Off to seek my fortune... by SergeantX

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

Off to seek my fortune...

POSTED BY: SERGEANTX
UPDATED: Friday, August 26, 2005 14:09
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VIEWED: 1944
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Thursday, August 25, 2005 6:33 PM

Most of you won't care, some of you will be delighted, but I probably won't be posting much for the next few weeks.

Bright and early Saturday morning I'll be leaving my hometown of Lawrence, KS, for my new base of operations in Philadelphia, PA. A couple of weeks ago I got a job offer that represents a major life change for me. I'll be moving to Philly to start work as a computer programmer.

I'm scared silly! I didn't think I would be, but as the day approaches I find myself really torn with all sorts of conflicting emotions. I've always wanted to get the hell out of the midwest, and programming is a real calling for me.

But I'm leaving behind my family, my friends, my support network - basically everything I've ever known. I'm forty-one years old and I feel like a high school kid leaving home for the first time.

The job, however, is truly a dream come true. The company is very, very different and I'm convinced I've really found kindred spirits. It's a small company with slightly over twenty employees, only three of which are non-programmers. Also, the CEO, the head programmer, and most of the employees are enthusiastic Firefly fans. How could I possibly go wrong?

Anyway, once I get there, I'll be living with the head programmer until I can get my own place set up and send for my sons. Until then, I don't know how much internet access I'll have, and I'll probably be pretty busy getting up to speed with the new job. I'll try to stop in here every now and then and whine about Bush, but some of you may have to fill in for me while I'm getting things rearranged.

Oh... I almost forgot. I'll only be working for three days before we take off for Dragon Con for five days. Did I mention it's a cool ass job?

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Thursday, August 25, 2005 6:42 PM

KAYLEERULESALL

wow...that job sounds downright shiny!! good luck, im sure youll do fine. were pullin for ya!

"There are two infinate things in our world. The universe, and Human stupidity. I'm not too sure about the first one." Albert Einstien

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Thursday, August 25, 2005 6:59 PM

WHEDONESQUE

Good luck, SergeantX!

It sounds like you are heading into a great situation. Moving and starting a totally new job are extremely stressful situations, so the first few weeks may be rough. But I have enjoyed every group of Browncoats I have ever met, so I am pretty confident that you will quickly feel right at home in your new 'Browncoat-friendly' workplace.

I am also a recent transplant from the Midwest (St. Louis) to the East Coast (NYC). I miss my family, but I have just learned to budget for a plane ticket back home every few months. And I have made so many great friends here (mostly through FF) that I really feel at home.

Also, some of the coolest Browncoats I've had the pleasure of getting to know are from the Philly area. And there is gonna be a regional shindig there in October ( http://www.myorangehat.citymax.com). About 50 Browncoats attended last year and it was a great time. Maybe you could join us and meet some new friends.

Anyway, good luck! Keep us updated.

Kathleen
Whedonesque

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Thursday, August 25, 2005 7:10 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

SergeantX
Good luck ! and Have fun !
Sincerely,
Rue

Nearly everything I know I learned by the grace of others.

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Thursday, August 25, 2005 7:21 PM

HARDWARE

Once you get settled post a line. There's another community of Browncoats only 1/2 hour away in Delaware.

Good Luck, good fortune!

The more I get to know people the more I like my dogs.

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Thursday, August 25, 2005 7:51 PM

SERGEANTX

Quote:
Originally posted by whedonesque:
Also, some of the coolest Browncoats I've had the pleasure of getting to know are from the Philly area. And there is gonna be a regional shindig there in October ( http://www.myorangehat.citymax.com). About 50 Browncoats attended last year and it was a great time. Maybe you could join us and meet some new friends.

Thanks! I've joined the message board and look forward to meeting everyone.

Thanks to everyone else for the kind thoughts!

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Thursday, August 25, 2005 8:44 PM

HKCAVALIER

In the immortal words of Luke Skywalker, "I care."

Good luck with the new job! There is nothing more satisfying than getting paid for what you love to do! Congratulations! You will be missed!

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

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Thursday, August 25, 2005 9:04 PM

SERGEANTX

Thanks, HK.

I might not be gone long at all, but I anticipate that I'll be preoccupied in convincing them that they've not made a mistake hiring someone with no formal training and no experience. At least for a while. We'll see.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Thursday, August 25, 2005 10:46 PM

SOUPCATCHER

Best of luck in the tremendous life change, SergeantX. Sounds like a great opportunity! You're a smart guy, I'm sure you'll do well.

Can't really offer you any advice about Philly. Never lived east of the Rockies myself. Didn't even realize there was a sufficient tech base where they needed computer programmers out that way

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Friday, August 26, 2005 12:27 AM

CITIZEN

Good luck Seargent, trying to make a break in too a career in programming myself...
Got formal training, just no experience, which means no one over here wants to hire me...
Not jealous in the least, uhuh, no, not me...

Sounds like a brilliant job, and hope everything works out (sure it will).

Q: What do you have when you are holding two little green balls in your hand.
A: Kermit's undivided attention.

