Gee Response

I agree with the nurse story. I think it does a great job of including all major points of Gee's theories. Gee tends to focus on acquiring second discourses more so than already having a first. The first is pretty much a given, as everybody is going to have one. What I find really interesting is how different people will acquire and adapt to their second discourses. Studying this makes me think of something that happened to me recently.

I have worked for the same communications company for 6 years. For 5 and 3/4 of those years, I worked as a sales rep. As a sales rep, the majority of our pay is commission. I had to focus on selling many different products, and find a way to somehow relate the same products to different customers from many walks of life. The learning vs. acquiring scenario is well proven here. Although I was thoroughly trained in all aspects of my job, I only had a basic knowledge of the products and services. It took many years of practice for me to become a successful sales person. I may have known my products, but I had to acquire the ability to adjust to each customer based on their needs and personalities. I had to somehow show the value of the exact same products to people with many different needs. This can be very intimidating, and many times overwhelming. Sometimes I wasn't able to give a customer what he wanted, or solve an issue. Thus, a conflict is created. A conflict in myself, as I dont know how to adjust from product knowledge to creating a solution the customer is pleased with. Through experience, I have gained the knowledge base to create solutions that are beneficial to both me and the customer.

In the last 2 months, I have been promoted to a management position. My position now only focuses on one aspect of the business. This may sound easier, but in fact, it has created more conflict for me. I have taken on another secondary discourse. I need to learn through experience how to transform into a boss to those that were my co-workers a few days prior. These skills are not something I can be taught. It will take me many months, if not years to become a successful manager and create a focus I can be proud of. This proves Gee's point and also agrees with the nurse story. The transition from one discourse to another can only be taught to a certain extent. To be completely successful and fluent in that discourse, it will require me to learn by doing, not by instruction.