Goodbye, Skype. Hello, world!
If I had to choose just one word to describe what Skype looks from inside, then it’d probably be “ever-changing”.
I’ve seen the number of concurrent users online grow from 4 to 19 million. I’ve seen people being hired at such a rate that sometimes newcomers had to actually sit on the floor while the facilities folks wrought more tables and chairs out of furniture vendors’ depleted stocks. I’ve seen the company going from private to public (eBay) and back to private again. Well, almost back — the deal is yet to be closed. I’ve directly reported to eight different managers: that’s a whopping two bosses per year.
And I really, really, really appreciated the opportunity of working side by side with some of the world’s brightest people.
But my time there is over. With the refocusing of the Skype Developer Program, my role disappeared, and I failed to find another mutually acceptable role inside the company. So, after 4 years, 1 month and 8 days at Skype, my professional status is “available” once again.
Anyway — if you’ve got a good use for more than 15 years of IT and management experience combined with an engineering diploma, a law degree, and about six languages, then let me know. You’ll find my up-to-date CV at LinkedIn.