Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Leaving Academia?

I was surprised to hear that Dave Bacon is leaving UW. And leaving for Google. I hope it works out well for him. Google might be a nice place to work, and I hope he blogs about what he thinks of his new job. I'd also like to hear about how he got the job.

Did you see the most recent episode of "The Office" where they're interviewing various candidates for a the manager position, just vacated by Steve Carell's character? In it, Ray Romano talks himself out of the job, saying that if he were to get it, he would stay in the position for the rest of his life and die there. That's how I felt when I got tenure. I really like my job, I just worry that I'll simply, but slowly and imperceptibly, decay into an unproductive researcher and complacent teacher.

2 comments:

Dave Bacon said...

Hi Angry,

I was surprised by my decision to head to Google as well :) Not sure what I'm going to do about my blog yet but I'm tempted to start a new one as this feels like I'm passing through a critical point.

I got the job the old fashion way: a day long technical interview w/ engineers! I signed a non-disclosure agreement about the interview so can't say much except that it was a blast and I was sure I flunked it!

Angry said...

Well, but how did you get the interview? Head-hunted or did you send a resume? If the latter, what prompted your sending it?

Good luck! I wish you all the best. Once you're all set in your new position, maybe you can arrange for me to spend a sabbatical out at Google!

A long time ago "in another life brother" (a Lost reference), I actually interviewed at a big, tech company on the West Coast. I think neither of us was impressed. I wonder how critical that trip might have been in terms of where I am now.