Anthony Ramirez

Journal #1

I am generally a self starter.  Especially when it comes to work.  If I see a deficiency at work, I try to eliminate it or think of innovative ways to fix the problem.  I work as a Government Contractor as an instructor and curriculum developer, so I always follow through if my name is attached to an idea and am constantly trying to improve my course.  However, I would be dishonest if I claimed to do the same for other ideas.  Nonetheless, seldom do I devote energy to something and not finish it.  Since I have already expended the time and energy I would not want to waste it by not completing the task. 

Journal #2

Different personalities are something that I do well with.  I was in the Navy for nine years and that showed me how to deal with all walks of life, leadership styles and how to lead different people.  When work is concerned it helps to give people projects or jobs that they excel at, however sometimes work has to be done regardless.  I can deal with many different types of personalities, except for the twitchy or anxious types.  They are a pet peeve of mine and the direct opposite of the way that I work.  I like to be calm and collected when problems arise in order to achieve success, but this can be viewed as complacent or uninterested.  I can deal with most types of personalities, but if an anxious, overly emotional person is working for me, I will give them a task far away from me.   On the other side of the office. 

Journal #3

Making decisions is something that I struggle with.  Once I make a decision, it’s done and we are on the path.  But I put thought into even the smallest of things when dealing with work.  Whatever I say can be misconstrued or used out of context.  So I am by no means a snap decision maker.  I like to take people’s opinions or point of views in order to make sure I am seeing things from a holistic nature.  I might not think of something that can impact a project from classifications to software or the fiscal perspective so it is important to not waste time with the decisions, but to also make sure that the decisions are good ones.

Journal #4

My physical and emotional stamina, I think, is in my prime.  More so emotional and mental than physical.  At the ripe age of 30 and having worked 12 hour on and off in the Navy for nine years. It showed me the importance of affording energy to the right things.  Prioritization of tasks if you will.  As long as you remember to get everything done, for me I utilize planners or post notes,  and manage your time effectively. You can complete your tasks and what has to be done as long as you can foresee any issues and plan accordingly.  I have to be grateful to the military for these traits and it has proven me well in the civilian world.   

Journal 5

 My planning and organizational skills are very important since I have been working full time as an government contractor, an online student and a single father of three kids.  I have to allot time for different things and complete a multitude of tasks.  In order to meet deadlines I have to organize and plan all the tasks for the week in order to be successful.  I do the same thing with work and now more so with my kids being out of school and their school work and zoom meetings.  Sometimes my planner can look very “beautiful mindish” but I have been successful with this method for a while. 

Journal 6

My entrepreneurial efforts will help my family with more than just finances, but their attitude on work as a whole.  Showing the financial freedom and the risk of gambling on yourself can be very empowering for others to see, especially in adolescent years.  However, that risk can also ruin a person and put entire families at risk, especially when people have to take out second mortgages on their homes.  Most millionaires become millionaires until their 50s.  Even Warren Buffet, a well known investor, did not make most of his wealth till his later years.  So it is important to understand how becoming an entrepreneur will affect your life and more importantly to your family’s life. 

Journal 7

Problems that arise in my workplace are plenty since I cooperate with several organizations and countries around the world.  Today’s problem was a two week problem that was just resolved today.  The Australian MIlitary sent correspondence to our government to receive the course and to attain accreditation to teach it.  The correspondence was sent in March, which is right when COVID-19 quarantines were implemented, so it got put to the wayside.  The accreditation is not scheduled until October, travel ban allowing, however I would hate for correspondence to be the reason for delay.  I reached out to DC and asked what the status of the correspondence was and explained that I knew little of the bureaucratic process to signature as a whole, to not step on any toes.  Luckily I did this, because I was informed that the correspondence had not made it to the office it was supposed to and got misplaced along the way.  After speaking with multiple people that I did not want to, I was finally able to “track down” the correspondence, even though it was not my job to do so and now it is on it’s way to the appropriate channels.  So in short, the problem was resolved by communication, as most problems are and not forgetting it.  

Journal 8

Today’s entrepreneurial actions entailed working with my group  to get everyone on the same page.  We had some disagreements on how to go forth with which idea to go with.  Ultimately we went forth with Jose’s idea, which I supported.  After researching the idea it seemed like the best one for available resources and ability to expand.  If I was investing, that would be the idea I would invest in the most. 

Journal 9

I do not think it would be wrong to gain money off of our group project.  We would be ensuring a good trade of service that would ultimately assist companies or small time shops with a better understanding of cyber threats to protect themselves and their business.  Letting them know of the threats out there and how to protect their assets, and more importantly their customers’ information and credibility, is important to other entrepreneurs.  I would not feel wrong in the least for consulting, pen testing and getting paid by  a small shop or a chain of them.  

Journal 10

The negative consequences that can come out of this venture would be if it was a flop.  This would most likely occur if our advertising and marketing was not up to par, or if we hired inexperienced people at pen testing.  No client would want to hear we did not find anything wrong with your system.  There are ALWAYS something to find, however, it’s important to be able to translate the cyber “mumbo jumbo” to people that are unfamiliar with the field.  And to show how susceptible they are to threats in the report.  But really showing people that they require it would be the real challenge.  Which will require people proficient in sales and advertisements.  It’s not like a pen tester can hack into a mom and pop and say “I just hacked your system, hire me so I can tell you what to do.”  That would be highly unethical and illegal.