Proposal for new ATN Service:
eJob Prep and Locator
(a.k.a. "Vocation Server")

Revised Tuesday, November 02, 1999

(Were you looking for the Vacation Server proposal?)

Service Objective

To provide encouragement and assistance to those seeking a foothold on a lucrative career ladder based on the Web.

Description of the Proposed Service

eJobs offer a class of employment unimagined by your parents when you told them you were going to be an English or Art History major. The fact is that most people working in Web-related fields today came in through the back door. They had already failed in their chosen careers and landed IT jobs as a way to tide them over until better times.

The industry mistook this trend as a burgeoning legitimization of up-sizing IT while down-sizing everything else to pay for it. As the pyramid grew under them, competent IT managers were soon promoted out of their areas of expertise. Neophyte underlings now find themselves in the position of hiring even more people who are as clueless as they are to fill vacant positions that were created during the last wave of promotions.

This simple misunderstanding is your golden opportunity.

Getting your foot in the door and starting your climb to the top involves these simple steps:

Intended Audience

Anyone who enjoys playing with the latest technology more than actually working for a living.

Reasons for Providing the Service

One of the greatest threats to an eJobs pyramid is the looming specter of some little hot-shot coming along and pointing out that the emperor -- and most of his minions -- have on no clothes. The best defense against such a threat is to continue to hire like-minded individuals who are willing to accept cool over content and ride the wave to its maximum economic potential. There's always the option of going back to being a full-time out-of-work Art Historian, but what's the rush?

Alternatives

In theory, one could develop actual skills and try to market oneself on that basis. However, the industry is so flooded with dependents of an eJobs pyramid that the SCI (skilled competent idealists) are doomed to frustration. Of course, there have to be enough of them to keep the rest of us afloat, but it's a lot of work with little thanks.

Implementation Details

User Documentation and Training Requirements

Staff Documentation and Training

Suggested Time-Line

Use Policies

Pricing Structure

ATN Impact

System Resource Requirements

Operational Impact

Personnel Resource Requirements

Impact on Control Center, Business Office, ITRC

Service Management Requirements