Tuesday, July 05, 2016

Journal Entry #5 - United States Department of Labor - Talk About Every Employer

JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: June 25, 2016

Department:  United States Department of Labor
Topics: Each and every employer, SBA Programs

Applied to 1,000 corporations in varied categories.

Twitter Message to USDA Scholars and Interns, White House Fellows, DOC SEC Interns and Scholars, etc.:  I am applying to Senior Executive Service (SES) Level 00 positions, but it states to graduate from Leadership Candidate Development Program(s). OPM Site describes the program, but I do not know how to get the certificate.  Scholars,  interns, or those with the certificate, how do I get the certificate? Is there a specific title in USAJOBS site?

Position #1
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program - this was an awesome opportunity with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) formerly name Soil Conservation Service (SCS).  Working in Charleston and doing paperwork on USDA programs was different.  I happen to wander all over Charleston and Berkeley county in the Chevy Beretta.  It was great meeting the farmers and talking to them along Johns Island, Sullivan’s Island, North Charleston, and other areas.  This is the time period - there was no GPS and technology was not there, yet.  It is always fun putting together soil maps to find out where I am going and the land that needed surveying.  Dewayne, Ann, and I enjoyed going out to the ponds and testing the PH.  There were three other soil scientists or engineers in the office because it was a combined federal, county, and city office.  Traffic to the office was not normal traveling down I-26.  I went to the Berkeley County office from time to time to learn the GIS system that coming in place to re-do all the soil survey maps.  I kept in contact with the office through Donna (she was new just like me) and inform me of updates going on with everyone.  I kept in contact with Ann Bentley as much as I could to get updates as well.  It is time to see who is there after all my changes.  No wireless communications or portable technology at the time. I did have to write a capstone essay/paper about my experience to get credit at SCSU.  I met everyone in the hiring process.

Next office was Washington, DC USDA HQ and UDC 1890 Extension Mansion near Brookland-CUA red line stop. It was fun staying with grandparents and just hop on the H8 bus to a 20 minute ride to work.  The adventure from this office was meetings, 1890 activities, DC activities, and planted some inner gardens with AmeriCorps.  It was building and surveying restoration and retention walls for the Anacostia River Watershed. Lillian was fun. It was very interesting on the influx of Greeks I was meeting at this office location.  I did attend USDA/1890 freshman class orientation, and gabbed/hung out with the interns that came in with me.  No wireless communications or portable technology at the time. I did have to write a capstone essay/paper about my experience to get credit at SCSU.

Next office was Prince Georges County Government Complex in Upper Marlboro, MD.  USDA provided another Chevy Beretta to travel from DC to Maryland (or all over Maryland).  USDA was undergoing some changes in replacing the old soil maps with new soil maps. While on government time, I took the time to talk with other government entities, such as Congress, and other SCSU alumni or South Carolina constituents in a managerial, director, or representative office. Also PG office sent me to other USDA offices, such as Charles County, St. Mary’s County, Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, Howard County, Calvert County, and Frederick County.  Again, talking to farmers and getting updates on their agribusiness file to receive USDA benefits.  It was good to meet the farmers as well as the USDA constituents even for a day or two.  No wireless communications or portable technology at the time.  I did have to write a capstone essay/paper about my experience to get credit at SCSU.  I got my car and stayed at one of my aunt's house and cousin during the final internship in PG County.

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JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: June 25, 2016

Department:  United States Department of Labor

Position #2 - Post SCSU graduation
United States Department of Agriculture - since the USDA did not have the funds to convert me to a full time employee, and I made the decision to go to Atlanta, Georgia.  I did not know similar experiences was happening to other scholars too on non-conversion.

