Manager

[Read Write Poem suggested we add our everyday jargon to a poem. Here's a glimpse of my workday as a middle-manager in an academic-affiliated Information Technology department. See what other folks did here.]




Manager


Jack of all trades, master of none,
though ofttimes better than master of one.


Meeting after meeting,
I'm scheduled everyday.
I trust my team to work
while I am called away.

Landing on my desk is
licensing for software.
"Concurrent" is one choice.
I read until I swear.

Academic pricing
for some site license fees;
with experience this
practice is still no breeze.

I'm asked about the spam,
and upgrades and malware,
and how to copy files
to servers where they share.

While I am at my desk
I supervise and scan
my e-mail that builds up;
I answer as I can.

As middle-management
I only can suggest
behaviors to the folks
who need to know what's best.

Then I shift my focus
to swapping LCDs
for older tube-type screens:
juice-sucking CRTs.

Raise the user quotas
by megabytes or more.
Spec out Core 2 Duos –
a recommending chore.

Test out each new OS,
and applications too.
Help when color does not
match some expected hue.

Soothe frazzled nerves when things
don't go a user's way;
inspect a laptop's files,
if Leopard is OK.

Replace projector bulbs,
pin on a microphone,
explain wi-fi and then
aid connecting from home.

My focus ever pulled
at every single turn.
Still I do like my job,
for every day I learn.