Wal-Mart... Who do these people think they are??

Wow! That is really all I can say. I was not aware of the politics and the antics that went on for an employee for this store. I am not a current events or news type of person so I am not surprised that all this went on without my knowledge. Mr. Walton should be ashamed of the type of store he has built. He wanted to supply the people with cheaper goods to turn a profit. That is a great plan but underpaying your employees should not be part of the driving force to earn that profit. Karen Olson states in her article about Wal-Mart, "They just want to see how much they can get away with without having to hire someone else" (607). How can a company not only survive but become one of the leading employment opportunities around with this kind of mindset? It is appalling that the management are unwilling to stand up for their employees and stop the disrespect and negligence from continuing to happen.

Olson also talks about the union busters that are brought in to bring down the team and stop the discussions and plans from spreading. Wal-Mart has a "zero tolerance" for union talks. You would think Wal-Mart would encourage the union to come in and take place. Granted they may have to give up some things they are currently used to doing but in the long run, they would have more dedicated employees who WANT to work for their company. Having happy and content employees would sincerely help their business! It would cut down on turnover rates, continuous outages, and theft as well. It seems that they are just too stubborn and set in their ways to see how this could help. They want to make sure the employees know who is in charge and who has the power versus really working as the team the try so hard to portray.

As for Black Friday, to me that is just a money making scheme for all companies with Wal-Mart included. No, you will not see me at this store or any others in the area. Black Friday has now turned into Thanksgiving Thursday which I refuse to take away from my family. But even if it was just a Friday morning shopping trip, it is not worth it for me. The lines, the crowds, and inevitably the disappointment when you get there and they are sold out anyway doesn't interest me in the least bit.

The American Dream...Fact or Fiction?

The American dream... Obtainable, real, reliable? What does it really mean? Does it really exist? All questions people have every day. I always thought the American dream was something real, something attainable, and even in some cases something to reply on. I agree with Mr. Carlin in some cases but not all. I would agree that some people's idea of the dream is definitely run by the government and higher ups and what they want you to believe. They definitely have control over the mindset of some of society. But in my opinion, I also think the dream does exist. But to each person it means something different. There is not one set definition. It has to mean something to the person believing and achieving or it is null and void. Like myself for example. If I took the generic definition of rags to riches, I would not be inspired at all. I have no desire to be rich and on top of the world. My dream would just be to have a job I love, making enough money to support my family and be comfortable. Don't need to be rich, just no longer want to worry. That to me is something I could obtain, it is real, and when I need the boost I can rely on it. Rags to riches is a fluke and not obtainable for most people. It is a never ending fight that most people lose. So I think the dream is still alive, it just takes on a whole new meaning to the person carrying it. "To each his own".

Education or Hard Work?

I have not had many jobs in my lifetime. Looking at the job I have now, education is not a factor in my line of work. We all work very hard at what we do but customer service is not something you can learn from a college course. It is something that I feel comes from hard work and your heart. You have to want to help someone and you have to want to put your heart into your job in order to succeed. When it comes time for advancement in my office, education is also not looked at. It is about the on the job training and skills you possess on whether or not you are a good fit for the higher position. We do have several higher educated people in my office, but none of them can say their education is in customer service. So I would have to agree with Mike Rowe. In my office it is all about working smart and hard to get further in that career or any career for that matter.

Meeting someone new...

This is Ms. Kate Lang. She is a senior here at CCC which she absolutely loves. She is so passionate about it here she could even write a song about it. She is currently working on her BS in Chemistry with a minor in Art History and a concentration in Forensic Science. But she is not new to the college setting; she also has a certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology that she earned from The George Washington University through the Army. When she grows up, she wants to work on the conservation side of a museum with quilts and textiles. She would like to settle somewhere new and is going to be looking for a place to explore in 2017.


Before coming to CCC, Kate was a proud member of the United States Army. She joined to follow in the footsteps of the many family members who joined before her. She completed her basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, her lab training in Fort Sam Houston, TX and Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC, and was stationed for duty in Schofield Barracks, HI. During her time serving for our country, she also spent 13 months in Kirkuk, Iraq. Following her deployment, Kate was unfortunately medically discharged and is now a disabled veteran. During her time in the Army she was happy with the duty stations she was assigned too as long as she did not have to go Fort Polk, LA! When asked what she missed the most about being in the military, it was a simple answer... the brotherhood. The camaraderie and love between the men and women you serve with, knowing that the people around you would do anything for you just as you would for them. She even shared a story with me of when she got married. One of her Army brothers drove straight through from West Virginia to PA, attended the wedding, then turned around and drove home again to see to other commitments he had. But the love and bond is so strong between the ones you serve with that he did what he needed to make sure he did not miss her wedding. That type of love is not something you find just anywhere. Kate, I appreciate you letting us get to know a little bit about you and look forward to a great semester!