Sunday, November 17, 2019
The Psychology Of Writing Essay Example for Free
The Psychology Of Writing Essay In September 2004, I embarked upon a career opportunity that – I believed – was beyond my reach and capabilities. It was for the well-being of my family that I accepted the challenge. Almost immediately after starting the work, I was assigned a task that I truly believed I would fail at: it was the task of completing a technical solution that outlined the design installations of one of the countrys most secure facilities. I was required to not only learn the technical specifications of hundreds of communication devices, but also to describe that function in a manner in which any person from off the street, with or without a technical background, could pick up the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and completely maneuver the Network Operation Center (NOC), even though I myself had come from an Information Technology (IT) background.            A lot of my knowledge was gained through careful observation, question asking, and note taking. I worried each and every day about the consequences which would arise if I were unable to deliver. As one may assume, numerous meetings were conducted by the customers, expressing precisely the type of systems necessary to provide them with advanced applications and maximum flexibility for the capabilities of integration of tomorrows technologies. I learned a lot just by listening and recording staff meetings which were unclassified, so that I could take what I had learned and research the type of equipment needed to meet the customers requirements. I would then ask questions of more skilled individuals. For instance, â€Å"How would you do this?†. Or, â€Å"How would you do that?† I also asked many a â€Å"Why?† Since I was, in reality, lacking the proper academic background to execute these tasks, I used what I was good at: research and problem-solving. I began to put my facts down on paper, utilizing the manufacturers technical notes, the data received by more skilled persons, and information I had found using a tool that every household now uses, Google, to derive a Technical Solution and Installation Plan that received much praise and even a promotion!            I apologize if this sounds like a happy ending story, because its not. The research, and rewrite upon rewrite, and multiple revisions of even these Looking back, I wonder if the methods I employed would have been different if I had completed my education. But in the modern world in which we live, technology had given modern man many methods by which to learn and perform tasks once thought to be completely unavailable to people like myself.            I remember the day I first arrived in Colorado Springs. I only had a short visit scheduled, so I had to make the most of the trip. My flight landed just before midday on a Friday. I believe it was August, as the weather was pleasantly cool and sunny. Because I was sat in a window seat, I was able to get a good look at the city upon approach. From above the city, still in the air, what you first notice is what I like to refer to as â€Å"cookie cutter communities†. The scenery of the different neighborhoods looks as though God Himself once pressed a cookie cutter into the ground.  Due to the altitude of â€Å"The Springs†, as the locals call it, the air-craft inadvertently provided a touristic view of the city. One could not miss the world-famous Pikes Peak. If you recall your American Folk Song, â€Å"America†, then you know â€Å"Purple Mountains Majesty†. Well, Pikes Peak is what the song is all about, and I must admit that it is breathtakingly topped with snow-crested peaks even in July! As the plane continued its descent, â€Å"The Garden of the Gods†came into view, the large rocks seeming like giant clay boulders somehow naturally arranged in balance – as if by God.            Colorado Springs is not very large. The main road, IH-25 (or, as the locals call it, the â€Å"I†) is the only way in and out when traveling by car, and during the wetter months I have seen it closed from Trinidad (70 miles to the south) to Denver (70 miles to the north). The area is more for outdoorsy people, who enjoy skiing, fishing, hunting, and the same such. However, if your interest is in military history, you wont be let down. The Springs is home to three military bases, as well as the Air Force Academy, and also â€Å"NORAD†. Most people who are new to the area, or just visiting, find it much more rewarding simply driving to see it.  For instance, taking the â€Å"I†to 24W up into the mountains, you climb up to Manitou, a Norman Rockwell-type of picturesque town nestled into the scenery. This is one of my favorite places to go. Its old-time square consists of brick- and wood-fronted shops which melt into the scene like a painting. As you continue to travel west on 24, Pikes Peak Highway is just a few minutes ahead. Believe it or not, Santa is said to have a summer home here. To promote good behavior, parents are often heard exclaiming, â€Å"Santa can see you†!            At the beginning of my career, I decided that I wanted to do things that were not so common. The ambition to undertake such a mission was driven by the attitude that there is nothing like changing the world. To lay the foundation, I entered the military and successfully completed boot camp. Thereafter, I was sent to Ft. Benning, Georgia to begin â€Å"Jump School†. This is where you are sent to learn to become a paratrooper, the first step to sky-diving or, as it is otherwise referred to in the Military, â€Å"High Altitude Low-Out HALO†. The regimented course is approximately four weeks and consists of enduring hours of physical training, ground tower, and jump weeks. The curriculum involves various tasks which teach you the correct way to land, how to maneuver the chute while airborne, and much more. Each recruit is required to complete five jumps before he or she graduates and is allowed to pin on their jump wings. This event in particular was one of the key steps that propelled my career, as it in turn took me to Israel – one of my favorite places in the world.            Israel appeared like Mohammed in the desert. Herzliya, located on the central coastal strip, is a breath-taking city on the Mediterranean Sea. It does not take too long after arrival to begin to understand the way of life there – cameras are mounted everywhere, police presence is widespread, there are heavily-armed IDF forces on each and every corner, and Apache patrols go along the coastline every 15 minutes. However, taken through the eyes of the locals, the city is alive with the old and new worlds living in harmony. During my time there, I was able to visit Tel Aviv, Eilat, and Jerusalem.            