Agonotheta

2/19/03

February 19, 2004

What a difference a year makes.

On this day one year ago, I awoke feeling much warmer than I was physically. The reason for my above-average state-of-mind? I'll get to that.

6:30 AM

I dragged myself out of bed on this cold wintry morning, nervous for much more than my first Network Security exam. I quickly showered, dressed in a suit and tie, packed five days worth of clothes and sat down to a breakfast of a granola bar and yogurt while studying notes upon notes of Cisco and IPSec. This lasted for about ten minutes before I realized that if I didn't know it by now it was too late.

I left my apartment with my bag of clothes, my backpack, and ample time to arrive for the test and chat with a couple of friends.

8:00 AM

Let's just say this test was the last thing on my mind at the moment. I did my best to concentrate, but it was a fruitless endeavor. I was one of the first few to finish, doing so in about 30 minutes of the alotted 50. Something I would definitely have not done on a regular day.

8:35 AM

Back in my car, I was heading north to Salt Lake City, of course still wearing a suit and tie sans jacket thrown hurriedly on the backseat. I had plenty of time to get there, but with the snowy weather, I knew I would cut it close. On the way, I practiced interview questions and got my mind in order for the hands-on portion.

12:45 PM

I pull into the parking lot for a job interview. At this point, I was feeling rather lackluster and not especially "fresh" after sitting in a suit for a four hour drive. I reviewed a couple more questions, tooks some deep breathes to relax myself, retucked the shirt, put on the jacket and donned the "interview face."

1:00 PM

I am told I have one half hour to "make a web page." Who the hell can make a decent web page in a half an hour, you ask? My thoughts exactly. I remember my boss down at the university telling me once that I was one of the fastest people she's ever seen editing html (even though at the time, I think she was telling me to slow down to make sure I'm getting everything correct).

I calculate my time and decide to spend a few minutes searching the computer they sat me at for the prior interviewees webpages. This really paid off in the end I think. After all, how many people actually get to see what the others applying for the same position did with their time? While checking out their projects, I see things that are rudimentary and average. It seemed to me that everyone before me had tried simply to fill a page. I was not impressed. Thus, I took a different route.

I decided to make an online resume for myself. Answering the question they were thinking. In fact, that was my header, "Why you should hire Neil Christensen!" Flying through it as fast as possible, I made a few graphics, included some javascript rollovers to give it some "excitement", and finished up with about 5 minutes to spare.

1:30 PM

After waiting a few minutes for the interview team to be assembled, I was led to a conference room where I faced five friendly faces. The technology director, the public information officer, the budget director, the interim webmaster, and the web server adminstrator. They all asked one question of me, none of which I remember now.

I was then to show them my portfolio. I sat at a computer connected to a projector and showed them my personal website, and the few other sites I had created, worked on, and advised. It was going ok, but I knew I still needed something to put me over the edge.

They said the interview was over and asked if I had any question or comments.

"Actually, I have several of both," I said.

Opening my folder, I found a page where I made notes about their current site. I brought up about a dozen comments ranging from accessibility to usability to marketing to design. One of my favorite things I said was, "Of course, these are just some points to help you conform to the legal requirements of the federal government which you're currently in violation of. Whether or not you hire me, I felt you should know about them," cracking a small smile and barely stifling a small giggle. I then thanked them for the interview and left.

2:30 PM

My cell phone rings.

"Hello, Neil?"

"Yes," I respond.

"This is (my current boss). We'd like to offer you the webmaster position you interviewed for, but first we need to discuss how much time you'll need to arrange things with your professors."

"Uh . . . I'll have to get back to you on that," again, barely holding back screams of exultation in her ear.

There was more to it, but that is all you really need to know. She was referring to the fact that I still had three months left of college before graduation. So, I returned to school after a few days off and talked my professors into letting me either work at my own pace or sending my assignments in electronically while I worked. For the next two weeks, I worked my ass off completely finishing 3 months of work for three classes and getting things in order for the next two which needed to be done over time.

It's sort of funny to think about now, but when I was offered the position, I was so broke, but I decided to reward myself with a new CD. The funny part is that I probably buy two to three CD's a week. Funny how things change in a year.

Last year on this date, I was a broke college senior just hoping somebody would give me the chance to show how hard a worker I am and how good I am at what I do. Thankfully, I was given that chance. I was scared and I was nervous that the economy would leave me with a dead-end job or worse without one at all.

Today, I look back at all the hours, weeks, months, and years I spent putting myself in the position I am in today. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I've been given. In fact, a couple weeks ago, I was given notice that I am going to be kept on 'til at least July of 2005 with the possibility and likelihood of being put on a continuing contract.

What a difference a year makes!