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Friday, August 26, 2005 12:56 AM

EMBERS

Good luck! Have a great trip!
Settle in to the new job,
find a place to live,
but whatever you do...DON'T forget the BDM is coming out on Sept 30th!
Hope to see you back here to discuss it!

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Friday, August 26, 2005 2:14 AM

SIGNYM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Oh... wow! That's great! Stressful, but great!

But now I'm piqued- what kind of programming? And, how did you EVER find these people in the first place? Lawrence and Philly are kind of distant... I won't expect and answer cause I know you're busy, but it sounds like you've found a group of kindred spirits. Be prepared for housing sticker shock. And have a Philly cheesesteak on me!

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Friday, August 26, 2005 4:55 AM

SERGEANTX

Quote:
And, how did you EVER find these people in the first place? Lawrence and Philly are kind of distant...

It's been kind of a freak deal, honestly. I decided I wanted to pursue programming as a career a little over a year ago. But with no college degree, and no formal training, I'd figured it would be a long haul and that I'd have to take some pretty crummy jobs to break into the field.

This spring I saw an ad on GameDev.net and answered it on a lark. The company is very openminded and not at all interested in the industry SOP. Their application consisted of five essay questions. They don't even read resumes, which is fortunate since mine was quite sparse.

Anyway, much to my surprise I got a response! Then I got a phone interview and flew out there a couple of months ago for an on-site interview. They liked me, but felt I need more practice coding before I'd be ready. That's what I've been working on for the last couple of months. Things went well and they're convinced I'm ready to start!

My head is still spinning with the unlikeliness of it all. Of course the icing on the cake was finding out the CEO was Firefly fan. The conversation just goes a little smoother after that, ya know?

Initially I'll be working on Web apps in C# and Asp.NET. They're starting a game division and I'm slotted as an 'apprentice' on that crew when things kick into gear. That would be in C++.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Friday, August 26, 2005 5:11 AM

SPINLAND

Most wonderful news, all the best with it! I made a major career change a year ago this month, at age 43, and it was every bit as scary/exciting for me as it seems to be for you. I've never looked back, may the same hold true for you!

----
I can see you.

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Friday, August 26, 2005 7:10 AM

HERO

Quote:
Originally posted by SergeantX:

Bright and early Saturday morning I'll be leaving my hometown of Lawrence, KS, for my new base of operations in Philadelphia, PA. A couple of weeks ago I got a job offer that represents a major life change for me. I'll be moving to Philly to start work as a computer programmer.

Say hello to Pete for me. He's my computer nerd ex-roomate who works as a programmer in Philly. He'll be the one sitting alone in the cafateria with the REALLY thick glasses wondering why he's never felt the gentle touch of a woman's hands. You guys should get along fine, he really likes Firefly.

Quote:

I'm scared silly!

You should be. I grew up in PA and Philadelphia is no city to be messed around with. They kill people there. My suggestion, a firearm and avoid North Philly, South Philly, the West Side and East Philadelphia. That always worked well for me. The only safe places are inside the new baseball park and that little glass building where they keep the Liberty Bell and for Gods sake don't go there at night.

Quote:

I'll try to stop in here every now and then and whine about Bush, but some of you may have to fill in for me while I'm getting things rearranged.

Wait till you get a lode of Ed Rendell's worker's paradise. You are so screwed...

Good luck. If you need anything let me know, I've got a buddy working for the PA Senate Republicans.

...so, so screwed...

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Friday, August 26, 2005 7:32 AM

R1Z

Best of luck to you, I'm sure it's a change for the better.

Don't forget, we're here for you, and you can access us at any cybercafe, library or Kinko's.

To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks. --Robt. Heinlein

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Friday, August 26, 2005 10:22 AM

SERGEANTX

Thanks to everyone. Your thoughts were touching, even yours Hero (but more in a 'bad touch' kind of way).

It's time to pack this puter up and get ready. See ya on the other side.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Friday, August 26, 2005 10:51 AM

CITIZEN

Firstly as I said earlier, good luck.

Secondly:

Quote:
Initially I'll be working on Web apps in C# and Asp.NET. They're starting a game division and I'm slotted as an 'apprentice' on that crew when things kick into gear. That would be in C++.

You... Have... My... Dream... Job...

I have training university all that
*starts counting notes*
So how much for the good words to the right people?

Q: What do you have when you are holding two little green balls in your hand.
A: Kermit's undivided attention.

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Friday, August 26, 2005 11:12 AM

CHRISISALL

Sarge, two words for you, in hopes that you get them where you're goin'...

Fortune and glory!

Chrisisall, who's gonna miss your brilliance for a while

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Friday, August 26, 2005 2:09 PM

PERFESSERGEE

Sarge, I hope you get this before you completely pack up, but if not, it'll wait for you in Philly. Best of luck in your new adventure. There's nothing better than earning a living doing what you love to do. And let us know when you get plugged back in - your words of wisdom be missed in the interim.

perfessergee

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