Thursday, February 25, 2010

Semester TWO, Blog #8

Obama seemed to know what the public wanted like FDR. However FDR seemed to keep those promises and helped the country out of a great depression. Obama once elected seemed to drop all promises he mentioned. He seems he still is trying to help the country he just isn't doing it effectively or with the promises he made earlier. FDR created many bills that helped the people and company's, he also created disability which helped the people that couldn't work not just the people that did work or couldn't find it. FDR was a people person and hands on. It seemed he went all around and talked to all kinds of poeple finding out different perspective, needs, and opinions.




Here for obama info

FDR info was from the packet.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Semester TWO, Blog #7

I worked at a government building so we would have been fine. My mentor was telling me of how they were very easygoing with money and not too tight. However lately they did cut back just a little bit on money but it was not noticeable.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Internship Photo Essay

Eli Barber

At the beginning of internship I was very nervous and didn’t know what kind of work I would do at Caltrans. I didn’t even know if I could do the work that I would be assigned. However I did know I would take a street biking class, which made me even more worried. As the day went on and I met more people, I walked by different cubicles with people piling their work high and all over. I got even more nervous thinking how am I going to do work like that. I’ve never had a job like this before; all I’ve had for experience is school. I went to lunch one day with a few people and they all seemed very into their work, talking about it and all not even considering it work. I was getting into it as well too thinking that this is interesting and that maybe the work wont be so bad since

As I got my work I made sure to lay it out neat and in order and then I would read over it. It took a while getting a feel of all the acronyms that are used and the different roads Caltrans was having me work with. But I learned bit-by-bit as I got to work and I kept all my things organized as I went on. I was learning how to use the programs that they use there, read the maps with coordinates to and find what and where I am looking for, and how to live and work an office job. So far so good I thought, as the first few days ended and it seemed all right not too much work that I couldn’t handle and the people were friendly and helped me out when I needed it.

I had brought my own little notebook to take notes to help me with the process as well. It gave me hints on where to go and where to look. It helped a lot and made sure I got things done fast and accurately as well, it was a great organizer. Another thing was the computer, I didn’t have an account of my own but I still was able to use it here and there. I of course kept all files in order with helpful names on the computer too about all things even my notes I typed up just to make it look better. I also kept different parts of my desk space for specific things so I wouldn’t misplace too many things. For example Caltrans maps on the right and on the left notes and maps of a smaller and more specific location. After a few more days I realized I could do this work and its quite fun getting along with people. Hearing little conversations about random things over the top of their cubicles as they talked back and forth with no sight of each other.

Once finished with the work in the cubical I got to put my work to use out in the field. It was very kind of them to let me go look at this stuff in person after starring at it on paper for so long. I got my own uniform that I had to where when out on the field, which was neat. I also used my notebook here, taking notes on what I needed to look at. Some of the stuff I needed to look at was trash or other vandalism, another thing was making sure people were not abandoning vehicles. It was mostly just making sure the sites where in good condition and met the standards (almost all did). Sometimes a sign fell because of strong wind or we couldn’t find a bus stop sign that we were supposed to look at, so we would just write a note and in the end call up and report or ask where the sign was.

I got to go out in one of those Caltrans cars that you see every once in a while on the side of the road. Driving around on the road was also was fun since it seemed to me I got to be working on the road, instead of just driving by and seeing them work. We went all around down to the border, way up to Encinitas, then over to Escondido. I looked at different sites met even more people and took some good notes. All this helped me and Caltrans and I realized I was getting along with every one and doing the work no problem. In just a couple weeks I became good friends with my coworkers and also learned how to work in an office. I had it organized well done and when I was done with my internship I realized I had no problems doing any of the work the entire time I was their.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Semester TWO, Blog #4

I hope I do well that when people read my part of Ampersand they like it. i plan to work well and productive in class so that mine will be like this. However I do not know what my final peace will be most likely my photo essay though.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Internship Interview

Mike E. Roy: Transportation Planner
Out in the field watching out for you and your transportation

Mike E. Roy: Transportation Planner
Out in the field watching out for you and your transportation

Michael Roy is a Caltrans Employee his job is a Transportation planner in the planning division of the CalTrans District 11, which is located in Old Town, the facility consists of three buildings each several floors which all connect with bridges. The design for this site is very modern. He supervises all Park and Rides and also looks over other projects. His job as the supervisor for the Park and Ride’s requires him to go into the field frequently. Simple jeans with a casual shirt works since being out in the field could get damaged or dirty.
Since Mike has worked at Cal Trans for many years he knows a lot about the company. When not in the field he spends much of his time in a cubical of the 4th floor office-building number 2. The atmosphere is easy going; no frenzied rush or a boss that demands work that needs to be done that minute. People walk around calm, politely, and talk to each other about work or basic day to day things. Following is an interview with mike about him and his career and his advice on what one should look for when choosing a place of employment.


