Today is my last day of work at the Office of Information Technology at
the University of Maryland College Park. For almost five years, I
have held the position of Coordinator within the Novell-WinIntel
Systems Support Group--with the group having many different
incarnations over the years as various reorganizations have occurred in
my time here. Prior to holding this position, I was the System
Administrator at the R.H. Smith School of Business. Finally,
prior to that, I was the Campus Computing Associate and Network
Administrator for the School of Public Policy (formerly, the School of
Public Affairs). The last job was my first after receiving my
Master of Public Management from the same place.
In my time here, I have been fortunate enough to encounter many
interesting, intelligent, and talented people. I will admit that
I have done a lot of complaining in my time here, and part of that is
my occasionally acerbic nature. Nonetheless, as I said to a
former supervisor yesterday, all of these experiences have prepared me
for the next step in my professional life. Were it not for the
adversity, I would not have the skills and knowledge that I have now.
That said, there are a few people to whom I am eternally
grateful. The first person would be my first boss who died a few
years ago. He gave a chance to a somewhat imperious and
egotistical graduate student, and that started me down my current
career path. At my first job at the School of Public Policy,
there are two women whose kindness I will never forget. Both of
them were much like my grandmother, and I will always remember them for
all that they did for me. I had lunch with them last Thursday,
and it reminded me of how much both of them did for me when I first
started. Finally, my current supervisor is a person who I am
lucky enough to count as a good friend. Our first meeting was
eight years ago, and little did I know that we would continue to work
together and ultimately become good friends. He has done much for
me professionally and personally, and I look forward to continuing our
friendship after leaving the University.
I realize that all of this would have been better said at my Farewell
Party yesterday, but I must admit that I had little to say in spite of
my occasional loquaciousness. For those of you that know me, I am
not nearly as self-centered as I occasionally portend to be.
Sitting in front of my peers was daunting, and I merely wanted to enjoy
the cake and other snacks as opposed to dwelling on my departure with
some speech.
As I sit in my soon-to-be former office, I realize that much of my
professional life has been confined to three boxes and some other items
on the floor in the center of my office. I have been here for
almost nine years. Looking back, I had never thought I would be
here as long as I have been. As I close this entry, I have to
admit feeling a little heavy-hearted. For all of its faults, I am
leaving behind a great place to work. I have been incredibly
lucky to have had this opportunity, and I am forever grateful for the
opportunity and the colleagues.
Now, onto the next chapter of my life.
10:34:28 AM 
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