Learning Agenda and Future Plans
What I'm Not Doing
Looking for a job.
Taking on more projects.
Going to small claims court. I've settled with the towing company which is great for us both!
Asking anyone else to solve my problems for me.
Backing away from any of the commitments and obligations I've already taken on.
What I am Doing
Trying to become more and be able to offer more variety in testing capability while still being myself.
Moving to a new office at work, starting Monday, for the rest of my time at Adobe, ending May 31st.
Finishing my current job to the best of my ability and transitioning well.
Trying very hard and improve my health to get the most out of the upcoming conferences and presentations through June.
Spending time in an attempt to improve my relationship at home rather than spend all of my time working on work. Finding balance is difficult for most of us, and I've been especially off balance. Finding a balance I can sustain is vital to my long term health and happiness.
Learning about Agile Testing both by experience and with research and practice.
Doing some SQL Injection reading along with some other web security testing stuff.http://bit.ly/90CPuT, http://bit.ly/c1FHOT, http://projects.webappsec.org/SQL-Injection, http://is.gd/anFGz, http://bit.ly/dlG7XG, http://3.ly/K5SC, http://ha.ckers.org/xss.html, http://unixwiz.net/techtips/sql-injection.html, http://tinyurl.com/mnsocw
Putting together slides for Better Software 2010.
Practicing presenting! I've been loving presenting more and more. Many thanks to those who've given me the chance as well as feedback.
More python scripts for my learning and to help my current project.
Submitting an abstract for PNSQC 2010.
Preparing to moderate for StarEAST and finalizing schedule.
Signing up for WAT conference and finalizing travel plans.
Contacting some friends in writing to possibly start on a few new projects in June.
Finishing my taxes.
MS Walk 2010-Seattle.
Updating LinkedIn.
Updating this blog with a new format! Hopefully in June.
Updating my resume.
Practicing interviewing.
Practicing testing exercises.
Buying a few outfits to present in.
Learning more about stock so that I know what to do for my 401k and stock on or before May 31st.
Learning about companies and jobs which might be a good fit in the future.
What am I Waiting For?-Reasons and excuses, not in that order.
I am not sure if relocation is an option, which makes it hard to know where to look.
Half the time I still have a bad gut reaction to the idea of any job at all. Instinct to flee is strong. Not a great state to go job hunting in.
I'm so busy & overwhelmed that I don't feel like I could make a good decision right now.
I'm hurt. I feel like I need a bit of time to rebuild my confidence before I subject myself to rejection.
I am not sure how much automation I should be doing with my current skill level even if it sells really well.
Clarity, calmness, a sign.
I just want to feel ok again. Really. Even if that loses me a bucket money. The cost of the emotionally toxic state going on long term is too great to consider. I need, require, and will find a way to change things. I am working hard on it, and I won't stop until I feel more confident again.
When I look back at this I have no idea what I'll think in a few years. This is totally uncharted territory for me. Not looking for a job right now may be the stupidest mistake of my life or exactly what I should be doing at this moment. All I can say is overall, "It doesn't feel like the right time." In contrast to the above excuses, I am feeling entirely excited about the opportunity to do something new. It is an odd time in my life right now, with so much up in the air.
Looking for a job.
Taking on more projects.
Going to small claims court. I've settled with the towing company which is great for us both!
Asking anyone else to solve my problems for me.
Backing away from any of the commitments and obligations I've already taken on.
What I am Doing
Trying to become more and be able to offer more variety in testing capability while still being myself.
Moving to a new office at work, starting Monday, for the rest of my time at Adobe, ending May 31st.
Finishing my current job to the best of my ability and transitioning well.
Trying very hard and improve my health to get the most out of the upcoming conferences and presentations through June.
Spending time in an attempt to improve my relationship at home rather than spend all of my time working on work. Finding balance is difficult for most of us, and I've been especially off balance. Finding a balance I can sustain is vital to my long term health and happiness.
Learning about Agile Testing both by experience and with research and practice.
