I graduated from Marquette University in 1992 and at that time, the economy was rather poor. Despite all of my efforts to land a so-called White-collar engineering job, I ultimately decided to take a position at Cincinnati Microwave, a company which made the Passport and Escort radar detectors. The position was through a temp agency and my position was to tune the antenna cavities of the radar receivers on the assembly line. During that time, I continue to look for more “permanent” work.
At some point, management took notice that I actually could do far more than tune microwave antennas and I started working in the test department writing programs to automate test equipment for their fixtures. I continued to look for a more permanent position as well as trying to convince management to hire me full time. Ultimately, I found another position elsewhere and I left. Their loss.
At VL Engineering, a 3 man consultancy, I started at $26,000 a year. It was a great job, I liked working for a small company as I got to wear many hats. I really developed my programming chops and designed all types of products. However, there was no 401(k) program and, to be honest, I’m not even sure how good my healthcare was….if I had it at all. Annual raises were minimum and I received no bonus. It wasn’t until I landed a job a U.S. Robotics that he opened up his pocket book a bit more but by that time, I was already gone.
Sherine and I moved to Chicago. I received a significant boost in salary and Sherine was quickly able to land another engineering position with a similar bump. Dual income and no kids living in Chicago in our mid to late 20’s was awesome.
After several different jobs in Chicago and earning my masters, I was earning significantly more than I was in Cincinnati. Between jobs, Apple gave me a call asking if I wanted to interview. “Apple who?” I thought to myself. We decided to check it out and I flew out, had a grueling day of interviews (including Tony Fadell) and came back home with my tail between my legs. “I’m not going to get the job”, I told Sherine.
Surprisingly they did. I later learned from folks that interviewed me that most folks were impressed on how I held my composure. Who knew. Perspective is everything. Apple offered my $126,000. Looking back on this, I could have gotten way more. That was cheap.
My salary grew relatively quickly and I loved working for Apple. I was at the right place at the right time to have been given the opportunity to work on the first iPhone. I was treated pretty well at Apple but by starting salary was initially so low that the increases were modest. After a period of time, I started to recognize I needed to ask for what I wanted.
First I asked to be a lead System Integrator. Then I asked to be a manager. Then I said I was bored and wanted to do something else. That’s when I started to work on Apple Watch.
After a few years, I was burnt out and needed a change, so I quit. I had probably 4-5 weeks of vacation saved up but I needed something longer. Further, I have anxiety about running out of vacation and always need to have some “in the bank.”. It’s always been my problem, I know. I just need to know I can always escape…but yet I never do.
Management offered for me to take a leave of absence instead and, if I chose to come back within the year I’d get all of my RSU’s and seniority back. I took 9 blissful months off. It actually took 1 month to really decompress. Everyone in my family commented on how noticeably different I was and that the “old Mike was back.”
I’ve been back at Apple 9 year now and I’ve quit 2 more times. The last time I threatened to quit if I didn’t make Distinguished Engineer. I told them I earned it and I was worth it. I had been trying to hire folks of my team and I knew just how talented I was. I knew I could get another job in a heartbeat if I left. I got the promotion.
As mentioned, I told my boss I was retiring back in October. His first question was “when, 3-5 years?”. His next question was, after I said “definitely not” was, “is there something we can do monetarily.”. I told him it’s not about the money and I didn’t need to work.
I got this idea of engineering your resignation from the Financial Samurai. Of course, in order to be able to ask for these things, you have to be reasonably confident of your capabilities and your worth within the organization. There are plenty of folks in every organization that companies would be happy to let go.
We’re starting to discuss the potential extension of my retirement. My boss has suggested he’ll “make it worth my while.”. Of course, he’s not showing his hand. Our dialog is being captured in email. I have warned him, after trying to find slips in the Bahamas, that if he waits to long there will be no guarantee I’ll be able to extend my employment to help bring up my successor. Sherine will not be confident to stay on the boat anchored for a week+ every other two weeks alone. Let’s see what happens.
Regardless, I could care less one way or another. Ff they do make it worth my while, I’ll make it work otherwise, I’ve already decided to leave and the closer I get to October 22, the more excited and at peace I am with the the decision.
Time to make it Worth my While or adios.