Because we all worked hard during the warm summer months in the family business, having a parent at one of my ball games was not a common occurrence. However, there were times when my mother did come to watch me play. My father, on the other hand, showed up less than three times over my four years of league play. The first time he came to see me play was also the first time I ever struck out during a game. It didn't help that he stood behind the backstop making comments that, still to this day, I do not believe were words of encouragement. One of us was having fun and it wasn't me.
I showed up to my very first practice having never thrown a softball before (but had thrown plenty of other things in my youth, so I picked up the sport pretty quick!). I ended up over the course of those four years of league sports (before I aged out at 15) playing outfield, third base, and my personal favorite, catcher. As well, I made the All Star Team my last two years which gave me the opportunity to travel to other cities and play against their best players. It was only when our All Star team made the finals and we were the home team that we were able to use the city's Little League park. For our big game we were able to use the field that had two large sets of bleachers, the sacred announcer's box and PA system, plus, the best part...use of the dugout!
As I mentioned, my father was, for the most part, unable to attend my games, but, there was one time that he stopped by to watch as I practiced. That was when I learned something about change. It appears that the softball park had some family history, sort of. The grassy field with a lone groomed (to some extent) field was property that had apparently once belonged to my great-grandfather!
While growing up, there were times when family members would share stories about our ancestors. Like most young people, I had secretly hoped that there was a connection to England's Royal Family (there's a wedding I'd like to attend in April). But, alas, while there were connections to the British Isles all right, the linkage to the royals did not appear (which I'm sure the Royals would consider a good thing). As a youth, I wasn't much interested in hearing most of the stories because they weren't really that glamorous, but, this was one stuck with me.
It seems that my great-grandfather was fairly well-to-do. He owned a tack and buggy type shop at the turn of the century...that would be the year 1900. He had a very successful business and had managed to invest in a significant amount of land owning nearly half of the town at one point. So, this story had my attention. Problem was, I wasn't sure where my father was going with it, but I was curious as to why was the field was still not in the family.
Apparently, my great-grandfather, while riding through town in his horse and buggy combo one day, came across a 'new' thing...a motorized vehicle. He was adamant that this new found contraption was just a 'passing phase'. Well, as we all know, he was wrong. He had failed to look at the new technology and see the change that was coming amid his rapidly becoming outdated business. Soon, his failure to adapt to the changing landscape resulted in a devastating conclusion. So, now you know why I played ball at the Wells family namesake park and not our family's namesake.
Change has always been a part of our daily lives. In recent years, we have become all too familiar with how the changes in technology can significantly impact our workplace and lives. We can sit back and, like my great-grandfather, continue with outdated skills, methods, and technology while holding on to the concept that everything will get back to 'normal' soon. Or, we can accept that change is coming and hopefully, choose to embrace the opportunities that come with those changes.
No one said that change was easy. Often times it can be a stressful challenge. Today we are witnesses to the many ways that technology has brought about rapid changes within our lifetime. In his bestseller, Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen Ambrose, I am reminded that the fastest way Jefferson had available to send and receive communication with his team of cross country trekkers was the same one that had been around for over a thousand years...a rider on horseback. For example, I think about the changes in transportation alone in just the last one hundred years. I am awed by how quickly we were able to take the knowledge of flight learned from the Wright brothers' test flights at Kitty Hawk in 1903 and six decades later put a man on the moon!
When I first started my professional work life, email was not in the office place. Today, we would be hard pressed to complete daily tasks without it in my line of work. Change. It impacts us and, hopefully, moves us to change, as well.
To remain competitive (unlike my great-grandfather) businesses must change. To demonstrate a competitive advantage in today's workplace, people must change and adapt to changing technologies and new knowledge. Does this mean that every single job is impacted by technology? I would venture to say, yes. From the young person looking to do lawn work for neighbors and family friends to the company that is building the newest means on the planet to transport people, technology is everywhere.
Lansing Community College has many opportunities available to assist in updating skill sets that help our workforce keep current with many of the new technologies, skills, and knowledge needed in today's workplace. We offer day-long seminars, weekend classes, continuing education courses, as well as our Certificate and Degree programs. Formats include the classroom, online, or a combination of both. In about a month enrollment for Summer 2011 semester will begin. Yes, change is coming, again. The question we must each ask ourselves is, "Are we ready?"
To find out more about our programs at at Lansing Community College, visit our website. For more information on our "Learning for Life" opportunities, visit our website or contact the staff at the Extension, Community, and Continuing Education Center at (517) 483-1860, located at the LCC East Campus.
Change is happening. Let LCC be a partner to help you gain the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding of some of the new technologies to be ready.
Job Blasts! Be sure to visit the Michigan Talent Bank to learn more about the Job Postings seen below.
Capital Area Michigan Works! (Lansing): Assistant Communications Officer, MTB # 3037347
Accident Fund (Lansing):
- Actuarial Analyst, MTB # 3034522
- Chief Financial Officer, MTB # 3000543
- Data & Diagnostic Specialist, MTB # 3008492
- Data Analytics & Medical Trends Specialist, MTB # 3034526
- Strategic Planning Advisor, MTB # 3034527
Sears (East Lansing, Frandor):
- Footwear Merchandise Customer Assistant, MTB # 3011451
- Merchandise Customer Assistant, MTB # 3036444
- Sales: Home Appliances, MTB # 3036449
- Sales: Home Electronics, MTB # 3036447
- Sales: Home Improvement, MTB # 3034787
- Backroom Associates, MTB # 3008867
- Cashier, MTB # 3008865
- Fine Jewelry Position, MTB # 3034783
- Qualified candidates must be able to meet these reequirements:
- Strong background in customer service, collection, sales and/or billing calls
- Able to remain professional and focused to provide top-notch customer service in this pressure-filled job; requires patience and ability to deal with high stress
- Computer skills: Word, Excel, Outlook, and data entry
- No felony convictions; pass a drug screen and background check
- Able to work a flexible schedule and weekends
- About the position:
- Successful candidates will take inbound calls from people nation-wide concerning billing questions and service concerns for cable service. There will be three to five weeks of training before being placed on the floor to take live calls
- Getting started:
- Visit the website: www.employmentgroup.com
- After completing the registration, call the Lansing Office at 517.664.2990 for additional information regarding interviewing and screening. Interview hours will be posted on the website.
- When coming into Employment Group's office, be sure to bring:
- Two forms of identification (i.e. drivers license or state I.D.)
- Social security card OR a birth certificate
Capital Area Michigan Works! Orientations: For more information on how Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing Service Center can assist Job Seekers with services, be sure to attend an orientation. They are offered each Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. The St. Johns Service Center provides an orientation on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
For more information on services available at the Lansing, St. Johns, and Charlotte Service Centers, visit the CAMW! Calendar of Events.
Did you win the All Star team finals?
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