Chapter Seven: Rethinking Hand and Brain
Within Chapter Seven Mike Rose tries to portray the idea of two types of workers in the world by stating in his book “…..define work in America: skilled versus unskilled labor, for example, or experimental knowledge versus formal (or school) knowledge, or mental versus manual activity. The master category that plays across all these-one reflects the western, Cartesian divide between body and mind-is the opposition of hand to brain.(page141)” He journeys further into this topic by discussing the comparison s between “higher statuses of work” that involve blending the mind and the body as one. Rose interviews a cognitive scientist named Roger Hall who quoted, “… that surgery is parallel to carpentry or plumbing or styling hair. (page148).” The message that he is trying to relay is not that the training and preparation for these occupations are the same, because there obviously far from similar. Only if you look at it from a level of hand, eye, and brain use are they all similar since all those occupations involve multi-tasking/knowledge.
The first example of blending the senses together would be MD Ron Tompkins. The chapter talks about him performing Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. This position involves mind, eyes, and hand, by having a steady hand, book knowledge and using your eyes to see what looks right. The surgeon gives the idea that they learn a majority of their work from textbooks and the rest from hands on work. The surgeon quoted, “you develop an eye for what looks good and what doesn’t … you get to the point where you feel comfortable looking at something and evaluating it”. Rose compares Tompkins to Jeff Taylor by an observational quote by Jeff.
When he explains how he becomes fluent with his tools and skilled body posture. “At a certain point, upon a day, you almost become the work, a moving a cognitive part of the tool in your own hand”. He becomes apart his work like how Tompkins does. Ron lastly states that there’s nothing wrong with using your knowledge to change procedure in the middle of surgery to an open procedure because it’s all based on good judgment. That’s how he uses his brain along with his eyes and his hands in his position.
One other Occupation that uses all three scenes is a teacher. A teacher uses her eyes to observer the intake of information by the students which therefore has to user their brain to produce a way that would help the students retain that information. Stated by educational psychologist Lee Shulman as the “wisdom of practice”.
This is how Mike Rose shows how the mind at work relates to hand, mind, and brain multi tasking. From Ron Tompkins (surgeon), Jeff Taylor (carpenter), Lee Shulman (educational psychologist), and Roger Hall, Rose gives real life examples on how there are multi-tasking profession of the mind, hand, and eyes in society.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Gig quotes
Stephanie Oiler
Elliot Johnson (Minister)
“Be careful what you pray for”
Elizabeth MacLean (Social Worker)
“Courtrooms are isolating, scary, chaotic”
Jim Churchman ( Wal-Mart Greeter)
“I try to project that there’s a happy spot in life”
Question:
How do you escape from what is bothering you?
WORKING quotes
BARBARA HERRICK (script supervisor/ producer)
"It's the always-having-to-please-conditioning. I dont want to make any enemies. Only of late, because I'm getting more secure and I'm valued by my agency, am I able to get mad at men and say "Fuck off!" But still I have to keep egos unruffed, smooth things over..." pg 69
BOOKER PAGE (cabdriver)
"A cab is a stepping stone to a car wash and then a car wash will be a means of buying a boat. Even at my age, I havent given it up. Nothing is going to stop me. Thats how much I love the sea." pg 197
"If I get a schooner, that'll be tops, that'll be it. I'll have both my loves: my wife and my sea." pg 198
FRED RINGLEY(ex-salesmen, farmer)
"We have everything and we are poor."
QUESTION:
How do you know when it is time to make an imporant decision?
Is it when you have job security, is it when you are sure of your true passion, or on a whim do you decide to pack up, leave, and buy a farm?
"It's the always-having-to-please-conditioning. I dont want to make any enemies. Only of late, because I'm getting more secure and I'm valued by my agency, am I able to get mad at men and say "Fuck off!" But still I have to keep egos unruffed, smooth things over..." pg 69
BOOKER PAGE (cabdriver)
"A cab is a stepping stone to a car wash and then a car wash will be a means of buying a boat. Even at my age, I havent given it up. Nothing is going to stop me. Thats how much I love the sea." pg 197
"If I get a schooner, that'll be tops, that'll be it. I'll have both my loves: my wife and my sea." pg 198
FRED RINGLEY(ex-salesmen, farmer)
"We have everything and we are poor."
QUESTION:
How do you know when it is time to make an imporant decision?
Is it when you have job security, is it when you are sure of your true passion, or on a whim do you decide to pack up, leave, and buy a farm?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Quotes- Kirsten Brower
Sharon Atkins- Receptionist
"The machine invades me all day. I`d go home and it`s still there. It`s a very bad way to talk to people, to communicate. It may have been a boon to business but it did a lot to wreck conversation." pg 32.
Therese Carter- Housewife
"Somebody who goes out and works for a living is more important than someone who doesn`t. What they do is very important in the business world. What I do is only important to 5 people." pg 301.
Jim Grayson- Spot Welder
"Oh, anything away from the plant is good. Being on the assembly line, my leisure time is very precious. It`s something to be treasured. I don`t have much time to talk to the family. I have to be a father, a student, and an assembly line worker. It`s good to get away." pg 164.
Question- What is it that makes a person hate thier job, or feel like they are important because of it?
"The machine invades me all day. I`d go home and it`s still there. It`s a very bad way to talk to people, to communicate. It may have been a boon to business but it did a lot to wreck conversation." pg 32.