Position #2 - Corporate America - United Parcel Service
I enjoyed seeing the brown trucks and having them send/receive my packages.  I was elated to be the consumer. The crew for a short amount of hours seems okay and excited, but the work for three (3) to five (5) hours was treacherous.  Oh my god, we got trained how to do everything in the truck, but the rule was 75lbs packages and scanning.  If I am 120lbs at the time, people were shipping 150lb packages and in which we had to stack the truck to the roof.  The assistance was only from the ground to the back end of the truck with two people per truck.  After one month or two, I had to find something else so yes, "I quit", but however, it is good to know UPS still have me on file.  There was no social media at the time, but beeper service began with Skytel - 8884157985.

Position #2
Start of Collins Incorporated - Atlanta, Georgia
Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork

Position #2
Microsoft Corporation - Seattle, Washington
I was so pissed at Microsoft. If I barely made it and struggled in Atlanta on 30K to 35K coming out of college, and just relocated from South Carolina to Georgia. Microsoft gave me the same salary to move all the way to Seattle, Washington. Someone tell me what is wrong with that picture.  At this time, relocation packages were not offered from companies to move OR was offered, but it would have been sunk costs. Yes, I still apply to Microsoft to let them see the progression and find something suitable.


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JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: June 25, 2016

Department:  United States Department of Labor

Position #3 -
Barton Protective Services (now called Allied Barton) - my part-time security officer gig, which started in Alexandria, Virginia.  This was funny, I was working out of commercial building 1776 Massachusetts Ave NW and a high school classmate, Tequilla, was working across the street with another security company.  It was so funny.  I had the second shift and it was fun exploring the building at night.  Also, in another location I worked at was 313 Massachusetts Ave NW, it was a new extension to the smaller building.  It was fun taking naps in unoccupied lofts and resting on the rooftop with the pool.  The building was empty - no tenants because the building did not start leasing yet.  This was one fun part time job.  The next venture was Koyo Corporation in Orangeburg, SC during my senior year of college.  This was one solitary place; in which, I enjoyed making rounds and checking the gate during the night shift.  It really was no one around, but going through the offices and see how people live in the office was fun.  The next venture was transferring to Atlanta, Georgia to Peachtree Center - Marquis Office Building One right at the intersection of Peachtree Center walkway and entrance to the Marriott Marquis. This is where I met another longtime friend, Alan. I do not where my security friend/peer from NY, Tyrone P., went and he worked in Lenox Mall/Phipps Plaza Mall area for a long time, but it was funny.  That office building and hotel could tell some stories with fire alarms, night shift scandals, and always talking to all the visitors from out of town. Beeper service to the max.  I met everyone in the hiring process.


Position #4 -
Georgia TEMP (employer) and Georgia-Pacific Corporation (client)-
This is was fun.  I learned my first CAD software program.  I worked with plenty of engineers (most European), but it was fun.  They seems to have enjoyed me and even though there was a cafeteria, people took naps in their cars including me.  I learned how to provide technical support and customer service without actually having the engineering degree.  I learned plenty about lumber, 2x4s, studs, screws, 2D drawings, etc.  It was different as a business casual environment and driving out to Marietta/Smyrna, Georgia from Doraville, Georgia.  This was the day job.  I wanted to stay, but pressure began to happen to want more money.  I do give this job credit in providing more project responsibility, but I was young and did not see what the engineers were trying to do in promotion of responsibilities.  When it was time to deliver a new version of the software, they hired more temps to help me.  I left because I wanted a new challenge.  I love the job, but just did not see a career path in it.  I did return back to GP headquarters in downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street, but it did not pan out after three months.  I met everyone in the hiring process.

