so much for the "most-used icons only today" resolution

[some_stars]

my dad is being completely unbearable regarding job-hunting. I don't have the energy or capacity to type out all the details but here is a sample that occurred in the conversation right after he told me about a position at the university that he thought I should apply for and that had just been filled (yes, really):

"...and she said the digital media center is hiring someone too."
"Yeah, I saw that listing. They want someone who actually knows how to use all that stuff."
"[blank stare]"
"...you know, Photoshop and audio and video editing software and making Flash for websites, that kind of thing?"
"Well, that wouldn't take you long to learn, would it? That stuff's pretty easy."

At which point I got to give him my own blank stare, and then he added, "I mean, anything I can learn can't be too hard," and I pointed out that he'd never learned any of those things. I think in his head it all just gets filed under "computer stuff" and "real computer stuff," the latter being...programming, or anything involving math and science. Not that he actually understands what "programming" means in any kind of post-1970 way; I'm almost certain he thinks a 'systems administrator,' for instance, is a fancy secretary. Oh, and that media center job, now that I check it again, also requires you to be able to maintain the hardware and equipment. My dad might in fact accept that understanding computer hardware is an actual specialized skill, but then he might also just assume that I know all about it because I know How To Do Computers. So obviously the only reason I wouldn't apply for this job is that I'm just languishing in my cozy comfortable depression and need a good shake.

There was more--so much more, oh so delightful more--but I think that is enough for the moment.

Comments

[scy]

Oh, my dad's helpful tip is to become an expert in something I despise, and 'do that and earn way more money' - even though I very probably need at least a BA in it.

*pats you on the shoulder*

[vass]

Oh fun. Maybe your dad could hang out with my brother. When I was doing a computer networking certificate and needed some additional help because the lecturer didn't want to do his job, my brother's response was to offer to teach me the material himself. Material he didn't know and had never studied, or even heard of. Even though his level of computing expertise is limited to "can use a computer". After all, if his crazy, unemployed little sister is studying it, surely he can pick up enough just by reading the same things she's read to teach her.

I'm almost certain he thinks a 'systems administrator,' for instance, is a fancy secretary.

Kill, kill, KILL. Just tell marydell and jadelennox, they'll personally acquaint him with the meaning of the term BOFH. (Sysadmin used to be my dream job, until I figured out how likely it was that as well as having a high level knowledge of hardware, networking, security, and database administration (which I could acquire) I'd also have to be a manager, or at least do a level of client and project management and other heavy-duty people stuff that I doubt I could ever be comfortable with.)

My dad might in fact accept that understanding computer hardware is an actual specialized skill, but then he might also just assume that I know all about it because I know How To Do Computers.

In the same way that an epidemiologist knows all about surgery - after all, they both know How To Do Medicine. I am so sick of people who underestimate the complexity of fields they aren't personally familiar with. Like so.

My sympathies.