As of Dec 2, 2024, I am employed with AwesomeMotive! I am no longer in need of a new gig. I am leaving this post up in case someone does want to pay me to work on LezWatch.TV and make bagels all day.
As of 31 October 2024, my engagement with XWP will end. I am incredibly thankful for the time I spent with them and the trust they placed in me. Don’t get me wrong, it sucks, but the world just works like this sometimes.
What am I looking for?
Honestly as much as I’d love someone to pay me to just work on LezWatch.TV and make bagels all day, it’s pretty unlikely (though if you do…).
What I’m looking for is a full time job where I get to make cool things, get a fair paycheck that allows me to save to buy a house, and provides enough vacation time that I’m not spending all of it on Jewish Holidays and can actually take a trip now and then.
What do I want to do?
This is likely a tech stack question. I can do WordPress, I’m very good at it, but I also know Hugo and can pick up other stacks pretty quickly. I’ve done full stack work before (server birth to death), worked in automation, and myriad other platforms like MediaWiki, ZenPhoto, and more. I’m game for learning any CMS.
Would I really still work in WordPress?
I would.
Look, I know there’s a lot of volatility in the WordPress world but honestly with that in mind, you need someone like me! Why? Because I know WordPress plugins! If something happens and you can’t access .org, I’m your girl. I know how to scan plugins (and themes) for backdoors and bad code, as well as write the good stuff. I know risk assessment and management, which means I can help you when plugin ownership is in doubt.
I also know a lot of backstory to a lot of development shops and how they treat people. What? You knew I took notes about plugin devs!
There are millions of WordPress sites out there. They still need devs.
Would I leave WordPress for anything else?
Absolutely! Nothing against WordPress (or the current state of affairs), but my love for it is not absolute. It’s tempered in reality. WordPress is not the perfect solution for everyone, after all. I’m game to learn new things, to integrate, to test, and to break things.
And if you’re transitioning a site to or away from WordPress? Hey! I’m uniquely positioned to be able to tell you exactly what that code was doing and, in most cases, why!
Would I work for Automattic?
No. That ship sailed about 15 years ago. I interviewed pretty much around now back then, and in talking with Matt directly we both agreed I would be a bad fit. No harm, no foul. I think that was the right choice, all this time later, and I have no regrets.
Would I go back into Hosting?
Sure. I liked that work. It’s fun, challenging, and I learned a lot of new platforms and specifics. I got to play with servers and it gave me a deeper understanding in how to approach asking a host for help. Bonus? I know devs, so I can help debug your code on servers!
(If DreamHost calls me up right after this post, I would absolutely talk with them about opportunities without a second thought!)
What about Agency Work?
Depends on the agency.
Some agencies are real meat grinders, and some are less so. The hardest part about agency life is how fast everyone and everything has to move. Also it’s incredibly volatile! If the company who hired you isn’t doing well, fffftttt you’re screwed.
(Again, if XWP called me tomorrow, I would happily talk with them.)
Would I work for a plugin shop?
Yes, I would. I know plugins, I know the repo (sure things have changed but the basics aren’t going to), and I know the forums. Plugins are a lot of work of course.
How about a security company?
That would be epic fun. Yes. Finding issues, reporting them reasonably and privately, getting them fixed, and helping everyone? I miss that from Plugin Reviews.
What about just plain ol’ IT?
I’ve done it before. I’m sure some of my info is out of date (anyone need a Windows NT Server certified dev?), but again, I’m willing and able to learn. Basic IT has some joy you know, and users do some wild and crazy things you don’t expect.
Didn’t anyone tell me not to sell ME in a resume?
Many. But the thing is, you’re not hiring a machine, you’re hiring a person. If you want a grunt to grind? That ain’t me.
If you want a well reasoned, insightful, and creative individual who thinks for herself and is willing to try things even if they fail, because those lessons help you going forward? Who fights for the users and is honest even when it hurts? Who will stand by her principles even if they cost her work? Who is passionate and puts her all into everything?
That’s me.
Like what you read?
Check out my resume and toss me a line!
Comments
One response to “Open for Employment – No Longer!”
@Ipstenu everyone should be clamoring to snap up Mika!