Week Ten Journal Entry

One of the most realizing concepts I learned this week was that what I currently do for a living is by Auden’s standards a job, and not work. Certainly, there are times when I deeply appreciate having my job, and there are moments when I can take pride in what I do. But, mostly, I look at how my talents, abilities, and skills are largely inconsequential in performing my daily tasks. This has always presented a sobering perspective, and I went into my job knowing that I would be there for only as long as it would take me to complete my degree and move on to something where I can contribute more effectively.

One of my responses to a post regarding the question about the movie Other People’s Money inspired my recollection of a documentary about Enron’s rise to the top; and subsequent fall. I always heard stories about their executives from my father and uncle who both worked for Enron for many years. I never really understood what exactly was happening, but I learned that the primary motive was greed. It wasn’t until I watched the documentary that I discovered the extent to which the executives manipulated the entire organizational culture to foster some unethical behaviors. So long as the stock was going up, everyone involved in these dealings was alright with the way things were being handled. Unfortunately, it was the many employees who had no idea of these improper practices that also got burned when their stock purchases in the company tumbled in value.

The SEC has done much to ensure that these business practices are avoided. As a matter of fact because of companies like Enron and Worldcom, there have been new regulations and checks initiated for accounting procedures which have ensured that more accurate information about a company’s actual state of financial affairs is reported.