Technological Adaptation – Moving up the Chain

Shannon Mendenhall
DTC 375 – Dr. Farman
03/12/2009
Word Count: 922

I utilized Windows Live Messenger to interview Alfred Garcia, Jr., a seemingly humorous 50 year old Division Contracts Manager (DCM) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (Battelle) in Richland, Washington. He has been employed at Battelle since 1993, and he served as an intern at the lab in 1978 and 1979. Al has been a DCM for approximately 8 years, which he thinks is “too long”. He claimed to have first utilized charcoal for writing, but soon confessed that he used a typewriter in high school and a word processor during his intern years at Battelle. Al enjoys new technology; about six months ago he purchased a BlackBerry smart phone to manage his email and calendar while in meetings and for other occasions when he is out of the office.

Al’s first job was during his high school years as a banquet busboy. He framed houses the summer after he graduated from high school, then he landed his internship at Battelle in his first years of college. He used a word processor to type information, but didn’t have any “computational abilities” until later. Al thinks that he has kept up with technology pretty well. He has adapted as it has adapted and he believe that that’s a necessity. “I would agree that I have developed as technology has developed; it’s a requirement in today’s business world. Not to do so would be detrimental to ones career.” Al mentioned that the advancement of technology was “progressive in nature” and that he “just used what tools were put in front of (him)”. He also finds pleasure in technological advancement. Al utilized Windows Live Messenger regularly, he forwards funny emails to his staff members, and he enjoys the customizable options that are available to him with newer technology.

Shannon: What method of writing did you use before computers?

Al: Charcoal. Lol. Word processor, actually. You could just use it to type information... words, figures, etc., but it wasn’t a computer per say... no computational abilities. I used it during the summers of ‘78 and ‘79 or so, as an intern.

Shannon: Did you ever have to use a word processor before you were an intern at PNNL?

Al: No. Only a typewriter in high school, in a typing class; where I learned to type faster than you can.

Shannon: Funny. How long did the process of using a typewriter take?

Al: Learning to use one? I don’t know… it was a class, so probably 3-4 months. It also took a long time to type a paper. They were hard to use. I had to use one in college… it was a pain if you didn't have a typewriter with auto-correct, where the back-space key typed over the wrong letter with a whiteout strip. Before that you had to use an eraser, and/or liquid whiteout.

Shannon: What didn’t you like about the older technology?

Al: I liked it back when that's what was available… the manual typewriter replaced by the electric, the electric replaced by word processors, word processors replaced by computers…

Shannon: So you appreciated what was available. Did you ever wish that people would make what used to be the current technology better than it was? Or did you not ever think about it?

Al: Obviously I thought about it. I did have an idea as a DECA student on a new product; it was called an Audio-Type. You spoke into a speaker and whatever you said would get typed on a typewriter. I was way ahead of my time. But that was when I was 17; other than that it was not my cup of tea…

Shannon: Did you dislike the implementation of technology? Was it hard to get used to? Was it ever exciting or intimidating for you?

Al: It was progressive in nature, so no; it wasn't hard to get used to. It was a little of both excitement and intimidation - until you learned it and then learned of its shortcomings. Shortcomings being the learning curve to use technology, and doing a certain job a different way. I really just used what tools were put in front of me.

Shannon: What about the computer, was it difficult to transition to? Did you have to take a class similar to the one you took to learn the process of using a typewriter?

Al: Not really - it was basically the same keyboard… you did have to learn Word Perfect and/or Word to know how to edit.

Shannon: In what ways do you use a computer in your current job role? Are there specific tasks that a computer is necessary for?

Al: Yes, I use it for everything at work. I get hundreds of email a day, and we maintain all of our contracts electronically. And there’s the Outlook calendar too, and I get all of my Outlook stuff on my BlackBerry as well.

Shannon: So you’re pretty innovative, since you’re utilizing a smart phone and all?

Al: Yes, but it ties me down. I like new technology though.

Shannon: Do you prefer new technology over older technology?
Al: Duh.

Shannon: Why do you prefer the technology that you use now?

Al: It's easier to correct mistakes, more options on fonts and styles, more efficient, etc…

Shannon: It seems like you’ve adapted well to transitions in technology. Would you agree that you’ve developed as technology has developed?

Al: Yes, I would agree that I have developed as technology has developed; it’s a requirement in today’s business world. Not to do so would be detrimental to ones career.