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?