The Die is Cast

(And a 20 sided die at that)

Well, it is now official. I have accepted a new job. For those who are wondering about the specifics I have taken a job at [company name redacted] as a Transmission Specialist. No, that does not mean that I have become a mechanic though I will admit that it is one of the least impressive job titles that I have come across (and this is from someone who was once officially a General Engineer.) What it means is that I will be focused on analyzing the U.S. Transmission Grid and discovering the choke points and limitations and using that knowledge to benefit the energy trading team. This is similar to what I was doing in my past engineering life except that now instead of looking at the limitations and trying to fix them I will be trying to make money from them.

This is really what I went to business school to do. I left engineering for the finance with the intention of returning to the energy industry in a position where I could combine my engineering and finance experience. I just happened to go to school when the energy industry imploded (thanks Enron) and I had to change course which led me to find myself in Kansas City. But right now is probably the best time to get back into the energy sector. It is one of the few parts of the U.S. economy that is growing and with Obama and McCain both talking about their energy policies it certainly looks to be a huge growth area in the future. Whether we go nuclear or renewable there will certainly be transmission issues and that is where I will be.

I’m not taking an engineering position though. I’m pretty intent on not returning to that field at the moment. Yes I will be doing engineering work but the focus will be on a financial (and hopefully strategic) perspective. That just seems to be the best mesh of my skills at the moment. It is easier for me to work as a finance person who understands engineering than as an engineer who knows finance. Or at least companies would definitely prefer the former.

I know that a few people are at least a little disappointed that I did not try for a more creative career choice given that it seemed like I was on that path. I’m a little bummed about that and especially the fact that surfing the internet and understanding pop culture will no longer be part of my job. The thing is there really isn’t anything in my background that gives employers the indication that I would be talented at that role. I’m an electrical engineer / financial guru; nothing on my resume screams creative genius. I’m certainly not going to let that side of me go to waste. I see myself putting much more focus into my writing and blogging in my free time and really trying to turn that into its own little career after I move.

Yes, I will be moving. The job is in suburban Philadelphia though I’m not quite sure where I am going to live at the moment. Right now the leading candidates are downtown Philly where I would have to deal with hour long commutes or Wilmington, Delaware where I would have a much shorter commute but would have to deal with, well, living in Delaware. True, visiting a screen door factory is a wonderful thing but there just is this weird vibe that you get when you say you live in Delaware. I did spend the weekend in Wilmington and the place had a nice vibe and I could definitely find a space there that will fit me. No matter where I go I will have the same challenge: moving to a place where I know no one and have no network around me. That will be one hell of a challenge but I’m ready for it.

There will be something rather soothing about turning 35 and starting off with a completely clean slate. New job, new city, everything unknown. Scary but soothing.

This was a really tough decision to make. I never anticipated that it would be this difficult. If you had told me six months or a year ago about this opportunity I would have jumped at it. But the past few months made me realize just how much I liked Kansas City and the people that I have met here. After five years you tend to put down some roots even if you don’t try to and I’m going to be sad to say goodbye for the moment to all the friends that I have made here (with one in particular who made me really think about my future.) But I really do consider it a goodbye for the moment. I won’t disappear, everyone that I am friends with now will remain my friends and I’m sure I’ll find a reason to come back to KC now and again.

I don’t have a timetable at the moment as to when everything is going to happen. Technically everything is dependent on my background check so knock on wood everything will be fine there. Then I’ll need to find a place and move across the country and start my new life. Which is pretty amazing and I kind of want to end with the following story.

As most people know I am one of five kids and I was the one that everyone protected. I was just a really sensitive kid, way too smart for my age, and I didn’t grow into my body until I was in my thirties. Everyone watched out for me and made sure that I wasn’t picked on and to be honest, I really appreciated it. But what I find really interesting is that I am the one in my family who will readily take on the unknown. I’m once again moving to a completely unknown town. I’ve traveled to Europe by myself. I’ve taken off to go to weddings in Mexico with a printout of directions and nothing else. I’m not fearless and my anxiety gets the better of me more than I would like but I will still step into the unknown. I’m really proud of that aspect of my personality. I know that I will be successful. I always am.