the air

There’s a tornado near where I live. I’m actually writing this blog while the net is still up. Hopefully it’s not my last post, but who knows. Hope all will pan out. I’d take pictures, but I’m conserving the battery life of my phone just in case. This is just incredible! Nature is just beautiful and awe-inspiring.

UPDATE

It seems like the worst is over. There were very strong winds and apparently there was a funnel cloud that I could see, but not exactly a tornado. Coming from the city, I have absolutely no idea what a tornado looks like except from what I have seen on TV and in movies (Twister comes to mind). Everything is pretty calm right now, no more flying branches and winds strong enough to shake the whole apartment.

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It’s hard to believe, but I am writing another post after such a long time. I’ll be honest, since I’ve started working at John Deere, I have thought about simply quitting my blog and moving on. However, what has drawn me back to this blog is the freedom of writing. I’ve never had any intention of making any money off of my blog and I’ve used this medium as a way to encourage myself to continue my passion for writing. Unfortunately, I have found limited amount of time and convenience (i.e., mood) to go ahead and write. Over the past few weeks, I’ve come across numerous issues which I wanted to write about, but simply did not do so due to - shall we say - laziness?

Nothing Runs Like A Deere

Now that I got the formal excuse out of the way, what have I been up to lately?

As you may already know, I have a job at John Deere as a Manufacturing Engineer at their Waterloo Works. I work on the 7000 series tractor assembly line and - knock on wood - I am enjoying every minute of my work.

So where is Waterloo Works? Waterloo Works is actually comprised of several plants in the Waterloo, IA area:

• PEC - Product Engineering Center
• DTO - Drive Train Operations
• TCAO - Tractor & Cab Assembly Operations
• SPO - Service Parts Organization
• Foundry - where all the casting takes place

Needless to say, I’m working at the TCAO facility, which is over 2 million square feet and climate controlled. In other words, the entire manufacturing floor has a controlled climate of approximately 72 degrees Fahrenheit. How awesome is that?

Das Auto: GLI

I cannot begin to tell you how much I really love my brand new car. I never thought that driving a six-speed manual would be so much fun out here in Iowa. In fact, it is far more comfortable than my parents’ car and packs a punch in the front. With that much power also comes responsibility, so I tend to drive far more rationally than ever before and I do not give into my temptation to speed unnecessarily.

What surprises me is the fact that not very many people consider looking at a Volkswagen while looking at a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and others. VW’s might seem a bit pricey, but they are worth every penny. The creature comforts in my GLI easily outperform any comparable vehicle from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet, and others.

Updates Here We Go Again!

Now that I am settling into my new job and life, I am starting to create time for the things I enjoy. As such, it is time now to look at updating this blog and fixing many of the “errors” I seem to encounter every now and then. I’m very much tempted to go ahead and start from complete scratch, but I’m not sure if that is the smart thing to do. It is my hope to continue using my blog as a platform to improve my writing and express my thoughts and opinions as I experience LIFE.

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Source: alexandralee

These days the environment is a growing concern among Americans. As the average national gas price soars past the $4.20 mark, the average American is starting to reevaluate vacations, commutes, car purchases, groceries, and much more. Former Vice President Al Gore has committed himself to pursuing issues concerning the environment and encouraging everyone to do their part to assist the environment. However, both political parties have stayed relatively neutral when it comes to environmental concerns. Neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton have outlined a detailed plan that either eases the rising oil prices or reduces/eliminates American dependence on foreign oil. So what exactly are we to do?

I read an article today that outlines how expensive gas price (namely $8 a gallon) can be good for the American economy. The author outlines eight specific reasons that support his main idea:

1. RIP for the internal-combustion engine
2. Economic stimulus
3. Wither the Middle East’s clout
4. Deflating oil potentates
5. Mass-transit development
6. An antidote to sprawl
7. Restoration of financial discipline
8. Easing global tensions

Surprisingly, the author does a great job of procuring valid consequences if the gas price increases to nearly ten bucks. However, my issue with this article is the fact that the author assumes that most people, including myself, would simply live near urban centers and let go of our suburban upbringings.

