The Cuckoo's Egg

Recently, I read Cliff Stoll's book entitled The Cuckoo's Egg. This book is an exciting look at how computer hackers were originally traced before the world of Windows and anti-software. The book includes discussion on many topics, however, one theme stood out to me throughout the book: Stoll is an astronomer, not a computer scientist or an intelligence officer, yet it was he who tracked down the spy! As Stoll relates his experience of how he left his speciality of astronomy in order to chase a spy, he teaches the important principle of being willing to take advantage of new opportunities, even if those opportunities do not fall in line with one's area of expertise.

Although a bachelor degree requires large time taking general education courses, the bulk of a college education is specialization. This is even more the case in graduate class. Stoll spent many years specializing to be an astronomer through his undergraduate and graduate work. After all the work that Stoll did to specialize in astronomy, it might seem that he should stay in the field and make a difference with his education. However, Stoll did not stay with astronomy. As his career progressed, he found himself faced with an opportunity to track down a spy, something that was not related to his area of experise.

Stoll teaches the importance of being willing to branch out and learn new skills. When Stoll became an expert in astronomy, he probably never supposed that one of his career accomplishments might come from spy hunting. However, when the chance came, Stoll was able to make a real difference in the world because of his willingness to learn new skills.

In a few years I will be specializing in my career. As my career progresses, I will need to learn new things, and take advantage of each opportunity as it comes.