Re: Against the tide.

RichL wrote:
Tony Done <tonydone@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I've been struggling to keep a steady job for years, and my current
contract was part time until end-September. I've just got an offer of
effectively full time until the end of the year. I'm really pleased
about this, because it is in spite of the gloomy employment outlook
in Queensland, and it is the kind of work I enjoy. Guitar content - I
now feel like playing more than I have the past few weeks.

Tony D

Good deal, Tony!

I'm in nearly the opposite situation at the moment.

Several years ago I abandoned the relative comfort and security of a
research job at a US government facility for the challenge (and danger!)
of a small start-up company.

The first one was founded by an EE professor at University of Maryland
that I know. We had about 50 people when I joined. Unfortunately, that
was right about the time that the telecom bubble burst in the US. I
managed to get out before it all hit the fan, however.

I then joined a small company (15 people at the moment) that was founded
by a few former colleagues at the government lab. It's been an
enjoyable run; I can work at home 2-3 days a week, I pretty much dictate
my own research directions, and I get along well with everyone. It's
been a nice six-year-long run, and in the last couple of years we've
actually been able to attract significant customer business.

However, the economic situation is now having its impact. The venture
capitalists who funded us in the past have pulled the plug, and we're
basically running on vapor. For the past four weeks, we've all been
earning minimum wage ($6.55/hr in the US) just to be able to stretch our
resources.

A larger company has expressed interest in buying us, and several
not-so-reputable venture capitalists have indicated that they might want
to invest in us. However, unless something happens in the next week or
two, we'll be going belly up, and for the first time in my life I'll be
job hunting because I have to, not because I want to.

Unfortunately, I'm not in a position where I can simply retire, or even
work part-time. I don't think I'd want to, either, not yet. I'd love
to spend more time on music but I don't think that would be sufficient
at this point to satisfy my craving for some sort of intellectual
stimulation.

I don't do this sort of stress very well, unfortunately. But who knows,
tomorrow may bring brighter news.




I wish you well, Rich.

-Raf

--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
home: http://www.rafandsioux.com
.

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