Position #5 -
MCI Corporation (employer)
This was my first telecommunications and sales part time job.  It was in a new Alpharetta campus.  Driving up GA 400 in the evening was tough especially when eight lanes reduce to four creating a crazy bottleneck.  I remember my supervisor Mr. Washington, short, muscle, light skinned, handsome man.  It was youthful environment.  We taught everything from CLEC, NXX, NPA, RBOC, selling calling cards, multilines, switching those long distance customers like no tomorrow from AT&T, etc. Sometimes we get bad database leads, which ruins our week or goals. A girl, a guy, and I always try to remain in the top three to get individual rewards and help our team stay in the top five teams in the call center.  We help each other out on how to work the script we were given. Benefits were good and everything for a part time employee. I did attempt to apply for internal positions, but everything was new and it was a different hiring process.  Yes, this is where most of my phone experience came from.  I worked GP during the day, MCI in the evening, and Barton on the weekends...it was clockwork.  Things went sour with MCI when WorldCom came in.  The teams were older arriving from Virginia and New Jersey.  The silliness in goal setting by tripling goals thinking that the new company name would get more business.  I left because it was too chaotic and all the cohesion was lost.  Everyone knows MCI WorldCom became bankrupt through the financial scandals of the WorldCom side in Atlanta, etc., the remaining assets were bought by Verizon (or now called Verizon Business).  I met everyone in the hiring process.

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JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: June 25, 2016

Department:  United States Department of Labor

Position #6 -
Office Specialists (employer) and Media One (then AT&T Broadband, now Comcast) (client)
This was my first gig working with human resources and developing a new application database to keep track of trucking incidents.  This opportunity encourage me to obtain my Microsoft Office User Specialist - Expert certification for all Microsoft Office applications.  Human Resources used SAP for plenty of functions, but they wanted a niche applications that could be simple and produce reports on the delivery cable drivers regarding their traffic incidents.  I did the application within the time frame allotted. I never had cable service while in Atlanta. I think watching so much of cable on the road or in DC, it really never bothered me to create a bill for it.

Position #6 - Office Depot (employer)
I went through the process on getting hired for the order placement call center in Atlanta, but GE Capital offer came through.  It was a very small team for such a large company and retail store for the East Coast.

Position #7 -
Think Resources (employer) and General Electric Capital Information Technology Services (client)
This was the actual first real IT help desk job I ever had.  The cohesion began the day I came in Norcross, Georgia location.  It was less than 10 minutes to work.  I was spoiled. Most of GECITS clients were large companies, banks, and other GE counterparts.  Andrea, Darryl, and I always competed to see who will get the next Microsoft certification.  It was fun with the level one, level two, tier 3 helpdesk all at the same location. Taking 100+ calls per day was tough.  Mike Lisenby was the most memorable supervisor for the whole center and we kept in contact as much as possible even when the company moved to Covington, Kentucky.  Everyone was offered the opportunity to go, but I was not ready to move because I just got to Atlanta, GA from Orangeburg, SC. At this job, this is where I got the news my mother passed.  I stayed in contact with most of them that took the offer and moved, but they came right back to Atlanta.  This is the company that taught me to always cover my ass(ets) on everything.  I obtained my A+ certification and Microsoft Certified Professional certifications.

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JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: June 25, 2016

Department:  United States Department of Labor

Position #8 -
TeleCommute Solutions (TCS) (then Netifice Communications, now MegaPath) (employer)
This was my second telecommunications learning experience working with DSL and ISDN modems, and learning high speed internet. I was on dial up internet until Bellsouth gave me some green alien like modem from Alcatel for DSL.  This was my first groundbreaking experience.  The company was a small business or one of those venture capitalist type companies. It was me and Chuck, European fat kid. Rick was at the helm of customer support.  Chuck and I were at it daily, and when colleagues saw we were getting along, they thought something went wrong. However, the company got more money and customer support expanded.  I got the responsibility to develop the first ticketing system for approximate six (6) to eight (8) people. As the responsibility grew and Chuck and I started to talk about placement with this growth, I asked Rick first for manager or supervisor position and then he hired a guy named Billy, a white male, and promoted Jackie, as customer service team lead. I had fight with HR. HR fired me. I filed EEO claims and took them through GA DOL. I did not know the courts at this time.

