High Plains Geographer
“Todd, there are only two things you control in your career, your skills and your network. Keeping your skills up to date, and your network close, and you will always be fine. “ -Elvis Fraser, 1999 — I think, this is why I measure things by Presidential administrations
As I announced on Twitter the other night I was laid off from my position. This isn’t the first time, and odds are it won’t be the last. It’s all part of the consulting path that I chose. I hold no ill will toward my soon to be X firm. They treated me and my family well, and were stellar while the relationship worked for both of us. I hope the opportunity arises in the future for us to work together again. I only wish them the best of luck.
The only thing I am upset about is we were getting ready to launch (well like half way done) a FOSS4G Permanent Crop Management Solution. Working the cogs with Geoserver, GeoWave and PostGIS. I might still make it in my sudden free time, or if you’re interested in such a thing ping me.
Remember kids, don’t burn bridges. It’s just business, unless they actively try to deny you from advancing, or fire you for sticking to your morals, don’t burn your bridges.
Like the quote from Elvis says, its always about keeping your network warm and your skills sharp. This is especially true now. With the BLS predicting that 50% of the workforce is going to be freelancers by 2020, its all going to be YOU building your skills and YOU keeping a network going. No one is going to hold your hand, but people might lend you one or give you a helping one.
Keeping your network warm isn’t about when you lose a job yelling at everyone to help you. It’s about making friends, helping them out when you can, however, you can. I have people who only reach out when they are in “situations” where they need me. I don’t respond to these people very much. But the person who pings me randomly to see how I’m doing when things aren’t going wrong- those people I’ll change the budget for. People I have private jokes with, and pushing out blogs, tweets and advice to help people also work. I don’t do these things because of networking, at this point it’s because people are my friends and I like sharing and talking to them. I didn’t start here, but showing up at #geobeers, presenting and being yourself does get you a long way.
Skills, you should know how I feel about this. Whenever I see someone saying stuff like “I don’t want to learn X.” or “I’m a Y I don’t need to know Z.” I realize how if their life changes, even a slight bit, they’re going to be scrambling to find employment. Even with a strong network, your skills need to back-up your words. If your frozen up about learning something like R OR Python, learn the fundamentals of both and go with the one you prefer/you seem to be using more at work. Learn and stay sharp. Maybe get that tattoo’d on your arm
Shamless plug: I’m teaching a class on Spatial R at CSU in November. Ping me for details if you find yourself in the Napa Valley of Microbrewing around GISDay.
One of the hardest things I had to realize in my 20s, was that my career was mine to steer. I chose what paths to follow, and I chose what skills I wanted to develop. There wasn’t a teacher to give me assignments. I found mentors where I could, made guesses and got lucky here and there.
Go to coffee, go for drinks, show up at socials. Invite people out to do stuff, and don’t be “work friends” and “friend friends.” Sure, social firewalls are nice, but if you can get your friends to talk, it makes life simple, and expanding strengthening and reinforcing your connections is a good thing.
Lastly, when you reach a point where you’re really established in your profession, mentor some students or recent graduates. You need to pay it forward, always pay it forward.
Remember, when it all comes down and things go sideways, you have yourself to rely on. So be the best you you can be, and always #levelupyourshit
