Guess what? I am no longer a dislocated cog in the great civilization machine. Yep, I have gone and gotten myself a job! No more cup-a-noodles for this nomad. Caviar for everybody!
The job is a full-time gig as a software developer for GT/TR. Best of all is that I can work while traveling, so this wandering nomad will keep on walking, only in nicer boots! (Mine have been mended twice already. Poor old things.)
How did I get the job?
Ever since I left university over a decade ago, I’ve been in touch with the good people of GT. It has long been in the cards that I should work for them, but UBS and my London location got in the way.
In May this year, GT again offered me to join the firm, with the added sweetener of allowing me to work while travelling. How could I resist?
But I didn’t start right away. Other events were afoot. The multi-national super-company TR were in acquisition negotiation with GT. Since I was never meant to work in the USA but out of Sweden, we waited for that acquisition to go through so TR could hire me via their Swedish office. (A long wait hence my not having told you about this earlier. Sorry!)
So I am actually a TR employee now, although the old habit of saying GT lives on.
Job Description
GT makes Know-Your-Customer on-boarding software for banks. In English, that means that we help banks ensure that their clients aren’t Al-Qaeda terrorists, money launderers or extra-dimensional Shoggots.
I work as a software engineer, writing beautiful code for the core-application, as well as research into potential improvements on our development methodologies and tools. In short, all the stuff I love doing! I’ve missed my trade as a software engineer during the last two years, but now I’m back in the game!
Looking Forward
This is a big deal for me. It means a shift from one kind of nomadic living to another. Up until now, my time has been limited only be the 24 hours of the day, but my money situation has been dire. Now I have less free time, but I no longer have to worry about every penny I spend.
I expect other changes as well. I’ve written a fair bit about feeling disconnected, lost and purposeless. I hope that some of that may be remedied by having an external expectation on me that I can fulfil. So far, I’ve enjoyed that feeling of a job well done at the end of the day.
And of course, I look forward to all the unforeseen consequences of any life-changing event. This is part and parcel of being alive, and I for one can’t wait to see what this new life will bring!
Gustav congratulations! That’s awesome news. As long as they give you time off to come play with us at Burning Man next year.
Hugs from SoCal. 🙂
Congrats!!! I hope this new step will leave you as free and open-minded. But no doubt about that in fact. 😉
Hej Gustav,
Congratulations….
From Palm Springs to the world.. 🙂 Seeing you do well and share you good fortune is exactly what we all could use.
Remember your friends in Northern California.
Craig
Well done, Gustav!
Wish you all the best on your new way!
And if you in Zurich again (to fill up your Swiss Bank Account), let me know.
Would be nice to see you again.
Have a great Xmas time and a glorious 2014!
Hubert
Congratulations Gustav.
It sounds like a jobb cut out for you.
We wish you the best here in Ljungby. See you on boxingday.
’till then……..
See how one door shuts and another opens. The world really is your oyster now. Happy nomading in 2014.
Congratulations Gustav 🙂
Fantastic! Do what you love and never work a day in your life… I follow that model; I love what I do as well.
Congratulations Gustav! Wishing you great happiness, new adventures, and fulfillment in 2014 and beyond.
Congrats Gustav, Great story! I wrote an article http://vagabondlifestyles.com/blog/doing-what-you-love-part-3/ and commented about this awesome article.
Congratulations Gustav!
Well done, NOMAD, well done. Congratulations and my your boot laces always be TIED…..
Congratulations handsome. Hopefully your travels will bring you to my neck of the woods again soon. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Wow, what a response! Too many to answer individually, so I’ll just say a big massive thank you for your support in the bad times and cheerful co-enjoyment of the good times! You guys are awesome!