IMLP and the “special snowflake” theory

Have you ever noticed that whenever you are part of a selected group of people, you tend to feel like you are special? After all, if you were chosen, it means that you have the skills, characteristics, etc. required to be part of that group.

When it comes to the IMLP, this is no different. You enter the program because you meet the desired skillset and behavior, and are considered to be someone with the potential to become a GE Leader. But what does being special really mean?

Some people who apply for (and join) leadership programs tend to think that getting into a program is the only thing that they had to do. From that point on, they are like “special snowflakes.” Suddenly, because they were chosen, they “know it all,” and after two years of being on program (on average, depending on the company and program), they will become the “Master Manager Plus of All Things.” They want everyone to know who they are, to feel recognized just because of their position, and to be looked by others like “Wow, look at that person, he/she is a leadership program, how cool!” Here in Brazil, I have seen this happen sometimes. Have you ever seen it where you live as well?

This pitfall can lead to a misunderstanding of what a leadership program is about.

At GE, the IMLP program – no matter where in the world – is intended to accelerate the career and learning path of those who have potential, not turn them into “monsters” after two years. The four different rotations will expose you to a wide variety of topics, people, styles, and technologies. Thus, after the program, you can be prepared to take any assignment or role, because you have developed (or enhanced) your ability to learn fast, interact with others, and generate results.

And how do these abilities get developed? That’s the part where the word "special" can fit, and here are some examples (you can check details here):

Click to read more ...

Rotation Halfway Point: Alana and Houston Skyline

Alana and the Houston Skyline It's hard to believe that it's the halfway point of my rotation (already- where does the time go?)

On IMLP, we follow a process related to how we track our progress on the project via an internal goals system.

The thing is, updates are due tomorrow, and mine aren't done (I know... I know...).

One of my IMLP friends at Corporate updated his Facebook status last night about the goal tracking tool, and there were quite a few comments and people "liking" it. (Even though we work for different businesses, we use many of the same tools).

One aspect of the program that I can't seem to shake is a feeling I get whenever I log into the goal tracking system.

I'm always asking myself: "Wow. Did I really do all of that in 3 months?"

The IMLP program is challenging (ask anyone) but looking back at my current rotation - where I started vs. where I am now - sometimes I have to pinch myself about the work that I've done and the value I've added to the project and the team.

GE Leadership Training Programs: Change The World?

For more information on Careers at GE, visit GECareers.com

All Intern Career Fair: Schenectady Edition

Schenectady Area Interns Gather for Annual EventThursday, June 25th marked GE Energy Infrastructure’s 4th annual Intern Networking Event and Career Fair.

The events is an opportunity for Schenectady-area interns interested in GE’s leadership programs to meet one another, interact with program representatives, and gain advice on career selection.

Over 125 interns and representatives from 14 leadership and affinity programs from throughout the capital district filled a conference room in  Schenectady for the event, which featured a keynote address by the CIO of GE Power and Water, an ice cream social, and the opportunity to interact with leadership program representatives from across the business.

The presentation covered GE career paths and gave an overview of the Power & Water business - from the new Wind building in Schenectady to how government regulation changes have impacted our products. The message left the crowd feeling that it's an exciting time to be at Energy.

Many interns commented that the GE career path overview reassured the audience that what you studied in college won't hold you back at GE.

After the presentation, Interns were invited to visit booths during the career fair segment, which gave area EIDs time to ask questions directly to leadership.

One an EID intern located in Schenectady, said that she appreciated the chance to mingle with program leaders and some of her fellow interns. “I enjoyed being able to talk to people from different parts of GE Energy and from the various programs that [the company] offers,” she said.

Programs and Affinity Groups represented at the event included: IMLP, FMP, OMLP, CLP, EEDP, African-American Forum (AAF), Asian-Pacific American Forum(APAF), GE Women’s Network (GEWN), Hispanic Forum (HF), and the Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, and Ally Alliance (GLBTA).

The annual intern networking event and career fair began four years ago and has been organized and managed each year by an IMLP intern supervised by Susan Kudlack, IMLP Site Representative, and Schenectady IMLPs.

IMLP Blog: Behind the Scenes.

Behind the Scenes... Thanks to flickr's StephenMitchell for this photo!Hey, it's Alana- your friendly blog editor.

Although you may not be able to tell just by reading this blog or one particular post, there's a lot going on behind the scenes...

The IMLP Blog "went live" in August of 2008 (so we're coming up on our 1 year birthday) and was the first leadership program blog of it's kind here at GE (We're pretty proud of it!).

The premise behind the blog is to provide you (the reader) some background on what life is like as a member of the Information Management Leadership Program directly from those who are currently experiencing it (interns too!). So, as IMLPs, we write in this blog as a side gig (in addition to managing systems projects).

Every six months, members of the IMLP program take on a new project and learn to work directly with a new team... and sometimes this takes place in a different city, state, or country.

Take June 2009 for example. Right now, those in their 4th (and final) rotation of the program are interviewing for off-program jobs, while 2nd/3rd rotationers are waiting to hear about their next assignments, and 1st rotationers are getting ready to kickoff the program at the end of this month before heading to Junior Bootcamp for the month of July.

So,  let us know how we're doing. Send me an e-mail directly (I'm nice, I promise), leave us a comment, or bookmark our site to keep up-to-date on the life happenings of an IMLP.

life update 6/17: My next rotation will be in Houston, Texas for Oil & Gas. More to come in the blog on my cross-country adventure.