Teltek's Girl on Wire
In my most recent column, I shared a story of how I regard our techs as superheroes, even though they don’t ask to be seen that way. Every occupation has its superstars and sidekicks who quietly do their jobs and never ask for recognition. Most of us work in industries that are not usually considered exciting or even interesting to the outside world.
The other day I was watching an episode of “Sex and the City” on TV (they edit the hell out of it, but it’s still good TV). It was the episode where Miranda discovers, while speed dating, that she garners more attention when she lies about her occupation. As an attorney, she gets very little interest from men, but she’s quite the catch as a flight attendant!
It got me thinking about my own job and how others react to it. If I’m out at a cocktail party, networking event or speed dating (yes, I’ve actually tried that!), the girl who works in telecom is quickly overshadowed by the handbag designer, shock trauma nurse or Lebanese restaurant owner. The Marketing Managers and Web Site Designers are also routinely found to be more interesting. It comes as a surprise to me considering how many pop culture references there are to the telecom world. Know what I mean? If not, keep reading…
*When Superman needed to change into his blue leotard and red cape, did he duck into the bathroom? No, that was a phone booth.
*Did Maxwell Smart keep a flashlight in his shoe? Nope, that was a shoe phone.
*Does anyone remember how Neo was rescued from the Matrix when things went bad? Also a phone!
*Lady GaGa has no songs about iPods, TVs or DVD players…see a theme here?
I think your job can be as exciting as you choose to make it or describe it. Instead of fabricating a more interesting occupation, embellish a little bit or tell a story about how you went the distance for a customer or smashed through a sales goal. So the next time you meet someone who works in telecom or an industry that seems bland to you, try to act a little impressed. After all, that person could be a secret agent or superhero in disguise!
How can you glamorize your current job or remind others of how important it is? Tell me your ideas!