Ken's Career Page
R.O.T.I.P.
Retirement On The Installment Plan
Note: This page describes my chosen career path. If you just want to see my online resume, please go to my LinkedIn page.
Traditionally, people worked for many years until they reached "retirement age" and then, suddenly, retired. That concept isn't working out too well for a lot of baby boomers. It certainly hasn't been my plan.
For me, retiring has been a gradual process. Here's an overview of my unique retirement plan:
Step 1: Run your own Company
For 15 years, I ran my own software company (Engineering Software, Inc.) and for 17 years prior to that, I was a contract programmer.
There's an old joke about being your own boss. "People think that the beauty of running your own company is that you get to work half days. The reality is that you get to control which 12 hours per day you work!"
Fortunately, I worked in my home office most days. So, although I was working 60 to 80 hours per week, I still had time to spend with my family. We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together most days. And, I had lots of opportunities for fantastic vacations.
Step 2: Work for someone else
For me, the next career step was to reduce my hours to only working 50 to 60 hours a week.
Many professionals work for one company for many years and then go out and start their own consulting business. Never being one to follow rules, I did the exact opposite.
After successfully running my own consulting business, I made the big leap (at age 50) and become an actual employee in 2000, going to work for my largest client.
My complete official title started as:
Architect
Interconnect Technology Team
Enterprise Systems Group
Research & Development
PCB Systems Division
Systems Solution Business
Cadence Technologies
A Whole Owned Subsidiary of Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
When I left 8 years later, my title was:
Distinguished Engineer
System Technologist
Allegro - R & D Management - US
Silicon / Package / Board Business Unit
Product and Technologies Organization
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
If those titles don't prove that I was actually part of the corporate world for a while, I don't know what would! :-)
Step 3: Freelance
My next career move was to reduce my hours to part-time (10 to 30 hours per week).
In my industry that's pretty hard to do. Everybody wants everything done yesterday. And, everybody is overloaded and overworked.
My unusual background as a consultant for many years in many different industries, gives me a unique opportunity to provide training and consulting advise. With a lot of effort, that can be leveraged into part-time work.
In my latest venture, Concurrency Magic, I'm doing just that.
Step 4: Leisure
I haven't reached this stage yet. When I do, I'll let you know what it's like! <grin>
My Resume
For anyone who is interested, here's my:
 | Speaker Bio |
| Value Proposition |
You can find my on-line resume at LinkedIn
If you'd like a copy of my full resume and/or my detailed Curriculum Vitae, please send me an email.