90 +2 Days Employed.

On the 18th of November, I celebrated my 90-day-iversary. It had been exactly 90 days since I started here at NMGI (Network Management Group Inc.) So far I feel I've learned so much and come along ways from when I started. I have my A+ Certification now, I'm also certified with IBM now. I've been out to work with clients all over Kansas and into Oklahoma.

It's pretty amazing working there. That may sound like sucking up, but it's not. I still find myself in awe sometimes. I sit there in my cubicle, I look up at my framed certificate hanging on the wall and I just feel this surge of happiness and accomplishment. I think it's what they call "pride." I'm not used to it just quite yet.

I started off strong out of high school. I went to K-State Salina, I was all excited about being a Computer Systems Major. It was a great experience. However I started getting that gnawing feeling inside, the one that tells me not to get too comfortable. I'm so used to being unhappy with my station in life, that when things are going good I tend to self-destruct. This was a big one. I was going strong in school, but got antsy, and freaked out. I dropped out of college, moved back into my mom's house and started hanging out with my friend's again. It was safe, it was normal, it was the same rut I was in from high school. I had a blast, it was a fun time, however it was also a time when I worked about 20 different part time jobs over the next year, none of which I left on good terms. I wanted fulfillment, I took a job, learned what I could and when I got used to everything, I would just walk away and start over. It seemed to work for me back then. However as time went on I realized it was harder and harder to get a job anywhere.

I had been applying to NMGI for about 2 years before they finally hired me. I had 5 or 6 interviews over that time period as well. However until this last string of interviews I had never felt like I nailed it. This time around my approach was something different, I decided to show a little more heart and passion than simply knowledge about the subject matter. I went into the interview clarifying to Steve Harper, the CEO, that  I knew I was not a very experienced candidate. I was good at fixing minor issues, but on a business class level I had a lot of learning to do. Even though I was not the most experienced or knowledgeable, I was sure that I was going to be one of the more passionate and willing candidates. I wanted this job more than anything, I just needed a chance. My resume was average, my job history a little lacking, and my training was sub-par. I firmly believe it was my passion that set me apart from the rest.

Needless to say, Steve did take a chance on me. I am loving it here, and I've never been happier with an employer. It's continually an intellectually challenging work environment. I like being kept on my toes. Everyone here is so friendly, it has that "family" feeling, where everyone generally cares about each other. This is where I need to be right now, not only am I advancing myself intellectually, but also am finally correcting my finances. I am finally undoing the errors over the last 4 years since graduation.

I may not have gotten to the destination in the quickest way, but I took the scenic route, I struggled on my path, but I finally got there, and I learned so much more along the way.

Until Next Time,

"The Erik" Sanburn

/ Support Technician / A+ Certified IT Technician; IBM Notebook Certified / Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI)

Extra Notes: I will leave you with a statement from NMGI.com

Vision, Mission and Profile:

Our Vision    NMGI, along with our clients and partners, will continually improve performance using technology. Together we will enhance efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and profitability. Our Mission    To design, implement and manage technology solutions for clients using quality services and products, while leveraging our flexible technical and consulting expertise.

Our Value Proposition We will listen and deliver on what we promise. We will commit ourselves to making a difference everyday. We will focus our efforts on building valuable assets for our company and our partners. We will speak and listen in the language of possibility. We will commit ourselves to customer intimacy. We will have fun.

Profile Company Name Network Management Group, Inc. Incorporated 1991 Ownership Privately Held by Steve Harper and Randy Johnston Headquarters Hutchinson, KS (map) Affiliate Office Pensacola, FL (map) Employees 24 Business Model Two Tier: 1. Small and mid-enterprise strategic technology consulting firm 2. Small and mid-sized business value-added reseller (VAR)