Moving on

August 11, 2007

There comes a time when you move on from one work environment to the next.  I recently had that time come, and I accepted a position with Open Source Risk Management.  This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make careerwise, for a number of reasons.  On the practical side, it’s a much further drive, and will also involve frequent travel (probably up to 50% in some months).  On the intangible side, it’s a bit outside my comfort zone, shall we say.  I’ve been developing software in various capacities for over 12 years, and have been at the forefront of new technology adoption in some situations.  I’ve watch the LAMP stack grow and mature, developed in multiple platforms, seen all the myriad changes happen during that time in the tech world, and seen them from the eyes of an active participant.  That’s about to change.

My initial role at OSRM will be mostly conducting code reviews - auditing code projects to ensure no open source license violations exist, and suggesting architectural remedies when violations have occurred.  I’ve no illusions about this - some of this work will most likely be boring.  But much of it will be, I believe, more exciting and more of a challenge than I’ve had in a while.  Having to move between companies and projects, meet= new people, quickly ascertain what’s going on with code, and other things like that will be a welcome change from the current situation.  I also intend to be able to grow new skills in this new position, and hopefully will be able to influence the direction of the company’s growth as well.

All in all, it’s exciting and new, but I’ve having to leave behind a great group of people I’ve worked with the past 22 months.  These were the primary reasons I’d stayed as long as I have.  I’ve rarely worked in an org where I was able to get along both personally and professionally with such a large number of people.  I’m not saying we never got on each others’ nerves - I know I’ve stepped on toes and rubbed people the wrong way on occasion.  And I was on the receiving end of those gaffes sometimes as well.  But we have always been able to put those aside and work, laugh and play together when called for.  I’m grateful that I’ve had a chance to know each one, and will hopefully keep in touch with them as well.

Posted in Business, Job, Personal, Software, opensource