exchange and the kinks in the game.
If the Browns can keep it close and not turn the ball over, they should be able to win on Sunday.

A Good Year

The Cleveland Indians, this year, ended the season with 80 wins and 82 loses. This is where most people expected them to finish about where they did for being a young team. There is a lot of tallent in this team with it’s young starting pitching rotation with C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee as the a good one two starters for the future and Jake Westbrook that was a pleasant surprise moving form the bullpen to starting pitcher and have one of the lowest ERA’s in the AL. The young bats had a pretty good time this year with Travis Haffner and Matt Lawton having All-Star years. With the addition of Phillips, and Boone this year and with prospects coming up the line like Grady Siezmore the future is looking bright.
The other positives was that for the first time with this squad is that they were in the middle of playoff race in both the division and wild card in to late August and early September. This was a great learning experience that will only help them over time. For the Tribe this was the first time since the second week in April in 2002 that they were over .500 and they were able to hold it until late in to the year.
Trouble areas that the Indians need to work on is there Bullpen. The Indians Bullpen gave up over thirty leads late into games where if the bullpen could of gotten the easy out about half the time the Tribe’s season would still be going. David Riske and Rapheal Beckoncourt need to get more control of the strike zone like they did before getting to Cleveland. With Kaz Tadano coming back off of a season ending injury should come back as a long reliever and spot starter.
The other area that the Tribe needs to work on is closing out games. The Tribe needs to be able to close out games and hold on to leads and also try to score runs when needed. The where way too many base running error committed by the tribe that major league teams shouldn’t do. Also the pitching staff as a hold needs to be able to hold people on bases and prevent them from stealing, also along those lines the catching staff needs to get better at throwing men out. Another issue is that of a Management end of keeping a some what constant batting order. We need to try not to play musical lineups and try to keep the same basic line ups from day to day.
With good pitching, young hitters and a will and ability to win, the future looks good for the Indians and a return to the form from the mid nineties. hopes for a return to the playoffs and world series and try to win their first championship since 1946.

A Little About Myself

Hi, I am Ralph Vigarino. I am a 24 year old college student at Ohio State, majoring in Agraculture Communication. I am studing in this feild to get in to the broadcasting and reporting career feild preferably in sports. I have writen sevral articals that you can find on this site.
I am starting my second year here at Ohio State. I am Junior and about to be a Senior. I previously attended Youngstown State for several years with the majority of my studies in managment and communications. I have completed such classes as telecommunication, communication technologies, public speaking, communication theory, and history of communication. I have also have had classes in managment, marketing and accounting. I am proficient in word, excel, and powerpoint.
I have been an avid sports fan all of my life. Growing up in northeast Ohio, I grew up in a rich sports environment. In this area of Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, you couldn't help but to grow up loving sports. In a matter of a 2 hour drive, we could have been in Cleveland for the Indians, Browns, Cav’s, and Lumberjacks; or be in Pittsburgh watching the Penguins, Steelers, Pirates or Panthers. It was just a great place to grow up in. I hope that when I am done with school I will be able to translate my love for sports in to a career.
Currently I am working at Calltech Communication in Columbus Ohio, where I am a DSL Technition. What I do is answer phone calls from customers and help to solve there issue and get them back on-line and happy with their service.
Well I hope that this bring a little insite to who I am. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me.

Thank You