Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

Mark Wiehenstroer is a "retired" Gen Jones engineer. I graduated with a BS in Ceramic Science and a BA in Chemistry from Alfred University thanks to their dual degree program. It was a lot of work and required quite a bit of self-discipline of which none I regret. Well, that’s not completely true, but this isn’t my life story here either.
I've worked at small, medium, and large companies. The work included commercial as well as government and defense projects. I'm glad I was able to experience working in each one of them. The size of the company as well as the scope of each company’s work presented to me unique challenges. Each company had their own unique cultures with corresponding strengths and weaknesses.
So, if you've read this far, I would imagine the questions you may be asking are – ‘How did he land up here?’ and ‘Why does he comment on this site?’ I landed here thanks to Penelope Trunk's blog while reading career and life advice. I learned to comment thanks to observing Penelope, the community on her blog, and now the bloggers and community on this network site. I didn't read or comment on blogs previously. I didn't know how interesting, fun, and informative blogs could be.
I enjoy commenting on this career blog network site for a number of reasons. They include the following in no particular order - 1) first-rate blog posts on career and life issues, 2) the young professionals on this site come together as a community from many different disciplines and backgrounds which yield many unique perspectives, 3) I enjoy reading, commenting, and getting feedback from young people as their level of energy and optimism is generally more refreshing, upbeat, and optimistic than 'older' people. I like to think young and young people help me think that way., and 4) I want to see this career blog network site succeed as I believe in its purpose and its' community.
The reasons I enjoy and do comment on some blog posts vary widely. They include 1) acknowledging to the author and the community I have read the post, 2) agreeing or disagreeing with the post complete with a succinct reason. (a comment will always make me review and give more thought to the post), 3) getting feedback from the author or the community when requested or not, 4) supplying additional input or giving a different perspective to enhance the conversation and finally 5) giving an opinion from another and 'older' generation. I think life experiences count for something so that's one of my perspectives.
Just in case you were wondering, the photo I'm blocking on the wall behind me in my profile photo above was taken by myself. I took it when I was a twenty-something young professional while climbing in the Eastern Sierras. No ropes or climbing gear were required but I do remember a 40 lb. backpack. The scene is half snowfield and half deep blue sky with a pure white cloud passing through in the middle. I took the photo just below Shepherd Pass (http://www.climber.org/DrivingDirections/shepherd.html) while on my descent. I caught it while looking back at the top of the pass and wishing I could spend more time in the mountains. Work was waiting for me, though, the following day. There's just never enough time for work or play.
Correction - I just realized the photo I referred to above and my text to it don't match. The photo behind me in my portfolio photo was taken on the same trip but it's a photo of Mt. Williamson.