I want to talk today about my career (detail will be light for “reasons”). A strange feeling arose when discussing our careers with a friend and colleague. When talking it through, we found that one falls into random, perhaps very left-field, roles. In the moment, our work-related experiences may seem inconsequential, but looking back, they can seem very odd.
I studied Electronic Engineering at University, which did teach some basic programming and computer science, but not to the extent I now participate in this area. I guest-lectured the basic CompSci and Networking classes as a final year; I suppose this should have been a clue that I had the skills to become a DevOps Engineer. During my time at University, I also founded HucklowNet (see Day 3’s blog) a rural ISP now in its 9th year. Another sign that my career wasn’t going to be “normal”.
I ran my own business with the help of some Uni friends whilst we were studying. We made iPhone apps and other specialist Linux systems; this certainly helped us pay the bills during University. This business closed a year after graduating due to my friends moving on (to proper careers), and I couldn’t take on all the workload myself.
I gratefully got a job in the special Broadband Delivery Team at Gamma Telecom within the 3rd year of founding HucklowNet (we are a voluntary organisation, so I needed some cash after closing my business). The experiences I gained here will stay with me for life, and I will never forget the direct management I interacted with there - a simply great bunch.
However, I was scarred by working for myself for so many years: I remember I was on the beach in Sitges, after working for myself since age 16, realising I was getting paid whilst sitting on the beach - a complete revelation.
I ended up having a few one-year jobs due to employer and employee issues, finally ending up at Naimuri. At Naimuri, I worked with some great people on super-interesting work. Having to travel a lot was a ball-ache, so I don’t miss that at all. When the pandemic hit, a great deal of stress came back into my life; unable to move from my flat, my workload almost doubled, and so did my team. Looking back, I made some big mistakes concerning the team and how we worked together, but all these are learning opportunities.
I now have an amazing role in a mature business where I can make a difference. I couldn’t be happier.
Always trust and believe in the process. I wouldn’t have got to today without taking some risks, and also not worrying about what business thinks of me; I always say, “the business won’t care about you the second the door hits you in the bum!” It doesn’t mean one has to be nasty or hostile, just remember that you’re replaceable, its only business.
