Reflections on an IT Career

A retirement message sent to colleagues in August 2019. I was leaving the organization I had been with for nearly 20 years after a career that began in 1974.

Transcript

1. Before I go…. A parting message from Steve Estabrook - July, 2019
2. A day you dream about. Your last day.
3. It’s bittersweet – great to leave what has been unpleasant, sad to leave what has been good.
4. But chapters are chapters. When it’s time for a new one – it just is.
5. So here we are.
6. As an analyst, it’s hard to not look back …and analyze a bit.
7. For me it all started on an 8k machine. You heard me, 8,000 bits of memory. The IBM System/3 Model 10.
8. It took two IBM engineers 
 (and in those days they were technicians with oscilloscopes and logic charts) 
 two days to upgrade to 16,000 bits.
9. Now you can pick up a 32 gb flash drive at Walgreens. Often on the counter by the cash register. 
 
 Next to the mints.
10. To access the system we used a 3277 Terminal. All we were doing in those days was adding things up. And storing the results for later.
11. I could put a buttered bagel in a fold over plastic bag on the top of it and in 15 minutes it would be ready – nice and toasty.
12. And I also coded on the monitor as well.
13. IT has come a long way. Many things have changed in my career – but many have not.
14. How IT has remained the same
15. Simple is still better.
16. Through today’s eyes, these early days looked simple but for us it was all new and complex in its own way.
17. Remember – there were no computers generally available. There was still ONE Telephone company. Sears was a big deal.
18. The idea of being involved in one of these mystical machines was quite the thing.
19. They required a special room with special power and air conditioning.
20. The simpler we could make things then - the better – that should still be our goal today. 
 
 Occasionally we achieve that simplicity. 
 
 Occasionally. Simple is still better.
21. Helping people is still rewarding.
22. Today it is difficult to see what good we are doing when we often can’t see those we are serving. 
 
 And that can be frustrating. Helping people is still rewarding.
23. You know what I mean. Helping people is still rewarding.
24. But when you can actually help – that’s a good day. Helping people is still rewarding.
25. And if you can do something with the least number of IT people people involved – the better. Helping people is still rewarding.
26. That’s a better day. Helping people is still rewarding.
27. And for those of us in IT, if the business likes what you did – well – that’s even better. Helping people is still rewarding.
28. Clunky processes are still clunky.
29. If you have a bad manual process and you computerize it – what do you get? Clunky processes are still clunky.
30. A bad computer process. Clunky processes are still clunky.
31. You know where they are. Clunky processes are still clunky.
32. It was the same then as it is now. Clunky processes are still clunky.
33. Hope we can get better at that. Clunky processes are still clunky.
34. IT is still misunderstood
35. In my first real job – the company knew they needed a computer – but in reality they had no idea what to do with it. 
 
 So they made it a part of accounting so there could be somebody to blame. IT is still misunderstood
36. The computer was needed – they reluctantly thought (and it was). IT is still misunderstood
37. But the computer was a strange, mysterious thing. IT is still misunderstood
38. And the people involved with it were also mysterious and strange. But the computer was a strange, mysterious thing. IT is still misunderstood
39. The business was running fine without it – thank you. IT is still misunderstood
40. AND you are costing us money. IT is still misunderstood
41. Things are still the same. IT is still misunderstood
42. The business can think we are strange. IT is still misunderstood
43. AND we are costing them money. IT is still misunderstood
44. So as we part company, remember….
45. Keep it simple so we can really help people. 
 
 Avoid clunky at all costs. 
 
 And if you are an IT person, try not to be so strange and mysterious.
46. That goes for the retirees as well! 

47. From that day in November 2000 that I started as a contractor… 
 
 
 
 
 

48. From that day in November 2000 that I started as a contractor… 
 
 To that day in May 2007 when I was hired as an employee… 
 
 

49. From that day in November 2000 that I started as a contractor… 
 
 To that day in May 2007 when I was hired as an employee… 
 
 To today…it’s been quite an adventure. 

50. I’ve sent this to you because you are someone who has contributed to my career. 
 
 Contributions take many forms. 
 
 
 

51. I’ve sent this to you because you are someone who has contributed to my career. 
 
 Contributions take many forms. 
 
 Maybe we were really close, maybe not so much – BUT – we were in this together and I am a better person because of you. 

52. We experienced some wonderful, strange, frustrating and crazy situations. 
 
 Thankfully not all at the same time.
53. Those experiences made us who we are today – we just haven’t stopped that often to remember. 
 
 …or tell each other.
54. We have contributed to each others careers and experiences in many ways over the years. 
 
 Let’s not stop.
55. I really appreciate the special part you played in my career.
56. Be a blessing to those you work with.
57. In the end…you will never regret it.
58. Take care…
59. Take care… And God bless…