Microsoft word - red lion sr high school it discussion materials

Presented by: Howard L. Owrutsky - Sr. IT Manager for Exelon Nuclear & Peach Bottom Nuclear Plant Contact Info: howard.owrutsky@exeloncorp.com Work: 717-456-3900 Academic Summary: BSEE, MBA, MSCIS, Previously taught IT, Robotics and computer design for 10 years at RETS, published author, radio host and special needs advocate (Book: Raising Superman by H. L. Ho has worked in Information Technology since 1985, designing, implementing and managing IT systems in the nuclear industry. Designed, installed and supported security and process monitoring systems used at shuttle launch and over 20 nuclear facilities throughout the US. Ho is currently managing the IT business and plant systems infrastructure and operations for Exelon which are used for producing safe, reliable nuclear electric generation. Exelon is one of the largest electric utilities and providers of clean electric generation in the U.S. Exelon’s portfolio includes nuclear, wind, solar, coal and hydro generation plants. A father of six children, he is currently living in Red Lion PA. Commerical business systems: including desktops, laptops, remote connectivity, network infrastructure (Cisco switches, firewalls, etc), large storage (NAS, backup storage), financial systems (HR, Payroll, benefits), IT systems power monitoring, presentation systems and video teleconferencing. (for Peach 700 users swelling to over 3000 during outages). Business Area Specific Systems: like Emergency Preparedness, Radiolocal Control (RP), Chemistry, Training, Operations, Work Management, Maintenance & Security. Requirements affecting IT system designs and reliability include NERC, FERC, SOX, NRC, local / state regulations and business operating Nuclear Plant process and site monitoring systems: Nuclear Plant Process Control, Fuel management, core design and monitoring, emergency / automated shutdown systems, Control Room Operations MMI, and plant services systems (heat, local electric, etc). Becoming a true IT Professional - Follow the 3 P’s: a. Engage in things that spark your interest! Remember “Happy cows make better milk.” Ensure you learn a variety of things / experience different areas especially when beginning your career. Key IT opportunities exist in IT networking, telecommunications and Security. However don’t let this limit your focus or interest. Playing with technology is part of learning it, so have fun, don’t be afraid to dig into new areas, and ask others who have experience in things you’re not familiar with. Make sure you b. Know your fundamentals! – True professionals know their stuff which takes time, dedication and involvement. Understand how to make your IT skills tie back into the real business world. Everything we do in IT has to tie back to something with current or future business value, as it’s always about the money when dealing with a real business environment. You are the leaders of tomorrow – with new ideas, solutions and very different perspectives. Leverage any opportunities to work in the IT area, to get your foot in the door (especially in this economy). c. Resource: The seven habits of highly effective people by Steven Covey – Model the things you want in your life (like success). d. Consider doing a skill assessment if your future path isn’t clear. www.crown.org e. Make the hard decisions about what is really important in your life, and then go for it! Get rid of or fix the things in your life that hold you back, drag you down or prevent your future success. (bad habits, poor skills, procrastination, etc) f. The only person you need to compare yourself against is yourself – are you doing better today than you did yesterday. Be the best you can be at whatever you take on, and no g. Value diversity, learn how to effectively engage with others, learn how to work h. Learn the difference between management and leadership – understand how those apply to your work behaviors, and what development areas you need to address. a. Managing your money is as important as managing your professional growth and career. b. You can’t earn your way out of financial stupidity. c. Living debt free (or minimizing debt in your life) gives you options. Options are good as they allow flexibility with life and career choices. They also allow you to invest in things d. Do not take on more school loans than your first anticipated year’s salary – and less is better. Pay as you go, and realize your education is a huge investment (so it has to have value and return for the money spent). More expensive isn’t always better (sometimes e. Resource: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey – an excellent guide explaining how to get rid of debt and live debt free. f. Invest in yourself: for Hard skills (IT technical areas, financial, sciences, math, etc), soft skills (presentation, leadership, communications, negotiation skills, management skills, g. Don’t expect things to be easy. Just because you have a degree does not guarantee you a job (but it should help). Expect to work hard, pay your dues, and make sure you learn h. More Education without true work experience may not be the best winning combo. Look for intern or work / school opportunities. Do not limit yourself. Try new areas – especially opportunities which are free or provide you with compensation. i. Resource: Visit www.exeloncorp.com if you’re interested in internship opportunities when you get to your 2nd or 3rd year of college. a. Have short term and long term goals. Write them down. Have a plan – work towards b. Know what success looks like and feels like to you. Make it personal. The specifics for you may change over time, and that’s OK and expected. c. Realize your education is never over. Decide if certifications verses degree path(s) are the right choice for you. (MCSE, MSCIS, Cisco CCNA, etc). Each has pros and cons – each requires an investment of time, money, energy. Some require more continuing work than others to maintain. Plan your short term and long term education so you maximize d. Think about long term skills development like financial skills, Project Management (PMI), presentation skills, other IT areas, business area specific skills, etc. e. Be proud of your short term accomplishments and take time to celebrate and communicate your successes! Always update your resume when completing major f. Remember every work or business engagement is potentially an interview. Never under-estimate the value of networking with people, including friends and family members. Never put anything in print or an email which you wouldn’t want on the front page of the newspaper. Face book pages should be so clean your grandparents would g. Be well rounded – a true professional in all you do – Develop yourself professionally, personally, financially, spiritually, emotionally, etc. All work and no play won’t make you the professional you want to become. h. Share your success – network, mentor, coach others, learn from those around you &

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