Right Company for Me
On Monday, I started a new job as a Senior Software Project Manager at Energy Solutions. I knew this was the right company for me before I started, but yesterday I received an email sent to the entire company about a going away happy hour one evening this week that would have reassured me if I had had any doubts. It ended with:
As always, those that are available to leave at the scheduled time can meet at the top of the stairs and a group of us will head out together. Otherwise, feel free to stop by the bar whenever you are able to tear yourself away from your work of saving the earth.
A few years ago I was confessing to my boss that while my job was fun and challenging and I made a great salary, it seemed rather pointless. I wanted to work on something that mattered. I investigated working for mifos.org but could not handle the non-profit salary. Later, I volunteered for a year with SolarTech and investigated switching to some sort of solar or clean tech company. However, I stayed with Sun and used the considerable leeway within the scope of my job to focus my efforts, and those of my staff, on education.
The boss I mention above was my second best ever (so far!). If he ever reads this blog entry, I really hope he will comment or drop me a line. His memorable reply to my lament about having an interesting yet pointless job was:
You are saving the world, you are saving the world from Microsoft!
How times change! Recently, he left Sun to go work for Microsoft. And here I am, working for Energy Solutions where we really are doing our bit to save the world.
what great news and a good story. keep us posted on progress as you go.
Oh, this is soooo painful to read
I’m glad you’ve found something that is addressing the “other” part of you (the one Sun didn’t quite fulfill – sounds interesting…
I think the industry is really going to miss Sun – I’m not sure there will be anything like it again…
Life goes on – time to do more cool (and more meaningful!) stuff…
- Matt
I am so happy for you Marla! You were a very cool manager while I interned with you on java.net and I am so pleased you are doing work in a field that matters to you and the planet. Inspires me! Good luck going forward
Matt you are such a good sport to read my blog and comment!
Have a great time at Microsoft. I know there are a lot of really cool, smart people working there. You should be in good company.