Dec 5, 2023·edited Dec 5, 2023Liked by Rosana Francescato
Well, that brings back an old memory. I was staying at my parents’ house in Urbana while they were on sabbatical. A federal agent came to the front door for a quick interview. He was doing a background check on a former classmate/housemate who was applying for a job with the Export Import Bank. I think he asked if you were a communist. Now I know that you got the job! Congratulations!
OMG, that is hilarious! I got a copy of the clearance through the freedom of information act, and it was hilarious. I may do a separate post on it. I'll have to look through it and see if they mention you. You wouldn't believe how much they got wrong! They asked everyone if I had done drugs (all my friends said no! ;-) and if I was a loyal American citizen.
Interesting story, and I love the old photos and posters! How I survived 27 years in a government job, I'll never know, but it probably had something to do with the fact that I had a great deal of autonomy, and could basically be anywhere in the building doing anything I wanted (related to my job, of course), without micromanagement or the need to stay at my desk or work area. Also, in the field of IT and technology, there was always something new to learn and do. It was a combination of people who loved what they were doing as their chosen calling, and those who just were content to have a well-paying job with benefits. The lawyers, law clerks, judges, IT people and HR specialists tended to fall into the first category, while the folks who did more data entry, procurement, front intake desk, and other more administrative tasks tended to fall into the latter. All of the groups didn't necessarily all know each other well or interact a lot, but as IT staff we were in the unique position of knowing and interacting with everyone, since every single person from the Chief Judge to the lowest level clerk used a computer. That made it a pretty rich and varied experience; being just as comfortable sitting with a judge in his or her wood paneled chambers, as with a clerk in their little cubicle.
Not all government jobs are alike! My next one was at the EPA, and although my specific job was just as tedious, many people were there because they cared about the environment (though that was also during the Reagan years, so they were constantly frustrated about what they couldn't get done), and at least I was part of that. I was happier to be there than at EXIM Bank. Might have even stayed except 1) you kind of had to be a scientist to get a good job there, and 2) I still wanted to get into publishing. Which I did! You point to one of the main things that brings people satisfaction in their work: autonomy.
I think someone once told me: "It is very important to find jobs that you hate because you'll be closer to finding the job that you love." Or maybe I just kept telling myself that to keep sane. After graduating from college in Michigan, I knew I had to get out of dodge, so I worked three, sometimes four jobs just to save for my move out of that place. I saved enough money to move to San Francisco in the spring of '89, one of the best decision I've ever made. I found the life and the job I loved, my life changed for the best. I also learned the same lesson that Rosana shares in her article: Enjoyable, satisfying work isn’t a given; you have to seek it intentionally.
Nice semicolon use, Antonio! Jobs we hate can definitely be motivating in the quest to find jobs we love — or at least like. Glad you were able to make the move!
Resonates so much!!! Man, the clothes—ugh!!! When I “returned” to “the workforce” (since working for no-pay in your home isn’t work), it was imperative that I find work in an environment where I could dress in a way I am comfortable and feel like myself! Higher ed!
I think, too, if you can’t find something that’s your life’s work, it’s fair to find something you are good at, like to do and in which you feel you are making a worthy contribution (and feeling respected helps, too).
Definitely! I will for sure be writing more about work. I had a 14-year stint in tech that wasn't doing something I loved, but I was good at it and it was engaging, interesting work. And we felt respected.
As for clothes, once I got to San Francisco it was a whole different story — even working in a government job. Though that was at the EPA, very different from EXIM Bank!
Well, that brings back an old memory. I was staying at my parents’ house in Urbana while they were on sabbatical. A federal agent came to the front door for a quick interview. He was doing a background check on a former classmate/housemate who was applying for a job with the Export Import Bank. I think he asked if you were a communist. Now I know that you got the job! Congratulations!
OMG, that is hilarious! I got a copy of the clearance through the freedom of information act, and it was hilarious. I may do a separate post on it. I'll have to look through it and see if they mention you. You wouldn't believe how much they got wrong! They asked everyone if I had done drugs (all my friends said no! ;-) and if I was a loyal American citizen.
Hope you are well, Patrick!!
Interesting story, and I love the old photos and posters! How I survived 27 years in a government job, I'll never know, but it probably had something to do with the fact that I had a great deal of autonomy, and could basically be anywhere in the building doing anything I wanted (related to my job, of course), without micromanagement or the need to stay at my desk or work area. Also, in the field of IT and technology, there was always something new to learn and do. It was a combination of people who loved what they were doing as their chosen calling, and those who just were content to have a well-paying job with benefits. The lawyers, law clerks, judges, IT people and HR specialists tended to fall into the first category, while the folks who did more data entry, procurement, front intake desk, and other more administrative tasks tended to fall into the latter. All of the groups didn't necessarily all know each other well or interact a lot, but as IT staff we were in the unique position of knowing and interacting with everyone, since every single person from the Chief Judge to the lowest level clerk used a computer. That made it a pretty rich and varied experience; being just as comfortable sitting with a judge in his or her wood paneled chambers, as with a clerk in their little cubicle.
Not all government jobs are alike! My next one was at the EPA, and although my specific job was just as tedious, many people were there because they cared about the environment (though that was also during the Reagan years, so they were constantly frustrated about what they couldn't get done), and at least I was part of that. I was happier to be there than at EXIM Bank. Might have even stayed except 1) you kind of had to be a scientist to get a good job there, and 2) I still wanted to get into publishing. Which I did! You point to one of the main things that brings people satisfaction in their work: autonomy.
These are so amazing, Rosana! Love it! I didn't know about your early gigs, either. Haha.
Thanks, Mark! Harper was definitely a big step up!!
I think someone once told me: "It is very important to find jobs that you hate because you'll be closer to finding the job that you love." Or maybe I just kept telling myself that to keep sane. After graduating from college in Michigan, I knew I had to get out of dodge, so I worked three, sometimes four jobs just to save for my move out of that place. I saved enough money to move to San Francisco in the spring of '89, one of the best decision I've ever made. I found the life and the job I loved, my life changed for the best. I also learned the same lesson that Rosana shares in her article: Enjoyable, satisfying work isn’t a given; you have to seek it intentionally.
Nice semicolon use, Antonio! Jobs we hate can definitely be motivating in the quest to find jobs we love — or at least like. Glad you were able to make the move!
Resonates so much!!! Man, the clothes—ugh!!! When I “returned” to “the workforce” (since working for no-pay in your home isn’t work), it was imperative that I find work in an environment where I could dress in a way I am comfortable and feel like myself! Higher ed!
I think, too, if you can’t find something that’s your life’s work, it’s fair to find something you are good at, like to do and in which you feel you are making a worthy contribution (and feeling respected helps, too).
Definitely! I will for sure be writing more about work. I had a 14-year stint in tech that wasn't doing something I loved, but I was good at it and it was engaging, interesting work. And we felt respected.
As for clothes, once I got to San Francisco it was a whole different story — even working in a government job. Though that was at the EPA, very different from EXIM Bank!