As one door closes, another opens

It’s a sad day in many respects today: this is my final day at McAfee, the first steps to a new and [hopefully] brighter future. There are a lot of things about the job I’m certainly not going to miss like the hour’s drive to and from work every day – the amount of miles I’ve put the car through since starting 5 1/2 years ago is obscene! – and all the usual bullshit office politics, but as is always the case it’s the people here I’m going to miss and am sad to be leaving.

I’ve been extremely fortunate to have worked with some amazing, extremely talented, lovely people throughout my career and starting a new job you always wonder what the people are going to be like, if they’ll be as good as the last bunch. Well, I can honestly say that everyone I’ve had cause to make contact with at McAfee have just been brilliant and they really will be missed. Throughout all the bad times over the recent years they’ve been there to help me through, especially recently, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

It’s a real shame that this final week has been covered by the black cloud of redundancies here, and the way that it’s been handled leaves a lot to be desired that’s for sure. Everyone, whether they’ve been directly affected or not, has found this week difficult and it’s certainly not how I expected my final days here to play out. It’s a real shame as it’s certainly left somewhat of a bitter taste in my mouth after what was a very good time at McAfee.

Still, time can’t stand still and there are plenty of things on the horizon for me to be working towards. Tomorrow will be a day of “firsts”, the start of something new, bigger and better, and I embrace it all with everything I’ve got.

Thanks to everyone who’s had to put up with me for the last 5 1/2 years – 10 years in some cases :0) – it really has been a pleasure!