It was a great having lunch with Sun Interns last Friday. I understand that food is the way to their hearts; especially on Sushi Friday in the cafe. More and more interns appeared out of the woodwork and totaled 16 students in all. Most of the interns were from Sun Labs, one from HR and two from our Legal group. As we shared our lunch, we got to know each other a little bit better and we also got to know Raymond Ling a little better. Raymond was our guest engineer and with 17 years of experience at Sun, previous experience at Hewlett-Packard (HP) and a degree from Berkeley and Stanford, he had many stories to share. Ray had us all thinking when he connected a pivotal moment in his life to contrast with current interns' stage of life. He was studying towards his PhD at Stanford, running on the track in a groove when a friend asked him to stop his studies to come to work at HP. This was a difficult decision for Ray to make. So close to his PhD, in his rhythm with studying, racing for the track team with hopes of potentially being in the Olympics and now at a crossroad. Well, he took the job and as they say the rest is history. But the main point Ray was trying to make to students was not to take any job that is offered to you, it was that uncertainty is good. Because of the stage of life he was in is similar to where the interns are in their lives now. Although uncertainty can be difficult one has nothing to loose but one cannot be in this stage forever. Ray also studied famous philosopher, Eric Hoffer, who believed that our different stages in life are not defined by our age. We are social beings not just defined as our physical life but the stage in life we are in. The three stages of our lives, according to Eric Hoffer, is Transformation, Consolidation and Inclusion. Ray explained to the interns that while they are all in the Transformation stage currently, it is a great opportunity to take chances. And although he is also in the Transformation stage too but not by choice he cannot stay in the Transformation stage for long. Ray, along with many other Sun employees are in the Transformation stage but not by choice. We are all waiting to make that inevitable change of either going to Oracle or find another job. While change can be good, it cannot be for too long as many are technically in the Consolidation or Inclusion phases with mortgages to pay and mouths to feed. Ray and the students went on to discuss the fluidity of these stages and how age does not define when people are in them and people sometimes float back and forth between them.
Ray's main point was for them to embrace their time in their lives now but realize that the choices they make today could steer them towards the path for the rest of their future. The interns were intrigued and a conversation erupted. I was really happy to see the interns so engaged with someone I knew had a lot to offer. I also learned more about Raymond Ling, the engineer and the philosopher. Thank you Raymond!!
Ray's main point was for them to embrace their time in their lives now but realize that the choices they make today could steer them towards the path for the rest of their future. The interns were intrigued and a conversation erupted. I was really happy to see the interns so engaged with someone I knew had a lot to offer. I also learned more about Raymond Ling, the engineer and the philosopher. Thank you Raymond!!