Thu, 03 Oct 2002
Brad Wilson: Exodus From Technology Industry On The Rise?
Brad Wilson observes that some friends of his are either fleeing the technology industry altogether or considering it.
This really resonated with me. It reminds me of my friend Jeff Z. Jeff left a successful technology career this past summer, sold everything, packed what was left, and moved to Prague to teach and write. Some of us who worked with Jeff simultaneously admired and envied him. It was like he thumbed his nose at the status quo while saying, "What's so great about a tech career?" Many of us who'd been at it longer than Jeff were asking ourselves that very question.
I love the work, but hate the environment - the commute, the office, the cubicles, the coffee, the politics. In the middle of 1998, I worked from my home office in Redmond, started each day at 6 or 7 and generally worked till 6 in the evening with a break for lunch and a bike ride. I was in good shape and I enjoyed the work and the people.
Today, I can barely will myself out of bed, into the shower, the car, the traffic, the parking, the office. Bryan and I have done some really interesting work in the last year but it's like we're dragging the proverbial 200 ton freight train behind us. Part of it is the dynamic of an organization that is struggling to change and grow. The other part is a business climate that's like trying to sell sand to a man crossing the desert. On top of that, add unprecedented employer selectiveness with regard to hiring and you have quite a dim scene. The days of celebrating a release or milestone are over. There's little, if any, joy in the process. And that's what leads me to consider all manner of options from medical school to music school and everything in between.
Posted at: 00:52 | permalink
