Technically Speaking...

I heard something the other day which I thought was quite interesting. Before I get into that I will stray for a moment. How important do you think computers and technology are? I think so much revolves around technology nowadays whether an individual is a public or private worker, a student in college or just starting kindergarten, and even for those who are retired or stay-at-home parents. My hope is that affluent people and high level politicians would fall into the same category as well. Technology such as computers is a basic staple in the daily activities of most offices. Of course there have been times in the past where I was more familiar and/or skilled with a system or a program than my supervisor, but never have I seen a Director or those in main leadership positions to be completely and utterly computer illiterate, unable to independently work on computers at a very basic level (i.e. email, Word, or some other basic computer function relevant to their work). It’s okay if you have a supervisor who doesn’t know the intricate details of how you do your job, after all that’s why they hired you and there needs to be something that you’re indispensable and best skilled for. However, to have a leader who has the basic knowledge and ability to understand and use a computer as relevant to the surrounding work environment may alleviate some thoughts of general incompetence at the top. If your boss didn’t dedicate time to have an understanding at this very basic level, what would that say about their commitment for bigger and much more complicated things? Wouldn’t there be some concern as to how they even worked their way up to that level without knowing the basics? Hopefully this sounds strange, although we see something similar when children slip through the cracks and never learn to read. They continue into adulthood and somehow are able to remain illiterate. Now of course reading in some form has always been around and computers have not, but if you have remained in the workplace especially in high level positions throughout this technology era you should have picked up something just as your subordinates and your peers around you have done. How would you feel with having a commander-in-chief in this day and age who may be brilliant, but to-date hasn’t learned the basics of the growing technology in their surrounding environment? Maybe you haven’t noticed but technology is shaping the world and most certainly the federal workplace. We all know that learning something through a book or some other second hand source is no match for the real world hands-on experience. So although this may not be a matter of substantial debate, I found it quite interesting when I heard that someone running for one of the most esteemed positions – the 2009 Presidency of the United States of America - didn’t possess these basic skills. I have spoken to some people who find this to only be a minor concern for what would make an effective President. However, I believe that these kinds of skills are important in a candidate - don’t you?

Marissa Pretto, Treasurer
Young Government Leaders

Dedicated to the Mission

Last month I had the opportunity to work with Federal employees at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The thought of working in a potentially hostile environment would make some people uneasy, but it was definitely not the case with the personnel I had met. These Federal employees, both male and female, were motivated, had a strong work ethic and were dedicated to the mission.

The fact that these employees had volunteered to live and work in such austere conditions immediately displayed a certain level of motivation in my eyes. These men and women are vigilantly working alongside our members of the Armed Forces to ensure the mission is accomplished. From the moment I landed, I found myself working 12-13 hour days just trying to understand the dynamics of the mission and some of the tasks the organization was trying to accomplish. It appeared as if they were trying to complete so much with such limited resources, yet somehow managed to get them done.

What also surprised me was how much more money contracted personnel made in these high threat areas. They would make two or three times more than the average Fed, have much of that tax free and enjoy plenty of perks. Taking all of this into account, I realized that these Federal employees believed in public service and were dedicated to the mission. They had a vested interest in seeing their organization succeed and the mission accomplished. The operations tempo is always high in Southwest Asia and many Feds in the theater, similar to our Armed Forces, are away from their families and work long hours for 6 or sometimes 7 days a week. I hope others will take note as this experience speaks volumes about our deployed Feds/Service Members and the kind of people who are dedicated to the mission and their country.

Shaun Khalfan, Strategic Planning Committee
Young Government Leaders
2007-2008

A Week of Training

As part of the GSA program, twice a year, the agency brings together all the “interns” (full time employees that are on a 2-3 year career track and rotate throughout the agency) for a week of professional development. All 80 or so individuals get together in a L’enfant Plaza Conference room and look forward to a week of lecture, interaction, and socialization away from the cube. I, for one, think this is a great experience. Each of us has the opportunity to network with employees, find out what others are currently doing in their rotations or tracks, discover previously unearthed information about the agency that you had no idea about, and gain leadership skills - all at the same time!

We had Management Concepts present lessons on both hard and soft skills, such as Professionalism in Communication and Building and Sustaining Relationships in the workplace. The agency also had employees across the divisions come in and give presentations on useful information like Writing in PBS and an in depth Who’s Who?

After a week of opportunities to converse with the Executive Team and other interns, I felt energized and more aware of my mission.

Does your agency organize conferences like this for young employees? Do they have team building training opportunities? Are there other avenues that your agency builds on employees’ relationships or morale?

Mary Morrison
YGL Social Networking Chair