Friday, February 22, 2008

Taking The Next Career Step

This is it. Yesterday I announced to my boss & company at large that I am leaving. I received an offer to join a venture backed start-up as the member of the executive team. This is both exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. This is clearly the next step in my career: I will be reporting to the CEO, directly interact with the company's Board of Directors and be responsible for making some million Dollar decisions. This is something that I have worked towards for years, and even though I feel ready and even anxious to get started, I must admit that I am feeling some butterflies in the pit of my stomach.

One of my (soon to be former) colleagues told me today that I am like a rocket poised on the launch pad, with the countdown approaching zero hour. My career is either about to launch into the stratosphere, or I am about to crash and burn big time. I prefer to think about it a different way. If I am as good as I think I am this is my chance to permanently transform myself into a senior high-tech executive. If I am not as good as I think I am, I am about to find that out the hard way... talk about a high stakes game.

Well, here's what I say: BRING IT ON!

In the coming days I will write a couple of posts detailing my various considerations in taking the new job, explaining how I got the offer in the first place, and just as importantly my strategy for leaving my current post while maintain my good reputation and valuable contacts.

Even though I gave notice, my current company will be making the most of my remaining weeks on staff. Early Sunday morning (yeah, Sunday) I am off on a six day business trip to visit some customers in the Caribbean and the East Coast. I don't think I will be getting much rest before I start my next gig.

Finally, last week I submitted my cross over point calculator to the Carnival of Personal Finance. I now realize that my article was posted using an incorrect URL. Oh well.

6 comments:

Chief Family Officer said...

Wow, what a huge opportunity. Good luck! I look forward to reading about your success!

Patrick said...

Awesome opportunity! I wish the best for you. I have a feeling this is what you are meant to be doing though. :)

Anonymous said...

"Even though I gave notice, my current company will be making the most of my remaining weeks on staff. Early Sunday morning (yeah, Sunday) I am off on a six day business trip to visit some customers in the Caribbean and the East Coast. I don't think I will be getting much rest before I start my next gig."

Just say no.

Unknown said...

Yes, I could, but here is why I didn't: this company has been my employer for the past three years. Many of my friends work for this company. It's success matters to me. In addition, the world is a round place. You hang around long enough and you run into people again and again. There is much to be said for leaving a company on good terms, and much to be said for keeping strong and warm ties to talented executives who you may want to work with again in the future. In short, it's all about maintaining the network. Does that make sense?

frugal zeitgeist said...

Good on you, Shadox. I have no doubt that you'll be a smashing success.

Div Guy said...

Congrats! Best of luck on the new venture.