I'm a guy who's looked at a lot of job postings in my day, and I've seen a lot of postings for the position administrative assistant. As a rookie with no more than a BA to my name, I've considered applying to be an administrative assistant. I figure: I'm qualified, the pay is decent, and maybe I'd get a leg up into a company I'm actually interested.
But my dreams were squashed when I discovered that almost all "administrative assistants" were female, which I am not (although most non-Jewish employers could probably not tell that from my resume). It seems that the term "secretary" is out, "administrative assistant" is in, and they are all women. I'd like to address each point separately.
First of all, what is wrong with the word "secretary"? Perhaps this is like how "stewardess" was changed to "flight attendant" to include males. But as I demonstrated above, that cannot be the case. Is there something derogatory about the word "secretary"? Perhaps this is just the working world trying to make people seem more important. A garbageman is a sanitation engineer. An unemployed college graduate might as well be called an "associate employment opportunist".
But why only women? By the way, I'm basing the assumption that most AA's are women on the following piece of evidence: when I googled "best way to get an administrative assistant job", the first hit was some sort of blog with a conversation going on among various users who all seemed to be or have been AA's. All the names were women's names - Deb, Emma, Donna, Patricia, Brenda. There was one post from Scorpio in Pittsburgh, but I think we can all agree that "Scorpio" is not gender defining.
Some people claim that it is simply that most AA's are meant to be warm, friendly faces in the office. A big part of their job is to be smiley and greet clients and such. These people claim that women are simply more often better suited for this job, which explains the status quo. Still sounds kind of unbalanced if you ask me.
I don't really know who is right. I think they should definitely teach this stuff in college, though. (Job Hunting 101: "Administrative Assitant" means "woman" and Other Tips)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Check me out on EcoGeek!
I just started writing for EcoGeek, one of my favorite blogs! Check me out!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Rivalry
I recently came across a list of 10 factors that influence rivalry among competing firms. It quickly occured to me that these factors can easily be applied to the frum dating market.
So there you have it, folks. If you are offended by comparing the spiritual and delicate process of dating to a crude materialistic market-based analgoy... well, you clearly haven't dated.
Naturally, I based this analysis on the handful of dating markets I am familiar with (college, NY communities, etc.); feel free to challenge my points...
So here is the list (taken from an article about "Porter's 5 Forces"):Intensity of rivalry is influenced by
- Number of competitors
- Girl to guy ratio. Take Columbia/Barnard for example – 5 girls for every guy. Not too much rivalry for the guys.
- Whether there are tons of customers or not (slow or fast market growth)
- How fast are there new people moving in? At Penn, for example, the market is strong but only grows once a year, in the fall. In NY, new people are moving in all throughout the year.
- Do you need to sell a lot to break even? (fixed costs?)
- Do you want to date lots of people? Or are you going to settle on one of the first that comes your way. If the former, more rivalry!
- Do you want to date lots of people? Or are you going to settle on one of the first that comes your way. If the former, more rivalry!
- Perishable inventory (the firms needs to sell QUICKLY)
- How old are you and how badly do you want to get married? Considering this factor, the heights is very, very competitive.
- How old are you and how badly do you want to get married? Considering this factor, the heights is very, very competitive.
- How easy is it for a customer to switch? If it is easy, more rivalry
- In this sense the shidduch dating market is significantly more competitive than the “normal” dating market. In the former, it is very easy for a girl to switch from you to another guy (or vice versa) since there is little emotional commitment. A “normal” relationship is much harder to switch out of.
- In this sense the shidduch dating market is significantly more competitive than the “normal” dating market. In the former, it is very easy for a girl to switch from you to another guy (or vice versa) since there is little emotional commitment. A “normal” relationship is much harder to switch out of.
- How different are the products?
- This makes the heights less competitive than the heights. I imagine Ner Yisroel is even more competitive and Kiryas Yoel is ever more competitive.
- This makes the heights less competitive than the heights. I imagine Ner Yisroel is even more competitive and Kiryas Yoel is ever more competitive.
- How high are the stakes?
- We’re talking about your companion for the rest of your life. The stakes, my friend, are high.
- We’re talking about your companion for the rest of your life. The stakes, my friend, are high.
- If there are high exit barriers, a firm needs to stay in an industry (hence intensifying the rivalry)
- What is preventing you from picking up and moving to another city? If you live in NY, the stakes are high unless you move to Israel. More competition. If you live in Tuscon Arizona… not so much.
- What is preventing you from picking up and moving to another city? If you live in NY, the stakes are high unless you move to Israel. More competition. If you live in Tuscon Arizona… not so much.
- Diversity of rivals
- In this case, the firm and the product are essentially one and the same, so there is little difference from this factor and factor no. 6
- In this case, the firm and the product are essentially one and the same, so there is little difference from this factor and factor no. 6
- Industry shakeout – when there are too many firms, the industry shakes out the bad ones
- In the dating market, the customers (guys/girls) tend to grow at the same rate as the number of firms (girls/guys) so, fortunately, a shakeout would be unlikely. However if the current “shidduch crisis” is true and there are, in fact, too many girls competing for a shrinking number of guys, this may be a real threat to the market. These are people we're talking about, and we cannot afford a "shakeout"! My solution: import males from other markets or cities. Overseas if necessary. Shipping costs will be taken into account.
