[TriLUG] Positions with Google in NC

[jonc]

On Mon, 2007-02-19 at 15:58, Jim Tuttle wrote:
> > Message: 13
> I guess I'm only tangentially in the IT field the rest of you are in-
> I'm a digital librarian at NC State.  About half of what I do is system
> administration and application development.  I had an opportunity
> recently to go to a dot com, which seemed great.  I'm sure I would have
> loved it and it payed more than I make at State, but I suspect that they
> were pretty demanding in a not-so-family friendly way.  My wife and I
> don't have kids, but it's nice to know that we're in a good position to
> should we so choose.
> 
> Also, it's unlikely that NC State is going to fold any time soon.  I do
> keep telling myself, though, that if IBM or Redhat has an opening for a
> librarian/ corporate taxonomist/ information architect, I'd apply.  I
> don't have any sense how they treat people, but it can't be too bad, right?
> 
> 
> Jim
> 
Jim,

The dot coms really aren't that bad. You spend all your time there
because it's fun, you fit in, and it feels like family.

If you don't fit in, if you don't think it's fun, if it doesn't feel
like family to you, then it's a bit like hell - and you should
definitely go get another job (probably not one that is at a startup).

The sense of belonging is a powerful bonus for a lot of humans -
especially those of the geek variety.

As to Red Hat, from what I hear these days, its more of a
brick-and-mortar feel about it. That is to say, they have gone
corporate. And I think the definition of corporate should say: see IBM.

I've got nothing against real corporations. I've done really well
working for them in the past... but they are more about making money
than having fun or changing the world for the better. But now, if you
*think* that making money is fun, and it changes *your world* for the
better, then corporate life is for you!

Working for the University is definitely different... and in my opinion
much more fun. Despite the low pay and vast quantity of Red Tape, folks
there are generally friendly and truly grateful for the things you do. 

Sounds like you made the right decision for your future! Good Luck.

Jon Carnes


BTW: culture shifts at dot coms can make the older-employees feel like
they have just been betrayed by their families. Hence the back-biting
words that often flay about as dot coms grow and shift. The employees
feel like suckers for their past loyalty.