So, I am making a role change at work. I’ve accepted a new position, moving up in title and “career band” from a support role to a specialist role. I’ll stop working on laboratory infrastructure (Windows-based PCs in a lab environment controlling lab instruments) to supporting enterprise storage environments. Instead of working with desktop computers and scientists (a lot of which have bad attitudes, mind you) to troubleshooting why file server #104982 didn’t back up last night and stuff like that. I’m really excited about it, because for the first time in 3 years, it will be something new. I’ve never worked on tape silos or enterprise NAS devices.
I am still feeling some bittersweetness about this. I enjoy the team I work with now, and get along with everyone really well. They all respect me (I hope) and know that I generally know what I’m talking about. Now, I will be the FNG (F* New Guy. Insert your own F word in the blank) with no knowledge of what I will be doing. I’ve never supported tape silos. I’ve never supported Veritas NetBackup. The closest I’ve been was doing testing to ensure the Windows version of the client works as directed, and that lasted a day. Quite frankly, I’m a little scared. I also get my first taste of being on call. They sounded like on-call week is a week from Hell where you spend
I know I’ll do well. It’ll take me a month or two to get up to speed, but I’m sure I will fall into my usual spot near the top of the scale. (wow, that sounded really big headed). I’m one of the best at what I do now. I can only hope that I become one of the best at my new job as well.