The funny thing about life and careers is you never know where you will end up. Alistair Cooke wrote a fascinating article, about how random his career has been, http://www.demitasse.co.nz/wordpress2/?p=1174. Recently a number of my friends from around the globe have been asking me about career moves, or for advice, assuming I actually know something or know what I am doing. I have come to realize, similarly to Alistair, planning my career does not work.  I am no where near where I thought I would be at any point in my career, I have surpassed my own expectations, not because I am smarter than anyone else, but because I love to learn and I have been very blessed to meet some very intelligent people who have taught me more than I ever thought possible.

Over the past 20+ years I have had the privilege of working as a soldier, tech support, a systems admin, a systems engineer, and a technology architect.  Recently I had a conversation with the team at VMware.  I was pretty convinced that I didn’t want to change jobs, but I do love VMware, and I have spent a great deal of time and effort to understand the strategy, as well as to work with VMware as a partner on many levels.

The interesting thing I learned during my interview process was that I have actually been interviewing for this job for nearly 9 months now without realizing it.  Interactions with various VMware employees showed them I was interested in VMware as a company, and in helping customers understand more about the solutions.  Through the conversation, the team at VMware laid out a strategy, and a future which is compelling.  The thing though that finally sold me though was the people.  I have a number of friends at VMware, and I follow many on the Tech Marketing team, so I feel like I know what things are like there, but meeting with the local team, and getting their perspective, and understanding the vision from their level.

I do want to say, HP is an exceptional company with some amazing products, and with some of the smartest people I have ever met.  I am humbled to say I was a part of the team at HP, and I am equally humbled and excited to be joining the VMware team.   I will continue to write my own opinions, and things that interest me.  If I have anything to recommend to anyone considering how to improve their current position, or find another it is the following.

• Never stop learning
• Ask questions
• Find smart people and hang out with them
• Learn from everyone
• Give something back to the community.
• Thank you’s go a long way
• Humility saves you from looking silly
• Always be polite and helpful, you never know when someone might help you, or when you might be able to help them.

So all this to say, this month I will be joining the VMware Health Care team as a Senior Systems Engineer.  I have much to learn, but I have confidence in the team, the product, and the strategy.  I look forward to continuing my journey, and to giving back to the community wherever possible.