My career choice - so far
Stealing recklessly the title from Angelina Jolie's essay in NY Times several days ago, I'm just looking back a decision I've made several years ago before making another big move that's about to happen.
Upon expiration of work visa in the States, I'm heading back for my country. My engineering challenge in the US that has lasted for 5 years and was expected to last for decades, was suddenly put to an end or at least reached the first milestone. It is indeed tough for me to force myself to call off the career plan I've been organizing, and start over planning a new one in a very different situation and country (and even tougher to leave my loved one behind but that's completely another subject).
I'm so grateful, however, with my achievement in the world of engineering as I hadn't even had STEM (Science-Tech-Engineering-Math) educational background before I came to the US. Things happened after quitting a job in Tokyo 5 years ago when I turned 30 already were: went to an engineering undergrad to make up for STEM courses I hadn't taken in my 1st college (and suffered with low grades in the beginning), got master degree in engineering and get a training among PhD students or even fresh graduates. All these turned out to be right decisions so far to me. Now that I can confidently foresee a clearer picture of my career, what & how & where I want to be.
Additionally, I feel so happy and honored to have been heavily involved in activities in a few of the world leading teams in robotics field where I contributed to build their core component software called "ROS" (Robot Operating System). Having joined a large scale opensource development at a top-notch institutes definitely changed a lot in me - seeing ridiculously smart, talented and hard-working people, seeing how they work & PLAY too (actually seeing that they play a lot was an eyeopener to me personally).
Long 5 years but good investment for the rest of 30+ or 40+ years of my work life. I'm so thankful to every situation that allowed me for this small journey including the unconditional understanding from my family and the dearest girlfriend. Tomorrow I'll put together my speculation on the future based on the past.
Upon expiration of work visa in the States, I'm heading back for my country. My engineering challenge in the US that has lasted for 5 years and was expected to last for decades, was suddenly put to an end or at least reached the first milestone. It is indeed tough for me to force myself to call off the career plan I've been organizing, and start over planning a new one in a very different situation and country (and even tougher to leave my loved one behind but that's completely another subject).
I'm so grateful, however, with my achievement in the world of engineering as I hadn't even had STEM (Science-Tech-Engineering-Math) educational background before I came to the US. Things happened after quitting a job in Tokyo 5 years ago when I turned 30 already were: went to an engineering undergrad to make up for STEM courses I hadn't taken in my 1st college (and suffered with low grades in the beginning), got master degree in engineering and get a training among PhD students or even fresh graduates. All these turned out to be right decisions so far to me. Now that I can confidently foresee a clearer picture of my career, what & how & where I want to be.
Additionally, I feel so happy and honored to have been heavily involved in activities in a few of the world leading teams in robotics field where I contributed to build their core component software called "ROS" (Robot Operating System). Having joined a large scale opensource development at a top-notch institutes definitely changed a lot in me - seeing ridiculously smart, talented and hard-working people, seeing how they work & PLAY too (actually seeing that they play a lot was an eyeopener to me personally).
Long 5 years but good investment for the rest of 30+ or 40+ years of my work life. I'm so thankful to every situation that allowed me for this small journey including the unconditional understanding from my family and the dearest girlfriend. Tomorrow I'll put together my speculation on the future based on the past.
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| Highlight of the last 5 years was an encounter with and contribution to ROS that would potentially lead me to the next stage in the future (Mac shouldn't really be associated here much). |
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