I enjoy the city of Chicago and I know it has more activities year round than my own suburban community. However, if I had a family, I would most definitely live in a suburban setting because it would allow my family to live somewhat quietly, live in a nice single-family home, and near other kids in a good neighborhood. I don’t have to worry about pimps and gangs invading my streets. As a single adult, I would live in the city of Chicago in a heartbeat. However, as a family man, I would live in a suburban community with no doubts in my mind.

The author also talks about how the high prices would reduce our dependency on Middle-Eastern oil and spur innovation in alternative and renewable energy sources. In case anyone forgot, the past eight years have seen the emphasis in U.S. policy shift from domestic to foreign issues. Moreover, my personal opinion is that the war in Iraq was a screen for growing Republican interest in securing oil fields for American companies. To this day, not one Republican or Democrat has shown interest in pursuing alternative energy. In order to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, we must have a strong alternative.

Most people talk about hybrid vehicles or ethanol, yet they do not even consider completely eliminating oil. Hybrid vehicles STILL require oil and ethanol production requires substantial amount of oil. Why not consider alternative technologies which do not require as much oil such as wind power, hydrogen fuel cells, nuclear power, etc.?

Then again, we come back to the argument that public transportation is not well developed. The reason is because most people drive everywhere. Innovation needs to start prior to its use, not after. If companies and local governments started to innovate public transportation, we would see increased usage of those facilities once gas prices started to rise. Public transportation needs to be convenient for as many people as possible, otherwise, no one will use it.

My argument has always been that if gas prices rise to an absurd level, consumers will undoubtedly change their habits. However, the American dream has always included tokens such as cars, homes, and a comfortable lifestyle. That is our culture and I don’t think that will change. Maybe in the far future, it may. But for now, our culture is going to be one that is filled with cars and people driving them. Alternative fuel needs to be researched and implemented NOW so that all of us can then reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

Article source: Market Watch

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Photo courtesy of NASA

Since landing my job at John Deere, I have had numerous people, including professionals, ask me how I was able to secure a job at a Fortune 500 company. What most people don’t know is that I also had a job offer at GE and HydraForce. All three of these companies have excellent reputations within their respective industry and it was not an easy decision. However, a few factors made the offer from John Deere sound much better than the other offers. To be fair, I gave the other companies a chance to counter-offer, but sometimes that works in your favor and sometimes it will not. Throughout the entire job-hunting phase, I never had to waste my time with Monster, CareerBuilder, or any of the other job finding sites. In fact, I did not even bother to visit my own university’s career placement office for assistance. The key to my dream job was simply networking.

Rule #1: Aim Big, Win Big

No matter what school you go to, there is no reason why you cannot work for a company such as GE, John Deere, Microsoft, Google, etc. The advantage of going to a bigger school such as UCLA, University of Michigan, Purdue, etc. is the fact that it is far easier to be exposed to larger corporations. However, that is only a minor setback. Almost every company hires an individual based on their qualifications. If you feel that you are qualified for a particular position within a particular company, go for it. No company will hire a poorly qualified student from MIT over a well qualified student from University of Georgia in the same field of concentration. That’s why, I suggest you follow the principle, “Aim Big, Win Big.” This basically tells you to aim high because there is no point in aiming for a company that is below your own expectations. The moral of this point is: never let the size of a company deter you from your dream job..

Rule #2: GPA Is Just A Gimmick

GPA is pretty much over-rated in my opinion. What really matters is the professional experience you have gained during you collegiate career. If you have a 3.85 GPA with no work/internship experience and someone else has a 3.36 GPA with relevant internship/work experience, I’m willing to bet that the latter is definitely in a far better situation than you. GPA is primarily used as a prescreening tool to filter out large volumes of resumes. On that note, if your GPA is not above 3.0, you will struggle to find a job and I highly suggest you start improving your grades. You should always remember that if your GPA is below 3.0, don’t worry because you can still get a great job. You just need to make sure you can interview well and are a great talker. The moral of this point is: do not worry about your GPA, but focus on the skills you need to land a job: have great goals and stories and articulate them well during an interview.

Rule #3: Learn to Network

This is perhaps the most important tool you will ever need to remember. Many of the jobs out there require you to know somebody in order for you to get your foot in the door. Why is that? In my view, I think it is because most companies find it far more reliable if they have one of their existing employees recommend somebody for a job. More often than not, most employees will only recommend people they themselves would trust, thereby reducing the chance for a new employee not working out. Networking is really the art of talking to others and finding out how they can help you advance. Believe it or not, you have friends because of networking. Networking isn’t only for professionals, but also personal friends. The more you network, the more connections you’ll have to a variety of resources. The moral of this point is: networking can land you a dream job or at least an interview without having to go through the snail-channels such as Monster.com or your school’s career placement office.

