The Big Career Chance

October 26, 2020
career

The Big Career Chance

The career situation

You have a new job as a tester for children’s on-line games.  Two weeks in, it seems like a pretty good place, with a lot of career opportunities. The obvious leader is Larry, the senior designer. You haven’t quite made it in with the pack but you’re hopeful.

Testing

Pen is a programmer. You’re reviewing the bugs you’ve found with her.

 

Pen:

Gosh, that’s a strange one.

You:

Yeah, and only happens when the forest background is playing.

Pen:

(opens the files)  Hmmm—nothing obvious, but I’ll give a look.

You:

Unless Larry intended some sub-routine he dropped. Should we ask him? He’s over there with Caleb.

Pen:

Looks like they’re busy.

You:

But Malcolm (everybody’s boss) wants it in production asap.

Pen:

Larry’s busy. He won’t thank you for breaking in.

You:

But…

Pen:

Trust me, you don’t want to get involved.

You:

Huh? In what?

Pen:

(looks back to the screen) I’m sure I’ll find that bug.

 

What did she mean? But it’s pretty clear she doesn’t want to talk.

Larry’s project

About a week later, Larry comes to your desk.

 

Larry:

You must be quite the hotshot. Malcolm doesn`t go over the top for nothing.

You:

Ah, comes from having a warped mind.

Larry:

The kind I could use.

You:

Huh?

Larry:

(leans in) I’m thinking of letting you in on something big.

You:

Really?

Larry:

You know that real money is with serious gamers.

You:

Yeah, but that’s not the company’s niche…

Larry:

Screw the company. This is much bigger. I can’t go into details, but we need a tester. We might let you in on the ground floor.

 

Let in on the ground floor

You:

Sounds good. Something you work on after hours?

Larry:

And other times.

You:

Weekends?

Larry:

Aren’t you one of god’s innocents? Yeah, then, too.

You:

During work? But does Malcolm—

Larry:

This is none of Malcolm’s or the company’s business.

You:

But your employment contract—

Larry:

Screw contracts. Once a big company bites, we’ll quit here. Then sell the game or join their team.

You:

Wow.

Larry:

So, are you in? We could give you up to 5%.

You:

Sounds really interesting. Can I think about it?

Larry:

Sure, but not long. Caleb has a line on another tester. (pause) Of course, this is just between us, right?

 

What should you do?

Seems to me you’ve got three choices:

  1. Say no and tell Malcolm;
  2. Say no but keep your mouth shut;
  3. Say yes and start working on the project.

 

It’s complicated. I’ll spend the next three posts considering each option.

 

 

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