Position #9 -
TAC Worldwide-EDP Contract Services (employer) and MCI WorldCom (client)
This was my first 100% road warrior position. I did not know deployment involved so much.  Rick Jenks, was our team lead, and we all got along fine.  Charles from Chicago was in the team. I forgot the other white, stocky fellow.  I met my longtime friend, Stacie F. Phil was the overall project manager for all the teams.  This is where I learned about ghosting and imaging machines, setting up ad-hoc Cisco networks with routers and switches, and fly in/fly out.  The start of the deployment was tough with bugs and issues with the first images and shelling out 200 machines in two days per office location.  We had the largest coverage on Midwest deployment. Once our team got the network and imaging down to a science and we finally got to enjoy some of the cities/towns we went to.  This was my first visit to Mall of America in development, second visit to Chicago, and first visit to other Midwest states. AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) was the instant messenger of choice for all the teams. I met everyone in the hiring process.

Position #10 -
Hi-Tech Associates (employer) and Sprint Corporation (client)
Sprint ION was a little bit before its time because it was Voice Over IP on a DSL or ISDN line.  This was in a brand new building in Smyrna, Georgia.  This is another cohesion of telecommunication professionals, Davina (Dab-nah), Yolanda, A Lite Skin boy, another boy, and me.  We partied together. We had to keep each other awake on the night shift.  We worked on our resumes.  We talked about the customers.  I started downloading screensavers from the company onto my personal computer.  Before Sprint ION NOC folded, I tried to apply to Sprint Network Operations Center Hub, but they wanted more Cisco than I could give.  As a team, we tried to go to the next gig together. As of today, we keep in touch.


Position #11 -
Creative Source Unlimited (employer) and Bank of America (client)
Keith and Shandrena Cheney, this was my first experience with an African-American small business and a family business. Before there was Facebook or social media other than email, I was still doling out cards to everyone including my employers. I did not know how good of a project manager/leader I was until this company and BOA provided my first expansion project for their mortgage loan call center in Richmond, Virginia.  There were many projects going on from tech support to supporting Merlin in a Windows environment.  I got promoted from analyst to project lead and from 35K to 40K.  It was prototyping desktops.  My hair went through changes from straight to curly twists to schoolboy cuts.  It was the start of private client video conferencing and multimedia screens on a windows platform.  This was a mixed transportation from Doraville to Downtown Atlanta on MARTA, car, SUV, and bike. Robbie was a great tech person. Natasha was good until she told everyone that she was a stripper or XXX type of performer. Rosanne was nice. Tim was NFL size and narcoleptic, but it was scary when he would dose off. Farrell was the VP and Microsoft guru, and we all looked up to him and Keith. Charles was NBA size and always knew how to break the tension in the room with his sense of humor. Terry was the crazy white boy and thought of the craziest off the wall ideas. I appreciate Keith and Shandrena for entrusting me with their first social event at Dave and Buster's Atlanta. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I was here when the 9/11 attacks happen and scrolled through CNN and all the media screens.  It was tough and confused as everyone grew concerned for the Bank of America tower(s).  I could not make any sense of the situation, but try to get through to family in New York/New Jersey area. Everyone turned out fine.

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JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: June 25, 2016

Department:  United States Department of Labor

Position #12 -
Wackenhut Corrections Corporation (now G4S) (employer)
This was the down side of all the 9/11 situation. I left Creative Source when things got slightly too tough from 40K to 25K and the company move the distance from downtown Atlanta to Union City, GA and College Park, GA.  Supervisors were Terrance Hunt and Martin Pace.    The opportunity was with the State of Georgia.  I was working downtown Atlanta in the various booths at the State of Georgia. I met another longtime friend, but lost contact with Allen, State of GA employee.  I enjoyed working on the bridge from the parking lot to the building.  We had to work in all conditions.  I was attending Keller at the time, but struggled later to keep up with bills and rent.  I met everyone in the hiring process.


Position #13 -
Advantage Professionals (employer), Dell (employer/prime), and US Department of Defense (client)
This was my first government project and first clearance process. It was interesting traveling all the way down to Quantico, Virginia from DC.  There was hardly any traffic.  It was a Dell deployment for the new Marine Corps contract.  I met some team members, but it was such a short period that cohesion could not take place. Only email and cellphone was the mode of communication.


