rossgilmore.com

After a number of career fairs, conversations, and interviews, I’ve finally decided on the company that I will start working for after graduation! Yesterday I sent in my official acceptance to work at CapTech Ventures (www.captechventures.com) in Richmond, VA (despite not wearing a VT jersey).

CapTech Ventures is a smaller technology firm that “manages, designs and builds information systems.” They are a little under 100 people big, and have employees of all ages. Some of their more well known clients are Circuit City, Campbell’s Soup, and Capital One.

While I did not know much about them going into the job search, every interaction I had with them was personable and enjoyable – from hearing about them in a technology consulting panel and talking to them at the career fair to hanging out with employees at the social at Richbrau Brewery – I always felt comfortable and interested in learning more about CapTech.

The position fits me well, as I’ll face diverse and varied problems and projects, as well as have the ability to interface with the clients (something I really want to do!). And it’s not all technical! Surprise surprise – while my major may say otherwise, I don’t see myself having an entirely technical career! I am really interested in working to become either a BSA (Business Systems Analyst) and/or PM (Project Manager).

The culture at the company was another facet which I loved. The company has a strong focus on work and life balance, and actually encourages you to get involved within the community and activities outside of work. They are actively involved within Richmond, hosting the CapTech Classic (www.captechclassic.com), the CapTech Open, and sponsoring many other events around the city. They also make it a priority to have social events within the company, as they recently went Skeet Shooting and used to go on Ski Trips.

On top of all that, I’m really happy with the offer made to me – and the benefits package is amazing. While I was so dead set on living in the Northern VA area and working for one of the “Top 5” Consulting firms, I realized that I’d be so much happier at CapTech and could really do well there. I’m excited – almost too excited to start working!

Exams are over! Club soccer is done! The job search is dwindling! And I’m finally home for Christmas..

Yes, this highly anticipated break will be unique in many ways. After quite the stressful semester, I finally get time to relax. Contrary to popular belief, your 1st semester 4th year is not all fun and games (well – for most of us, that is). This semester was grueling, as club soccer was in full swing, my classes were demanding, and the job search continued, and continued, and continued some more.

The club soccer season was a successful one with a disappointing finale. We made it to the finals of Regionals and lost to Vanderbilt. We played a great tournament and fought through injuries and really showed well. We rallied the following weekend and took an injury-woed team down to Clemson, South Carolina. We advanced to the semi-finals before losing to VT (don’t’ worry – we beat them in the semi’s of Regionals!). With our success in the two tournaments and season play, we earned a bid to Nationals in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. While everyone was healthy and ready to go, we came out and lost our first game at Nationals 6-3 – such a disappointing showing against a team we would have beaten on most days. We needed a 3-0 win to stay alive and advance against Weber State (National Champs from 2002) and were only able to pull off a 1-0 victory. Needless to say, the season was still phenomenal. We had great chemistry within the team and had a blast playing and hanging out together.

Classes weren’t as easy come 4th semester either. While my grades actually ended up being decent, I was in several rough Computer Engineering courses that demanded a lot of time and work. Next semester looks promising, however, as I’m only in one Computer Engineering course and my thesis course – my other classes are Personal Finance, Materials that Shape Civilization (gut), and Drama 202 Intro to Acting and Directing. Click here to view my schedule.

And alas, the job search. While I haven’t made my official decision yet, I’m nearing close to it and will have it made right after Christmas. While the search was grueling, time consuming, and at times a bit annoying – it’s worked out well. It gave me the opportunity to talk with many different people, assess different companies and industries, and determine what I want to do when I graduate and what type of company I want to work for. I’ll happily be posting when I make my official decision next week, as I’m thrilled with it (and for the search to be done!).

Next semester will be amazing, starting off with Rush and I’m sure never slowing down..