Finding my way: Lessons Learned from a Career in GPS
by John Lavrakas Through this blog, I will share my experiences in a career in GPS. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I.
Prelude
Thursday, September 18, 1980 appeared to be just another ordinary day in Southern California, with bright sunshine washing over San Pedro…
Preface
Today, GPS is a household word. This was not the case when I joined the program in November 1980…
Chapter 1 – My Growing Up Years
I had not intended to fail out of college, but when Dean Gann called me into his office in June 1972, I realized I was at a major decision point in my young life…
Chapter 2 – Teaching in the Heartland
Right after college, I moved to South Bend, Indiana, to teach. Well, that’s not quite accurate. First, I applied to 25 community colleges across the country for teaching jobs in community colleges, and received no offers…
Chapter 3 – Breaking into Aerospace
“Don’t get too used to this,” I thought. This isn’t how it is always going to be.
Interlude. The Global Positioning System (in brief)
Before I begin the next big chapter in my life, I think it’s a good time to explain a bit about this program called GPS.
Chapter 4 – Helping to Build the GPS Ground Control System.
A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history. Mahatma Gandhi, social reformer and independence movement leader. Gordon had dumped a pile of GPS documents on my desk. There were 13 of them to be exact, and they were specifications defining the requirements for the computer programs for the GPS ground control system, called computer program configuration items, or CPCIs for short. They defined the 13 main functions for…