Position #14 -
International Spy Museum (employer)
I met Mr. "Mac" McClelland.  It was an awesome job working for this museum when it initially opened. I enjoyed working here and making my rounds through the museum.  I went through the exhibits and logged any abnormality. It was a great help to be able to do my Keller studies.  I met some great colleagues and loss contact.  It was good doing the nightshift because on the weekends when the clubs are on, we saw everything from people changing the cars, people (girls and boys) urinating near the garage, and/or having sex in the front seat. Unfortunately, we had a conflict - I was actually called and served on DC jury duty AND the job actually thought I was skipping out of work.  I met everyone in the hiring process.


Position #15 -
Computer Products Inc. (employer) and US Department of Defense (client)
This was an interesting and stressful job. I met Julia, Chris, Debbie, and Jason.  It was paperwork city in working to make sure the correction to the DOD contracts go through.  I worked with so many different systems to pull the packet together.  Due to Jason's management style, we were on pins and needles if had a report wrong or something.  We did try stay awake because we all know how government work goes.  I kept in contact with Julia, Chris, and Debbie, but lost contact later.  Debbie went to the DVA and had her 'black' husband drop by the job. Julia went to Florida. Chris went to another agency at the time and I think he went to Elon because he work the shirt alot.  I do not where Jason went.  I did go back to visit the area and that small area of Alexandria near I-395 is under construction.  While building a mall and other complexes, the neighborhood mentioned an old lady was not selling.

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JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: June 25, 2016

Department:  United States Department of Labor

Position #16 -
ZeNetex (employer), Electronic Data Systems (EDS, now HP Enterprise Services)(prime employer) and US Department of Defense (client)
This was my next major promotion in resume. It was a return to SharePoint and project management.  I was apart of the process management and change management team.  The project was large and powerful.  It was to help repair the networks and area injured at the Pentagon from 9/11. This team had so much extreme positivity, it was abnormal, but we did produce results.  It was fun having everyone ride in my Expedition.  It was pulling hours to harden those servers and provide support.  It was nice to travel to the Chantilly area.  It was underdevelopment and I kind of poked around Herndon, Fairfax areas traveling up and down I-66 or US 50.  I am still reconnecting with team members from the project.  My hiring manager/program manager at the time still believes in me to do something great.  I met everyone in the hiring process.


Position #17 -
Collins Incorporated (subcontractor), B2B Business Solutions (employer) and Chicago Public Schools (client)
This is another opportunity to work on my business.  Donna was great and learned a lot from her.  This opportunity competed with Kraft out of Hoffman Estates.  Unfortunately, Kraft only offered six (6) months and CPS offered a year or more.  It was great working with Manny, Bill, Patrick S., Patrick P., Saul, Brian D., Tim, John, Mike, Rachel, etc.  It something else working the data center and reading other folks email. The porn some of these instructors or high profile officials were using, 'wowed' me.  SharePoint was great and learned alot and got to know Chicagoland for a 3rd time.  This was the first job I was able to walk to and get there in less than 15 to 20 minutes.  The snow, wind, and Sentinel cutting my salary from $60/hour to 75K in the midst of purchasing the Atlanta house. The neighbor, pretty, black girl from South Carolina I think wanted to sleep with me, but I did not ask because I was operating a crazy whore house out of my apartment. I made a longtime friend Langstan and several other Chicago people from Bally's.  I saw my first suicide from my apartment building - it was a white guy - and heard people yelling from the window, "was he gay!?"  I held on tight to my brown bible all night. CPS has moved several times from South Clark, but I see it from time to time while walking downtown Chicago.  This is where my third heavy crying activity starting happening and Chicago decided to get to know me when I decided to leave. I obtained my Network+ and other Microsoft certifications.  I met everyone in the hiring process.


