The sweeping the floor pattern is all about earning your dues. It’s a rite of passage for any apprentice to earn their place in their respective workshops. Over the years I’ve gotten my haircut countless times. In a barbershop, you’ll likely come across a younger individual who all the barbers are always cracking jokes on. This individual also has a very important role to play within the shop. Although the shop’s main attraction is the barbers, the individual or individuals who sweep the floor are the unsung heroes. They allow the barbers to continue doing their work without having to spend the necessary time to clean up after themselves. The work the sweepers do come with a couple of benefits. Allowing them to earn some cash, as well as giving them an opportunity for them to learn how to become a barber. With all the time they spend in the shop, they get to watch closely from the sidelines as the barbers portray their skills. This relationship can also be seen in apprentices who wish to become software developers.
The authors make mention of things you can do in terms of earning your keep at your internship. Picking up the grueling time-consuming tasks that seasoned members of your team don’t like to do or don’t have the time to do is not only a great way to learn something new, but it also helps your team out. Although your contributions may take significantly less skill, your contribution is still valuable. The message here is to make the most out of each opportunity that you’re given.
While I agree that these sorts of things should be taken up during an internship or apprenticeship, I do not believe that taking up these sorts of tasks as an employee is a suitable thing to do. There may be times where picking up less technical work may be necessary, but always taking up these types of tasks on your team could allow your teammates to feel comfortable with giving you bottom of the barrel work regularly, which could speak for how competent your teammates think you really are.
From the blog CS@Worcester – You have reached the upper bound by cloudtech360 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.