So, this is my second tour at Avature. After a brief 6-month stay in 2007, I left for a huge IT services powerhouse to work in IT outsourcing. When I returned in 2014, I was ready. It was the perfect comeback. Entering something new but also very familiar provided the perfect balance for a job switch. I was a seasoned Linux sys-admin by then, and I was so enthusiastic about the opportunity to be welcomed back into such a great atmosphere that my first few years were pure joy (and hard work). We were fewer than 10 engineers in IT back then―simpler and truly happy times.
But the strange thing is that, after 10 years, I still feel the same intensity and energy every morning when I connect to the VPN to start working.
How can that be possible? What could you find in a job so great that it leads you to invest so much of your professional life in a single company, a particular product, a sole vision? How can you be sure there's nothing better out there? And even more—how could you spend 10 years in the same place and still feel that engaged every morning?
Of course, when you choose one path, you are dismissing others. Everyone can acknowledge that. But to start thinking about these questions, I found myself reflecting on change. Change is everything at Avature. We are in constant movement. You can see the lifeblood of the company (the human talent) flowing through every communication, every Git commit, every operation. We collaborate to achieve goals, struggle to reach agreements on how to address new problems, and context-switch if a colleague reaches out to us. We're there for one another, and for one team to support the other. This permanent evolution allows us, Avaturians, to see our work experience change a bit every day and lets us be the builders, engineers, and architects of that innovation.
Apart from change, challenge was another thing that kept me hooked over the years. The world is rapidly and constantly changing, and we are a part of that in everything we do. This presents challenges of all sorts. Someone said, "you can never get bored at Avature," and she was right. Here, every time you think you have your house in order, the next big thing comes up and forces you out of your comfort zone. I really enjoy when that happens, though it can be bittersweet sometimes. I strongly believe—because I have experienced it myself and seen it in others—that if you enjoy the ride, you will most likely end up overcoming even the most difficult predicaments. And because of the way we collaborate, it's very likely that you will have a great time in the process.
Living up to these challenges, navigating them, embracing them, and owning them can be thrilling. Now, putting all your senses to work in this ever-changing and stimulating environment can be fun, but as adult professionals, we know that’s not enough: we expect recognition. We all look for ways to grow in our lives, and to achieve this, each one of us is working on a career path. Throughout my tenure at Avature, I've seen countless lives change for the better. New team structures pop up all the time, new focuses to embrace, and more people to collaborate with, requiring numerous Avaturians to fulfill new roles. This means there is always a place to recognize those who believe in what we do, and personally, it is extraordinary to be a part of that. I have the privilege of finding in my work the best possible way to empower others in their careers and, therefore, in their lives. Recognition entails responsibility. And here this means more than managing tasks and resources. Having chosen a leadership path, for me, responsibility is mostly about taking care of those around me and enabling collaboration channels.
And here’s where the definitive factor comes into play. One thing is working for a single company for a decade and another thing is doing it with passion. Over the years at Avature, I’ve gotten to know all kinds of people from many different backgrounds. But they usually share one thing: a certain kind of spark. You can spot it while interacting in vibrant technical debates, or brainstorming new ideas to deal with known problems, or learning about a new technology, or even talking about extracurricular activities. There’s always a moment when I find myself amazed by the magic that “the spark” can unleash—so much magic that it brought me to build a ten-year career here.
I could continue thinking about what that spark could bring in the future, but I’d rather save some material for my 20th anniversary post, shouldn’t I? :)