Position #18 -
ITech Solutions (employer/payroll), Electronic Data Systems (EDS, now HP Enterprise Services)(prime employer) and US Department of Defense (client)
After leaving Chicago, I came right back to DC metro area.  This time back to EDS/HP under Mark W.  The brothers John and Mark was there from my last DOD project.  Tracy was nice and made everything loud and embarrassing.  I did not know my personality was that strong.  Donna T., Sean M., and the other lady got along and I kept in contact.  Even though, I hated the rules of switching managers because I did not know if it was singling me out or what was going on. This opportunity ended, but we are LinkedIn buddies.  I did not meet anyone, but the client in the hiring process.


Position #19 -
Collins Incorporated (subcontractor), (K-Force (employer/payroll), Northrop Grumman (prime employer), and US Department of Defense (client)
This was an odd, but unique opportunity.  It was in a closed off area and no windows.  I was so use to brand new buildings and a bunch of windows.  It was tough communicating (no cellphones inside) and relating to people like I normally do thinking they had to the same stuff I had. I had a vacation traveling to Italy and Aruba, and drinking plenty of expressos.  It was hard moving through tasks because I did not know it was 'thinking' job.  I was young and tried find out what the h*ll happened when I popped or thought my right brain went into the left.  This was my first civil case.  I did finish the contract, but it a long recovery period before my next major opportunity. After self-reflection, I did not know the economy was going through a major downturn. I tried to do Craigslist and AirBnb with my DC home before AirBnb or homesharing/roomsharing.  I met everyone in the hiring process.

                               
Position #20 -
Abercrombie and Fitch (employer)
This was my first attempt to return back to the workforce.  I did do some acting gigs in the break and understand my brand. I did enjoy going to MAC cosmetics, purchasing makeup, and putting the foundation and concealer on before work.  I was a store model and greetings customers, but what I say people did with that store. It was no security except on the some of the clothes.  The cash drawers came up short. It was fun doing the task of folding one or two items in different areas of the store.  We tried to connect different times or closing, but it was so little hours and the staff kept changing monthly.  No cohesion could take place.  I went to New York and interviewed twice with the flagship store, and did not hear anything back. I met everyone in the hiring process.

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JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: June 25, 2016

Department:  United States Department of Labor

Position #21 -
MVM Security (employer)
This was my first opportunity to feel the power of a firearm and pepperspray.  I did meet some cool colleagues, went to lunch together, and enjoyed the Smithsonian museum. It was short lived. I could not get accustomed to the belt hanging on my hips.  I made some friends like Rich and other dude.  However, I thought I was moving to New York again.


Position #22 -
Dunkin Donuts (employer)
Unfortunately, the move to New York did not pan out. I could have stayed, but I was still going through my issues.  I landed in Maryland.  This was another job during recovery.  This grew as a family with Monique, Eugene, Marko, Tia, Oliver from STATE, Erica, etc.  It was a 24 hour shop until another Dunkin Donuts down the street got robbed.  I came in on the nightshift, but it went to days and closing and sometimes opening.  Baking the doughnuts and muffins came into play.  Anytime we needed a sugarfix or caffeine fix, this was the place.  I tried everything on the menu and got turned on to lattes with plenty of caramel and half the expresso.  I still did not like the taste of coffee.  The job was about a mile from where I was living.  It was fun and unique living in Upper Marlboro, MD.



Position #23 -
Sedona Technologies (employer) and US Department of Defense (client)
This was another return to help stabilize the drought.  It was quick and fast at Fort McNair, DC.  I did not wander all over the base, but it had some nice parts and I did see National Defense University.  I remember Willie Weaver was my supervisor and think he was about to retire when I came on the project.  I did not meet anyone in the hiring process (only the clearance people)


Position #24 -
ATI Technologies (employer/payroll), Raytheon (employer), and US Department of Defense (client)
This was my next project and got another good friend called Sageer.  It was funny on how we were trying to do the project.  He was from Virginia. I was from DC.  We hung out, he brought his Indian friends, and we still keep in touch to update on what is happening in our lives.  Cory F. was the program manager.  I forgot the other young lady I kept in touch with regarding ATI (she was there the longest on her project).