Most alluring was the beauty of being surrounded by water. This permitted me to do a good amount of scuba-diving and fishing. Although Im no expert, the waters of the Middle East are by far, to me, the most enjoyable on that side of the world. The crystal-clear seas are closely regulated by the government, which prohibits commercial fishing within two miles of the shore and only allows freight shipments and related traffic on one side of the peninsula in order to avoid spills that would contaminate the surrounding outlets.  Looking back on these memories, it was not uncommon for all the mates to chip in and rent a boat to take out for a day of fishing and diving. Open-sea fishing may feel the same in all warm waters, but the difference with the Middle East is the ability to see 80 – 100 feet into the depths and watch the fish as they toy with your bait; not to mention that there is an upfront view of the unfamiliar predators of the Mediterranean! Having used mostly shrimp for bait, we caught a few different species and deep-fried them as soon as we returned to dry land.            The advantages of taking an online course are pretty straight-forward: not having to deal with traffic or parking, the ability to study from home or wherever an internet connection is located But, for me, the disadvantages are more abundant. For instance, in subjects that I am poor at (like this course), one is unable to link up with the instructor for assistance in acquiring a better understanding of what is being asked of you. Another disadvantage is not getting to know any classmates. There has always been an advantage in face-to-face study groups. I have found that sometimes you are able to get a better feel for a subject when working with your peers. For me, an online courses major benefit is convenience.            Online studies have revolutionized the education system, taking study to wherever the student is, but for those of us that have a long absence from school, online classes may not be the best choice. I find it very difficult on so many levels, not to mention very stressful, and seek only a passing grade, instead of the usable knowledge of the class. In conclusion, as you may have already gleaned from my essay, I find that the drawbacks outweigh the advantages. However, in pursuit of academic recognition, one does what one has to, in order to ameliorate ones life and that of ones family.            Institutes of higher education have transcended their traditional image as local and regional points of interest for audiences across national, international, and global arenas. This extended outreach poses a direct correlation in which the business of education has become an integrated asset in the business of doing business.  The introduction of global business ventures (such as Wal-Mart, Ikea, and Starbucks) have reinvented the traditionally local marketplaces and introduced super market places. One case in point is the â€Å"Super Wal-Mart†stores which cater to every need, from groceries to a department store with a pharmacy, vision center, portrait studio and hair salon. How exactly does this all tie into the business of education? I will address two significant elements: technology and management.            These colossal superstores are upheld, literally and figuratively, by an infrastructure of communication networks.  These networks include information systems that facilitate everything from inventory to purchasing. The ability to maintain these networks requires specialized, and in most cases, certified persons. The individuals, whether in-house or contracted, hold qualified certifications specific to such areas as computer science, networking, and database engineering. With the extent to which technology is driving the business of globalization, the business of education is directly impacted as students seek to arm themselves with the credentials necessary to secure a job within the overwhelming support service industry. An industry so competitive that, in order for the key players to secure the worthwhile contracts, recruitment of the most qualified is a must. These individuals are à ©lite students out of college and universities, or experienced professionals. Once employed, they must remain current with certifications as technologies grow and expand. This is why they engage in continuing education. Likewise, a clients infrastructure may grow and expand, thus calling for the support service to educate personnel accordingly. The realm of any business, big or small, is always changing.            Management, the second element, runs rampant amidst the entire scheme of it all. In order for businesses to be successful, much less remain on par, knowledgeable supervisors, managers, and directors are required. For these individuals, like their support service counterparts, to ensure progress and efficiency, their skills need to be constantly nourished. This capability has an impact on al business models, as employers must take into consideration incentive programs, such as â€Å"tuition reimbursement†, should they wish to sustain the attention of highly-skilled employees.  As students become workers, this benefit is a key point of interest during the job search. Employees who are not viewed as influential and are looking to advance skills may not be able to readily fund the costs of educational endeavors on their own. Should their duties and responsibilities be impacted by technological advancements, not being able to fully comprehend and take to the new changes can run the risk of losing their jobs. In turn, companies are faced with a dilemma in stream-lining the guidelines for qualification of educational reimbursement, while educational institutions are faced with the means of offering tuition assistance in order to attract students. Thus the pursuit of high learning has become a highly evolved business, dependent on the very same support service personnel.            Like the superstores, schools are revamping their own infrastructure of communication networks and entering the business of globalization via online and virtual classrooms, courtesy of the most rampant network to date – the Internet. In essence, the effect of education absorbed by a business creates a boomerang effect, reciprocating the prospects for institutions across the entire academic spectrum.
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