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Current Employment
 
In August of 2008 I began a new job at Drexel University.  I was laid off by my former employer in April of 2008, and spent the next several months trying to find a new job.  I went through the usual barrage of applications, interviews, and disappointments, until I managed to land my new job.  I am a Trainer and Technical Support Analyst - a brand new position that was created in my department.  They needed and wanted to establish a training program, and I was hired to create a program for them, as well as support their users.

It is definitely interesting to be working some place new - especially after having been at my last job for over 11 years.  I got really used to the way certain things were done, and now I'm in a new environment where the policies and procedures are a lot different.  It is a much smaller IS/IT group than what I worked in before, which has its good and bad points.  On the good side, it means I can get my hands on my technologies and learn more things, but on the bad side, that means we all have to be responsible for more things, and it can be difficult to stay focused on our major areas.  Hopefully in the long run this will be a good thing for my career.  Stay tuned.

In regards to certifications, I possess several Microsoft certifications for Microsoft Office.  I have been certified on every version of Office since 1997, including Office 2007.
 

Former Employment

 		 My former employer was The Abreon Group -- a company based in Pittsburgh, PA.  I worked for the Pittsburgh branch of Abreon and was based with a client in Philadelphia (don't ask... it's a long story... read the Location page if you really want to know).  I was sent to Philadelphia in January of 1997 as part of a five-week assignment.  I was promised it wouldn't even go THAT long.  Now I live here..... you figure it out. 

I held the title of Information Services Training Manager at the client site where I worked.  Formerly I was the Senior Analyst in the help desk.  My expertise is primarily with the Microsoft Office products.  I taught classes in Windows, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, Visio, and anything else I was asked to learn.  I managed the IS training program, wrote and revised documentation, served as second-level support for the help desk on Office issues, and was often dragged into the help desk to answer phone calls when there wasn't enough staff.

The picture at the left is my old cubicle.  Yes, there is a Tigger in the background.  I took this picture and a few others for some publicity stuff with Abreon - hence the whole cheesy pose and the "looking like I'm working thing".

I really miss my previous job and the people I worked with.  I was there for over 11 years, and I had a great rapport with my students and staff.  I regret not being able to "wrap things up" in a nice neat manner, and I never got the kind of farewell that I had seen so many other people get over the years.
 

Past Jobs and Employers
McDonald's
DT/Counter/Grill/You Name It		 Who hasn't worked at a McD's in their lifetime?  I had always said I wasn't going to be one of them, but when I needed a job during high school, and McD's came to town -- well some things just had to be done.  I am an "original crew member" of the North East store. 

McD's was the job I had whenever I came home from college on a break.  I actually have lots of fond memories of working at McD's.  I was on the night crew, and the people that I worked with on closes became my summer friends.
 
The Disney Store 
Cast Member		 Working for Disney was a dream come true.  I am a "founding cast member" of the Erie store.  I was one of 30 people selected from nearly 300 applicants to work at the new store. 

Unfortunately, I was only able to work there for about 4 months.  As much as I loved it, it didn't pay well, and there weren't a lot of hours.  When a better job came along that was full-time, I regretfully had to go.
 
WXTA Country 98
Tech Support/DJ		 Don't laugh -- I know it says "country" in the title.  The people were really cool at WXTA.  I did my college internship for broadcast communications at WXTA and then worked for WXTA on and off for the next few years.  Most of the time I was a staff helper/gopher/tech support goon.  Quite frankly, I was the only person there that knew anything about computers. 

I finally had my chance to be a DJ there in Spring of '94.  I worked the weekend overnight shift -- the graveyard shift was more like it.  It was certainly an interesting job, and I wouldn't mind doing it again. 
 
Lutheran Memorial Camp
Counselor		 My two summers at LMC were two of the best I've ever had.  The story of how I ended up there in the first place is rather long, amusing, and filled with some interesting ironies.  If you'd like, you can read the complete story.

You can also check out the Pictures - Camp page to see some of my LMC adventures. 
 
Blue Cross of Western PA
Secretary		 BCWP was going to be my stepping stone to the big time in the corporate world.  I landed a job there by coming in as a temp.  I was the "numbers guy" for the Erie Member Services call center. I was the director's secretary, and she exploited my computer skills as best she could. 

As much as I loved the job, I got really stupid and did some things on the network that I shouldn't.  Needless to say, I got caught, and I was fired.  My supervisor hated to let me go, but corporate policy had to be followed.  I understood that and it was an important lesson I learned the hard way.

Of course... that's not to say I don't still mess around to this day... :-) 
 
Jobs I Hated:
  • Mowing lawns (BORING) 
  • Grocery store clerk (lots of white trash)
  • Utility clerk for a membership warehouse (getting shopping carts in the snow and rain? NOT!)
  • Therapeutic support for a children's home (stress from hell)
 
(C) 2010.02.11 TiggerMan