[BC] Matching jobs and engineers

[Mike McCarthy]

One can't pin down a precise job description any longer in fields like 
ours.  The breadth of "skills" acquired these days is far greater than even 
a single generation ago. And as a result, employers are expecting more from 
less. That's what really bothers me about narrow focused IT pro's who can 
set up a network in an hour using all pre-fadded cables.  Given a RJ45 
tool, connector, and a piece of cable to terminate, they're stumped.

Recall a thread a while back about all the things engineers are expected to 
know.  Quite impressive.

This issue is not unique to broadcast or technical fields.  What was once a 
lowly secretary who fielded phone calls and transcribed is now truly an 
executive assistant who in some cases will pre-interview prospective 
candidates before they ever get in to see the hiring manager.  That's one 
reason to look "together" before you even get in the door.

That is but one example of how our job descriptions have changed.  So, the 
more you know and can apply that knowledge, the more marketable you 
are.  And that's what I look for in a prospective hire regardless of 
whether they're fresh from school or a senior level position.  I really 
don't care about one's GPA anymore...though it does reflect badly if it's 
not at least a 2.0.  I look for what they did and excelled while they were 
in school or at their previous position.  That tells me FAR more about what 
they know.  Book worms tend to have less vision and don't think outside the 
box as much.  Which at times is an important asset.  Unfortunately, many IT 
pro's live in books and not much more.

MM

At 09:32 AM 9/5/2008 -0700, Lotus Engineering wrote
>         In a month or so I will be looking for an assistant, a new 
> position to augment our department here.  I have a very good IT 
> manager.  I don't need someone who can design a DA, rebuild an old 
> transmitter or some IT whizz bang.   If my last employee search is any 
> measure, I will have tons of response from guys who know a lot more about 
> IT than I do, but couldn't tell an RCA from an XLR plug.  I know there 
> must be some up and coming engineers out there who don't think 
> troubleshooting means running an antivirus program, who know that a 
> balanced load is not how you load a hand truck with monitors, and who 
> know at least something about FCC rules rather than just e-mail 
> routing.  Do such guys actually exist?  At 64, I seem to be closer to the 
> average age of engineers rather than on the high end any more.  I'd love 
> to find some upcoming small market chief, or medium market assistant 
> who'd like to get into a busy 6 station operation in a major market where 
> the chance to learn more is high, the chance for advancement is good (I 
> am 64!) and the job is very interesting (and Las Vegas is a rather 
> interesting place to live!).
>         Am I just dreaming?  Do such guys exist?
>Bill
>
>Bill Croghan CPBE WBØKSW
>Chief Engineer,
>KOMP/KXPT/KENO/KBAD/KWWN/KWID
>Lotus Broadcasting, Las Vegas, NV