Am I being seen as a security risk?

CodeBlox

My dad was a network operations manager at Verizon Wireless. He passed away about a year and a half ago due to an accident I wont go into detail about. His best friend was also a Net Ops manager there. A few of the people there used to respond to my emails and answer any questions I had. I had planned on working with my dad upon finishing up my bachelors but now thats shot to **** since he passed. Anyway, it seems EVERYONE has stopped responding, even his best friend! Should I just forget about them and move on? Perhaps they decided I was a security risk or something because my dad had access to a lot. Company laptops at home, some they came and got but they left others. This is only what I can deduce this to. Maybe someone else high up in the chain decided to tell everyone that if they communicate with me that they'd be "punished" or something. What do you guys think?

Armor149

First, my condolences to you in the passing of your father.

IMHO I wouldn't give it much thought, as this occurs all the time. I have seen this before when the common link between friends of a family member is broken due to the passing of the family member. People seem to go their separate ways. It most likely has nothing to do with you, its just how people are when there is no common bond. I would try to not take it personally.

CodeBlox

I can see where you're coming from, but sometimes, it's as if someone told them not to communicate with me. My dads best friend even took it upon himself to remove his "wall" from his profile on facebook. That, or he hid it from only me. Maybe that's just a silly assumption.

networker050184

You are probably over thinking the whole thing. Sometimes people don't respond man. I don't think the whole huge company of Verizon Wireless has a conspiracy against you.

cgrimaldo

Like one of the posters said, your father was their link to you. Now that he is no longer here, my condolences, things are different now. Maybe they feel a bit awkward talking to you? Not that it's a bad thing but it may be different for them not knowing what to expect or how to communicate with you now that their "link" is broken.

CodeBlox

I'd hate to just forget about them, but it looks like I will have to. If it were me and my best friend passed, I wouldn't sever all ties with the friends family -_- It's a little saddening really.

j_griffith

CodeBlox, A lot of people are removing their wall from their facebook profile. Security Awareness and dealing with innappropriate comments can impact the workplace. Are you sure everyone is still at those emails? If they are bouncing back undeliverable there may have been a lot of turnover. If not, SPAM filters may be getting your messages. I can imagine the lack of response is isolating and hurtful. Try a very brief message.

State that you are sorry not to have received a reply from previous messages.
State where you are in pursuit of your IT educational/professional goals.
Ask if they would be willing to mentor your pursuit of your goals. Suggest a phone conference or lunch meeting every other month or quarter. Often enough to get meaningful feedback, but without becoming a burden on limited spare time. Most people are flatted that you care about their professional opinion and respect their expertise. If you don't get a response, wait 2-3 weeks and resend it. They may just be busy, as most working folks are. Eventially, they will acknowledge with a yes or no. Then you will know where your connections stand without second guessing yourself.

Remember, life is not always about you. We all seem to put on blinders and to forget that once in a while. ;^)

GaWdLy

Codeblox: This is how it happens, unfortunately.

My father has been gone about 10 years and I lost contact with most of his friends that I considered my own friends or family almost immediately.

You are a reminder of the pain that is the loss of your father. Unless you have something else that binds you together outside of your desire to occupy the same space/career as your dad (like marriage, children and whatnot), you will likely just lose contact with them.

This is all part of the pain of someone passing away. I hope for the best for you and your family.

CodeBlox

Thanks.

This has taught me a valuable lesson too. Don't depend on others to make things happen. Upon graduation (which the progress towards has slowed lately) I was sure to have a decent job working for him. Now things have changed and I have to pretty much make my own way. I would have gotten a nice job just because of "who I knew".