Incidentally, the a**hole lecturer for my Information Security class is also Maurice Abi-raad. It is really strange but I find I have this admiration for this man who annoys me so. It is as if I need to prove myself to him that I am good enough for his class.

Amazing what you may sometimes learn from a**holes. Moral of this story is to always be humble and willing to learn.

I had another revelation today about the Information Technology industry this morning.

The best IT people are those who are business~centric. It means that no matter how good your technical expertise are, you must be able to sell your ideas. If you cannot communicate why your technology/product is useful to a business, you are not going anywhere.

This is a really big hurdle for me since I've been accumulating skills since the day I started in university. And, to top it off, I'm really hesitant about a sales role. It is not that I'm shy or am not confident in public... my contemporaries will attest to that. This is simply because of my ego... I have this superiority complex that I really should do something about. I am probably this way 'cause computers are a skill that not many people acquire. Especially when you get really technical.

I can tell my clients what information technology is all about. I can explain the concepts, theory and methodology. I can tell my client how to go about doing something. But, I will probably never answer my client's questions of why should he listen to me.

This day was a real eye opener to me. Thank you Maurice Abi-Raad.

"Computer science today is poised to do all these amazing things," Bill Gates told students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently... excerpt from a BLS report, April 2005.

I'm pretty confident about the future...

Once, a old king said to his young son, "Sleep and dream... dream the dreams of kings."

This is a really beautiful quote I remember from some fantasy book I've read. The title eludes me, but I remember the significance of the scene. The young prince is the crown heir and will soon inherit the kingdom because his father is ill.

I feel kind of sad simply because I shall soon need to inherit my father's legacy. My dad is a great man, humble and wise. I have a feeling that I may never compare to his acheivements... It is much like how Zhuge Liang had a son, he who was never as wise a strategist as his father.

This is really troubling since it is ever the destiny of the children to surpass their parents.

I feel really tired today. This is the after effect of not having slept enough the previous night. Such is the folly, of last minute study... HAHA!

Anyways, I had a real good test today. I was really anxious 'cause the lecturer was an a**hole about my first assignment. I had to resubmit the assignment report twice. But that is another story. The test was really tricky... true/false questions and multiple choice questions are really receptacles for deceptive logic. I messed up the last short answer question, simply because I had not read enough on the subject. The field that is Information Security.

I wonder what the job of a Chief Information SECURITY Officer (CISO) is like?

Alright guys... I'm going to get some shut~eye now. I have a pretty important test tomorrow about Information Security.

Wish me luck!

A little background about myself, I'm a final year Information Technology student at a local university here in Melbourne. Unfortunately, it is not the prestigious University of Melbourne. I personally view that said university is really outdated from a technology aspect. But I am digressing...

I was poking around MSN.com this afternoon and I came across this article regarding a career in the computer industry.

"The computer industry is hot, and job prospects are even hotter. Therefore, salaries are high and openings are abundant. "

I just happen to love the words salaries are high and openings are abundant. No need to compete for job openings. And, start with a big salary package. This is the way to recompensate for my formative years of being a computer geek. Who is laughing now! HAHA!

"Applications software engineers analyze their users' needs, then design, construct and maintain general computer applications software. These engineers rely on the programming languages C, C++ and Java."

I'm currently specializing in Java technology. And, I believe that I have a firm grasp in the fundamental concepts of systems design and analysis.

"Median annual earnings of full-time computer applications software engineers were about $70,900 in 2002, according to the BLS. Computer systems software engineers earned about $74,040."

Look at those nice big annual salary figures. That is a lot of money... ^_^ Granted that the article is speaking of the American job market, it's safe to say that this would be a global phenomenon too. America happens to be the market leader in the computing industry. And, with smaller industry greats like South Korea, Taiwan and India ready to follow the example. Another interesting news of note is the rapid opening of the China market. Opportunities are just big, bountiful and... well, just beautiful.

