March 10, 2010

Scheisse happens

I've been reflecting on how I ended up in Germany. The obvious answer is that I'm married to a German but it's not that simple. It kind of evolved through a series of events.

Years ago I was an application developer, managing a small team responsible for designing and implemeting an HR solution for the Japanese market. About midway through the development cycle someone had the bright idea to split up the functional and technical teams, both of which I managed along with the QA team.

I resisted as long as I could and since my team was working on the biggest and most complex product requirements of the release I had a lot of say - until the release was over, that is, and then they calmly carried out their diabolical plan to make me specialize. Everyone else had already made the switch and I was the last hard core generalist standing.

Given the choice between functional work (i.e., defining requirements and designing solutions) and technical work (implementing solutions) I chose the functional path because it seemed to be the rarer skill, by which I mean that fewer people seemed to be good at it. Most of the people I worked with were either subject matter experts with no design skills or technical experts who designed like engineers - i.e., for other engineers. Few of them were what I considered great application designers so it seemed like a promising niche.

(For an example of engineer-driven design, go use gmail. I hope Google doesn't blow up my blog or delete all my contacts for saying that - and I'm thinking I won't be Blog of Note any time soon - but it needed to be said.)

Not long after I felt underchallenged in my new specialized role so I made a decision to leave the US and spend an exciting year or so abroad. Oh, and I also planned to marry Ralf, whom I'd met on the job, but I couldn't count on that happening so mostly I was inviting the universe to fall in with my ideas.

The tricky bit was finding a job in Europe when my only other languages were Japanese and Russian. I put my name 'out there' and was offered a job in the European sales team at the same company, which I eagerly accepted. Accordingly, I quit my job as functional analyst and put the paperwork in motion to move abroad.

Then disaster struck.

A couple of weeks before my planned departure date the offer was withdrawn! They decided to give the job to someone else already living in Europe, AFTER making me a formal offer. Rotten, I know, but believe it or not people pull crappy stunts like that all the time. Unfortunately, this particular crappy stunt left me jobless, homeless and with not much of a savings.

The good news is that I was also single, mobile and good at my job so I didn't despair. Much. And sure enough, about three days later I got a call from the manager of the German sales team with an offer. A bit less money but based in Germany. The only catch was that I had to learn German but they would pay for lessons.

What, am I stupid? I jumped at it! Ten days later I was in Munich struggling to learn German well enough to do a passable sales demo as well as learn a completely unfamiliar product area, because right after hiring me my manager was demoted to head up the financials product, rather than all products. Now, I'm a smart cookie, but there are limits to human ability and there was no way I'd be up to speed any time soon.

That's a fancy way of saying I sucked.

Meanwhile the manager of the consulting organization adopted the strange and offputting habit of coming to the door of the sales room to glare at me several times a day. We're talking resentful glares of hatred here and I really didn't understand what I'd done to offend him. My German manager soon clarified the matter: One of the key projects was dying a slow hideous death and they needed someone with my skills to save it - and meanwhile here I was wasting everyone's time trying to sell products I knew nothing about in a language I couldn't speak!

When he put it that way it kind of made sense. So, to make a long story short, I was soon after absorbed into the consulting group, helped save the project, got promoted to project manager (accompanied by more glares of hatred - I learned later it was his only expression), managed another project then joined the product strategy group. And married Ralf. Over time we had two kids and left our jobs to join a start up company.

Blah, blah, blah.

Anyway, my point is that some of these changes were planned by me, whereas others just kind of happened. And really, that's the way things go in life. You're never prepared for the sucker punches and you never know what will turn up when they happen. Also, there are a lot of great people out there, like my awesome German boss who offered to stand up for me and even get fired if I didn't want to change jobs.

(He has since emigrated to Ireland and is now a professional chef. Not because of me. Probably.)

You just never know. That's what faith is for.

27 comments:

  1. But the question remains: Did Ralf follow you to Germany or the other way around?? (I always like a good romantic story)

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  2. That's cool about the German boss who'd stand up for you. Did you see him that time you wrote about going to Ireland?

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  3. I didn't - he's not in Dublin. And for the record, he didn't become a chef because he got fired for standing up for me. ;-)

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  4. You must be very adaptive and able to handle these sorts of learning curves. I hear about people having to take intensive German language courses in order to work here, but I know I would be absolutely hopeless in that situation. I've been here a year and I'm still procrastinating. I'm a firm believer in the saying, "When one door shuts, another one opens!" Glad your doors led you to your husband.

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  5. I loved hearing this. I didn't know your story. I am a big believer in things happening for a reason.

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  6. Thanks for sharing your story. Good for you for being brave and open to trying new things.

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  7. great story...you are a brave girl to drop everything and start new in GErmany.

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  8. Great story.. you really were (are) brave! AS you say, the only predictable thing about life is its unpredictability... Well, OK - you didn't say it.. but kind of.. ;-)

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  9. I love this story. It sure had twists and turns but I'm so glad that it ended up in the best possible way!

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  10. I still have NO idea what it is you guys do. Consulting something something design something...ouch, my brain hurts. It's really smart stuff is about all I can figure.

    Is the language program you used available to the general public? (My son is trying to learn himself some Italian via Rosetta Stone and books. Fun, but I wonder how effective.)

    Scheisse happens indeed, said the woman unexpectedly pregnant with her fourth child. Keepin' the faith.

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  11. Beeeeeautiful wedding photo btw.

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  12. I love your story. I'm also very impressed you know so many languages! Go, Polyglot!!

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  13. wonderful! I could do the same thing, talking about how small changes made the biggest differences in our lives. I love hearing these!

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  14. I always wondered how you ended up in Germany. Love the wedding pic! You two are gorgeous!

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  15. Nope, you never know. Having control of everything would suck.

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  16. Thanks - always fun to learn how we ended up where we are!

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  17. Wow. You are so awesome! Really. It is more than luck. You have the prized skills and intellect. With those things, "luck" will always find you. :-)

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  18. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  19. The wedding photo is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing the photo and your life experience with us.
    http://caffeinatedglobe.blogspot.com/

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  20. Scheisse may have happened but it appears that a happily every after soon followed!

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  21. Nice story, duet photo is so beautiful. You looking very gorgeous also. I wish you a happy longer married life.
    Thanks

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  22. Wow! You are looking so cute with your partner.
    He is so handsome, cute couple. I think you love him so much. God bless you.
    Thanks

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  23. Hope all is well... I guess you're taking a break from blogging?

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  24. Hai, you are looking so gorgeous. Your kids are also so cute. Thanks to share the story. the weeding photo also so beautiful.
    Keep posting I'll visit your blog again.

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  25. What a great story! Isn't life amazing when you aren't afraid to live it?

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  26. I went through your article for three times, great story boss. Nice weeding photo. I will again visit your blog so keep posting.
    Thanks for sharing

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