Looks like my two year anniversary has flown by!
Leaving publishing enabled me to buy a home and break the clunker car cycle. I've built on my existing skill set and learned so much more. I think I've found my place.
For me the shift wasn't terribly huge or hard. But here are a few observations on what was different and took a bit of getting used to...
Acronyms
So many acronyms. From BAU and COB to industry specific ones, they are endless.
Meetings
So many meetings. Some useful, some not so much.
Email chains
How long can you go? That is the question.
Microsoft everything
My last publishing job had me working on a Mac, and switching back to PC was a little rough. But mostly it was a bit of a learning curve getting the hang of basic Office-type things that I'd never really had to deal with before, from Track Changes to Powerpoint, booking meeting rooms and setting up appointments via Outlook, etc.
Big budgets
In comparison to where I came from? Everything is extravagant. Spending basically any amount of money is a luxury.
Ebbs and flows
There are more seasonal rhythms to work now, which I must admit is a nice change from daily madness. The wheels also tend to move slower. Along with a colleague who's also an ex journo, I'm frequently bemused by how long it can take to get some things done. We're used to getting on with it - no faffing about, no wasting money.
Having been ensconced in the public sector so far, I'm wondering if I want to venture into the corporate world at some point. But there's still plenty of time to think about the long game.
