I’m still processing the events of this week. That writing gig I wrote about earlier this week got unbelievably ugly, I felt trapped, then a recruiter called me with an offer I couldn’t refuse, and I ended up quitting my job.
Like I said, weird.
It’s a bad idea for me to say much more than that right now, and maybe ever. The timing is unfortunate, but my kids have been telling me lately that they wish they could see me more. Then along comes a job with no travel, a shorter commute, and the option to work a flex schedule. At this stage in my life, the new job is a good fit. Doing security work by day and moonlighting writing proposals isn’t the best fit. Some dads miss their sons’ early years, and since I happen to have a choice, I prefer to choose not to.
David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.
“Cats in the Cradle,” Harry Chapin
What Tim said.
I quit my Saturday teaching gig when I realized Shelley was taking each boy to a different soccer every Saturday.
As a father who just watched his daughter pick up her high school diploma, I can assure you that you will regret exactly none of the moments you spend with your children. If you can make it work financially, you won’t regret it. When I was working from home, it was sometimes difficult to get the kids to distinguish between “home” time and “work” time – but they got it eventually.
In a few months, my daughter will move five hours away from me – and I won’t be the one waking her up every morning, seeing her off to the bus, waiting for her to come home, listening to her day, and hearing about the details. I know my parents went through it with me, and I’ll survive – but when you look at your kids, and think that in just a few short years (yeah, they seem like a mountain now, but you’ll be surprised at how quickly they do fly by) they’ll be leaving home and you won’t be aware of what they’re doing every minute of the day – well, as the movie says – Carpe the damned Diem. Right now.
And good luck. Seriously.
Someone hires a trained, experienced professional to do a job; then tells them, “It’s my way or the highway! I don’t want your training, I don’t want your experience, I don’t want your professionalism, unless it’s filtered through my idea of how the world ought to be, and presented the way I think is going to work!”
And trained, experienced professional says “Hmm… your way or the highway… but the highway leads next door, and next door says ‘I appreciate your training and professionalism, I have results I need to get done, and I think you can do it. More money, more respect, more time at home with family. Are you interested?'” And trained, experienced professional says “Hmm… decisions deci… I’ll take the highway to next door, thanks very much!”
Do take it carefully for a while though, please. As a new boy, there’s a certain vulnerability built into your position, so build your a financial and professional backstop, just in case.
Personally, I think your previous employers were either crazy, or trying to force you out. A lot of us could see this building up, and I’m sure they could too, if they cared.
Congrats on the new job. To me, it sounds like a God thing. Keep on following where He opens doors. Sounds like the new place is a good one.