Closing Out 3rd Rotation: Final Days in Texas

   Boot Shopping in Houston 

I only have a few weeks left in Houston.

So, I find (in my experience from moving every 6 months), it's appropriate to not only "close out" one's rotation, but also the overall living experience.

For me, this is my first time in Houston (and Texas overall) and I realized that there was something missing.

Cowboy boots.

I know, I know. But, everyone here wears cowboy boots (and hats, and belts) and so I asked myself, "when is there a better time to buy a pair of cowboy boots? I am in Texas!"

So, I took the plunge. I headed to a true country western store, met a real cowboy named Buck, and tested out every style, height, and color of boots on the shelf.

The outcome? A pair of boots that are made in Texas (see photo on the left).

Now I'll always have a great story to tell when people ask about my boots, and it will include memories of my 6 months in Texas!

Rotation Spotlight: Smart Grid

Juan, 3rd Rotation IMLPOne of our Energy IMLPs, Juan, worked with the Transmission & Distribution IT team to design and provision the hardware, network, and software to support the first European Smart Grid Demo Lab, a fully featured demonstration room that shows the GE Smart Grid product portfolio. The lab was launched at the end of November 2009.

To enable this demo lab, Juan and the IT team designed a dedicated product network environment that hosts the whole demo. This network interconnects over 20 PC clients, 2 virtualized servers, a virtual center server (for centralized administration) and a shared clustered storage area of 3 Terabytes that is accessed by all the devices present in the room. Remote access is also available so all the teams involved can access and configure their clients and virtual servers remotely.

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.

Rotation Spotlight: Maurice Williams

For my first rotation, I've been placed in the role of Test Lead for a long-term project within GE Capital known as Project RedTail.

This project is an IT effort which aims to consolidate processes where possible and increase automation where appropriate in our Collateral COE located in MT.

But my piece of the pie revolves specifically around the testing efforts that will be executed during each release.

So far, the project has had 1 (out of 7 that are scheduled) releases. During the first release they realized that every group involved in this project does testing a little different, which made generating reports difficult since each group reported against different items at different points of the testing stage. This is where I come in.

My function is to analyze the testing processes currently being followed by each group during the second release, capture how each one does it and identify areas of improvement. Then from there, develop a standard testing procedure that will be used across groups for the other five releases and allow better, more reliable report generation.

While drawing process maps and reading story boards may not sound like the most thrilling of rotations, knowing that what I am doing will be used for at least the next 2 years is a great feeling. Not to mention all the awesome people I've met during interviews to gain more insight about the current testing processes - it has definitely gotten me a lot of exposure, which is important as a new member to any company.

Introducing... Our Newest Blogger (He's from NBC)

A little background about me... I'm Matt, a soon-tobe- first rotationer with  the IMLP program with NBC Universal in July.

I first heard of the IMLP Program when GE came to visit Syracuse University (where I got my degree in Information Management and Technology) for a Career Fair.  At first,I didn't realize that NBC Universal was even a part of the IMLP Program until I met a recruiter for my first interview.

Following the first interview, came a phone call about a 2nd interview that would be held over the phone, and if NBC liked what they heard, I would be eligable for  final round of interviews.

Shortly thereafter, I was flown out to Burbank, California to do a series of on location interviews at NBC Universal's HQ in Universal City, California. The interview consisted of 5 different 30 minute interviews (don't worry, I had a break in between).

After learning of my acceptance into the program a few weeks later, I was paired up with an IMLP "buddy" who is already on program.

On top of this, we have one full week for "orientation" at 30 Rock in the Big Apple, followed by the Junior bootcamp, whereall GE and NBC Universal IMLP's train for a month in Connecticut.

Despite being more then a month away from starting, I am preparing for my move out to California (I'm from New York) for my first two rotations. Packing, finding living arrangements, and getting my things out there, has really been keeping me busy.

Posted by: Matthew Bellezza, SU '09 Grad, NBC IMLP and the newest member of the blogging team!