2013 Wrap-up
As 2013 comes to an end, as any year does, I become reflective on the year’s events; the accomplishments, the regrets and the seeds for goals in the new year.
Category Professional
Time Flies…
I knew I hadn’t updated my blog in some time, but almost a year? Oy!
Shortly after my last blog post, I accepted a position as a front-end web developer at United Airlines in their eCommerce Production area. The great thing is that as a post-merger organization, there’s lots of change, lots of systems and technologies to get my arms around and learn.
It has taken me away from my pursuit of a career position in user experience, but I’m getting schooled in technologies that will aid me in the long run.
I have lots to talk about and share, yet little time to do so. But I promise I will post soon and on a more semi-regular basis. Call it therapy. 🙂
Wanted: UX / Front-End Web Designer/Developer Opportunity
Opportunity Summary
- Location: Chicago, IL (Target range: Downtown Chicago north through Northern Suburbs
- Employee Type: Full-Time Preferred, will consider Long-term Contract
- Industry: Open
- Job Type: Internet, Design, Marketing
- Education: High School, Some College
- Experience: 18 years
- Travel: Negligible
- Post Date: 4/23/2012
Just Go (to a Web Event)
WordCamp Chicago
I just returned from attending a web-related event, WordCamp Chicago. It reminded me how valuable these type of events are. Not only for the formal presentations, but also for the networking and connecting with like-minded people with similar interests.
There are a few excuses I frequently hear for not being able to attend a web event; money and time.
The latest…
It’s been a while since I last posted to the blog here. A lot of things have happened in my live, both professionally and personally. I’ll cover the professional here.
In June, I started a contract gig at United Airlines as a HTML Developer. Hands-on, indeed. It has been an adventure and a great experience. Although I don’t yet write my own JavaScript, I’ve been engaged in working with JavaScript, calling on the expertise of others. I’ve actually written and worked with JSP more than JavaScript. This, from a front-end guy.
It has, although, placed my on an emotional roller coaster. A good chunk of it relates to my lack of control; being able to handle certain tasks on my own. And there’s the “things” that just drive you nuts (nope, won’t go into it).
When this gig is over, I will be a better web professional. Stay tuned. I promise to be more prolific with my writing soon.
Do Online Presentations Right
I’ve done several presentations in my time. They tend to be text heavy, as I want the presentation to have value long after I’ve delivered it.
In the last several years, there’s been a trend in the Internet community to give presentations where primarily supportive imagery is displayed on the slide, while the presenter talks through the points he/she wishes to communicate. This is great for during the presentation. However, after the event, when a presentation is posted for all to view online, there’s only frustration when the viewer cannot obtain the “message.” Just read the comments of frustration from many of the presentations from SXSW.
Evangelize Yourself for a Change
I evangelize about things that I’m passionate about. I’ve evangelized about the web and web design for over ten years. I attend web-related meetups and get really wound up about the topic.
Segue to the networking side of those same meetups. I stumble. Ok, I fall flat on my face. I typically find someone to introduce myself to, but it ends there.