640kb to 64gb of experience

How long have you been working in IT? From 640kb to 64gb, at least, or a bit longer.

Years of experience doesn’t mean as much as the range of experience. What the state of technology was when we started can have more impact on how we think about things than the number of calendar years. As too can where we worked – at a startup you may have had to learn countless different things, but a corporate career may have left you locked into a single piece of the broader technology puzzle.

And while all these experiences are valid, the key is they are not typically reflected in job descriptions or resumes. Solving technology problems before there was a Google or learning to write software from a book and not Stack Overflow aren’t typically part of the job search. For those of us who did so or flipped DIP switches and moved jumpers to install new hardware, we can wear our now irrelevant badge of honor. We were there when it was hard (and also when it was much simpler).

But it does give us a perspective of how quickly things can change and the need to stay on top of those changes. And it gives us a foundation in how it all works “beneath the hood” which isn’t even taught in modern courses. Whatever we think is modern now could quickly become irrelevant in a year and certainly irrelevant in five. And yet companies are still operating twenty (or more) year old technology in their back offices, factories, and more. Having a foot in both the history and the future gives those of us with this experience a unique advantage to lead and mentor those who have only recently began their careers.

As we’re thinking about where to lean in and contribute, it should be to make sure all the lessons learned don’t get lost. We should spend our time imparting the spirit of experimentation, the challenge of solving problems, and the joy of seeing it work onto those who will pick up the mantle when we set it down. By taking this path, we can help ensure our capstone efforts are leaving a strong legacy.

Week In Review

Here's what else happened this past week:

• Job seeker spotlight (coming soon)
• Relax a bit more this weekend? (Work stress poll)
• TiE Atlanta Event
• As a service business, who do you turn to for your IT support? (A poll)
• Kabila Event
• Working for a start-up - 25 years ago
• If you're worried about your company's cybersecurity...

In Conclusion

I'm grateful to all of you who spend the time sharing your thoughts, engaging with posts, and being part of the amazing conversations happening here.

As I'm growing my business, I'm looking at how to engage with private equity firms, law firms, and start-ups facing their next challenge - so if you're connected to any of these worlds, let's chat soon!

Don't forget! I am offering referral bonuses to any work you bring me through Mirability, LLC - if you're interested, let's chat! If there's anything I can help you with, I'd love to hear about it.

I hope this coming week is exactly what you need it to be!

Thanks, as always!

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About Erik

Erik Boemanns is a technology executive and lawyer. His background covers many aspects of technology, from infrastructure to software development. He combines this with a "second career" as a lawyer into a world of cybersecurity, governance, risk, compliance, and privacy (GRC-P). His time in a variety of companies, industries, and careers brings a unique perspective on leadership, helping, technology problem solving and implementing compliance.

He's available to help you with any of this now too!