Job news and thoughts
Aug. 15th, 2008 10:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
henry_the_cowMy new job will be Head of Development Services in the Applications Division of the Information Services Group of the University of Edinburgh. Which means I will be one of the yellow boxes on this chart and part of a much larger organisation than my current group.
It will be an interesting change from my current job. It's a move towards the computing mainstream from the rather niche area that I'm in at the moment. It will also be about delivering systems, rather than webinars, events, reports and research papers; this is something I'm very much looking forward to.
This will be the first time that I've worked for an organisation that isn't primarily technology-oriented. Harlequin was all about the neat new software; KAL was more business-focussed but still primarily selling a technology product; Microsoft Research was (of course) focussed on software; and NeSC is about the exploitation of new technology. IS has to deliver services first and foremost; although one aspect of my role will be to champion relevant new technology within the university services. My new boss describes the role as "challenging".
In the past I have considered following the technology-oriented path further. It was only a few months ago that I seriously considered applying to Google Labs in Zurich, and some years ago I considered various companies on the west coast of the USA. I've always decided to put my family and friends first, together with the fact that I really like living in Edinburgh.
On the pragmatic side, this is a permanent job, funded by the university itself. This contrasts with my current post, which is a constant scramble to find new funding. I won't miss that at all.
It will be an interesting change from my current job. It's a move towards the computing mainstream from the rather niche area that I'm in at the moment. It will also be about delivering systems, rather than webinars, events, reports and research papers; this is something I'm very much looking forward to.
This will be the first time that I've worked for an organisation that isn't primarily technology-oriented. Harlequin was all about the neat new software; KAL was more business-focussed but still primarily selling a technology product; Microsoft Research was (of course) focussed on software; and NeSC is about the exploitation of new technology. IS has to deliver services first and foremost; although one aspect of my role will be to champion relevant new technology within the university services. My new boss describes the role as "challenging".
In the past I have considered following the technology-oriented path further. It was only a few months ago that I seriously considered applying to Google Labs in Zurich, and some years ago I considered various companies on the west coast of the USA. I've always decided to put my family and friends first, together with the fact that I really like living in Edinburgh.
On the pragmatic side, this is a permanent job, funded by the university itself. This contrasts with my current post, which is a constant scramble to find new funding. I won't miss that at all.
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Date: 2008-08-19 08:12 pm (UTC)Seriously, though, many congratulations.
Speaking as one (albeit in a lower orbit) who has previously moved from "vaguely employed, blueskying, getting there anyway" to "permanently employed, no thinking time, deadlines", I've found it a bit annoying only in the sense that employers tend to think you need to be (i) typing, or (ii) in meetings, to be employed. Caught a couple of months ago with my feet up on my desk and my eyes shut, I had to explain to my line manager that visualising software (which was TRULY what I was doing - honest) can't always be done with an HB pencil and a pad.
Anyway - all the best, and I hope you find yourself with a positive team already in place.