Growing up, I did well in math and science -- areas I was told repeatedly I was special to do well in. I felt a sense of rarity, and thought, "If I'm good in these, when others struggle, then this is where I should direct my life." By the time I arrived in college, it did not occur … Continue reading Ecologist to… Happiness Engineer? The evolution of one career in support.
Tag: work
My office today
For the first time in over a year and a half at Automattic, I am taking full advantage of the fact that I can work from anywhere. This summer, my husband and I grappled with how to get our kids from Virginia to Georgia and Florida so they could spend time with their grandparents in each … Continue reading My office today
What can I contribute?
Originally published on Butterfly Mind, February 2016. Effective executives focus on outward contributions. They gear their efforts to results rather than to work. They start out with the question, "What results are expected of me?" rather than with the work to be done. -- Peter F. Drucker, The Effective Executive I love checklists. I love … Continue reading What can I contribute?
What is a career?
Originally published on Butterfly Mind, December 2015. As I help organize the inaugural SupConf, a conference for people who want to make a career in support, I've been thinking a lot about what a career looks like, and what a career is. At the company I work for, Automattic, there is no ladder to climb … Continue reading What is a career?
One year Automattiversary
Originally published on Butterfly Mind, September 2015. A little over a year ago, I submitted work for a writing gig that I was sure I was a great fit for. I was deep into my writing habit, and I knew the work I submitted was good. When I never heard back -- a fate even … Continue reading One year Automattiversary
The joys of being an amateur
Originally published on Butterfly Mind, August 2015. I recently listened to the TED Radio Hour's episode, Amateur Hour, which shared several funny and insightful stories of people in positions as novices. One story was about a "professional amateur," A.J. Jacobs, writer and editor-at-large of Esquire magazine, who lives his life as an experiment. He constantly … Continue reading The joys of being an amateur
A room of my own
Originally published on Butterfly Mind, June 2015. I've written ad nauseam about how I'd one day like to have a room of my own. A room where I can write, where I can work, where I can think. With our new house, it has finally happened. In our first week at the new place, I … Continue reading A room of my own
Andrea Badgley 