Last updated: August 12, 2006
Since July 2003, I have been working part-time for VerVendi, a storefront service provider for antique and fine arts dealers, while also working part-time on starting my own shiatsu and massage therapy practice. (I decided it was time to get some job skills that can't be outsourced overseas.)
I'm not currently looking for other employment, though I might be open to some part-time additional consulting or contract work.
Finding a good work environment and an interesting project are much more important to me than monetary compensation (though of course, the bills still must be paid.) So I've given some thought to what my "ideal" position would be like.
I'm currently only interested in part-time work. I am working 20-25 hours / week at my current position, mostly telecommuting.
I prefer contracting to a "permanent" position, for several reasons: contract positions generally allow more flexibility in work hours, they allow me to take more leave (with the trade-off of less pay), and there's less chance that someone will want me to do something stupid like urinate on demand. If I find a permanent position with that sort of flexibility, I would certainly consider it.
Things that would interest me in a new position include (but are not limited to) Internet applications, scientific applications, network and computer security, telecommunications, open source software, flexible hours, and short commutes - or, ideally, telecommuting. (I hate commuting.) Uninteresting things include weapons contracts and anything where I'd be expected to cut my hair or wear a necktie on a regular basis - frankly, I'm unlikely to be a good fit in an organization where those are primary concerns.
Please be aware that I am not open to relocation or significant travel. Long commutes are something I don't deal with well at all (did I mention that I hate commuting?). Northern Virginia, the I-270 corridor (Rockville, Germantown), and the Washington D.C. area are out of my comfortable commuting range, except possibly for very short term contracts.
Good areas would include Columbia, Woodlawn, Linthincum, downtown Baltimore, Laurel, and Owings Mills.
Hunt Valley, Annapolis, College Park, Silver Spring, and Greenbelt are long commutes but still practical for a contract lasting a few months.
(To determine about how far a commute would be, head over to this Yahoo! Maps or this MapQuest URL and enter the destination address. I'm trying to keep the commute time under 30 minutes, 45 tops.)
Telecommuting, of course, would render the point moot. (As well as saving precious natural resources, stress, and time. Did I mention that I hate commuting?)
If you would like to be added to a list of recruiters I will contact when I'm in the job market, please send mail to jobsearch at infamous.net. Thank you.
-Tom Swiss
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