Therese Carter- Housewife
"Somebody who goes out and works for a living is more important than someone who doesn`t. What they do is very important in the business world. What I do is only important to 5 people." pg 301.
Jim Grayson- Spot Welder
"Oh, anything away from the plant is good. Being on the assembly line, my leisure time is very precious. It`s something to be treasured. I don`t have much time to talk to the family. I have to be a father, a student, and an assembly line worker. It`s good to get away." pg 164.
Question- What is it that makes a person hate thier job, or feel like they are important because of it?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
GiG Quotes (Nicolas Simon)
Orthopedic Surgeon (Dane Andrews) p. 625
"I picked orthopedic surgery because, well, orthopods tend to be jocks, athletic guys. I think that's what first attracted me to it. I'm big, I've always enjoyed sports, you know, and I had friends playing football, baseball, whatever, who hurt themselves and they had orthopedic surgery."
Anesthesiologist (Mahin Hamidi) p. 619
"An anesthesiologist is responsible for having the patient go to sleep so they can be operated on, to bring them to the level of unconsciousness that they don't have pain. And then you keep them alive, during the operation, you hydrate them, make sure they have enough fluid, and then you wake them up."
High School Basketball Coach (James R.) p. 389
"I was all county and then I got a full scholarship to a Division II school, which is a step down from Division I, but still it was a pretty good program."
"I picked orthopedic surgery because, well, orthopods tend to be jocks, athletic guys. I think that's what first attracted me to it. I'm big, I've always enjoyed sports, you know, and I had friends playing football, baseball, whatever, who hurt themselves and they had orthopedic surgery."
Anesthesiologist (Mahin Hamidi) p. 619
"An anesthesiologist is responsible for having the patient go to sleep so they can be operated on, to bring them to the level of unconsciousness that they don't have pain. And then you keep them alive, during the operation, you hydrate them, make sure they have enough fluid, and then you wake them up."
High School Basketball Coach (James R.) p. 389
"I was all county and then I got a full scholarship to a Division II school, which is a step down from Division I, but still it was a pretty good program."
Friday, October 9, 2009
Quotes (Elise Fichtel)
Jill Torrance (Model)
-"I've always had a problem with gaining weight. I told a photographer once I had gained two pounds. I was happy about it. The agency said, 'She's too fat, tell her to lose weight'. They wouldn't have known if I hadn't told them.
I felt like I should also include this quote, so Jill is going to have two.
-"Now the natural look is in. Jumping up and down or staring out there . . . What's natural about looking into space? They want you natural but posed. How can you feel natural with three pounds of make-up, in some ridiculous costume, standing there and looking pretty. What they think of as natural is really very phony."
Anne Bogan (Executive Secretary)
-"I become very impatient with dreamers. I respect the doers more than the dreamers. So many people, it seems to me, talk about all the things they want to do. They only talk without accomplishing anything."
Vincent Maher (Policeman)
-"I've seen kids come out of a bad neighborhood, some become priests, some become policemen, others go to the penitentiary. I don't believe what some judges say: because of the environment this is the way it it."
Question:
Do you think everyone is given the opportunity to pursue something meaningful to them? And is money the main objective?
Quotes fro,m Studs Terkle's Working (Beth Morello)
Telephone operator (Heather Lamb)
"It's a hard feeling when everyone's in a hurry to talk to somebody else, but not to talk to you. Sometimes you get a feeling of need to talk to somebody. Somebody who wants to listen to you other than 'Why didn't you get me the right number?' "
I chose this quote because it shows how lonely it can be working a job that most people think is so easy. In the article it showed multiple instances of how telephone operators really have no connection with other employees or their customers. That's what Heather never got because her company always stressed team work yet they never really had any.
Professor of Communications (Jack Hunter)
"Communications specialists do have a sense of power. People will argue its a misuse of power. When a person has so much control over behavior, we're distrustful. We must learn how to become humane at the same time."
I chose this quote because it sums up what people think of communication specialists. They used to not be as big but after WWII the industry grew. Hunter is a specialist who trains students to become more aware of interpersonal communication because people act differently when they are under stressful situations.
Airline Reservationist (Beryl Simpson)
"I remember when i went to work forthe airlines, they said, "You will eat, sleep, and drink airlines. There's no time in your life for ballet, theater, music, anything.' "
I chose this quote because it shows how demanding her job can be. In general most communication jobs are very stressful and time consuming. Simpson's for instance causes her to get ulcers and have high stress level. Working in communications is a stressfull job.
My question is, if they knew their jobs would be this stressfull would they have gotten involved in them?
"It's a hard feeling when everyone's in a hurry to talk to somebody else, but not to talk to you. Sometimes you get a feeling of need to talk to somebody. Somebody who wants to listen to you other than 'Why didn't you get me the right number?' "
I chose this quote because it shows how lonely it can be working a job that most people think is so easy. In the article it showed multiple instances of how telephone operators really have no connection with other employees or their customers. That's what Heather never got because her company always stressed team work yet they never really had any.
Professor of Communications (Jack Hunter)
"Communications specialists do have a sense of power. People will argue its a misuse of power. When a person has so much control over behavior, we're distrustful. We must learn how to become humane at the same time."
I chose this quote because it sums up what people think of communication specialists. They used to not be as big but after WWII the industry grew. Hunter is a specialist who trains students to become more aware of interpersonal communication because people act differently when they are under stressful situations.
