I don’t usually talk about work on my blog, but I wanted to share that after more than six years, I’ve decided to move away from the Chrome team. A large amount of my time at Google has been with the Chrome team and it’s one of the products I love and feel proud to have worked on. I’ve loved the team even more than the product. They are wonderful, kind, generous and brilliant people. I am so lucky to have worked with them. Choosing to leave was a very tough decision but I knew that it was time to learn something new.
My new adventures take me to the Google Maps team. Another product I love and use regularly. I will be working with the Transit folks and I am looking forward to learning about public transportation all over the world and traveling to the Zurich office and working with and for some of the first teammates I had at Google. Some awesome people.
For the last few months, I’ve been working on moving boldly into unknown futures. This is not second-nature to me and it comes with a lot of fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear that I might be messing up something that works and finding myself neck deep in regret. Fear that I might fail. Fear that I might “ruin it all.” Fear that I am not going to be able to measure up to the expectations of others. And, most of all, fear that I will disappoint people I care about.
But I am doing it anyway.
I’ve updated my banner so you can get a sneak peek at my word for 2015. I think this move, and several others I’ve done in the last few months line up with my word. My goals for myself. My efforts to challenge myself and not let inertia take over. To grow. To expand. To learn.
So here’s a big, bold step in that direction.
Here’s to new beginnings.
That’s exciting! And yes I can understand that it will be nerve-wracking as well. I wish you all the best for it! I use Google Maps heaps as well and was super excited last week to find myself on there going for a walk just around the corner from my home in Western Australia! 🙂
Go Karen Go!!!!
Congratulations! Good luck! (And how soon can I start sending you map bits that need fixing? tee hee) You’ll be brilliant – I hope you have FUN during the transition.
Have fun with maps and you’re old workmates
You had alluded a few weeks ago that you were facing a major decision and/or transition. Congratulations on your good work with Chrome — my browser-of-choice at home — and best of luck with your new gig. You’re definitely living up to your one little word!
Good luck with your work transition. I am sure you will enjoy being challenged in a different way. Hope that you enjoy the reunion with the folks you worked with before.
Aloha, Kate
All my best wishes for you and this new adventure. Sounds so exciting I love google maps.
congratulations!
Good for you! I’m contemplating making a move myself, not to a new team but to phase out of an area where I’ve built up a lot of expertise and reputation across a large group. But various stars are aligning to tell me that it’s time to tuck this one in and let someone else take on that mantle, and reach out to learn new features. I hope it works out well for both of us! I envy your opportunity to travel. I both wish I had that for my work and am glad that my work doesn’t require it of me (as a single mom, it’s very hard to cover kidcare for any kind of overnight) (or, you know, at all!). Best of luck to you in your new adventure!