nice to haves

[cris]

There were four of us in the rental car, sitting in traffic between the office in Sonoma and a dinner party in San Francisco. To our left, a vista of SF slid by with the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and the skyline bathed in a golden sunset. One of our co-workers, a goateed product manager from New York, was talking about how he was getting

Comments

[ayun]

"Also, working with a good team of people; people I'd like to spend time with. That'd be nice to have."

I was interviewing a guy on Friday and explaining to him that I've been lucky enough in my career that I've mostly had the luxury of turning down jobs because I didn't think I'd enjoy spending time with the people I worked with. Some have been better in that regard than others, but it has become so important to me that I've taken jobs working on projects I don't care about AT ALL simply because I liked the team and that has worked out really really well for me. That's the answer I gave when he asked why I like Identity & Access Management.

On the other hand, I sort of like how work forces you to interact with people who are different enough that it keeps you from getting a warped view of the world. Loudmouth Libertarian Guy at my last job was annoying, but instructive.

[cris]

I think that, as a function of my immigration restrictions, every one of my jobs since college has come through a personal connection, and it was always picked while I still had another gig and thus had the luxury of turning down a job unless I was really, truly excited for it. But, for me, it's always had to be a mix of personal chemistry and professional opportunity. I'm not yet at a point in my life where I'd accept a plateauing in my career simply for the sake of a good team.

Still, I think my last gig was one where I chose the opportunity despite having some misgivings on the people, and it was a lesson to listen to that instinct whenever possible.

[belecrivain]

JEALOUS

More seriously, reading these posts has been helpful while I figure out what I want to do.

[cris]

I'm glad it's helpful.

Sometimes, when I feel compelled to post a comment in your journal, I feel bad if it's just a plain bit of "you can do it" sort of encouragement (which ... you know ... I keep faith in you, but part of that faith is also believing that you don't need to be reminded of it all the time); so then I hope that posts like these are also helpful for my friends who are figuring out their own careers and their own paths to happiness.

[belecrivain]

thanks.

I mean, I think things will work out eventually? in the long run? I just am really at a loss right now.

[atalanta]

that sounds so good! I'm glad for you.