"Computer software engineering is a lucrative entry-level career for new grads, too, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Starting salary offers for grads with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering averaged $51,343; those with a masters degree averaged $64,200."

I think that lucrative is my new favourite word. Especially when it happens to precede the words entry-level and career. This would really allow me to purchase life's little luxaries a little faster than planned. A new sports car this year... Perhaps a spa resort holiday the year after, or maybe I'll just refurbish my inner-city apartment with bay views. Heh.

"As businesses continually adopt new technologies to stay competitive, computer software engineers will play an ever-important role."

It is also expected that the computer industry will ever expand and need more people. And I happen to be one of those computer geeks. The article also mentions that this period of growth is expected to continue well into 2012. Now, that is a seriously long period of growth and the economists even forsee it to continue after. I plan to capitalize on this good growth and land myself a really cushy job title.

So, when you see me in about 5 years time, do ask me how is business. From my outlook, I'll tell you it's just fine... from my beachside villa... as I drive away in a fancy sports car.

Here is to the future and to dreams... cheers!

What about those acidic and spiteful remarks?

I believe that the majority of humanity is reactive. I mean this by they happen to be pushed by the current of the world. They react to whatever life throws at them, good or bad. This might not seem as much of a problem... But, what if I told you you could influence the situation you happen to be in?

The fact of the matter is that if we choose to be proactive, we can change our situation. Usually it's as simple as changing your frame of mind. An example, I was always irritated by my baby sister who used to make a great big mess every morning during breakfast. I took the time to look at the situation from a different perspective. A child views the world through a fresh and uncluttered mind. She was actually experiencing the whole 'yummy breakfast' and she was really happy playing with what she was *supposed* to eat. I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt... I even had a short "awww... thats so cute" session.

This is an especially important lesson to be learnt... and APPLIED. I have a friend who is struggling with a life problem now. The world is so big and there is so much to do. It's understandable that my friend is not content to sit still and watch life slip by. Said friend is a real cheerful person, exteremely helpful and has the most generous heart. Lately, a few small petty annoyances would trigger the foulest of moods. It's really painful to watch as my friend's partner has to take most of the abuse.

What happened to my good, cheerful, helpful, etc. friend?

This is specifically for said good friend of mine. If you get the chance to read this, I think it'd be helpful. Then go out and be proactive. Change your situation!

Avoiding Burnout

In some ways it was a typical breakfast meeting. The waitress was pleasant, the eggs were average, and the restaurant was full of busy people. We shared a cup of black, coffee-like substance, and the first few times my client took a sip he managed to spill quite a bit of it. His trembling hand was just one of the symptoms of his burnout.

That’s why we were meeting.

He wanted to know if I could help him. I picked up a fork and explained that as long as I used it for eating, the fork would last indefinitely. However, if I began to use it to drive nails or dig trenches, it would soon break. The key was to use it for what it was designed to do.

The look in his eyes told me he got it, but I still went on to say that people are like the fork. When they do what they are not designed to do, they eventually break.

Sure enough, I had him take his MAPP Assessment and it showed that he was designed to work on projects where there was a definite goal. He derived immense satisfaction from reaching goals. He also needed to work by himself about half the time. He was a scientist and enjoyed lab time, doing calculations, and interpreting test results.

What his job required on a day-to-day basis was another story. His primary task was to supervise a dozen people and maintain operations. No goals. No projects. No time alone. Consequently, his job was sucking the life out of him. Much credit for his recovery goes to his boss who was willing to change the job content to fit the design of a valuable employee.

So how do you know if you, a loved one, or someone who reports to you is suffering from burnout? Here are the early-warning signs.

1. Chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down

2. Anger at those making demands

3. Self-criticism for putting up with the demands

4. Cynicism, negativity, and irritability

5. A sense of being besieged

6. Exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things

7. Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances

8. Weight loss or gain

9. Sleeplessness and depression

10. Shortness of breath

11. Suspiciousness

12. Feelings of helplessness

13. Increased degree of risk taking

Fight burnout. Do what you were designed to do.