Leaving Usability Sciences Corporation (USC) was not easy to do. Having worked there for nearly eight years, I have significant ties to the organization. I consider several of my teammates amongst my dearest friends. I am also extremely grateful for the opportunities given to me while at USC. It was there that I first encountered SQL Server, which is a pretty important part of my life now. I also matured, first as a software developer, then as a sysadmin and database administrator. Being a small company, there were always more roles than employees, so I was allowed to take on as many responsibilities as I could handle (and then some). I was very much an "accidental DBA" or "involuntary DBA." I was able to learn and grow, becoming a knowledgeable and skilled SQL Server DBA. Eventually, though, the systemic lack of resources (personnel and funding) took its toll and I got burned out. My SQL Server expertise also started to plateau and I realized the need to move on. Thankfully, my departure was on good terms and I’m still in frequent contact with my good friends at USC. They even let me rehearse my technical presentations there from time-to-time.

After I made my job search public, I sent an announcement to the NTSSUG mailing list to solicit ideas and opportunities. I received a fantastic response, including interest from three separate Terremark employees: Jason Massie (blog, Twitter), Kevin Hill (blog, Twitter), and Bill Lester (the manager of the Database Implementation and Escalations team). I knew Jason from the user group and considered him a role model (I still do), so I invited him to lunch for a good ol’ informational interview, which he graciously accepted. Then I got to meet Kevin and Bill at a Terremark open house (showcasing their new Enterprise Cloud product). Several interviews followed and Terremark made an offer, which I gladly accepted. My first day was Monday, October 13th, 2008.

Landing this job has been a tremendous blessing. I was glad to be on a team whose expertise and experience was far beyond my own (two of my teammates came directly from the local Microsoft campus where they were on the SQL Server support team!). For the first time in many years, I could learn database skills from co-workers and wouldn’t have to be out-in-front, teaching myself.

Jason originally worked in a different unit, but by serendipity he became my immediate manager a month later. I’ve learned a great deal about SQL Server from Jason, but he has also helped immensely with my entry into technological public speaking. This type of mentoring, which I don’t consider to be included in his job responsibilities, has been invaluable.

Like any job, there are pros and cons. However, with the exception of the beat down from Project Asculum (which still needs coverage on this blog), I have greatly enjoyed this job and the benefits have far exceeded the drawbacks. I look forward to many more years with Terremark.