I am Afghanistan bound. After taking a position in Nashville and just beginning to settle in to what I thought would be 2-3 years of challenging work rebuilding and improving a massive data center or two, I received an offer that I just couldn’t refuse for a year-long contract in Kabul. I will be an IT mentor to Afghani National Police employees. This will be a real adventure and could be one of the most professionally rewarding experiences I will ever have. I am sure there will also be days that will feel like I made one of the worst decisions of my professional career. Those of you who know me are aware that I do not shrink from risk. My parents seem to think I am a little foolish for exposing myself to a war zone for the second time in my life and doing so by exercising direct free will (the first time I was ordered to go).
The logic of such a decision is simple. The challenges are bigger. The paycheck is bigger. The opportunity to influence a national organization’s information technology memes and culture is a good one. Afghans deserve the skillset I have to offer as much as anyone. Why should I let fear of personal harm stop me from travelling across the globe to help rebuild a national infrastructure in Afghanistan? The personal and professional horizon expansion potential offered by this contract position simply cannot be ignored. So I signed up.
My mid-life crisis, if I’m going to have one appears slated to happen in Kabul