Position #25 -
Collins Incorporated (subcontractor) and System & Information Services Corporation (employer)
This was my first pure Asian contractor. I was training people how to do SharePoint.  I did not have to follow Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC). I kept in contact with my class and colleagues via email and Yahoo Messenger was the instant messenger of choice.  I do call every once and a while. Yiyan, Kevin, Geremew, James, and Don, I hope all is well out there.

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JOURNAL ENTRY #5

Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: June 25, 2016

Department:  United States Department of Labor

Position #26 -
SiloSmashers (employer) and US Department of Transportation (client)
This was the entering of project management and program management city. Everybody was almost a project manager. It was headed by a woman, but it was family business as I learned everyone was from Virginia and subject to recall sometimes based on need.  It was fun and enjoyed working through three different locations - DOT HQ in DC, TFHRC in McLean, and SS in Fairfax.  One thing, Angela (CEO), kept doing and I did not understand it was standing in the doorway speaking to someone.  I did not know what it meant and I thought it was okay/norm to split the conversation.  I kept changing by sometimes going around the other entrance or something OR actually waiting for the conversation to finish.  I did not ask for fear of interrupting the trains of thought.  It was interesting of the company name and conference rooms had a baseball theme to it. I kept in contact with most of those from the company.  It was the first time meeting a program manager/project manager shorter than me. The young lady, Kavita, that did the project with me and Eric, somehow got the FAA project that FAA kept open and pinging me about.  I wonder who threw shade for that FAA project/position, but SiloSmashers laid me off.  I obtained my Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certification.  I met everyone in the hiring process.


Position #27 -
Infotech Enterprises of America (employer) and United Technologies Corporation - Pratt and Whitney (client)
This was my first Asian Indian company.  It seemed pretty big, but I did not realize most Indian IT companies had the name Infotech-something or something-Infotech.  Dharma and Radha saw me cry the first time on the job when I had family members passed. Anil was a talker and was being mister director.  Brian, Dharma, another tall Indian dude, and I almost had a lunch moment closely running into a bicyclist from Brian's SUV. David and Chris were cool in keeping us informed about the project, but there was a slight delay about the upcoming Pratt and Whitney layoff. Chantii was a fun HR person to tell us what was happening in the neighborhood. Even though, it was confidential I did speak to a Carol D. as a therapist and life coach for the stressor in life. Ramakrishna and Shankar was a pleasure to work with for coordination of offshore duties.  Radha moved back home to Michigan.  Danielle was awfully close in talking all about New York, Atlanta, plenty of other places, and how we had to do one of the upcoming projects.  The company was at the end of its 10 year contract and talked to Virtusa and other contractors I met while I was there to come back to UTC, Sikorsky, Otis, or P&W.