Did your college degree help you with the job you have know?

Well not directly associated with what I’m doing now. I have a Bachelors in history and in political science I had a double major. So it’s not directly related to what I’m doing now. Although in my political science class I had some public administration classes and it helps me with my job responsibilities I have now.

When applying for jobs what benefits like health insurance or retirement plans should you look for?

You should always whatever perspective job you’re applying for look at their insurance program and their retirement package as well. See what benefits they provide and of course that’s the key factor in any ones employment. I think you should be looking towards a strong retirement and strong health programs in order because that would certainly be the foundation of any employment you’re seeking.
Do you see any improvements that could be made here at Caltrans?
Well I don’t know that I would say it needs to be improved upon necessarily. But for instance the intern program for yourself and a lot of interns from UCSD that’s, were most of our interns come from. I personally feel that if they could get a more diverse exposure to the division, that it could benefit them quite a bit. Rather then just keep them in one branch. Maybe diversify there exposure to all the different branches within planning. I think it would be more beneficial to the division as well as the intern. So if you want an area of improvement I think that’s were we could improve in.

What were some good choices that led you to this job?

I have been working for the state now for about 35 years. I was working as a supervisor for about the last 17 years in the toll collection at the Coronado Bridge. They did away with the tolls on the bridge so I was placed in the planning division. Afterwards I was able to obtain the possession I have now as a Transportation Planner.

So you didn’t choose planning out of other divisions?

I didn’t choose it but I’m glad I’m here because it’s a very nice division to work for and the people are very friendly and I really enjoy the work I’m doing now.


How long did it take you to find out this is the job for you?

I felt this is a good fit when I first came in, like I said the management and just the general staff are very cordial, very helpful, and it’s my personal opinion that this division is the best division in the department. I’ve never been denied help when ever I needed it from anyone. They’ve all been very agreeable to help me at any time.

What percentage of work is meetings compared to field work and paper work?

Well I think most other people are probably involved in more meetings then I am. I’m involved with primarily our own headquarters. We have periodic meetings for Park and ride coordinators and on occasion go to meetings for individual cities, if we have some sort of project going with that city. I do attend those meetings on occasion however not as frequently as most of the other people here. And I think this division as a whole it is pretty equal. Well I probably do more field work then most people in this division, most other people are involved with paper work, at their desk, and also at meetings. There probably more involved in that then I am primarily.

So most people don’t have as much fieldwork as you do?

Not in this division but in other divisions like Construction, Traffic Operations and Environmental.. Those are probably more involved in field work by in large our division as a whole.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Semester TWO, Blog #2

Michael Roy is a Caltrans Employee and his job is Transportation planner in the planning division. He supervises all Park and Rides and also look over other projects. He has worked there for many years so he knows his work and knows much about the company. Since he supervises the Park and Ride he does go out on the field frequently so casual attire is common. Simple jeans with a T-shirt works since out in the field could get dirty.
The work he does inside, is in an office building with lots of other people, almost all of them are in cubicles. It is easy going, no chaotic rushing or boss yelling down demands that need to be done that minute. People walk around calm, politely, and talk to each other about work or basic day to day things. Even the people in upper management seem very friendly and outgoing.

Some questions I have:

How long should these intros be?

Is it extremely bad if some questions were somewhat answered in the intro?

How to I find my Partners blog?(please comment answer ASAP)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Semester TWO, Blog #1

Bill Watterson interview Here

Simon Phipps interview Here

After reading those three interviews I think they do have a lot of editing. However it is good because it makes it a lot more smooth and answers your questions. They also showed the interviewees feelings or perspective kind of just by the way they typed out what they said. I like the bio they have before starting the interview but some of them just too long and that is why I picked this Bill Watterson one because they bio is simple and to the point. The reason I choose this Linux interview is because the answers are all reasonable lengths not just a sentence response but not too long. Where as in some you have four pages to flip through with long responses and sometime not even answering the question.