My name is Michael Lattarulo and the intent of this writing is to describe who I
am. Just as with anyone, there is a unique and interesting answer. I am; a father, a son, a
friend, a student, a brewer, a sports fanatic and occasional participant, and a diligent blue-
collar worker with white collar ambitions.
I was born in the year 1975 in Hackensack, New Jersey. In the frivolousness of
my youth, my focus always turned to sports and play. While this did provide me with
many essential life lessons about winning, losing and not always having my way.
Additionally, sports brought to my attention an obsession with numbers, statistics and
analysis that I carry with me today. Unfortunately, the labors of competitive youth sports
with the hustle and bustle of traveling up and down the east coast left little time or
interesting for me with academia. To make matters worse, it became increasingly
obvious to me that I was able to get by as an average middle school and high school
student without putting in any effort.
As a teenager, this philosphy of slack seemed like it was no big deal. My grades
were fine, but, as my high school career came to a close I finally saw the drawbacks of
such a blasé attitude. Going to college, or the lack thereof. Now that I can reflect on
those years with the clarity of a mature adult it was a poor decision on my part.

So, in lieu of college and the experience that comes with living apart of family,
learning how to be self-sufficient and motivated from within I chose to embark on a blue-
collar career. (Not the most diligent of decisions to say the least.) I started in the
restaurant industry as a bus person in 1993, and over the course of the next 5 years I
served as a dishwasher, prep cook, pizza chef, bartender and waiter. Even today, I still
work the occasional evening as a shift manager at a local restaurant. I would never give
back my years working in the industry. There were so many lessons learned, most
significantly, that I didn't want to be stuck in that lifestyle any more than I needed to.
In 1998, with some help from a friend, I began the administrative portion of my
career when I was handed a temporary position with a staffing agency at an IBM facility
running a conference center. Within 15 months of making contacts within IBM a
gentleman offered me a position in 2000. I quickly accepted, and in April of that year
began my 7 year relationship with IBM as an asset manager. It was refreshing to work
for a company that seemingly took care of their employees, however, that changed in
2006. The organization I had been involved with began showing signs of weakness.
After 6 consecutive quarters of losses, the powers that be decided to downsize rather than
right the listing ship. When the first wave of cuts was announced in May 2007, my name
was on the list. I believe, in my heart, that I was only on the chopping block because of
my poor skill set and education background. Another lesson learned.

Now, here I am in 2008. I've been fortunate enough to latch on as a consultant
with the largest private employer in the United States in an administrative capacity
working with brilliant patent attorneys. Just as I did with IBM, the writing is on the wall
whereas the staff manager at General Electric is clamoring to take me on board full time.
Only this time, things will be different. I have goals and ambitions and motivation for the
first time in my life. GE will hire me and I will have them pay for the education (see
database of knowledge) that I took for granted almost 20 years ago. Better late than
never.