titansphere.com

June 2008: Eric graduated from Western Oregon University. We thought we were moving but we’re just not financially ready to move yet so we’re going to stay a bit until we feel more comfortable. Eric’s going to look for a part-time job while working on some freelancing and business ideas he’s got, and hopefully in a year or two we’ve nailed down the beginnings of our careers and are working up the ladder!

May 2008: I got a raise! Guess I’m doing well even though I’m on my third coworker. Training three people over the course of one year has been a challenge, but apparently I’ve done well. Plus I implemented some procedures that save the company time and money while improving efficiency. Yay for me!

October 2007: I’m still supervisor, and I think I’m doing a good job. My yearly evaluation is in November, so I guess I find out then-ish. The department is running smoothly, I am managing a person well (imho), and my supervisors praise me regularly. Life is good. I’ve learned much about the interview process, resumes, and managing/training people, which I believe will come in very handy in my next position. Plus its a feather in my cap to have “supervisor” on my resume.Oh yeah, and I’m a ping-pong GOD. heheh.

May 2007: My supervisor retired; I’m the head of the department! Along with a raise (yay!), I am now responsible for 1) the smooth operation of the graphics department and 2) a person. Yikes! We are hiring now.

March 2007: Still working at Highland; still liking it. I’ve been assigned some new duties and impressed the higher-ups in the process, so all is well. My job is rather diverse anymore, which is just the way I like it. My tasks include stripping, mock-ups for new customers, some marketing, label changes, all web responsibilities, misc. graphics stuff, and taking care of the print shop. Variety is the spice of life, eh? I think so…I’d get bored with routine otherwise. On the lighter side, when I get over my overly shy self (in this respect), I speak un poco Spanish with my friend/co-worker Carlos, and a couple of times per week I play Magic: The Gathering with the new guy, Robert. Otherwise Carlos and I are constantly playing jokes on each other, or the “Old Man” we work with (Tom).

In my outside work life, softball is about to start (yes!) and I can’t wait for the weather to be warm more often. I miss my shorts!

November 2006: My one-year anniversary at Highland passed and I’m still employed! Not much of a surprise, really. But I do get a full week of paid vacation, and begin accruing vacation for immediate use.

March 2006: I got a nice raise at work, received a glowing assessment, and now have our full benefits package. Here at the end of May I’ll be eligible for stock options and a retirement fund. Work is still going well; I just finished a two week project that management is thrilled with. Also, Jeff (a co-worker/friend) and I have been playing a variety of sports during breaks and lunch – basketball, frisbee, catch, ping pong – and seem to have started a fad amongst our fellow workmates. Its just so nice outside…I can’t be cooped up all day.

Just before Thanksgiving 2005, I (finally!) got my first “real” job. I am now a full-time employee in the graphics department at Highland Laboratories, a worldwide vitamin manufacturer. Highland is located in Mt. Angel, a small town (pop. 3700) about 15 miles northeast of Salem, Oregon. Although I hate (HATE) waking up at 6:30am to be dressed (in business casual attire) and at work by 7:45am, I really enjoy my job. The 40 or so people here are wonderful and friendly; Highland really strives to create a family-type atmosphere. My supervisor, Linda, has been particularly helpful, answering my hundreds of questions without so much as a hint of irritation. My work duties include updating allergen warnings and other information on product labels; updating the product and online catalog as well as the Highland website; pre- and post-press duties such as stripping, burning, and cutting; mock-ups for potential new customers; and some technical duties such as network maintenance and minor computer problem repairs. Like I said, so far I’ve had a great experience here; in a year, I hope I’m saying the same thing!

In May 2005 I graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science and a minor in Math. The most interesting/enjoyable classes I enrolled in included Machine Learning (Computer Science Prof. Jim Levenick), Western Civilization to 1850 (History Prof. Bill Duvall), and Acting for Non-majors (Theatre Prof. Jon Cole). While attending Willamette, I was a member of the Bearcat softball team as a designated hitter. Two of my most coveted softball memories include hitting a grand slam at Lewis and Clark in 2004 and batting in the winning run in extra innings versus our rivals and league champions, Linfield, on Senior Appreciation Day 2005 in front of many of our parents.

Before moving to the Pacific Northwest in July 2001, I grew up in a tiny Montana town called Park City. No, not Utah; Montana. While I lived there, Park City had about 800 residents, maybe 1000 if you included a wide surrounding area. Animals (cattle, sheep, dogs, horses, goats, chickens, etc.) were certainly more prevalent than people. I attended all 13 grades at Park City Schools, a K-12 school system contained in one single-story L-shaped building with the gym and multipurpose room joining the elementary leg and the junior high/high school leg (the playground made up the rest of the block). I graduated in 2001 as the co-valedictorian of the largest graduating class (45 students) in school history (the first class since 1984 to have two valedictorians). As is common in small schools, I participated in nearly every activity/sport/organization offered, which included Business Professionals of America, basketball, volleyball, track, softball, National Honor Society, Yearbook/Newsletter, Class Officer, Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, and FCCLA, to name a few.