SoftLayer Blog » Sarah Reese http://blog.softlayer.com A Behind the Scenes Look at the Best Hosting Provider in the World Fri, 24 May 2013 18:19:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Building the SoftLayer Team – Inside and Outside the Office http://blog.softlayer.com/2012/building-the-softlayer-team-inside-and-outside-the-office/ http://blog.softlayer.com/2012/building-the-softlayer-team-inside-and-outside-the-office/#comments Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:30:38 +0000 Sarah Reese http://blog.softlayer.com/?p=8388 Almost a year ago, I walked into SoftLayer for the first time as an employee, but it wasn’t my first encounter with the business. I knew quite a bit about SoftLayer (and what it would be like to work for SoftLayer) because a family member and more than a handful of friends were already SLayers. By the time applied to join the company as an “API Evangelist,” I had high expectations … Or so I thought. As it turns out, I had no idea how outstanding working for SoftLayer would be.

When people talk about company culture, you usually hear buzzwords like “collaborative environment,” “team-oriented,” “transparency” and “progressive thinking.” To a certain extent, they all sound a little forced and cliche, and it almost kills me that they’re exactly the words I’d use to honestly describe my SoftLayer experience. Why? Because every day, I see people collaborating on news ways to innovate, execute code more efficiently and improve our systems … And not only do I see that happening, I feel involved in those conversations as well.

In a day and age where it seems most companies do business like they are herding sheep, it’s pretty phenomenal to work in an environment where employees are encouraged to speak, and when they speak, they are heard.

A surprisingly large part of SoftLayer’s company culture involves getting employees out of the office. Yes … I said out of the office! From baseball games to barbeque contests to dragon boat races, the SoftLayer team actually becomes more of a “team” when we leave the office. In my previous jobs, the last thing I’d want to do at 5:00pm on a Friday would be to spend a couple more hours with my work desk’s neighbor. These days, I look forward to the chances to hang out with my coworkers outside the office. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s the truth.

Just look at the Pink Soles in Motion fundraiser to raise money and support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Did it make a difference that the event was on a Saturday? Absolutely not. You could see SLayers in their SoftLayer gear everywhere you looked.

I am always impressed by the sheer number of people who love what they do and love being a part of SoftLayer. If you subscribe to the “SoftLayer Culture” RSS feed, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about … That category is filled with posts from employees who can’t help but share their love for SoftLayer with the world. When you get so many passionate and enthusiastic people under one roof, you get a with contagious excitement and the shared purpose of providing the best possible products and services to our customers.

When I walk through the office and see happy people talking about their work, I know I’m in the right place.

Thanks for the one-year anniversary, SoftLayer! It’s been a great year.

If you want to put the SoftLayer culture to the test, check out the available Careers at SoftLayer to find an opportunity that can bring you onto the team. You won’t be disappointed.

-Sarah

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