The Countdown Is On

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Saturday September 27, 2008
10:06 p.m.

1. I’ve got just two workdays left in my current position (not including the full day that I’ll put in tomorrow), and I don’t think I’m going to finish everything. I’ve basically rebuilt the entire database this month, and I’m just now getting to things that I always felt should be built in like the surveys. There are lots of other things that the database would be perfect for, but there’s no way to get that stuff in there. Even if I had a few more weeks, it’s a matter of one of the employees letting go of tasks that he’s been doing a certain way for the last decade. If this database was the only thing that I was supposed to be working on then I could get everything in that I would like by the end of the year. Obviously, that’s not going to happen. I think in the end I’ll be satisfied with it. The analyst has been really impressed with it and wants to keep me involved to help with other projects. I know how simple it would be to extend the db to manage the whole department (hell, the whole org, practically), but that’s not my job. And because each thing is so linked in to everything else, it’s hard for me to build a simple stand-alone db. If we want to keep track of the instructors, I figure we should keep track of the courses. If we want to keep track of marketing, we should keep track of budgets. So why not just use the db for course planning and just keep adding to it from there? Because we’ve already got systems that keep track of most of this, and there would be an inevitable doubling of the data entry and a monstrous shadow system that our tech department has no investment in. Argh. It’s tough being able to do something and knowing that it would be a good thing, but knowing that the system doesn’t allow for it to happen.

We finally cleaned out all the filing cabinets. We started out with six and are down to two, and one of those will be gone through and cleaned out over the next six months. It was one of the other really big things that I wanted to get done before I left, and after tomorrow it will be as finished as is possible in the near future. I’ve already sent eight garbage bags of paper to recylcling, and I’ll bag up another eight tomorrow probably. It’s scary to think of the money that has gone into buying all of those manilla folders, the hanging folders, the labels, staples, paper clips, binder clips, cabinets and paper, not to mention the work hours that went in to producing and maintaining all of it. The environmental impact boggles the mind. I really hope that I’m able to take the paperless office mentality to the new department, as well as spread it through the organization. I know that it will be a long time in coming. The front line employees didn’t even get computers until the mid-1990’s!

The last distinct project that I want to finish for the PTP is standardizing the library computers. I should be abe to do that tomorrow as well.

I wish that I had been able to fold conferences management into the database. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to; I’d certainly be willing to do it, even on my own time. I don’t think it would take too much actually. The only difficulty would be in finding the time to meet with the conferences people. I’m not sure how much the director will let me keep coming around; I get the feeling that she’s going to want me gone, that she’s going to downplay the contribution that I’ve made. When the PA II left, she would say things like, “She’s still around; call her if you need to!” But I don’t think that will be her attitude with me. I might extend the db anyway, with spiting her getting thrown in as a bonus. Same with extending it to service the whole department.

2. I got to see my new office for the first time a few mornings ago. I’m trading the 5th floor view of the Westwood village (rather distracting) to a 3rd floor view of trees. I believe I’ll be insulated from most of the sirens that tear through area all day. And I’ve got very nice furniture. I’ve got way too much of it, but who knows: maybe I actually need all of it. I’ll know soon enough!

I’ve got the first meeting with the new boss on Tuesday. She and my predecessor used to meet each Tuesday for lunch; that tells me that they used to communicate. I’m looking forward to working for and with someone who respects me and wants my input. It will be a refreshing change.