Do we at AT&T really have a department that gives us “Badges” for completing training required by the company????? Didn’t know we were in the Boy Scouts....Maybe instead of reducing headcount of technicians that actually do work in the field, how bout we get rid of this department for starters...I’m sure there are plenty of other ways to cut unnecessary cost also
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These badges, and how hey are displayed, worse if talked or bragged about, remind me of the servers are Outback Steakhouse, where they proudly traipse around with all those fake made up badges and medals pinned all over the shirt
“He put the badges on his resume after he was surplussed”.
It’s hard for me to believe that anyone would do that.
We also have a department of people writing foolish office policies like: All leftover food waste from you lunch is to be thrown away in break room and cafeteria trash containers not at individual desk or office waste containers. We need those good strong policies for guidance so we can grieve our company!!! LOL
A friend of mine worked 10 hours over(on his own time) to earn badges. He put the badges on his resume after he was surplussed. On his first interview at another company, they told him to take the badges off his resume because they meant nothing.
To be honest, the badge thing was always good for a laugh for me. When I first saw how they were giving badges out right and left for literally anything I decided to have a little fun. By the time I was done I had over 50 of them. I used to tell the younger people they used the badges to determine how much of a raise you got. The more badges you had the more you got paid (incorrigible but was all in good fun). They'd ask "really"? I'd say sure...and explain that I had over my 50...my boss had about 15 and my director had about 10 so just do the math. Then I'd tell them if you really want to do yourself a favor, to remember it's your career and no one else's. No one is going to manage your career for you. Take ownership of it and use your tuition assistance and further your education and leave the badges (other than the ones you'd get for completing mandatory training) to the Boy Scouts and the nano nano degrees to Mork and Mindy. Also don't be a "one-trick pony" with limited experience in just one area. By all means be good at what you do but develop a breadth of experience in multiple relevant areas. Some did just that and are much more confident in their abilities and better prepared for opportunities both inside and outside the company as they move forward.
To be honest, the badge thing was always good for a laugh for me. When I first saw how they were giving badges out right and left for literally anything I decided to have a little fun. By the time I was done I had over 50 of them. I used to tell the younger people they used the badges to determine how much of a raise you got. The more badges you had the more you got paid (incorrigible but was all in good fun). They'd ask "really"? I'd say sure...and explain that I had over my 50...my boss had about 15 and my director had about 10 so just do the math. Then I'd tell them if you really want to do yourself a favor, to remember it's your career and no one else's. No one is going to manage your career for you. Take ownership of it and use your tuition assistance and further your education and leave the badges (other than the ones you'd get for completing mandatory training) to the Boy Scouts and the nano nano degrees to Mork and Mindy. Also don't be a "one-trick pony" with limited experience in just one area. By all means be good at what you do but develop a breadth of experience in multiple relevant areas. Some did just that and are much more confident in their abilities and better prepared for opportunities both inside and outside the company as they move forward.
“They aren't worth much“
They are worth less than nothing. If anyone thinks for a second that the number of badges one has accumulated is considered for even a nanosecond when one has landed on a surplus list, you are completely delusional. No one cares. Same goes for your useless nanodegree.
any chance I can redeem these badges for reward points ? ..............lol
LOL - I used to call them scout badges and the boss didn't like it
getting badges helps pass the time when there isn't anything to do which is most of the time.
Sadly, no matter how many badges you earn... they will NOT keep you off of the surplus list, when your number is called.
From experience
Badges! We don't need no stinking badges!
Tha badges are for your flair vest.
I received some badges for completing the 2020 technical training. I never got promoted, and got surplused. I am still in the same title. They aren't worth much.
It’s called game theory, making everything into a game to motivate people to play. Some people likes to brag about their scores and achievements on social media and shared with friends. All this is good in theory, but they forgot one key thing, opting in. No one gives a sh** about these badges, and there is no way to opt out. Just another social engineering attempt so you know who can brag about how much T is investing in employee training. Biggest factor in retaining talent is having a purpose, sounds familiar?