Denver-Bound?

On Nov 6-8th, I went to Denver for an interview for a higher position at my current company, Mentor Graphics.  I’d never been on a two day interview before but it was tiring!  Over the two days, I met with 8 different people for 1-on-1’s and was given a tour of Boulder, Co. 

This is my second time in Colorado and I’ve always liked the atmosphere.  A few of my friends here had said Denver lacked culture.  I am very into culture but what Denver lacked in culture, it made it up in the numerous outdoor activities the area had to offer.  That is a big plus in my book. 

 The interview went very well.  By the second day, the team had indicated that I was the one they wanted and an offer will be drafted up with a relocation package.  This position title is a Technical Marketing Engineer (TME).  Mentor Graphics is an Oregon-based software company that makes computer aided design (CAD) tools for engineers to do their job faster and better.  For every product that Mentor has, there is one TME assigned to it.  A TME is a liaison between the customers and the software engineering team.  In many cases, loyal users of Mentor’s products provide valuable feedback with regards to the long-term direction of the product(s).  A TME champions his/her product and works with people around the world in order to evolve his/her product into something more. 

In this particular TME role, I would be expected to work with the engineering teams in Newbury, England and Katowice, Poland.  The interesting part is that I would be expected to go there and train for weeks at a time.  The bad thing is it would end up being 9 months of travelling in the first year.  That is a major obligation especially if you have family and responsibilities at home.

 My family and Nikki were very supportive of me going to Denver and I was excited at the prospect, too.  In the days leading to the official offer, I’d gotten in touch with an old college buddy who is living in Fort Collins.  It’s very comforting to have at least one person you know around you when you branch out into the unknown. 

Nikki was not going to move with me.  She has a great job in town already and I couldn’t possibly ask her to come with me; especially since I would be travelling so much anyways.  I would be okay with that; she can gain experience in her job now and be with family when I’m away.

However, I recently came to a realization.  My dad is not taking care of himself the way that he should.  He is a diabetic and he has been experiencing chest pains.  I had a nightmare last weekend about losing him and I couldn’t stand to be away during this time.  I can’t possibly accept a position that would take me away from everything I know and love and keep me in the dark. 

I have always wanted to move away from town and experience what else is out there.  I think everyone should take that chance once in their lifetime before it’s too late.  I admire people who have seen and experience different places beyond what a vacation would give them.  The stories, the tolerance, the diversity, and the community contributions that such a person could provide is greater than someone who had stayed in their hometown all their lives. 

 My cultural background does not promote that.  Vietnamese people believe family is first and we stick together until the end.  It’s an admirable concept but I believe I could take care of those who are close to me better if I were more diversified.

In the end, I took my name out of consideration and I will attempt to find a new chapter in my life somewhere else.  I have some responsibilities here that can’t be ignored.  The quest to see and live the world will continue.  I have no regrets.