I am currently looking at a number of open doors and options for my future career. One thing is for sure, I can't work for a full time employer again, period. I have given my whole to my previous job, thrown my self in boots and all working long hours, full of passion the whole kitchen sink, and they screwed me over big time...
As I was telling Kit earlier today, I have decided that my next step will be working for myself (again), with project goals that include excellence, creativity, passion and NOT quick financial gain as the driving force. For once in my life, I know what I want and what I don't from my career in terms of policies, agendas and working culture and lifestyle. I am thinking that by working to such ideals, financial success will follow without the need to focus on it up front.
So, one of the things I have been really getting into lately has been DSP design - both hardware and algorithms. I now have an Analog Devices DSP development environment (plus a range of embedded DSP/microcontroller products) at my disposal and am currently self teaching myself FPGA concepts and design (with VHDL). This is something I started in my last job and it really has sparked my interest and challenged my mental capacity. It's something I want to continue with. I have several doors open a the moment with international audio brands, other startups and a good Chinese factory, which I may well chose to proceed with soon. I was wondering if there are any "niche" requirements in the laser industry at present that could benefit from solutions derived from a combination of analog, digital, DSP, FPGA etc. technologies? While I have worked in the audio industry for 34 years, I don't see the necessity to limit myself to audio product development.
Just for the record I am in no rush, I am not prepared to make the next step until I am totally at ease with the way forward, inspired and passionate.