So far I'm really liking my new job. The challenges are different than what I thought or what I am used to. I'm not sure I thought about what it meant to be part of a consultancy group. Basically, I thought my job would be to do a great job testing for Starbucks, and as a QE Lead it would be like being a QE Lead for Adobe, where the lead part was going to be taking responsibility for the test strategy and taking more initiative to understand everything needed to deliver a quality product. That is not the case when you work for a consultancy. That is one portion of your job as a QE Lead, but it isn't all of it. Your job is also to provide test leadership to your consultancy. That includes helping testers grow, creating a more solid group of testers, thought leadership, helping test documentation, and helping to improve the test services offered by your consultancy. When I read it on paper, it makes sense. It is a learning curve for sure, and my first week at Starbucks is an adjustment! Here are some firsts that I'm adjusting to.

1. Earliest start on a job in the last 10 years.

2. Attire is business, with casual fridays being business casual. That means not a suit, but people dress like they are headed to a fancy dinner. However, today is Wednesday and after walking in heels too far yesterday I don't think I can wear heels again today. Ouch.

3. Very fun and active culture at Starbucks! This includes stairs in the middle of the building and everyone is caffeinated and walks faster than in New York! This combined with the nerve damage and heels means I'm in WHOA for the pain level.

4. Free coffee and tea drinks is fun! I made a chai latte yesterday. However, I do miss free soda. Going to bring my own Diet Cokes soon.

5. Both companies got me a laptop! Awesome. However, I now have 3 laptops total and I can't carry them all. I locked them all up and will have to figure out which I use where.

6. Thursday is our "unit meeting" in the evening for Sogeti, which for me means a day from 6am-9pm. Friday may be casual indeed. I do like my Sogeti peeps for sure. I feel comfortable with both groups, but they are different groups. The Sogeti people are Wooed by Microsoft, so it is a bit like a Microsoft culture, where the Starbucks people are odd combo of ultra corporate, and rebels, so if you mix bankers with Adobe, that is the Starbucks vibe. Half super Xgames, Coffee, West Coast Biker/Surfer, and half New York Banker. I tell you this much, I like the pace that they do business, if I can keep up physically.

7. After 9.5 years of having my own large office with a door I kind of enjoy sharing a room with 3 other people. I mean, I am social and extroverted. It is an adjustment though and I'm always afraid I'm making too much noise. I likely am, but I'll adjust. I guess I'm just used to not impacting anyone around me if I rifle through a bag, or check a text message, or return a phone call real quick. Now I could interrupt 3 people. On the plus-side, I like the people in the room and I was pretty lonely being isolated in an office for so many years. It would be perfect if I end up eventually in a cube with my other tester on this project so we can pair up. Most people are in cubes of 2 people, so that is my hope.

8. It feels great to be going to work at a thriving and growing business again. I do miss so many of my Adobe friends and co-workers. I sure hope now that the transition is over there is no more feeling of dread in the air from the people who had been cut due to finances. That was a tough time for all involved and I'm happy it is now over, for everyone. They treated me so kindly, and I appreciate it. I really do. I also really hope things are happier and they are seeing a thriving and growing business again and that it really feels like it in the work environment too! I think that it impacted everyone with sort of the whole workplace in a low grade depression. I hope the summer sun has brought everyone back to happier. That was a tough time for all who were laid off and all who stayed. I just hope that it is totally over now.

9. I've been able to refer some wonderful testers for jobs! One of them is interviewing today at Starbucks (fingers crossed). I might have a few more opportunities, so if you are looking for testing work in Seattle, and I know you, send the resume my way.

10. I had Quality Center training yesterday. I really like my Starbucks test manager. He is a great guy and he has high expectations, which I appreciate. He is a true quality oriented person, where he expects things to be done right and professionally. I also expect other testers to be professional, so I like how serious he is about his work. I'm serious about testing, and silly about most other things.


In one other random thing, I got feedback from Better Software. Thank you to those who took the time to write up feedback. I appreciate every chance to become a better speaker and presenter.