Ready to Start Again

So tomorrow's the big day; at 9 a.m. I start work at Intermountain Healthcare as a project manager for their IT division. As usual with any new job I'm a little nervous but also excited to meet my new teammates and then forge ahead and make health care a little bit better.

Over the course of the last 11 or 12 weeks I've learned several things.  First and foremost, I'm lousy at being unemployed. As you probably know I am NOT good at being patient nor being bored. It turns out that being unemployed combines the worst of both of these. It was frequently frustrating to work with individuals who were not professional enough to reply back in a timely manner. This was exacerbated by repeatedly trying to help others understand the experience and skills I could bring to their organization. I was fortunate to be recommended to an excellent recruiter, Tony Ventrano  to put me in front of the right clients and help me gain at least two offers and possibly a third. It felt odd this past week to turn down two very good interviews. I'm looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow but the truth is I will also miss Cheryl's near-constant company that I've enjoyed over the past couple of months. I will say it will probably make our dates more interesting again since we'll get to ask each other about how our day went.

 In preparation for my new job I've been going over a self taught course on how to use Microsoft Project. It's always challenging trying to teach yourself a new software tool, but I have quite a bit of  experience using Microsoft Project so, it's not too bad. I'm learning techniques I didn't know before that will make my work in more efficient. Although, sometimes it's a bit hard to stay focused when you're in the middle of the family trying to do homework.  I am seriously considering getting certified as a project manager and then perhaps following that up with a master’s degree in Information Technology Management.

 

 The book I'm reading this week is called “The Mormon Way of Doing Business.”  A journalist interviewed many of the top CEOs that happen to be LDS. It's interesting to see how their faith affected their career and how I can use some of the same tools in my career.  I strongly recommend the book.

 About the only bad news this week is actually good news: it turns out that Wendy is a great cook especially at making desserts. She has provided yummy treats virtually every night this week, and I'm afraid my waistline is beginning to show it. Oh, if I just had some self-control!

 This weekend was also the semi-annual conference of our church. It is a broadcast that goes out to literally the entire world population of our church. For the first time, several of the talks we're getting not in English, but in the speaker's native language. It was great to see men speaking in Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish. It's nice to see the global nature of the LDS Church reflected in the talks given at general conference. I particularly liked the closing talk given by elder David Bednar. In it he relates how is young son was hurt while playing outside then came inside and was given relief by being bandaged by a slightly older brother. He then took the bandages and salve immediately out his friends to share it with others who had also had been injured.  The boys inherent compassion let him to want to help others who are also in need. He likened this to our desire to share the Gospel with all those who would benefit from it's good word. Perhaps that's why us Mormons are so eager to share the Gospel!