Bit of a break, but we’re back on!

I started this website with the intent on tracking my learning during the starting phase of my work at Open. However, that proved rather difficult while overcoming the dread that accompanies a rather large career shift, as well as soaking up as much information as I possibly could to prove to myself that I was worthy of this role.

I have now been with this company for ~2.5 years, and I can wholeheartedly confirm that I have learned way more than I expected to get out of a role like this, and it has evolved so much over my time here that without a retrospective every now and again, its hard to remember how far I’ve come. What started out as being spoon-fed information with a firehose, has slowly simmered down into a daily routine, having learnt my regular systems and patterns, automating the process behind them as much as possible.

After finding my pace at work and establishing I was comfortable with the manusia of the day-to-day, I actually found that I was a little burnt out. I had stumbled through the first 6-8 months of learning this new role, to then master my day-to-day and break down the work-load to a manageable amount, only to end at a point where I had no career path in mind or goals set. I felt stuck.

Following this realisation, my partner and I booked a trip to Europe for a month to begin exploring the world (and attend one of my best mates wedding). This reset let me come back headstrong and determined to carve my path in the world of IT, so with my feet back in Australia I set out looking at my options and talking to higher-ups in my business to discern my course.

I hadn’t realised it at the time, but my career trajectory up until this point was on the path of Systems Engineer, so getting some more clarity on what that looks like in the long-run was enlightening. I had also always been interested in the idea of being a software engineer, so around this time I picked back up my Python hat and strapped in on to relearn what I’d most definitely forgotten.

Small amounts of tinkering and no self-projects in the programming space, left me disappointed in my ability to manage my time effectively, but it did spark a desire for self-improvement in general. It was at this time that I began my self-improvement journey; exercising, reading (for the joy of it), gaming, family & friends time, all fitting into my schedule with work. Finding a routine to do all the things I love for me, let me see the space I had for professional improvement, so began the expedition for my next role.

This time around I had a voice in my ear to investigate DevOps - everyone seems to be interested in it, and it works conjunctively with both Systems Engineering and Software Engineering. Seeking the advice of my colleagues, I was given the direction of; Don’t waste all you’ve worked for and simply shift to a new focus, find a way to bridge the two and work your way to the goal. You’re capable.

So, that is where we are today - personal life, on the rise - professional life, next steps are in my sights. This time around I hope to actually update this blog with the goings on of my professional career, and maybe sometimes my personal life as well. See you around!