Jason and Jenn's Blog

Monday, May 28, 2007

Goodbye Unemployment

An update that is a bit overdue, but good news nonetheless. About three weeks ago, I (finally) landed a new job with a company called OpSource. OpSource is a technology startup out of California and I am working remotely from Austin, which continues my long streak of working from home (and no, not in my underwear as my family likes to joke). :-)

After graduating in December, I had mixed success with UT's placement program. I had countless first interviews, numerous second interviews, a few third interviews, and a handful of offers. Unfortunately, after endless time spent on campus recruiting, the offers I received were very disappointing. Somewhat reluctantly, Jenn & I decided to turn them down and start the process over using non-UT connections.

Although it took awhile, in the end it was worth the wait. I am working with a few people I know from my former job at BearingPoint, and absolutely loving the company. The only problem was that I had to end my four-month stint of unemployment, which, looking back, wasn't all bad. ;-)

Friday, December 22, 2006

The MBA - Mission Accomplished ?

Well, after nearly three years, I finally graduated last week, and put the MBA behind me. Looking back, it was definitely a long road, but well worth it. I made a lot of good friends in the program, and managed to learn a thing or two as well.

Ironically, I went into my MBA fully employed and came out fully unemployed. If I remember right, that was not the sales pitch they sold me on originally, but it's too late to complain now, and I'm pretty sure it's too late for a refund. :-)

As many of you know, when I started my degree (going to classes at night), I was working at BearingPoint. About a year into the program, I switched jobs. I worked the new job for about a year and a half before that company was bought out by another firm who took them back to being a private company. In the process, they laid off a good number of people, including yours truly. Fortunately, it happened at a time that allowed me to go back to school full-time for one semester, and cut 6 months off of my intended graduation date.

So... that brings me to where I am today... unemployed, and sporting a flashy new MBA. I have several potential opportunities in the pipeline, but have put most of it on hold over the holidays while we celebrate with friends and family. When we return to Austin after the holidays, I'll put the job search into high-gear. Of course, if any of you have any leads for me, I'm all ears. :-)

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Whistler, Canada - Summer Vacation

Below are some pictures from this year's summer vacation.

The first picture is from our biggest hike of the trip (a 12K). We stopped at this lake for a picnic, what a memorable spot.

This is the same hike, a little later in the day at another stopping point along the lake.

This is Jenn posing in front of a raging river in the forest outside Whistler. Just a bit down this trail we stopped for lunch next to a huge waterfall.

The last picture is on our way up the lift to hike around Whistler's peak (~7,000 feet, so not quite as high as the Colorado Rockies). We spent a few hours in the afternoon hiking and then stopped on the way down at a barbeque at the Lodge on the top of the mountain. Another fun day!