In mid-October, Brandon started a new job as an Application Analyst with Argus. Argus is still in the DST family (the same company he's worked for since 2003), but is a separate division. This was a long-awaited answer to prayer.
We have felt so blessed by the opportunities Brandon has had at DST. The job came to us after an 8 month period of unemployment. We were in a place of such discouragement. The offer that was extended to Brandon at that time was for the EXACT salary amount we had prayed for. Just enough for us to live on with a few extras. Over the last 9 years, Brandon worked with a good group of people who he had come to know well. He had great respect for his manager and good relationships with co-workers. Although he wouldn't say it, he was acknowledged as a leader in the group and was widely respected for his work ethic and ability to get things done right. However, there was a lack of opportunities for growth in the position, which took a toll. Brandon felt stuck and was concerned that he was becoming a jack of all trades rather than a master of anything. Discontentment built. We prayed for new opportunities and it became difficult to be patient. Years passed.
With the kids a bit older, we made the decision to take a more active role in Brandon's career advancement. In August of 2011, he began working towards his MBA in the Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University. We chose this path in the hopes that it would broaden the professional spectrum for Brandon. He is now in his second year in the program while continuing to work full time and is learning a great deal and is (naturally) doing very well in his coursework.
After years of drought in terms of new opportunities, Brandon was contacted for 3 different interviews for internal DST positions in (literally) a 24 hour period of time. Brandon had interviewed for the position he eventually accepted and originally, wasn't sure it would be the right move. The position was technically a demotion, and after working for (literally) years to be promoted to senior status in his current position, moving backwards wasn't wise. In the interview, he was impressed by the people he'd be working with in the new group, but was hesitant. The position had a lot of appeal because it would allow him to use his technical knowledge while gaining more experience with the business side of things and provide some opportunities to start working in project management. Despite the hesitancy, he agreed to a second interview with the group. After this second interview, the hiring manager informed him that if he would accept an offer, they would ensure the move would be a lateral one for him rather than a demotion. Prayers answered. Brandon would make the move and retain his previous salary and benefits. God opened the door wide.
My hubby called me after his second interview. How wonderful it was to hear hope and encouragement in his voice! We agreed he would accept the offer. An October 16th start date was set and the transition out of his old position as a Configuration Specialist began.
His co-workers threw him a good-bye reception with this cake (inspired by the Velociraptor sign (pictured above) that Brandon had posted outside his cubical):
Brandon is now all set up and running in his new space. We are so thankful for God's faithfulness in providing this opportunity and pray that it will provide ways for Brandon to learn and grow.
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