Onward & Upward: I'm Seattle's Newest Resident
The following was written Tuesday, August 2, 2016. I’m excited to finally be able to share this with the world. I’ve created a new blog category called “Analog World” to chronicle things in the real world aka IRL. I hope to share some amazing experiences as I embark on this journey.
I just signed a piece of paper that will likely change my life more than any other document that I’ve ever signed. I signed an offer letter to take a job with Amazon working for Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Seattle. This job means moving across the country, jumping head first into something that I love doing, and doing it at an unimaginable scale. I’m normally a person who second guesses large decisions, but this one has felt right since the beginning. Overall, I knew that I needed to make this change. I need this personally. I need this professionally. 2015 was a rough year. 2016 has brought alot of great things, and it’s yet not done giving.
This is a chance to work for an amazing company. Yes, I know what people say about working for Amazon. It’s hard work. I’m not scared of hard work. I do however want to know that my work makes a difference. I want to know that my company is making a difference. And I’ve personally seen the impact of Amazon Web Services. Infrastructure that can be setup in minutes. AWS allows people to make their dreams, especially tech dreams, come true. THAT is what I want to do. I want to know that I played some small part in enabling someone to achieve their goals. And I get to do this, doing something that I love.
What will I be doing? I’m going to be AWS’ newest SFDC Program Manager. What does that mean? I thought you might ask that. It means that I’ll be working with business users to help them define and help turn their goals into a reality. I’ll take their business goals and turn them into technology solutions, and position those solutions on a road map, working with developers to make it happen.
Where will I be doing this? In Seattle! I’ve always had a love affair with Seattle despite only having been there once before the interview process. Even before having ever been there I knew it was a place I wanted to go. The people are progressive. The coast is beautiful. And the city is urban. I can’t wait to make the transition and get settled in.
Will I miss Texas? Nah, not really. But I will miss the people. Oh, how I will miss the people. Thank God for FaceTime, iMessages, and American Airlines! Some people come and go, but over the course of the past 6 to 8 months I feel like I’ve been afforded a series of decisions that have set me up for this transition. The people that will be lifelong friends have persisted. I’ve made some awesome connections, learned so much about myself, and about life. And those special people that have always been there - I’ll miss the hell out of them. I’ve been so fortunate to find a group of friends that have supported me through the good and the bad, and to them, I will forever be in debt.
When is all this happening? My first day will be Tuesday, September 6, 2016. I cannot wait!
Why now? I don’t really know - the universe has told me now is the right time though. I’m not one to really believe in signs, or “the universe”, but man - a case sure can be made for the universe giving me signs that right now is the right time. Onward and upward!