Airline Reservationist (Beryl Simpson)
"I remember when i went to work forthe airlines, they said, "You will eat, sleep, and drink airlines. There's no time in your life for ballet, theater, music, anything.' "
I chose this quote because it shows how demanding her job can be. In general most communication jobs are very stressful and time consuming. Simpson's for instance causes her to get ulcers and have high stress level. Working in communications is a stressfull job.
My question is, if they knew their jobs would be this stressfull would they have gotten involved in them?
Studs Terkel's Working
Studs Terkel
While reading Studs Terkel’s “Working”, I had came across three stories that interested me. First while choosing the stories I was seeking to have three different views on life in the work force to give off a sort of climax perspective to life. “Be good to your job, and your job will be good to you.” (page 280 top paragraph) States Brett Hauser who is a seventeen year old box boy who works in a supermarket on the outskirts of Los Angeles. He talks about how being at a low position is stressful and agitating but if you take each day one step at a time and treat each customer as an individual rather than a person, than your day goes a little smoother. I just would like to know how stressful it has to be to feel that people are being personable with you and communicate with you when there really only reading your name tag? Like are you even making an impression on their day? I could never work in a place that was semi fake like a box-boy’s job is when he is aiding to every customer with their groceries without and respect at all. After reading this interview it got me thinking how the other end of the authority works in the business world, which led me to Ernest Bradshaw.
Ernest is a supervisor in the bank auditing department and has around twenty five people under his belt. “Everybody takes the easy way out and just put down a person’s average. This takes away all the pressures. I felt it has to be one way: be truthful about a person ‘cause it’s gonna come up on ‘em later. I look at people as people, person to person.” (Page 399)Ernest states later on that he had to fire an elderly woman for not keeping up with the young crowd, and how hard it was to defend her case in front of the board. “The human being doesn’t count anymore. In any large corporation it’d the buck that counts.” I would never want a job such as this one. I could never fire people for not being as fast as others, especially if they were still consistently getting their work completed. What I’m curious about is how you can go day by day and fire people who have been working for you for many years without a heart? Can you imagine how many friends you would lose if you had fires them all? Would you lose respect in yourself? This interview was an upsetting interview for me and got me yearning to chill out take life a little slower.
Bill Norworth was a locomotive engineer, railroad fireman, and president of his local locomotive engineers society in his home town Spring Valley Illinois. He has been with the railroad company for 53 years. “My house is small, No mansion for a millionaire. But there is room for love, and room for friends, that’s all I care.”(Page 424)He is a simplistic man who enjoyed everything that life sent his way. This quote from his interview really got to me because that’s how my family is. We love company and have our friends over all the time for dinner or just to relax and chit-chat for a while. To have people around you is a comfort I could never give up. The only question I have is do you ever regret not being home as much while your kids were growing up? I know I would miss watching them develop into young ladies and gents. I could never be gone for a week or two on a ride for work without my family by my side. These stories are the one that meant the most to me.
Kyle A. Boris
While reading Studs Terkel’s “Working”, I had came across three stories that interested me. First while choosing the stories I was seeking to have three different views on life in the work force to give off a sort of climax perspective to life. “Be good to your job, and your job will be good to you.” (page 280 top paragraph) States Brett Hauser who is a seventeen year old box boy who works in a supermarket on the outskirts of Los Angeles. He talks about how being at a low position is stressful and agitating but if you take each day one step at a time and treat each customer as an individual rather than a person, than your day goes a little smoother. I just would like to know how stressful it has to be to feel that people are being personable with you and communicate with you when there really only reading your name tag? Like are you even making an impression on their day? I could never work in a place that was semi fake like a box-boy’s job is when he is aiding to every customer with their groceries without and respect at all. After reading this interview it got me thinking how the other end of the authority works in the business world, which led me to Ernest Bradshaw.
Ernest is a supervisor in the bank auditing department and has around twenty five people under his belt. “Everybody takes the easy way out and just put down a person’s average. This takes away all the pressures. I felt it has to be one way: be truthful about a person ‘cause it’s gonna come up on ‘em later. I look at people as people, person to person.” (Page 399)Ernest states later on that he had to fire an elderly woman for not keeping up with the young crowd, and how hard it was to defend her case in front of the board. “The human being doesn’t count anymore. In any large corporation it’d the buck that counts.” I would never want a job such as this one. I could never fire people for not being as fast as others, especially if they were still consistently getting their work completed. What I’m curious about is how you can go day by day and fire people who have been working for you for many years without a heart? Can you imagine how many friends you would lose if you had fires them all? Would you lose respect in yourself? This interview was an upsetting interview for me and got me yearning to chill out take life a little slower.
Bill Norworth was a locomotive engineer, railroad fireman, and president of his local locomotive engineers society in his home town Spring Valley Illinois. He has been with the railroad company for 53 years. “My house is small, No mansion for a millionaire. But there is room for love, and room for friends, that’s all I care.”(Page 424)He is a simplistic man who enjoyed everything that life sent his way. This quote from his interview really got to me because that’s how my family is. We love company and have our friends over all the time for dinner or just to relax and chit-chat for a while. To have people around you is a comfort I could never give up. The only question I have is do you ever regret not being home as much while your kids were growing up? I know I would miss watching them develop into young ladies and gents. I could never be gone for a week or two on a ride for work without my family by my side. These stories are the one that meant the most to me.
Kyle A. Boris
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Quotes
-Rose Hoffman (Public School Teacher)
"Today they have these multiple chairs instead of the pedestals, seats that were attatched. The kids slide all over the room. Anything to make life more difficult. (Laughs.) If I didn't laugh at these things, I wouldn't last."
