Summarizing my career

Now that I am a month into my new job at Engage PR, and I have taken on new accounts and new challenges, it seems like an appropriate time to look back on my career thus far. In doing so, I realize that it can be summed up in one phrase: Hating on Cisco.

Cisco Systems is a giant vendor of technology equipment. We've all seen their lies commercials on TV welcoming us to the human network. However, I have learned over the course of my career that, like many giants, this one isn't particularly agile, and the human network works a lot better with other vendors' equipment.

Every non-wireless network vendor with which I have worked, kicks the crap out of competes with Cisco. Their solutions are better. Cisco just got there first and has the most market share. They're like the wired network equivalent of the iPhone. People think it's great. Once upon a time, it was the best solution available, but now it's been surpassed by other products and lives on name recognition and reputation only.

I am currently out of the enterprise data center game (sad face...I miss it), but I'm hoping that my absence doesn't last too long. Fulcrum was the only client I had my entire time at DJA, and I want to get back into the areas where they play. It's been far too long since I've had an opportunity to tee off on Cisco and get paid for it.

The David James Agency

The mission of The David James Agency is to "know technology and know the business of technology." While this is 100% accurate, it could just as easily be "know the people associated with technology."

While this obviously applies to clients and partners in the professional arena, that's not what I'm talking about right now.

I just finished four of the most critical years of my life--the beginning of my career--learning technology and the business of technology. When I came out of school with my (very expensive) degree, I had always envisioned that I would cruise into the workforce, handling consumer accounts and having a great time doing it. Then reality struck, and I couldn't find a job, so I worked at Crespi for a year while continuing to look. Then I caught a break.

David James Rodewald (and Erin) had worked at a large agency with Jennifer Floto, one of my professors (who became one of my references), before splitting off to start their own agency. As they grew from a simple partnership with a handful of clients, they built their business, and in the spring of 2006, they were looking to bring someone on board.

They could have held out for someone with more of that tech-focused experience, but because of that connection, they opted to bring me in for an interview. After a couple meetings and a writing test, they offered me the account executive position--their first hire and my first real PR job.

For the last four years, I have had the privilege of learning the field from Dave, a true professional and a faith-driven family man. He's taught me everything from the proper way to deal with clients and difficult media to the tricks you can use to rearrange your schedule to give yourself more time for work-life balance--that latter of which I am still working on :)

In short, the DJA has been my family for the last four years. I've grown as a professional and an individual under its watch, and I am forever indebted to Dave and Erin.

But new challenges await.

I've lived in southern California my entire life. That is about to change. I've accepted a senior account executive position at Engage PR in Alameda and will be moving to the bay in a week and a half. At Engage, I will start off working with telecommunications and wireless solutions providers--building from the experience I've gotten the last four years.

While it was difficult to pack up and leave the DJA for the last time today, I was reminded of encouragement I'd received about three years ago. "When you have an opportunity, you have to take it." True to his word to his still relatively new employee, Dave has been behind me 100% of the way--a consummate professional and dedicated mentor to the end.