Early on in my career I found myself at a large corporation where, after a project ended, they were reluctant to let me go. To keep me on they loaned me to another team, with my original team covering my invoices. The catch was that the new team didn’t have much work for me, so they assigned me the task of developing a Test Strategy document for an upcoming project.
By the end of the first week I had a draft ready for the project manager’s review. He suggested some revisions, and we agreed to meet again the following week for further discussion. Making those changes took only an hour, but this pattern continued for months. The new team had little for me to do, opting to leave me to my own devices while checking in weekly to review that one document.
It became increasingly absurd, especially when the project manager began critiquing the font choices and justification in the document. This “work” stretched on for six long months. I stayed primarily because I was awaiting an upcoming project with my original team, which promised to be much more engaging—and, of course, for the paycheck.
Those six months taught me a valuable lesson: I never wanted to work solely for money again. It was painfully boring, and life is too short to spend it counting down the hours at a job that doesn’t inspire you.
Realising that the company had no intention of releasing me, I began taking walks around the campus instead of sitting idle at my desk. I explored the on-site cafe, library, and communal areas, meeting and chatting with others while adhering to security protocols. This experience highlighted the importance of networking.
Now, when I wake for work and suddenly realise it’s the weekend, if my first thought is one of disappointment because I can’t work that day, I know I’ve found a job I enjoy. That’s the criteria I apply to every new contract I consider: it should be fun and interesting. Working with great people is a bonus.
Reflecting back to my school and university days, I fondly remember being part of the Amiga demo scene. I loved when my parents occasionally would leave for the weekend, allowing my friends and me to set up our computers in the living room. Over those weekends, we coded, created graphics, composed music, and assembled software to release. It was a blast—we enjoyed beer, pizza, and anime while working late into the night! For us, it never felt like work; it was pure fun. That’s what I seek in every job opportunity: a project that excites and entertains me.
Don’t just work for money.