-Pat Zimmerman (Alternative School Teacher)
"I'm a strict kind of teacher. When I say something to one student in a very quiet voice all the way across the room, I want it quiet enough to reach him. I don't have to tell them to shut up very much. It's self-enforced. I make a lot of demands on my students and I get honestly angry if they don't live up to their possibilities."
-Jack Currier (Teacher, Adult Education)
"In order to do a better job, I have to become a better man. In the business world, in order to do a better job, you have to become ruthless. In order to make more money, you have to care for people less. In order to succeed, you have to be willing to stab your competitor in the back."
My question: Which level is the most difficult to teach and why?
-By: Chantal Gambler
"Today they have these multiple chairs instead of the pedestals, seats that were attatched. The kids slide all over the room. Anything to make life more difficult. (Laughs.) If I didn't laugh at these things, I wouldn't last."
-Pat Zimmerman (Alternative School Teacher)
"I'm a strict kind of teacher. When I say something to one student in a very quiet voice all the way across the room, I want it quiet enough to reach him. I don't have to tell them to shut up very much. It's self-enforced. I make a lot of demands on my students and I get honestly angry if they don't live up to their possibilities."
-Jack Currier (Teacher, Adult Education)
"In order to do a better job, I have to become a better man. In the business world, in order to do a better job, you have to become ruthless. In order to make more money, you have to care for people less. In order to succeed, you have to be willing to stab your competitor in the back."
My question: Which level is the most difficult to teach and why?
-By: Chantal Gambler
Studs Quotes ya dig (Luke Jones)
From Studs Terkel Working
-Nick Lindsay (carpenter/poet) pg. 520 "Work's quite a territory. Real work and Fake work. There's fake work which is prostitution."
-Hots Michaels (Bar Pianist) pg. 251 "I hate to see it end. I'll dread the day it comes, because I enjoy the action. I enjoy people. If I were suddenly to inherit four million dollars, I guarantee you I'd be playin' piano, either here or at some other place."
-Jill Freedman (photographer) pg. 153 "I hate cheap pictures. I hate pictures that make people look like they're not worth much, just to prove a photographer's point.
What do you think is more important in a job, the passion you have for what you are doing or the salary you get?
-Nick Lindsay (carpenter/poet) pg. 520 "Work's quite a territory. Real work and Fake work. There's fake work which is prostitution."
-Hots Michaels (Bar Pianist) pg. 251 "I hate to see it end. I'll dread the day it comes, because I enjoy the action. I enjoy people. If I were suddenly to inherit four million dollars, I guarantee you I'd be playin' piano, either here or at some other place."
-Jill Freedman (photographer) pg. 153 "I hate cheap pictures. I hate pictures that make people look like they're not worth much, just to prove a photographer's point.
What do you think is more important in a job, the passion you have for what you are doing or the salary you get?
Quotes (Bill Alexander)
"You cant show your troubles in this business. The customer is allowed to have troubles. Thats why we're here ." Hots Michaels (Bar Pianist) "Working" pg.251
"Playing in night clubs, I used to think, When are we going to get out of here? Most audiences were drunk and you tended to become lazy." Bud Freeman (Jazz Musician) "Working" pg.459
"I never go to a funeral without sunglasses. It's a good idea because your eyes is the first thing that shows when your have a big emotion."Elmer Ruiz (Gravedigger) "Working" pg.509
Question - Do the emotions of other people tend to interfere with your job?
Quotes (Nicole Kiley)
"Life doesn't frighten me anymore."
-Dolores Dante(waitress) "Working" pg.293
"I'm human, I'm working for a living."
-Babe Secoli(supermarket checker) "Working" pg.282
"There's frustration but, you know, you keep yourself motivated, I don't know how."
- Kysha Lewin (McDonald's Crew Member) "Gig" pg.24
Question- Could you keep yourself motivated and have a positive attitude while working?
-Dolores Dante(waitress) "Working" pg.293
"I'm human, I'm working for a living."
-Babe Secoli(supermarket checker) "Working" pg.282
"There's frustration but, you know, you keep yourself motivated, I don't know how."
- Kysha Lewin (McDonald's Crew Member) "Gig" pg.24
Question- Could you keep yourself motivated and have a positive attitude while working?
Mike Rose Summary
In the last section of chapter six, Mike Rose speaks to his Uncle Joe while he reminisces on his life. Joe, whose father lost a leg working for the railroad when a hot ash pan fell on it, tells Mike that he remembers having to walking his father to work every morning (139). The false leg failed to cooperate during the winter months so he required extra help (139).
Joe reports feeling "cheated out of life" while watching other kids prance around in new clothes and arrive in new cars to church (139). But who can blame him? People still make judgements about others through material items. For some reason U.S. citizens seem to be very concerned with their 'social class' and who is above or below them. Soon after Joe began working in the same shop as his dad, he got an opportunity to go elsewhere and work with GM. After thinking long and hard, he takes the job because, as he realized, "There was no future for me in Altoona" (139). In doing so, he claimed he knew he'd have to "work a little harder, get down to it and grind" (139). And he did just that; however, it came with a price. Not only was the work of a foreman physically taxing, but stressful and time consuming. On page 138 Mike recalls looking at a photo of his uncle as he sat at the dining room table, "cup of black coffee before him" with the window shade half open despite the darkness outside (139). "He is in his mid-thirties and looks tired, chin resting in the palm of his hand (138). This depicts a fairly young man who has been over-worked long before his time.
