Convergence and career evolution
Despite resolving to attempt smaller, more frequent blog posts a few years ago, I'm back after another multi-month hiatus with this one. Due to the rarity with which I've been updating this blog, Google has de-indexed all but three of my pages on this site, but actually that's not the main reason for this newest piece of content, which is perhaps more personal than is typical of this blog.
Over ten and a half years ago, I chose to make a lateral move (for a manager who kindly took his chance on me), and due to circumstances, I am once again in a situation where at least organizationally, moving has become necessary.
Moving great distances, not only physically but professionally and culturally, has been something I had been willing - and able - to undertake in the past. My CV, which lists a career history spanning Toronto, Boston, and Dublin (and my initial move States-side for third level education) attests to this. Lately however, my reasons for not uprooting myself (and my spouse) yet again, have strengthened despite the fact that I'm not entirely certain that Vienna will ever be my emotional home. It certainly is, however, by far the most culturally enriched, convenient, and surprisingly affordable place I've lived in, and I'm loathe to relinquish this.
The aforementioned lateral job move had brought me into the realm of digital content from that of Natural Language Processing, and the rise of Rankbrain and various NLP-based technologies that comprise the fascinating and multi-faceted "AI" space, where niche start-ups and tech giants alike are vying for share of voice, has led to a convergence of my past and current roles, as well as the most likely future one.
I've chosen Darwin Day to write this post, but perhaps fittingly, it will be April 1st before I'm able to formally announce a significant shift in role and division, if not employer. To paraphrase a Buddhist sutra, to be alive is to change, and impermanence can result in suffering. On the other hand, courtesy of George R. R. Martin's fellow INTJ character Petyr Baelish:
Let me climb.
Over ten and a half years ago, I chose to make a lateral move (for a manager who kindly took his chance on me), and due to circumstances, I am once again in a situation where at least organizationally, moving has become necessary.
Moving great distances, not only physically but professionally and culturally, has been something I had been willing - and able - to undertake in the past. My CV, which lists a career history spanning Toronto, Boston, and Dublin (and my initial move States-side for third level education) attests to this. Lately however, my reasons for not uprooting myself (and my spouse) yet again, have strengthened despite the fact that I'm not entirely certain that Vienna will ever be my emotional home. It certainly is, however, by far the most culturally enriched, convenient, and surprisingly affordable place I've lived in, and I'm loathe to relinquish this.
The aforementioned lateral job move had brought me into the realm of digital content from that of Natural Language Processing, and the rise of Rankbrain and various NLP-based technologies that comprise the fascinating and multi-faceted "AI" space, where niche start-ups and tech giants alike are vying for share of voice, has led to a convergence of my past and current roles, as well as the most likely future one.
I've chosen Darwin Day to write this post, but perhaps fittingly, it will be April 1st before I'm able to formally announce a significant shift in role and division, if not employer. To paraphrase a Buddhist sutra, to be alive is to change, and impermanence can result in suffering. On the other hand, courtesy of George R. R. Martin's fellow INTJ character Petyr Baelish:
Let me climb.
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