Doing some SQL Injection reading along with some other web security testing stuff.http://bit.ly/90CPuT, http://bit.ly/c1FHOT, http://projects.webappsec.org/SQL-Injection, http://is.gd/anFGz, http://bit.ly/dlG7XG, http://3.ly/K5SC, http://ha.ckers.org/xss.html, http://unixwiz.net/techtips/sql-injection.html, http://tinyurl.com/mnsocw
Putting together slides for Better Software 2010.
Practicing presenting! I've been loving presenting more and more. Many thanks to those who've given me the chance as well as feedback.
More python scripts for my learning and to help my current project.
Submitting an abstract for PNSQC 2010.
Preparing to moderate for StarEAST and finalizing schedule.
Signing up for WAT conference and finalizing travel plans.
Contacting some friends in writing to possibly start on a few new projects in June.
Finishing my taxes.
MS Walk 2010-Seattle.
Updating LinkedIn.
Updating this blog with a new format! Hopefully in June.
Updating my resume.
Practicing interviewing.
Practicing testing exercises.
Buying a few outfits to present in.
Learning more about stock so that I know what to do for my 401k and stock on or before May 31st.
Learning about companies and jobs which might be a good fit in the future.
What am I Waiting For?-Reasons and excuses, not in that order.
I am not sure if relocation is an option, which makes it hard to know where to look.
Half the time I still have a bad gut reaction to the idea of any job at all. Instinct to flee is strong. Not a great state to go job hunting in.
I'm so busy & overwhelmed that I don't feel like I could make a good decision right now.
I'm hurt. I feel like I need a bit of time to rebuild my confidence before I subject myself to rejection.
I am not sure how much automation I should be doing with my current skill level even if it sells really well.
Clarity, calmness, a sign.
I just want to feel ok again. Really. Even if that loses me a bucket money. The cost of the emotionally toxic state going on long term is too great to consider. I need, require, and will find a way to change things. I am working hard on it, and I won't stop until I feel more confident again.
When I look back at this I have no idea what I'll think in a few years. This is totally uncharted territory for me. Not looking for a job right now may be the stupidest mistake of my life or exactly what I should be doing at this moment. All I can say is overall, "It doesn't feel like the right time." In contrast to the above excuses, I am feeling entirely excited about the opportunity to do something new. It is an odd time in my life right now, with so much up in the air.
Posted by Testy Redhead at 19 Mar 2010 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: career job job search unemployment learning moving excuses interviewing security testing charity presenting
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: career job job search unemployment learning moving excuses interviewing security testing charity presenting
Join the ASP.NET/MVC Team: http://blog.osbornm.com/archive/2009/12/01/we-want-you-again-if-yoursquore-a-test-ninja.aspx
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My husband's just left his Firefighting job for us to move to Sydney, and it's such a big switch for him. I get the feeling changing jobs for you will be similar because you've been working for the same place for a while. He's taking some time off because it's tough to go from scraping people up off the highway to working in a shop or for the Red Cross. He needs time to process the changes in his life.
Given all of the stuff you've done this year, there's no crime in taking the time you need to sort things out. For workaholics like you and I, unplugging can be one of the biggest challenges in life. Well, here is a golden opportunity not to be wasted. I'm sure you'll make the most of it whatever that means, *for you*, whether that's taking time off, or finding something worth doing that makes you smile. I wish all the best for you in life and your career change. You are a smart woman with heart, and I've no doubt that you'll get your life's changes sorted in due time. :o)
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You could get a couple of programming books, .NET of course and learn new programming skills: C#, VB.NET, JQuery, F#, Iron Ruby, Iron Python. Get the testers certification or other related IT certifications. Have you read James Bach Books: "Lessons learned in software testing"? "Secrets of a buchaneer scholar"? He also read 5 editions of Darwin. All that would make anybody a better performing in all domains. If you want to get a PHD, go ahead and do that, write a book, start up a company, whatever you feel like doing. If I were you I'd immediately continue working for a new company of your choice. From experience, working in collaboration enriches the personal knowledge capture/increase/growth.
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It's really good written and I fully agree with You on main issue, btw. I must say that I really enjoyed reading all of Your posts.
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