Something new for me

Back in March 2009, I was laid off from a job I liked. I was given a very small consulting contract from that employer and worked that for about a year. It gave me time to think about what I wanted to do next with myself.

Technical writing or?

I’ve been a technical writer for a long time and enjoyed it very much. I loved the job of product manager/evangelist that I was laid off from. I was certain I wanted to stay in the tech comm world, as I think it’s an important place to be.

But as I took contracts for technical writing, I realized that it’s just not challenging to me anymore. Most documents I could write in my sleep. I love the learning but…

I wanted to go back to evangelizing. I like being in front of a room, I like meeting people, I like making that difference.

But where?

Since I was out of work and contracting enough to pay the bills, I had the rare chance to decide what I wanted to do and where I wanted to do it.

Choices, choices

I thought with my background and experience, I could go to any company. But which one? What company makes products I would feel good about? What do I think is leading edge and has potential to change the future?

I also don’t fit in large companies. I’m feel like I can’t breathe when there are 400 layers above me and things are done because the paperwork requires it. I’m also not very politically smart – I think good work is important. I don’t play the large corporation games well at all. Not a good fit.

I fit best in smaller companies. And I like the start-up feeling in small companies. I like walking into the president’s office and chatting up new ideas.

That narrowed the choices.

So what happened?

I approached Author-It and asked if they could use me. I like what they do, I like what the products are capable of, I heard good things about the company. I decided that was where I wanted to work, if they wanted me.

And, after long discussion, they did want me.

I signed my employment offer letter this week and I start the end of August. I’m the new product evangelist for Author-It!

Excited and happy!

I’m so excited. I love the people I’ve been talking to, I like the vision of where we’re going and how we’re going to get there.

And I get to go to New Zealand for a few weeks on top of all that. It’s all so amazing, I can’t hardly stand it.

This is my dream job. That’s what happens when you decide what you want instead of having to grab something. I’m happy I had the time to decide what I wanted to do and then get to do it.

It’s all good!

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