Position #28 -
Tata Consultancy Services (employer) and Marsh (client), PSEG (client), (hidden clients - JP Morgan Chase and American Express)
This was one of the most craziest experiences in my work history.  I probably never paid attention on how big a company gets and have everything all-in-one.  Other than GE and Motorola with six sigma black belt programs.  HR process was similar to government application and I had to ask questions.  I saw Indian doctors doing research and development.  I did and saw you can do health and fitness stats through various company projects.  The logging of timesheets came for one project, but disappeared for another project.  Through all my crazy recruiters and beating out the NYS DCFS project/offer, Pinaki C. came through and offered me a position at Marsh.  Handling two companies at the same time was a talent and hardly any sleep.  I had a great time knowing Dhiman, Rahul, Chandrakaboti (name spelled wrong), Raj, Pamela, Siddhasil, Umashankar, Rachana, and Farook.  I did my norm of helping an Indian, Farook, first time to USA go everywhere he needed to go.  We did do the social holidays and the Indian holiday called 'Diwali'.  After my team and I did the application and the changing of the guard with John H., Farook, and Saby again, it was so odd for Pinaki to say, "Do not do the application."  I landed at PSEG and I actually listened in not doing the application.  I had to manage plenty of applications, including SharePoint, and it was energy applications and platforms I never heard of.  PSEG was interesting meeting several Kishore(s), Suman, Chaitali, Angelo, and Debasish(s).  I enjoyed working with the project team, and learned so much and getting updates from Nitin and another Rahul.  Nitin and I started cohesion, but he did not give up any information and then he left the company.  This was a sink or swim type of company because I went through so many crazy interviews between PSEG and Marsh that it angered me that a company would send me somewhere, and do a lay me off or make me quit.  I was highly upset when you released or benched me at the point I was getting ready for my PMP exam and graduate from University of Phoenix.  I did get my Security+ and ITIL certifications.  I did not meet everyone in the hiring process.


Position #29 -
Amazon MKE5 (employer)
Kenosha, Wisconsin...never in a million years I thought of this city or state.  Good thing I had interesting good friend from the Atlanta days (she was from Illinois), but it was entertaining.  It was windy and cold. I am on a bike traveling from another suburb of Wisconsin.  I was so out of place for this position.  I knew the job and talked with my peers, but everyone saw plenty of crazy from everywhere else (mainly NY stuff) that I have been. I had some great conversations, but people just did their own thing.  I tried to the rideshare before the actual harsh winter came, but my friend was changing jobs before I do anything else with the company or alternate with the bike.  It was a warehouse job scanning packages and building pallets.  I would love to come back, but I am unsure where my friend may have disappeared to in a split second (which suburb??).  Cohesion was starting, but something mentally was happening (pinging to forehead) and I did not know what it was.  It was a little bit of money, but it did what I needed.


Position #30 -
Maoz Vegetarian (employer)
I do not know how I missed this restaurant. It may have been apart of my NYC vegetarian group, but I must have missed it. It was great working with Phil, Nisa, Jackie, Luis, Sahara, AJ, Taz, Cinthia,  Maiya, Analysia, and Mirian, but something happened when I did not show up for work stated in earlier posts. I did get nervous when the guy you hired at the same time I came in. His crazy was bumping heads with my crazy, and a lot of my internal safety mechanisms turned on when he kept doing a unique type of crazy - you may call it a "conflict of personalities".  Maiya was hard, but became soft before she left.  Mirian was a very good worker and loved her job.   Luis, I like the rock too, got along good, and you cool, handsome Mexican in my book.   Cinthia was jamming to her music and probably get all of us to salsa in the restaurant.  Martha was funny and good sense of humor in Spanish.  Sahara always came in mean and kept giving me mean.  Analysia, we got off on the wrong foot, but every time I talk her, she did something else.  Phil was just there, and I mean he was just there.  Phil, I will text later.  I will social media everyone much later.  After the talk with Nisa and AJ's woman, I am passing it off as a seasonal position. We all did crazy in the mall or store or Rosemont community. It was a once and a lifetime experience working in the mall. This restaurant starred in a touchy battle on who make the best falafels, or the origin of the restaurant connected to religion.  It was a little bit of money, but it made a BIG impact doling FaceBook through USPS to most of all the folks I had pictures of.  For folks, this is what I eat or how I eat.


Position #31 (2016) -
What am I doing? Not a DAMN thing! Paperwork was sent somewhere. Other paperwork will be sent later. Still applying to 1,000+ corporations and going through the US DOL systems per state to find something. United States Small Business Administration (SBA), I am working through the workshops again for the third time for the first time in getting a little bit of money.


Rejection Rate from all other jobs (federal, state, local, city, retail, banking, financial, bike messenger, security, business, engineering, hospitals, healthcare, food service, education, acting) APPLIED: Going strong at 85% since 1998
















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