Change of Course

I have decided to not pursue starting my own company and get a 'normal' job. 

It's a decision I've been wrestling with for a while and even though it may sound like the perfect opportunity, it doesn't feel like the timing is just right. 

This isn't something I can explain, it's just something I feel.

In the short time that I made that decision, my energy level has gone up and I'm excited to finally look at all the jobs that are available. 

I posted it previously but in case you need a refresher...

More About Me

If you or anyone you know is hiring a full time position (in the Washington DC Metro Area), I'd love to hear from you.

Some skills and info about me:

• Knowledgeable of social media outreach and trends.
• I've been focusing on building my personal brand (mostly @mikepetrucci) and I'm constantly finding out what works and what doesn't.
• Familiar with Wordpress, Blogger, and Drupal Content Management Systems. 
• I'm a very quick learner and I feel confident I could pick up the workflow of other systems.
• Can work well in a group but also handle things on my own.
• Familiar with Photoshop
• Unfortunately I can't create artistic graphics but I know the tools to manipulate and work on an image in the technical sense (like putting someones head on another persons body).
• Trained in video and audio production.
• Both TV and film techniques; everything from shooting and editing to sound effects.
• Experience in digital and film photography.
• Black and white photo development & enlargement and basic photography guidelines.

Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn if you want to see my resume and more info.

Oh and if it asks you for my email address, its: mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

Job Hunt Update

So it's getting closer to the end of the month which means closer to unemployment. It can also mean freedom. I don't mean freedom in the respect that my current job is a prison at all, but this is the opportunity to try something completely new and exciting.

A lot of people have stepped up and reached out offering contacts or leads and I appreciate that so very much. I have told most of you/them but I want to make it clear that I'm taking just a little bit of time to figure out this situation. I have a lot of options and I want to make sure I'm making the right decision as well as not wasting anyones time.

More About Me

If you know of anyone hiring a full time position or even freelance or contract work, I'd love to get that information from you.

Some skills and info about me:

• Knowledgeable of social media outreach and trends.
• I've been focusing on building my personal brand (mostly @mikepetrucci) and I'm constantly finding out what works and what doesn't.
• Familiar with Wordpress, Blogger, and Drupal Content Management Systems. 
• I'm a very quick learner and I feel confident I could pick up the workflow of other systems.
• Can work well in a group but also handle things on my own.
• Familiar with Photoshop
• Unfortunately I can't create artistic graphics but I know the tools to manipulate and work on an image in the technical sense (like putting someones head on another persons body).
• Trained in video and audio production.
• Both TV and film techniques; everything from shooting and editing to sound effects.
• Experience in digital and film photography.
• Black and white photo development & enlargement and basic photography guidelines.

Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn if you want to see my resume and more info.
Oh and if they ask you for my email address, its: mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com


It may be fairly standard but I want you to know that I'm a hard worker and teachable. If you want to see a more personal level of how I operate, look over some of these recommendations that have been written about me*:

*The goal isn't to boast but I wanted to show you what others are saying about me.  And a HUGE thank you to everyone that took the time to write me a recommendation. There are even more on my LinkedIn page.

“Mike is a profound example of a man who strives for excellence and challenges himself daily to be extraordinary at all that he does. His enthusiasm and passion for helping a company to succeed is definitely not what you get from the average teammate. Mike is an ideal candidate for any business looking to compete in the modern global arena. His knowledge base and intellect will provide a competitive edge to any business willing to add him to their team.”
- Kelly Black, Chief Operating Officer, ITS Tactical, Inc.

