As you might know, I haven’t exactly been loving my job.. I really want to stay with Red Hat, and I liked the work, but I felt like I was going to have to make a change. An opening turned up on the Information Security team a few weeks ago, and, although I wasn’t sure I’d qualify, I applied. Last year there was a similar opening, and I’d mentioned to my director that I had interest in that area, but I knew I didn’t have the experience to apply for the job–he got very animated and said that I should have applied anyway!! It was too late that time, but he remembered that conversation, and told me about this opening as soon as they knew it would be coming up. I got to meet with the team’s manager when he was in town from Australia earlier this year, and I liked him a lot. When the posting went live, I put in my application (back on April 27), and told my current boss that I was applying. I had a few rounds of interviews, a nighttime videoconference with the Australia team, a morning videoconference with the guys in Europe, and an in-person interview with the other Raleigh guys on the 19th. I wasn’t sure how I did, but, I sure did have fun in those interviews! They were more like a fun conversation with friends, even though I didn’t know these guys. I dropped obscure Star Trek references, and the guys got them (and took it even further!) I’d never had so much fun in a job interview. It made me want the job even more! It was a nerve-wracking few weeks, especially the last few days as I waited to find out.. Since the last interview, I had dreams every night that I was on the team. I dreamed that we were playing Rock Band together, that we were dressed up as the cast of the Matrix at the company Halloween party, random stuff like that. 🙂 Anyway, today I officially got my offer letter!! YES!! Of course I accepted right away. I have to give up my Senior title and some of my bonus percentage, but, they adjusted my base salary so that I’m actually going to come out ahead–and I know I can work hard and get that title back. Wow, I can hardly believe my luck! I’m excited, so happy, and nervous about the big change–but mostly I’m feeling like I have some hope and energy again about work. I’ve got a whole new field to learn, and there are a ton of sub-specialties to explore. I think Twilight Sparkle sums up how I’m feeling today just right:
I’ll start on June 22, right after our trip to Colorado. I’m so excited!!!