Had an interview with an amazing company today. Working there would be a dream. It was so strange, walking around and being surrounded by hundreds of people–my age, and happy, smiling, enjoying what they do. I really wasn’t sure about this position, but decided to give it a go. After the interviews I ended up wanting it even more.
I knew the company provided lunches, but the quality, variety, and setup just blew me away. It seemed like I was back at Cal, in the dorms, except the food was actually good. People would sit at the tables in groups and talk and enjoy each other’s company. For people that became full time workers they have different promotions, and for the super-new people, they designate a table so that they can meet each other and start building friendships. Sitting there with my old roomie, it almost seemed like we were back at Cal, only better.
The thing that really moved me though was talking with the interview people. They loved what they did. They felt fulfilled and they gave examples of how the unique company structure allowed them to make ideas into realities. They talked about the feedbacks, the space for initiative, the way people learned. The more I heard, the more I leaned toward joining, should I get the offer. After my first two tech jobs, I had a hard time believing a tech place could be more than exploiting interns to do manual labor with their fingertips. Well, I take that back, my first tech place six years ago was different, but it’s out of business now. My current place is very different: it’s small, intellectual, and powerful. Everything is lightening speed. Everything is on the line. This place found a way to keep the speed, the power, the closeness, and complexity, but at the same time it’s actually enjoyable and there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of other people here. You can actually meet new friends at work. Amazing.
The recruiter was amazingly nice as well. The whole process was like visiting some kind of workplace Disney Land. It slipped out that I’d have to keep searching, since it’s another month or two before an answer may come, but I came home just blown away. I wish I didn’t say anything. If it came to a choice today, very little could make me change my mind about them. They knew my situation, the place was filled with grads figuring out their path, and the people there seemed so happy to be there. I just couldn’t believe such a place existed.
Perhaps it might be worthwhile to go there to grow. It sure would be healthier and happier. Would I accomplish as much? Would I learn as much? I’m not sure. I don’t have any offer, so I’m not going to trip aside from writing some very sincere thank you letters.
If there is a place to work for someone else, to learn, to grow, and to save up a bit, this is it. Just amazing. I really hope I get accepted. It’s strange, this is a complete one eighty from two days ago. I’m still keeping with my goal, but this does make the phase where I’ll be doing some “normal” work a lot less dreadful, making it something I could actually look forward to.
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