New job

My job as a contract programmer for the National Renewable Energy Laboratories ended in April. I left just before my contract ended because I found a new contract with Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. On June 28th I was hired as a Lead Programmer Analyst. I much prefer being an employee to contracting. I do not like looking for a new position every six to 12 months.

The lead for my team was laid off two days before I was set to start as an employee. So, I wanted that position because I was a technical lead for several years before I left R. H. Donnelley, Inc. My wife said I should wait before requesting to be a lead. As usual, I decided to go for it. I asked and got the team lead position for my team, two other guys besides me. Not a big team but I am trying to prove myself as a new employee. There was no more money attached to the role but I think the extra work is worth it.

Anyway, my wife is much happier with me as an employee. The benefits are good, too.

I am finished!!!

I completed my master's program with the University of Phoenix. I have not received my diploma, yet. But I expect it any day now. I think the process was more difficult online rather than in a classroom. Getting team members to participate each week was hard. It was also hard for me to focus on the team project when I had to "participate" in the discussion threads twice a day for four out of seven days with 200-300 words. I assume from my lack of posts here that it would be obvious that writing is not my favorite thing to do. I think that if we were in a classroom that meeting people face-to-face would have help our interactions. As it was, I had people from all over the world working on my teams, a good thing.

I finished with an A average but not a 4.0 because of a B in a few classes. I am not sure if this will help my career or not but I feel good to have completed it. And not just because I now have the same number of degrees as my wife. :)