All Paths are Different
By Simon Bate{img src="img/wiki_up/simonbate.jpg" alt="Simon Bate" desc="Simon Bate}

I got an A+ in Geology. My path was set.
That same spring, I applied for a summer job at IBM. Because I hadn't settled on a major, I said I was an English major. After working for two weeks as a builder's go-fer I got a call from IBM. I was told I would be interviewing for two jobs: driving a forklift on the loading bay and working in a publications department (they noticed my major). They asked, if both managers liked me, which job would I prefer? The choice was obvious, but my path now had a fork in it.
Unfortunately I went to college during the dim time when there was no such thing as an undergraduate Computer Science major.
Connections are so important. I sent applications for technical writing jobs to many companies on the East and West coast. During that time, my father crossed paths with a fellow who worked for Digital Equipment Corporation, who suggested I send in my resume. His group had no need for technical writers, but when he received my resume, he ran it across the street to the VAX/VMS software development team. DEC flew me out to Massachusetts for an interview (what a different world!) and made me an offer the following week.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Simon can be reached at sbate at scriptorium dot com.
