killbam.net

2009 has been the most significant year of my life so far; school, death, love and career have all built upon each other into a stunning amount of personal change and growth.  To begin with, I think each subject can be approached through the rule of 3′s, namely “All things come in groups of three.”

Career wise, 2009 started off on a dour note.  On Christmas Eve of 2008, I was informed after a 3 month interview and waiting period that I would not be awarded a desktop support job in the IT department at the place I work.  The shock wave hit me pretty hard, I honestly felt like I was a shoe in.  In fact, my big decision was whether or not to apply for the job and leave my position after only a year of service, since I was so certain that I would get it.

Later in summer I saw a job from the Nielsen Norman Group for a usability consultant, my absolute dream job.  Unlike the desktop support job, I consider a career in usability the goal and not just a stepping stone.  Not to mention it was for the premier usability group in the nation, and possibly the world.

Applying for the position, I put in 110%.  I probably spent more time reviewing my resume than I did my application for grad school, and even sent my resume and CV to an IT recruiter friend of mine to review.  Unlike the desktop support position, I had a low probability of even getting an interview, but I thought it was important to pursue my dream even if I was practically assured to fail.

The Nielsen Norman Group was nice enough to send a rejection letter.

Finally, in November I again applied internally for another position as Technology Architect.  Rather than being adjacent to my skill set, this position was a little bit above it.  It aligned well with my studies though, in fact, I’m fairly sure I’d be able to snatch the position up with the backing of my degree in two years.  This time I was informed by HR that they department had “stopped pursuing” the position.  They went with an Oracle Developer position instead, so the horse never even left the gate for me.

I’m certainly not proud that I’ve been rejected three times, once by a position that should have be mine, once by my dream job, and once by my next job, but I consider the attempt and the thirst important.  Clearly I’m dissatisfied with my current position, but the reason I’m looking to move is to better position myself for the job I want, not because I feel I deserve more.

I think that’s the difference between 2005 college-grad-Jeff (and most college grads), and 2009 kicked-in-the-face Jeff.  When I got out I expected my first job would be my dream job and everything would be perfect and I would accept no less than the perfect mix of fulfillment, responsibility, professionalism, casualness and respect at a sexy young company that would change the world.  Now I know that a dream job is one that has to be earned through a career of hard work and paying your dues, and many give up when they can’t stomach any more attempts and failures.  The first job out of college really is the beginning, and not the end.