an awesome annual volunteer event.  This year, I went with with the Gates Foundation so that I could meet up with some folks before I officially started that Monday.  If this experience is a microcosm of my future at the Foundation, I’m truly going to love it here.  

Sometimes people start a new job hoping for a clean slate – a new group of people to work with and tasks that are different from the previous job.  I certainly expected this with my move from consulting to a non-profit.  I was literally shocked when I realized that I would be working with the same consulting company again in a role fairly similar to what I had done when I had first joined THAT company.  The shock wore off when I realized who I’d be working with.  It wasn’t just random people, but many of my favorite colleagues on a short list of folks I could really relate too.  They were familiar faces that I knew had come here for a reason, and might stay here for a while if we could build something special.  A clean slate would have been great, but this is the best transition anyone could ever dream of.

The project we are working on has also allayed my fears of taking a step back with this job.  I may not be a famous scientist or economist, but I’m going to have a chance to make their lives easier and more efficient.  As a consultant, I would have been involved with only a small part of this monumental task.  As an FTE (Full Time Employee), I can truly invest myself in the future of this endeavor.  This may be the opportunity of a lifetime!

In short, I’m excited about my new job.  I’m not sure how long this honeymoon will last, but things are looking good.  I spend next week getting a more extensive look at how the Foundation operates.  This will be great for my new role and for my new career. 

This weekend will focus on launching workoutrageous.com and hiking.  The weather is finally looking phenomenal here in Seattle.  It’s about time!