Ok, so I took a job last May that had us move from California to Maryland (where I grew up). We did this so that we could actually afford to buy a decent home.
Starting May 24, I began working at a network security start-up company in Columbia, MD, called Sourcefire. Great folks, really cool work atmosphere (get to wear shorts and t-shirts).
6 months into the job, I realize that my normal technical writing methods don't work in this Open Source network security environment - i.e., I cannot interview the developers as source content for manuals due to the fact that they have no clue as to what the customers actually configure the software product for.
I was miserable - I've had a successful track record when it comes to my work and I had a new mortgage hanging over my head. Although they didn't want me to quit, I quit. I felt I was really gimped and it didn't sit well with me to be coddled along until I got up to speed, which could take, oh, at least a year or two. I'd feel better doing a job knowing I was 100% successful. So I left on amicable terms on October 15th.
On Nov. 1, I take a sub-contracting job with Lockheed Martin in the Baltimore suburbs. Lockheed Martin is a contractor to the Social Security Administration. Pay was similar to Sourcefire, so all was right again. The commute was better than driving to Columbia as well.
By the end of November, we come to learn that there will be an impending paycut for all subcontractors as well as possible layoffs. Unlike a lot of decent agencies that my fellow sub-contractors worked for, my agency didn't do anything to absorb the 40% pay cut I received right before the December holidays.
The pay cut became effective January 1, 2005. In the meantime, my wife gets laid off at the end of November. Doh! Yes, it sucked to be us.
We knew we had to write off December and most of January due to the holidays. Needless to say, life has been a bit stressful. At least we could take our minds off our troubles playing WoW.
We shot ourselves in the foot as to where we moved to in Maryland. As much as we love where we live (Westminster) and a decent commute to Columbia and Baltimore, there are more jobs in Washington DC and northern Virginia. Considering we only had a week to buy a house, we did ok. Love the house and the area. It's just too far a commute (anything over an 1 1/2 hours is too far for me. I know, wahh). Although I would get calls just about every day for work in DC or No. Virginia, I had to turn them down. I was hoping something would turn up in the Baltimore/Columbia/Rockville/Gaithersburg/Frederick areas. Heck, I even opened up the possibility to work up in Harrisburg, PA (about 65 miles away - same distance as DC, but without the traffic).
My wife has been going through multiple interview hurdles with T. Rowe Price as an admin asst. They like her skills, just trying to find the right job for her. Hopefully, she'll land something soon.
Finally, I got a 4-month contract lined up working for a pharmaceutical company, called Alpharma-zzZZZ about 5 mins. from the Lockheed Martin office. The pay gets me back to my normal rate and to top it off, I get to telecommute (come in to office 1 or 2 days a week as needed)! Sweeeet! My salary alone puts us back in our comfort zone (anything my wife earns goes into savings for any future emergencies).
I usually take a week or two off between contracts to recharge my batteries. However, the new job needs me in two weeks from the offer - which was yesterday. So, I gave Lockheed Martin and my agency 2 days notice (I'll get a week and 2 days off in-between). I told them back when the cuts became official that I would be outta here as soon as I landed something. Grudgingly, they understood. Of course, this is what happens when you ***** over your work force - people have left in droves and they're hiring recent college grads for much lower salaries to save them money.
Anyhoo, I just met today with my new agent who is really, really cool and her agency, TacWorldwide, seems rock solid and professional. Benefits from day 1, weekly paychecks and just a greater sense of support. I'm walking on air (or snow, as its coming down pretty good today!) and I'm feeling pretty good.
It doesn't suck to be us any more.
At least, not to us, anyhoo!