So there you have it, folks. If you are offended by comparing the spiritual and delicate process of dating to a crude materialistic market-based analgoy... well, you clearly haven't dated.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
I know that I've seen a good movie when I notice a temporary change in my thoughts. This effect usually only lasts a day or so, but during that time I see things in the context of the movie's characters, themes and tone. I felt the exact same way after reading this book by Mark Haddon.
Christopher, the protagonist in this mystery, is clearly autistic. Interestingly, though, the word "autistic" does not appear in the novel even once. Christopher's narrative is a bare-bones account of the facts, devoid of any description or feeling (though rich in math and physics). As Christopher investigates the murder of a local dog, a larger story - concerning his family and neighbors - begins to unfurl.
Christopher's way of thinking - at times comical and at times poignant - makes for quick page-turning. The style drew me in right away and I finished the book in about two sittings. But the beauty of the book doesn't lie in its plot.
To me, this is a book about emotions. Christopher's mind cannot understand emotions; it is a machine of rational thinking. He draws out decision trees in his head. He makes lists. He has a perfect, photographic memory from which he can recall nearly anything. But he doesn't like people and doesn't like being touched.
His parents, on the other hands, are emotional train wrecks. Their lives are consumed with feelings of love, anger, jealousy, rejection and self-righteousness. Their emotions often lead to pain and self-destruction.
I think that is what makes the book so beautiful. Although Christopher's inability to interact with society is tragic on the surface, his calculating and objective mind is a welcome haven from a storm of emotionally charged mayhem. His fascination with the world and the things in it remind us that there is more to life than melodrama.
Christopher, the protagonist in this mystery, is clearly autistic. Interestingly, though, the word "autistic" does not appear in the novel even once. Christopher's narrative is a bare-bones account of the facts, devoid of any description or feeling (though rich in math and physics). As Christopher investigates the murder of a local dog, a larger story - concerning his family and neighbors - begins to unfurl.
Christopher's way of thinking - at times comical and at times poignant - makes for quick page-turning. The style drew me in right away and I finished the book in about two sittings. But the beauty of the book doesn't lie in its plot.
To me, this is a book about emotions. Christopher's mind cannot understand emotions; it is a machine of rational thinking. He draws out decision trees in his head. He makes lists. He has a perfect, photographic memory from which he can recall nearly anything. But he doesn't like people and doesn't like being touched.
His parents, on the other hands, are emotional train wrecks. Their lives are consumed with feelings of love, anger, jealousy, rejection and self-righteousness. Their emotions often lead to pain and self-destruction.
I think that is what makes the book so beautiful. Although Christopher's inability to interact with society is tragic on the surface, his calculating and objective mind is a welcome haven from a storm of emotionally charged mayhem. His fascination with the world and the things in it remind us that there is more to life than melodrama.
Monday, September 8, 2008
It's modern art. Don't ask
I am sort of half asleep right now, which may be part of the reason I feel like it's a good idea to share some poetry I wrote. Just now. (the American "just now", meaning "very recently" - as opposed to the South African "just now" meaning "in a moment")
This poetry doesn't mean anything. It is a purely aesthetic collection of English words meant to appeal to the English and non-English speaker alike.
This poetry doesn't mean anything. It is a purely aesthetic collection of English words meant to appeal to the English and non-English speaker alike.
Toothaches and caterpillars adore you
I sound for the diligent yaks
Please face true heights, please
There out in the yardbird
Open up your hello there young frosty
We deliver the potential on the right
Much apologies and two sites
To factor or not the main shaft
Boy you increase the tendency the guy in the guy cables
Photos
Do not the time of your life and darkness
Turn hi, Lasko Intake
Eastern pure winners loggers projects heads hazards
A vis the bullet
I sound for the diligent yaks
Please face true heights, please
There out in the yardbird
Open up your hello there young frosty
We deliver the potential on the right
Much apologies and two sites
To factor or not the main shaft
Boy you increase the tendency the guy in the guy cables
Photos
Do not the time of your life and darkness
Turn hi, Lasko Intake
Eastern pure winners loggers projects heads hazards
A vis the bullet
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Flysick
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Nachi Flyshacker. Nachi liked to run and play and sing, and do all the things that boys like to do. He was footloose and fancy-free; a happy boy indeed.
Then, Nachi got the flu.
It started out as a feeling in Nachi's stomach after he woke up from his Shabbos nap. Nachi figured he had eaten a little too much cholent and kugel, if you get his drift. Still, the feeling persisted and Nachi didn't eat anything for the rest of the day.
That night, Nachi was unable to fall asleep. This was strange, because Nachi had slept on that very couch countless times before and he never once had trouble. And yet that night Nachi tossed and Nachi turned, only finally falling asleep in the wee hours of the morning.