I think the reason he put forth so much time, hard work, and effort, not to mention the "pain--the pressure, the long hours, [and] the toll on his health -", into his job was so that his children would not have to experience life as he did. He obviously succeeds with this because on page 138 it says that his daughter is a graphic designer. A career that requires a college education.
I also really like the fact that Mike Rose applauds those who often go unnoticed for what they do. For example, his uncle performed more tasks in his job than many 'white-collar' workers often do. Just because it is a different type of work should not make it any less valuable.
By Elise Fichtel
Mike Rose Summary Chapter 7 (Nicole Kiley)
“The Dumb Jock Theory” is one of the examples that Mike Rose talks about when reading the 7th chapter in his book, The Mind at Work. It is when people see a strong football player, they assume that because he can play the sport well means he can’t be smart. There are many smart athletes and some people don’t realize that and it shocks them because they have it in their mind to think of it in that way. There are times when a football player assumes that because he’s on a football team that he doesn’t need to do well in school. Everyone just has that imprinted in their mind because that is what they were told their entire life.
Mike Rose begins this chapter by thinking about history and how people would just look at someone and assume the career they had. If someone would see a tall, strong man walking down the street, they would assume that the only profession he could have was a construction worker or worked in the mines. A really good example could be when there was slavery. All white men and women would just think that because someone was black that they couldn’t have any intelligence. They were just known as servants because people thought that’s all they could do was cook, clean, and work. Even if a slave spoke their opinion about a situation to a white man, no matter how right they were about it, they were still wrong. This is just one of the things make us think about judging others. There are many different people and jobs that everyone just assumes that they can only do that one thing there good at and that’s all they can do.
A surgeon, a physical therapist, and teacher are the three professions that Mike Rose talks about in this chapter. He says that people look at a surgeon and think that all they have to do is go to college and study, study, and study. That’s not true. Yes, a surgeon has to study all parts of the body and different types of medication to give to a patient but they also have to know how to perform surgery. It’s not like they look in a book and read how to cut someone up to perform open heart surgery. That’s like sending a college student who wants to become a surgeon to become a surgery. That person would have no idea how to do it. They have procedures that teach the surgeon how to perform it. They have dummies they practice on and they even technology to help them learn also. So we all think that they only have to read and study but there is so much more to it.
Many athletes face the problem of pulled muscles, strains, and broken bones. To make their injuries stronger again, well that’s when the physical therapist comes in. Once again, Mike Rose says that people assume that a physical therapist needs to only study the anatomy of a person to know how to heal them. No, they can’t just know how to stretch a certain muscle they have to be able to practice before they can do that. If all a physical therapist did was tell someone to do a certain exercise or stretch, and never really tried it out themselves, then we would have many injured athletes. A physical therapist needs to try the stretches out to see how they feel and how they can help an injury. It is just something that they have to do and people would be shocked for all the work they do.
It is a requirement to send children to school. It is their own decision if they want to drop out for their future. Hopefully we have intelligent and fun teachers that make kids want to continue to come to school. Some people that teaching is an easy job and that they get paid enough money. That is not true at all! Teachers might have a really good schedule for the year, but they don’t get paid enough. A teacher needs to be able to associate with children and have a lot of patience. Teachers need to be able to understand what they are being taught so that they can teach one day. They also have to deal with children and there are some good kids who listen and then there are some that just choose not to. Teachers have to be able to have fun but also know when to be serious. If they are not serious enough then the students can just walk all over them. School is not one of the greatest things to go to but it’s something that everyone has to do. So a teacher has to be able to make a student want to learn and want to come back the next day. They can’t just learn all the information that they need to teach, they need to observe classes and also be a student teacher. So they also have a lot of requirements that they also have to do to be able to teach.
All jobs in their own way and there is a lot more to them than people think. People should realize when looking at a job, they can’t just assume that the worker has to only know how to do one thing. Jobs require so much, such as skill, memorization, and experience. There are people who don’t even have all of those requirements. It does take time to get all of them though. No one should judge someone because of where they work. That person who they judge who’s working at McDonalds could be at college trying to get his PhD. People surprise us everyday and it is a great achievement that they continue to.
Mike Rose begins this chapter by thinking about history and how people would just look at someone and assume the career they had. If someone would see a tall, strong man walking down the street, they would assume that the only profession he could have was a construction worker or worked in the mines. A really good example could be when there was slavery. All white men and women would just think that because someone was black that they couldn’t have any intelligence. They were just known as servants because people thought that’s all they could do was cook, clean, and work. Even if a slave spoke their opinion about a situation to a white man, no matter how right they were about it, they were still wrong. This is just one of the things make us think about judging others. There are many different people and jobs that everyone just assumes that they can only do that one thing there good at and that’s all they can do.
A surgeon, a physical therapist, and teacher are the three professions that Mike Rose talks about in this chapter. He says that people look at a surgeon and think that all they have to do is go to college and study, study, and study. That’s not true. Yes, a surgeon has to study all parts of the body and different types of medication to give to a patient but they also have to know how to perform surgery. It’s not like they look in a book and read how to cut someone up to perform open heart surgery. That’s like sending a college student who wants to become a surgeon to become a surgery. That person would have no idea how to do it. They have procedures that teach the surgeon how to perform it. They have dummies they practice on and they even technology to help them learn also. So we all think that they only have to read and study but there is so much more to it.