“Mike is very detail orientated, driven, passionate, and thorough. His work at ITS Tactical is always informative and entertaining. As an aside, I always try to keep up to date with the latest trends in social media, but inevitably Mike beats me to the punch and is already familiar with the service when I sign up. I proudly recommend Mike. Top qualities: Great Results, High Integrity, Creative"
- Brian Timmer, Lead Software Engineer at SPEAK! Creative

“Mike Petrucci is one of the hardest working people I know. Work is almost an inaccurate word to use with Mike, though. He approaches life with so much curiosity and enthusiasm, it's like watching a kid after their first roller coaster ride. You can tell by talking to him that he's always firing on all cylinders. He thinks of things from every angle and always has something to add to the conversation. Mike is encouraging and supportive, but not for the sake of flattery. Skilled at being objective, Mike is able to see when something is working well or poorly and, if needed, always has a solution for improvement. After spending many years with Mike on a personal and professional level, I've seen that he prides himself on being a jack of all trades and a master of implementation. He likes to know a little bit about everything, how it works, when it works, and who it works for. I would confidently and highly recommend Mike Petrucci.”
- Joshua Peterson, Film & TV Composer and Owner, Lark Studio

“Mike is one of those few people that you meet that has the magical mix of deep technical knowledge, brilliant design skills and a savvy social media understanding that immediately makes any project or team he's working with successful. He is a great writer and marketer who instinctively understands the nuances of social media and leverages it to his advantage. He just gets it! I have had the pleasure of working collaboratively with Mike on several small projects over the past two years. His level of professionalism and commitment to his work is impeccable and he is a delight (and a lot of fun) to work with. I would have Mike on my team without hesitation, if I were ever lucky enough to snag him :)”
- Brian Green, Vice President, Enterprise Social Computing, Bank of America

“I worked with Mike on a few freelance communications projects and have always been thoroughly impressed with what he brings to the table. Mike is very well versed in Social Media and its marketing value, continuously searching out new trends and platforms to evaluate their potential. He displays a firm grasp on branding and ability to execute digital strategies to support that branding. Combined with excellent communication and writing skills, he's someone I would highly recommend as a consultant or valuable addition to a workforce. I look forward to the opportunity to work with Mike again.”
- Jon Gaffney, Senior Strategist, Isobar

Thanks again for everyone who has offered their support. It means the world to me to have people on my side willing to help me land on my feet. I look forward to bringing you good news soon!

Countdown to Unemployment

I agree that by using that title, it can seemingly mark me as a pessimist which I am not. It's only stating a fact that is true at the moment of this writing. I guess you could describe me as an 'optimistic realist.' I know the realities of life but choose to look at them in an optimistic way. I refuse to sugar coat. 

Last Friday, the company I work for made an announcement that at the end of this month, they are shutting down. Long story short, 20+ of us are looking for jobs. From a legal standpoint, I can't speak directly on the conditions but I can refer you to the press release. 

[If anyone is hiring or knows someone who is, here are the positions that my colleagues have recently just held]

• Executive Producer
• Producer
• Associate Producer
• Community Manager
• Public Relations
• Assignment Editor
• Reporter/Journalist
• Booker
• Photographer/Videographer
• Editor
• Online Content Manager
• Media Manager

[Contact me and I'd be happy to pass along their information.]

I'm coming to grips with the idea that everything I do this month could be the last time I do it. If we have to move, I won't be able to enjoy even the little things I've come to experience on a daily basis.

• Getting on the bus and using public transportation.
• Reading or even napping while commuting on the Metro into DC. 
• Running along the Potomac River.
• Having the ability to visit museums on my lunch break. 
• Being two hours from family. 

More realizations present themselves each day. 

My lesson from this is to never take things for granted. Make an effort right now to take advantage of your situation no matter what it is. Someone out there would love to trade you for it and chances are you'll miss it when you leave. 

Back to the main topic at hand, I'm looking for a job. 

This is the first public announcement I've made though I have told a few individuals that I knew I could draw support from. 

The responses I received have been incredible with people offering to help find me a job as well as provide prayer and thoughts. Some of these people only know me in the online world and even though we've never met in person, that didn't stop them from connecting on LinkedIn or helping in the search. 

I feel, in a word, humbled. 

Right now is when it's easy to feel as if 'the world is over' but I know there is more at work than I can see. Everything happens for a reason and something good will come out of this. 

This will not slow me down.

If you want to connect with me, be sure to hit me up on any of the networks below or even email me at mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook

I look forward to bringing you good news soon.

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/zQwo4