When he got up in the morning, Nachi figured his symptoms would wear off by the end of the day. And, in fact, things seemed to be getting better. He rode a bus to Pittsburgh for a wedding, and felt fine on the trip. He even felt ok in Pittsburgh itself, taking some time to see the sights.
But by the time the wedding started, Nachi began to realize that his battle with the virus wasn't over just yet. He tried to subdue the virus by drowning it in drink and bread, and by dancing vigorously until sweat poured down his face. While this may have entertained the bride and groom, it only aggravated the virus' effects, causing poor Nachi to seek refuge across the street from the hotel, where he lay down next to a fountain for a little while until his head cleared.
That night, Nachi's nose began to run like crazy and continued doing so in the morning. For the bus ride home the next day, Nachi was paired up with another sick girl so as to minimize the risk of contaminating other passengers. This seemd cute at the time, but in hindsight it was probably a bad idea, as it may have aggravated Nachi's own symptoms. He survived the ride, but when he got home Nachi collapsed, overcome by the virus.
It took him a long time to get to sleep that night, and by 9 AM Tuesday morning his head felt like a ton of bricks. On Tuesday, Nachi wisely decided to treat his body gingerly. He drank tea and ate English muffins or porridge. He kept his body restful. He went through a lot of tissues. He ate a large dinner and went to sleep early.
Now, when Nachi awoke at 3 AM Wednesday morning and could not fall back asleep, he should have taken this as a sign that he was NOT better yet. But Nachi was tired of all these viral shenanigans and when morning came, he drank some strong coffee and drove into the city to do some business, and drink some more coffee.
The coffee gave Nachi the false illusion of vitality and strength. And it worked up an appetite so that when he came home for lunch he fixed himself some spicy hamburgers which he washed down with half a bottle of Budweiser.
In doing so, Nachi committed the tragic mistake of celebrating a premature victory; a mistake which - as TV and movies remind us time and time again - is always a clear sign that victory is not yet at hand.
Nachi has spent this afternoon regretting his lunchtime binge. He has been staggering through the house amidst the dirty dishes he is now too weak to clean up. He tried to drown the virus in the shower, but that just left him feeling wet.
The good news is, there is still hope for Nachi. The worst has passed and as long as he goes easy on himself, Nachi's immune system should vanquish these foreign anti-bodies. But Nachi will not be quick to pick another fight with THIS virus...
Then, Nachi got the flu.
It started out as a feeling in Nachi's stomach after he woke up from his Shabbos nap. Nachi figured he had eaten a little too much cholent and kugel, if you get his drift. Still, the feeling persisted and Nachi didn't eat anything for the rest of the day.
That night, Nachi was unable to fall asleep. This was strange, because Nachi had slept on that very couch countless times before and he never once had trouble. And yet that night Nachi tossed and Nachi turned, only finally falling asleep in the wee hours of the morning.
When he got up in the morning, Nachi figured his symptoms would wear off by the end of the day. And, in fact, things seemed to be getting better. He rode a bus to Pittsburgh for a wedding, and felt fine on the trip. He even felt ok in Pittsburgh itself, taking some time to see the sights.
But by the time the wedding started, Nachi began to realize that his battle with the virus wasn't over just yet. He tried to subdue the virus by drowning it in drink and bread, and by dancing vigorously until sweat poured down his face. While this may have entertained the bride and groom, it only aggravated the virus' effects, causing poor Nachi to seek refuge across the street from the hotel, where he lay down next to a fountain for a little while until his head cleared.
That night, Nachi's nose began to run like crazy and continued doing so in the morning. For the bus ride home the next day, Nachi was paired up with another sick girl so as to minimize the risk of contaminating other passengers. This seemd cute at the time, but in hindsight it was probably a bad idea, as it may have aggravated Nachi's own symptoms. He survived the ride, but when he got home Nachi collapsed, overcome by the virus.
It took him a long time to get to sleep that night, and by 9 AM Tuesday morning his head felt like a ton of bricks. On Tuesday, Nachi wisely decided to treat his body gingerly. He drank tea and ate English muffins or porridge. He kept his body restful. He went through a lot of tissues. He ate a large dinner and went to sleep early.
Now, when Nachi awoke at 3 AM Wednesday morning and could not fall back asleep, he should have taken this as a sign that he was NOT better yet. But Nachi was tired of all these viral shenanigans and when morning came, he drank some strong coffee and drove into the city to do some business, and drink some more coffee.
The coffee gave Nachi the false illusion of vitality and strength. And it worked up an appetite so that when he came home for lunch he fixed himself some spicy hamburgers which he washed down with half a bottle of Budweiser.
In doing so, Nachi committed the tragic mistake of celebrating a premature victory; a mistake which - as TV and movies remind us time and time again - is always a clear sign that victory is not yet at hand.
Nachi has spent this afternoon regretting his lunchtime binge. He has been staggering through the house amidst the dirty dishes he is now too weak to clean up. He tried to drown the virus in the shower, but that just left him feeling wet.
The good news is, there is still hope for Nachi. The worst has passed and as long as he goes easy on himself, Nachi's immune system should vanquish these foreign anti-bodies. But Nachi will not be quick to pick another fight with THIS virus...
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