Rule #4: Attend Conferences

Are you an engineer? Are you a med student? Many different fields of study have annual conferences in various locations throughout the US and the world. Attending any of these is a pure gold mine for networking opportunities. You get to meet not only industry professionals, but also other students and peers who could become your best friends or even a ticket to your dream job. Conferences bring together people from all over the world and introduce them to a world that they all can thrive in. You can learn about new techniques or new areas of research going on in your field. However, the most important part is the chance to showoff your networking skills and get the chance to interview for a great company. The moral of this point is: attending conferences is a great way to land an interview or even a job.

Rule #5: Befriend Your Recruiters

One of the most common things I see at job fairs is how inept students are at talking to recruiters. They tend to think of recruiters as gods and generals that are way too holy for them. First things first, recruiters are your friends. These guys and gals are the ones who will filter your resume and let the hiring managers know whether or not you deserve a second glance. Get to know them! There is nothing wrong in talking to a recruiter on a more personal level and treating them with respect and kindness you would show to your friend. Try to avoid talking about crap that does not pertain to the job. Rather, talk about their experiences and how they cope with various situations. In a way, interview the recruiter while you are talking about a job. The recruiters know what they are looking for, try to subtly find out what the perfect candidate should have and mold yourself to that image. You don’t need to change or alter your personality, but you do need to present yourself in a more unique manner that will capture the recruiters’ attention. The moral of this point is: get to know your recruiter and talk to them as you would a friend.

Rule #6: Just Ask

Worst comes to worst, just ask around for a job. Family friends are a great way to find out if they can hook you up with a job. Many students these days are too shy to even ask their own friends for a job. There is nothing wrong with a college student asking for a job. Often, companies like the fact that you initiated a question and are seeking a job. Sometimes they might even call you for an interview. Your professors are also another great resource for jobs. They have many contacts in the industry and could assist you with finding or securing a job at a great company. No matter who it is, just ask and you may earn more than just a job!

Disclaimer: The rules I have outlined above are simply steps that I have experience with. Your mileage may vary and it is certainly possible that none of my tips can help you. Either way, good luck with your job search. Your career awaits your presence!

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I know it has been quite some time since I last posted, but I wanted to step away from blogging for a while. Unlike many of the professional bloggers, I find it very difficult to balance an intensive college life with a responsibility to blogging. In addition, I make absolutely zero money from my blog, which is fine by me. I have never been a strong supporter of advertising, but to each its own.

No more ecomagination

Earlier last month, I decided to reject my GE offer letter. I had initially accepted it, but my own personal and financial circumstances changed; and I had decided that it was no longer in my personal interests to pursue an internship with GE. The staff at GE have been very understanding and have encouraged me to pursue the course of action that I feel is best. Although they are undoubtedly disappointed in my decision, they do feel that it is perhaps best for me.

Run with the best

A few weeks after I had accepted GE’s offer, I received notice for an interview for a position at John Deere, the worldwide leader in agriculture equipment. After three rounds of interviews, I was offered a manufacturing engineering position at the Waterloo Works facility in Waterloo, IA. John Deere’s offer was actually much better than I had expected and was simply too true to pass up. After talking to my parents, I felt that it would be better for me to simply forgo my master’s at this time and pursue a full-time opportunity with John Deere. So now it is time for me to run with the best!

German Engineering!

Since I accepted my offer at John Deere, my parents and I felt it was only appropriate for me to have a meaningful present. In a way, I have struggled quite a bit, and have much more ahead of me in which I will surely struggle through. After many years of hard work and persistent challenges, I am finally drawing my undergraduate career to a close. Therefore, my parents felt that I should go ahead and get the car I have been wanting for two years.

Just a couple weeks ago, I purchased - in my name - the 2008 Volkswagen GLI. This car is pretty loaded and here’s a quick rundown of what it has:

• 6-speed manual
• Black exterior with black leather interior
• GPS Navigation
• Heated leather seating
• Sunroof
• 18″ all season tires
• and the list goes on

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