Thanks.

Tim

Dear Tim:
Wow, "The First Law Of Meetings" was written a long time ago. I can just imagine your backlog of publications. Does your insurance company know you are storing that many old issues of magazines? The weight factor all by itself could cause structural damage, let alone the fire hazard.

In any case, I am delighted that you read that column. The idea for it came from my own experiences in having to attend horrific gatherings that were right up there with a toothache on the pleasure scale. I did have a lot of fun, though, writing the series on meetings--and, by the way, since the time that I authored them, nothing has occurred to change my mind about their validity.

To answer your question, if you'd like to find any of my back articles, click "Opinion" on the left-hand side of this page (on the Web) and then Lovelace. You'll go to my latest print column. At the bottom of the page is the TechSearch engine and you can use it to find the series. Or, if you'd like, because of the initiative of our conscientious and overworked online editor, just click here on "The First Law Of Meetings," "No Decision Before Its Time," or "If It Isn't Vital, Let's Talk."

Now I have a question for you. Since you work for a high-profile and rather important federal government agency, how relevant do you find the rules with regard to the way your own organization operates?

Recently I received a very expensive piece in the mail. It unfolded to become a poster. I deliberately took the time to read everything and tried to determine what was being sold. Believe it or not, I still don't know. What a tremendous waste of money for this company.

On the lighter side, I also saw "Crazy People" and liked it. Truth in advertising--what a concept. I live on the east coast of Canada and there is a company near me that manufactures a cough syrup. An old family-owned business, the product tastes terrible, but we are used to it. We grew up with our parents forcing it on us. This company decided to grow and started advertising on TV. Its message is "It tastes terrible, but it works." As you can imagine, the ads are very amusing. The company is going to do some advertising in the United States this year--maybe you'll get a chance to see the ads.

All the best...

David

Dear David:
The advertising campaign of the product you are talking about, Buckley's Mixture, was the subject of an article in The Wall Street Journal not too long ago, if memory serves me correctly. It was great fun to read. There has also been lately a clever series of "let's tell all the facts" ads in some newspapers for a company called Archipelago with such themes as remedies for baldness that honestly describe the product and its limitations. Do you think we are starting a trend?

Imagine if it spreads to our politicians. Contemplate the havoc it would create on the North American continent. Consider someone running for president of the United States or prime minister of Canada who says, "I don't actually much believe what I am saying, but my pollsters tell me that this position is more popular than the alternative--and if I'm popular, I get elected." Or, maybe even more daring, "Here's what I'm going to do--and so will my opponent--if elected. It's unpopular, but it's the right course of action. If you're smart, you'll support me even if you hate my guts for saying it. Otherwise, you'll just prove that it pays to lie to you."

What a startling concept. There is a downside, though, of having truth instead of vote-grubbing in politics. What would we do with all of those unemployed pollsters whose livelihood depends upon telling the candidates what we want to hear and the political analysts whose job it was to tell us what the candidates really meant? The resulting unemployment rate might put a real dent in the economy.

Throughout these years, both as a student and professionally, I have used computers for solving a lot of different problems, but this does not make me an IT expert--far from it (though I am confident that I can quickly acquire the knowledge required for a future job). On the other hand, I do realize that there is a shortage of qualified personnel out there, and this may be my opportunity to set a foot in the field.

So my question is, do you have any advice as to how I may indeed enter the field and gain the much-needed experience that I need in order to further my career?

Thanks,

Raj

Dear Raj:
Have no trepidation. Your timing could not be better. You are in a golden position to move into the field of IT. Your knowledge of physics is an excellent springboard that can land you a job in IT where you can initially blend your background in both areas. Ph.D. in hand, apply to technology firms with confidence. From there, you can move in any direction you choose. You are also to be commended for wanting to concentrate your time in the field that you enjoy. Most of us have to work for many years and we may as well be doing something that is of interest to us.

There is a crying shortage of skilled analytical types in our chosen profession of information technology, so your skills will be transferable. Physicists are trained to believe all sorts of seemingly nonsensical ideas, such as that nothing can go faster than the speed of light. It's only a small leap to IT where we believe equally mind-bending concepts such as that we can build a system that can count inventory.

But, first, a primer on how to deal with IT people vs. people in the world inhabited by physical scientists. Here are some questions you no doubt have (if not, you should) and the answers to use when confronted with them.

Question: How do I explain the shift from my Ph.D. specialty into IT?

Answer: Explain that once you solve a problem in physics, it remains solved, but a satisfied user of IT rarely stays that way. Tell people that you are basically a masochist and are looking to increase your pain-pleasure quotient.

Q: In science, I go into an experiment with an open mind. Is IT any different?

A: Of course. No one ever goes into an IT project with an open mind. Your boss has already told you it will work, and further, how long it will take and how much money is needed to do it.

Q: In physics, I trash an apparatus that I build when it is no longer functional. Is it the same in IT?

A: Absolutely not. We don't trash throw-away things in IT, we put them into production. Never forget this important rule.

Q: I know an expert in an area of physics when I see one, but how do I know when I have learned enough to be an expert in an area of IT?

A: It is easy to determine whether you are an IT expert or not once you realize that expertise in IT is situational. Look around you. If the people in the room with you know less about a specific IT subject than you do, then you are an expert in that area.

I am now looking for new job and have several startup companies interested in interviewing me. My question is, how effective can a fresh graduate be to a small startup company?

I have a lot of experience in working with people, and my technical skills are just above average. Unfortunately, because of my school schedule, I have been unable to advance my technical skills beyond the typical MIS graduate.

What value would a CIO of a startup or even a larger company see in a new graduate MIS skills?

Thanks for your time and for your advice.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey

Dear Jeffrey:
A recent graduate in management information systems can be very valuable to an information technology organization of either a startup or a more established company. CIOs are always on the lookout for competent people.

The desire to learn, the ability to work hard, the initiative to contribute are significant pluses for a person in information technology. IT executives deal with problems that won't stay solved, business environments that change continuously, and an almost overwhelming need for fresh talent. They will be interested in you. Go ahead with your interviews and determine to do the best job that you can to help the company you finally join. Don't worry, the future can be very bright. Good luck in your quest.