The yin yang of our careers...

We all go through peaks and valleys throughout our careers. Some of us simply look at our jobs as a necessary evil, others of us take it maybe a bit too serious. Many fall somewhere in the middle.

I truly believe that there has never been a more exciting and challenging time to work in the field of technology. The opportunities are vast and the personal satisfaction can be immense.

However, I'm a realist and understand that jobs are a bit more difficult to land, especially the dream job. But to me, it is all about paying your dues and excelling at what you do. Take pride and above all else, be accountable!!!

Whether times are tough or times are easy- engineers and the like should be constantly working toward some sort of goal; some sort of ideal job. That doesn't necessarily mean more money, doesn't necessarily mean more responsibility. Often times, it does, but not always. We should raise the bar just a bit higher than what we think is obtainable. If we fall a bit short, its OK. But that gives us a reason to wake up the next day and work just a bit harder.

The journey will not be easy. We will all hit walls, trek through valleys and eventually hit peaks of nirvana. The point is that we should be consistently pushing forward, challenging ourselves, adding value to the team and the mission. But we should always be real to ourselves. Nothing lasts forever. We should be able to identify when it is time to move on to the next stage in our careers. The days of the "gold watch" party are history. It's simply different times.

A dear friend that I have worked with over the last few years reached a pinnacle point in his career and he has decided to pursue other opportunities. I couldn't be happier for him and for us as a company. Sure, we will miss him and there will be big shoes to fill. But, to me, it is a sign of progression and an ever evolving process of growth. Both for the company and for him.

Best of luck, Jeff! Looking forward to hearing about the next leg of your journey.