Many athletes face the problem of pulled muscles, strains, and broken bones. To make their injuries stronger again, well that’s when the physical therapist comes in. Once again, Mike Rose says that people assume that a physical therapist needs to only study the anatomy of a person to know how to heal them. No, they can’t just know how to stretch a certain muscle they have to be able to practice before they can do that. If all a physical therapist did was tell someone to do a certain exercise or stretch, and never really tried it out themselves, then we would have many injured athletes. A physical therapist needs to try the stretches out to see how they feel and how they can help an injury. It is just something that they have to do and people would be shocked for all the work they do.
It is a requirement to send children to school. It is their own decision if they want to drop out for their future. Hopefully we have intelligent and fun teachers that make kids want to continue to come to school. Some people that teaching is an easy job and that they get paid enough money. That is not true at all! Teachers might have a really good schedule for the year, but they don’t get paid enough. A teacher needs to be able to associate with children and have a lot of patience. Teachers need to be able to understand what they are being taught so that they can teach one day. They also have to deal with children and there are some good kids who listen and then there are some that just choose not to. Teachers have to be able to have fun but also know when to be serious. If they are not serious enough then the students can just walk all over them. School is not one of the greatest things to go to but it’s something that everyone has to do. So a teacher has to be able to make a student want to learn and want to come back the next day. They can’t just learn all the information that they need to teach, they need to observe classes and also be a student teacher. So they also have a lot of requirements that they also have to do to be able to teach.
All jobs in their own way and there is a lot more to them than people think. People should realize when looking at a job, they can’t just assume that the worker has to only know how to do one thing. Jobs require so much, such as skill, memorization, and experience. There are people who don’t even have all of those requirements. It does take time to get all of them though. No one should judge someone because of where they work. That person who they judge who’s working at McDonalds could be at college trying to get his PhD. People surprise us everyday and it is a great achievement that they continue to.
Quotes from Working (Melissa Cashman)
Kitty Scanlan Occupational Therapist Page 495
“Being sick can be like going through early development stages all over again….It’s like being a child again, to be sick.”
I picked this quote because I believe it to be very true. Working with people who are elderly and sick you see these changes. You watch them not be able to do things they used to be able to do. Maybe a few years ago or maybe just a few days ago, some constantly need help with things that are considered simple. Feeding them selves, getting up from a chair even just picking something up. As you get older the “simple” things get harder to do day by day.
Betsy De Lacy Patients’ Representative Page 499
“I can walk down the hall with my chin draggin’, I’m tired and hot. The minute I hit that room, shoulders back and a big smile on my face.
This quote reminded me of myself, and my art paper. Where I work I do the same thing. You have to remember that just for a few minutes it’s not about you and what’s going on in your life. The time you spend with them should be spent all about them. Your there for their needs and it’s not the other way around.
Carmelita Lester
“The person doesn’t know what’s happening. But you take care of a person, you can see the difference. It makes you sad, because if you live long enough, you figure you will be the same.”
I felt as though this had to do with my topic the most. She is talking about having a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. A person with Alzheimer’s usually does not know what is going on. On a rare occasion they might have a small idea but it very unlikely. Having it run in the family you start wondering you if anybody is going to get it next. Will it be your Dad? Mom? Sister? Brother? Grandparents?
Mike Rose Summary Chapter One (Melissa Cashman)
Mike Rose starts this chapter by interviewing his mother who was once a waitress. He wanted to know how she was able to do this task. He didn’t understand how she could keep track of who got what and what to do first. Mike Rose also talked about how being a waitress is somewhat a “blue collar” job. He also feels as though they should be respected more and you should tip better. As a waitress myself keeping track of who got what is quite hard. You have to please everyone and it’s hard when they want a million different things at the same time. Mike Rose later went on to interview 6 other waitresses. They all agree your mood reflects on the way the customers act. If you’re rude they are also. They may not tip as well as they should have or worst of all not tip at all.
I emailed my boss back home to get his point of view of running a restaurant.
“Being the boss of a restaurant is like being a coach of a football team. While everyone has the same goal (winning the game) the coach has to put the best people in the best positions to obtain this goal. The coach will not have the kicker run the ball or the quarterback kick the ball. He has to continuously see things from 3000 feet above, knowing which move to make next. While doing so he must balance everyone’s needs, such as the clients, patrons, employees, and guests.”
From the cooks point of view it’s a very hard job. Specials orders are being called. Having the whole tables food ready at the same time can be difficult. If one person wants a steak and another one wants a grilled cheese you have to have them ready at the same time. Behind the scenes kitchen work needs to run smooth so the waitresses can do their job.
Mike Rose Summary (Kirsten Brower)
The Work of a Waitress
I read chapter one in Mike Rose`s book The Mind at Work. Rose was inspired to learn more about the work of waitress` and servers. His mother worked as a waitress throughout her entire life, and knew all the hard work waitressing truly is. Mike was particularly interested in the memory involved with orders, relationships among co-workers, and the overall image of a server. It can be very difficult to remember orders from a large group of customers, but a well trained waitress will always remember who got which plate of food. Also, a server must learn how to work with the customers, the boss, cooks, and the other servers. The most important attribute of a good waitress is the overall image. A customer’s glass must be kept full, the table must be clear of dirty dishes, and the service must be quick. On page nine, Rose`s mother stated that a waitress “requires developing a walk that is all business from the waist down, but looks fairly relaxed from the waist up.” A waitress must also be in shape, because she “must be able to balance and carry multiple items, using the hand, forearm, and biceps, creating stability by locking arms to torso and positioning the back.” (pg 8.) Mike Rose`s main point in this chapter was to prove that a server`s job is much harder than it looks, and that they deserve more credit than what is given to them.
