jay: (Default)
[personal profile] jay
I used to do bigger projects than nowadays... things involving multi-million annual budgets, dozens of people in various places... then in 1999 was put in charge of a new business plan, lots of politics with no actual staff or deliverables, just a budget and proposed research program. Someone in higher management tried to set me up as a fall guy, diverting my budget without telling me. Once I'd discovered the ploy, I refused to sign up for this... objected vociferously, enough that the Center had to back down or risk unwanted attention from outside.

Three months later, I was removed... sent back to put together technical projects, essentially given no assignment or duties and left to fend for myself in a sort of exile. I have largely kept a low profile ever since, popping up occasionally just to remind my friends in the front office that I'm still here. But my reputation was that I was damaged goods, on certain higher-ups blacklists. The first three times that I was reorganized here, I was passed over for research group lead, even in favor of inexperienced or short-time others. Last time, it was considered, but then married to another, smaller group. Now... the higher-ups who were embarrassed five years ago have all left, as have nearly all of my subsequent chain of command above me then.

Now... the latest group lead is resigning to take a job outside NASA... so given I'm now "rehabilitated," and given attrition, today my branch chief-equivalent came in to my office and offered me the lead, the first line role I've been offered in years. I may be coming out of exile... not that I plan to abandon my projects here, they're fun, but I may start being more visible again at higher levels in NASA.

Follow-up with my boss is Thursday at 3pm. Even if we decide to do something interim, or merge my drilling projects with someone else's group, it is nice to know that I'm no longer considered a net management liability overall...

Date: 2006-01-11 12:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tenacious-snail.livejournal.com
woohoo! Congratulations! That sounds really exciting. I know how much you love, love love your work-- so this is utterly delightful to hear.

Date: 2006-01-11 12:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
Thanks. It's really just a small thing, recognizing the reality that my projects are/have been the largest part of the overall group for 2-3 years. No new duties or benefits, really... the more significant part for me is that I was asked at all. :)

Date: 2006-01-11 12:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] princeofwands.livejournal.com
Congrats! That sounds like wonderful news!

Date: 2006-01-11 01:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
Thanks! It's a good thing overall, for me.

Date: 2006-01-11 01:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deedeebythebay.livejournal.com
This sounds good!

Date: 2006-01-11 01:28 am (UTC)

Date: 2006-01-11 01:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] patgreene.livejournal.com
Woo hoo! And about damn time this happened -- but then I'm biased : )

Does this mean more security?

Date: 2006-01-11 01:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
Hard to say... it means they aren't actively looking to dump me, but OTOH a group lead is more easily replaced than a simple PI, if/when a RIF happens.

Date: 2006-01-11 01:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hopeforyou.livejournal.com
Congratulations! That's really good news. I hope now you can do something you want to do and get a stable source of income to go with it.

Um... who left? Can you tell me? I've been trying to get someone on the phone to no avail... =(

Date: 2006-01-11 01:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
KW is leaving...

The someone that you are seeking is in Costa Rica, I believe... ;-)
(at least until next week)

Date: 2006-01-11 01:49 am (UTC)
tshuma: (Default)
From: [personal profile] tshuma
Nice! Sounds like it's about time!

Date: 2006-01-11 09:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
They can put away the airbrush, I guess ;).

Date: 2006-01-11 03:10 am (UTC)
geekchick: (Default)
From: [personal profile] geekchick
Hey, congratulations. =)

Date: 2006-01-11 09:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
You can celebrate with me beginning in... 5 days, 15:12 :)

Date: 2006-01-11 03:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] weirdodragoncat.livejournal.com
Yay for you! *hugs* Good luck!

Date: 2006-01-11 09:30 am (UTC)

Date: 2006-01-11 03:58 am (UTC)

Date: 2006-01-11 09:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
(grin)

See you guys soon, we need to plan a bit...

Date: 2006-01-11 04:14 am (UTC)
ext_140338: (Default)
From: [identity profile] hot-turkey.livejournal.com
Congratulations! About time, sounds like.

Date: 2006-01-11 09:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
Thanks! And you'll be attending higher-level meetings yourself now, it sounds like...

Yay!

Date: 2006-01-11 04:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] radven.livejournal.com
I so love telling people that I am friends with a GENUINE rocket scientist.

Congratulations - soon you will be running the place. :-)

Re: Yay!

Date: 2006-01-11 09:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
In its current turmoil, I'm glad that I'm *not* responsible for running it! But thanks...

Date: 2006-01-11 05:17 am (UTC)

Date: 2006-01-11 07:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cyan-blue.livejournal.com
Awesome, that time and perseverance has helped you to emerge victorious and vindicated.

Date: 2006-01-11 09:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
Vindicated a bit, victorious... hm. Through perseverance, yes.

Date: 2006-01-11 10:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] iluvdaphne.livejournal.com
that must of been hard and long these last few years, people feeling like that at work towards you and quite frustrating too with no way to turn!

Congratulations! It sounds like you love your work and this is indeed a really good thing to be happening to you! YAY!! :) :)

Date: 2006-01-13 03:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
And it was confirmed today. :)

Date: 2006-01-11 12:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] elissaann.livejournal.com
That's terrific!

Date: 2006-01-13 03:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brian1789.livejournal.com
Thanks! (grin)
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