Moving On from DigitalOcean

Today is my last day at DigitalOcean. I’ve got a new challenge ahead of me that I’ll talk about next week. But right now I want to reflect on my 5+ years at this great company. I’ve had the chance to grow in directions I never thought possible, and I got to do it with some of the best people in the world.

Here are just a handful of things I’ve accomplished:

• I’ve edited over 120 tutorials from community authors, and written around 20 of my own. I’ve helped hundreds of thousands of developers solve their tough problems through the work we’ve done, and I’ve helped authors grow into great teachers. Through this work I met authors from all around the world, and I got to learn ridiculous amounts of tech from them.
• I helped launch the Write for DOnations program, which added charitable donations in addition to author payouts. This program has donated thousands to tech-focused non-profits since we started it.
• In 2018 I was promoted to a management role and was able to scale myself by building what I believe is one of the best technical editorial publishing programs out there.
• I’ve worked on content strategy, measured our content’s impact, and led the team through major changes multiple times. Each new challenge made me more resilient. I’m incredibly thankful to the managers on other teams I’ve worked with who shaped my professional growth over the course of my time at DigitalOcean.
• I’ve worked on three content acquisitions with my team, and through this most recent one, I’ve gotten to see almost the entire process up close. I have a better understanding of what a holistic content strategy looks like.

But more importantly, I worked and learned with an incredible group of people for close to six years who challenged me to be a better human, a better educator, and a better leader. They challenged me to rethink what I was sure I knew.

We supported each other through some rough times, especially over the last few years. But we also had some really great times together.

In 2017 I got to watch the solar eclipse from the balcony at DigitalOcean headquarters with several members of my team.

In 2018 we had our company all-hands in Atlantic City, and I got to jam with my friends as we made music together.

In 2021, after many years of work, we celebrated going public together.

There’s a lot to celebrate. And while I’m sad to be leaving, I know that the team and programs I helped build will grow even stronger as new people step into the roles I once held.

DigitalOcean is a great place to work, with great people who I’ll miss working with dearly. If you’re looking to join a company that will accelerate your personal and professional growth, you can’t find many better places to work.

Stay tuned for what’s next.

-bph