I feel that Mike Rose`s viewpoint of work is wonderful. He understands that some jobs may go unnoticed or appreciated, when in reality, they are difficult jobs. I was especially interested in waitressing because I once had a job in a diner busing tables. At times the job could be very difficult: carrying stacks of dirty dishes, needing to clear a table during peak hours, and making sure not to miss any trash on the table or floor. I can relate to a server because of the stress of keeping everyone happy and working at a quick pace. I truly enjoy learning about the work of unappreciated jobs, and how much effort is really put into them.
I read chapter one in Mike Rose`s book The Mind at Work. Rose was inspired to learn more about the work of waitress` and servers. His mother worked as a waitress throughout her entire life, and knew all the hard work waitressing truly is. Mike was particularly interested in the memory involved with orders, relationships among co-workers, and the overall image of a server. It can be very difficult to remember orders from a large group of customers, but a well trained waitress will always remember who got which plate of food. Also, a server must learn how to work with the customers, the boss, cooks, and the other servers. The most important attribute of a good waitress is the overall image. A customer’s glass must be kept full, the table must be clear of dirty dishes, and the service must be quick. On page nine, Rose`s mother stated that a waitress “requires developing a walk that is all business from the waist down, but looks fairly relaxed from the waist up.” A waitress must also be in shape, because she “must be able to balance and carry multiple items, using the hand, forearm, and biceps, creating stability by locking arms to torso and positioning the back.” (pg 8.) Mike Rose`s main point in this chapter was to prove that a server`s job is much harder than it looks, and that they deserve more credit than what is given to them.
I feel that Mike Rose`s viewpoint of work is wonderful. He understands that some jobs may go unnoticed or appreciated, when in reality, they are difficult jobs. I was especially interested in waitressing because I once had a job in a diner busing tables. At times the job could be very difficult: carrying stacks of dirty dishes, needing to clear a table during peak hours, and making sure not to miss any trash on the table or floor. I can relate to a server because of the stress of keeping everyone happy and working at a quick pace. I truly enjoy learning about the work of unappreciated jobs, and how much effort is really put into them.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
High School Math Teacher
"I thought I was going to be a stockbroker. I thought that was gonna be an easy job to get."
I chose that quote because the profession that he thought he was going to get and the profession that he ended up getting were not even closley related. He taught Computer Science and Math. He discusses the kids discussing MTV in his classroom. He does not cover word problems in his Algebra class. He does not feel his students get enough preperation for life. When a student is in danger of failing, parents don't always call him. That happens to several of his students so he feels that he does not do a good job teaching. Some of his students do well in his class too. He also his girls flirting with him. The girls are wearing low cut shirts and they are part of the latino community.
By Michael Cirigliano
I chose that quote because the profession that he thought he was going to get and the profession that he ended up getting were not even closley related. He taught Computer Science and Math. He discusses the kids discussing MTV in his classroom. He does not cover word problems in his Algebra class. He does not feel his students get enough preperation for life. When a student is in danger of failing, parents don't always call him. That happens to several of his students so he feels that he does not do a good job teaching. Some of his students do well in his class too. He also his girls flirting with him. The girls are wearing low cut shirts and they are part of the latino community.
By Michael Cirigliano
Second Grade Teacher
By Michael Cirigliano
"And suddenly, things got very wierd because I wanted to do the job."
The above quote is reffering to Katy Bracken becoming a Second Grade teacher. She did not know what she wanted to do with herself. She moved to Chicago and became a dancer. Then, she decided to become a teacher because she always wanted to be one and she always loved teaching. She knew it was difficult, but she still wanted to do it. Her dad was a pediatrician. She got a job teaching at a public school in Michigan and she had problems with several of her students. However, there were students that she loved. She said that there were times when she missed them.
"And suddenly, things got very wierd because I wanted to do the job."
The above quote is reffering to Katy Bracken becoming a Second Grade teacher. She did not know what she wanted to do with herself. She moved to Chicago and became a dancer. Then, she decided to become a teacher because she always wanted to be one and she always loved teaching. She knew it was difficult, but she still wanted to do it. Her dad was a pediatrician. She got a job teaching at a public school in Michigan and she had problems with several of her students. However, there were students that she loved. She said that there were times when she missed them.
Studs Terkel Working- Alternative School Teacher
"Certainly a fifteen-year-old kid is not going to see an eight- year- old as his equal."
I agree with that quote because a fifteen-year-0ld and an eight-year-old will have different personalities along with different interests. Pat Zimmerman who wrote this selection in the book,m taught in an alternative school in Chicago. An alternative school is a school with children of all different ages, genders and race in the same classroom. She said that she is a strict teacher and in my opinion you have to be in that type of environment. The problem is you cannot treat younger kids the same way you can treat older kids.
I agree with that quote because a fifteen-year-0ld and an eight-year-old will have different personalities along with different interests. Pat Zimmerman who wrote this selection in the book,m taught in an alternative school in Chicago. An alternative school is a school with children of all different ages, genders and race in the same classroom. She said that she is a strict teacher and in my opinion you have to be in that type of environment. The problem is you cannot treat younger kids the same way you can treat older kids.
Funeral Home Director (JoJo)
"People need a viewing, i usually say, because there has to be some kind of closure."
