Well, it’s official now. I’m leaving the university to go work for a private company – my last day will be August 10th which gives me all of a 4 day weekend before starting full time for the new place. FWIW, I’m definitely looking forward to the change. I’ve been in my current job for about 6.5 years and in the tradition of my family, that means that I’ve been doing the same thing a year and a half too long.
The work at the new place is completely different than the job I have now, but in a sense it’s a return to something familiar. The company does R&D work, well really more R than D on a number of grants, contracts, etc. It feels a lot like a big (and more productive) graduate office. It’s a good chance to put my PhD back to work. The new company is also pretty light on meetings (they are mostly impromptu and short) and as an engineer, not a director, I don’t have to manage people. 🙂
I suppose that I should also say that this was a very hard decision for me. I’ve been here for almost 14 years, 6.5 in my current role – my entire adult life.  The university feels like home. But more than anything else, I’ll miss working with the people I know there. A lot of folks are more like friends than colleagues.
I’m going to cut this short before I get too sentimental – I still have over 4 weeks to go 🙂
We’re going to miss you! Boohoo! 🙁
On the other hand, it sounds like a position that will play to your strengths and will hopefully be enjoyable. 🙂 I hope you’re still planning to come to GB, though. Or we might have to track you down and toilet paper your office. 😉
– etselec
Comment by etselec — July 11, 2007 @ 10:28 am
Of course I’m still going to go to GB. Just try to stop me! 🙂
Comment by cec — July 11, 2007 @ 1:22 pm