I think this is definately true. I've gone to a few funerals, mostly for grand parents, but a few for friends. One of my grandparents had a closed casket because he was Jewish. Usually Jewish families try to keep it as "organic" as possible. The bodies are not usually embalmed. Since pap was shipped from Florida to PA he had to be embalmed for "sanitary plane shipping", but it wasn't done to the full extent of an open casket. There was no make up. Having gone to his funeral and not been able to see his body, it still confuses me to this day. Was that really pap in there? or was someone trying to play a sick joke on me? It's so much easier to physically see the body in front of you.
"The first thing that people in the hospital say is, well what funeral home do you want? You know the ink's not even dry on the death certificate and they need the morgue space, because they only have like four spaces down there. That's it.. four."
This was really interresting to me. Not so much the fact that the hospital is after the family right after a death, because everyone needs to get paid, but the fact that there are only four spaces for bodies in the morgue of the hospital. Wouldn't you think there would be more? I mean, people die in hospitals every day, and they only expect to have four at a time? Weird.
"I appreciate life more because i do this."
Anyone who is around death all day, i would expect them to appreciate life more. You see people who are shriveled up, or even young people who were in accidents or committed suicide. It would make me want to live a more fufilling life because of the constant reassurance that life doesn't last forever.
I think this is definately true. I've gone to a few funerals, mostly for grand parents, but a few for friends. One of my grandparents had a closed casket because he was Jewish. Usually Jewish families try to keep it as "organic" as possible. The bodies are not usually embalmed. Since pap was shipped from Florida to PA he had to be embalmed for "sanitary plane shipping", but it wasn't done to the full extent of an open casket. There was no make up. Having gone to his funeral and not been able to see his body, it still confuses me to this day. Was that really pap in there? or was someone trying to play a sick joke on me? It's so much easier to physically see the body in front of you.
"The first thing that people in the hospital say is, well what funeral home do you want? You know the ink's not even dry on the death certificate and they need the morgue space, because they only have like four spaces down there. That's it.. four."
This was really interresting to me. Not so much the fact that the hospital is after the family right after a death, because everyone needs to get paid, but the fact that there are only four spaces for bodies in the morgue of the hospital. Wouldn't you think there would be more? I mean, people die in hospitals every day, and they only expect to have four at a time? Weird.
"I appreciate life more because i do this."
Anyone who is around death all day, i would expect them to appreciate life more. You see people who are shriveled up, or even young people who were in accidents or committed suicide. It would make me want to live a more fufilling life because of the constant reassurance that life doesn't last forever.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Mike Rose Summary (Kristen Slack)
What do you think of when you hear variables, math right? Not typically do you hear about styling hair with variables involved. There is a lot more to hair styling than we think. It’s difficult to find a stylist that’s right for you with all of them performing so differently, like Vanessa and Sharon. Vanessa is more of a free-spirited hair dresser and thinks cutting dry hair is more effective than when wet (p.g 31). She lost a pair of scissors and wasn’t cutting hair properly for weeks until she found them (p.g 39). Many hair dressers get used to certain tools and thinks it’s the only thing they can use for that cut, but really it’s all mental.
Sharon is more precise and particular about how she cuts client’s hair and believes the most important part of a visit to the salon is the consultation in the beginning. Communication is a very large part in getting your haircut. You need to be able to tell your hair dresser exactly what you want or be able to understand what they think would look right on you. Different variables involved in cutting hair is if you cut the same look on a women with curly, wavy, or straight hair, they can all look different (p.g 37). Each dresser has a tool kit that contains a different range of combs, brushes, razors, and clippers, blow dryers and attachments, rollers, and curling irons (p.g 39).
My reaction to this section of the book is that I agree with exactly Mike Rose is saying about the variables in hair styling and how every hair stylist is different. If you want the ever so popular Victoria Beckham bob, you need to have somewhat thin hair because it would not look as right on someone with thick and curly hair. Ever since I was younger I’ve been going to the same hair dresser and I trust her, she knows what would and would not work with my hair. A few weeks ago I made a must needed appointment and she wasn’t in that day so I was forced to meet with another stylist. She didn’t use the usual foils in my hair for highlights or had me sit under the dryer like Trisha usually did. The style didn’t turn out the way it usually does but I was content, but this just shows how different each and every hair dresser works her magic hands in styling hair.
Sharon is more precise and particular about how she cuts client’s hair and believes the most important part of a visit to the salon is the consultation in the beginning. Communication is a very large part in getting your haircut. You need to be able to tell your hair dresser exactly what you want or be able to understand what they think would look right on you. Different variables involved in cutting hair is if you cut the same look on a women with curly, wavy, or straight hair, they can all look different (p.g 37). Each dresser has a tool kit that contains a different range of combs, brushes, razors, and clippers, blow dryers and attachments, rollers, and curling irons (p.g 39).
My reaction to this section of the book is that I agree with exactly Mike Rose is saying about the variables in hair styling and how every hair stylist is different. If you want the ever so popular Victoria Beckham bob, you need to have somewhat thin hair because it would not look as right on someone with thick and curly hair. Ever since I was younger I’ve been going to the same hair dresser and I trust her, she knows what would and would not work with my hair. A few weeks ago I made a must needed appointment and she wasn’t in that day so I was forced to meet with another stylist. She didn’t use the usual foils in my hair for highlights or had me sit under the dryer like Trisha usually did. The style didn’t turn out the way it usually does but I was content, but this just shows how different each and every hair dresser works her magic hands in styling hair.
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