The Decision

This is the original post that I shared on facebook announcing my decision to move to Hong Kong (note: the format is based off the LeBron James "The Decision" transcript):

Jim Gray and I sat down recently to talk about my future....

JG: Are you ready to go Matt? Where is the powder?

MT: Manu Joshi stole it so he could play that Carrom game.

JG: What's new? What's been going on with you this summer?

MT: In June I had two interviews with for two different positions. One that would bring me back to NY as a Service Manager with another division of United Technologies Corporation (UTC). I actually had multiple interviews with these guys. They even wanted to fly me out to NY. I was the best candidate they had according to the direct manager I would have been working for. It was a good opportunity that would have been a step up in the UTC ladder . The second interview I had was for a Strategic Consulting position with DHL...in Hong Kong. I had to do a case interview (similar to those found on The Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey websites). It's a 6 month contract from September to March. I passed the 1st rd interview on 6/28/10, my 6 year UTC anniversary. My other options included staying in California or moving to the DC area.

JG: What have you thought about this process?

MT: I have mixed feelings about my decision.

JG: You weren't able to be recruited because you went straight to the NBA from high school. Have you enjoyed this recruiting process now?

MT: Actually I went to Syracuse from High School, Jim. No, I haven't enjoyed this recruiting process. In a perfect world I could be in NY, CA, DC, and HK all at the same time.

JG: How many people know your decision right now?

MT: Everyone except Shawn Abraham and Saugat Sen.

JG: When did you decide?

MT: On 7/11

JG: While you were on top of the 7/11 convenient store?

MT: No, on July 11th. Actually, on July 12th.

JG: What was the major factor, the major reason in your decision?

MT: My age

JG: Do you have any doubts about your decision?

MT: Doubting Thomas, right? There are pros and cons to all locations.

JG: Are you still a nail biter?

MT: What?

JG: You've had everybody else biting their nails. So I guess it's time for them to stop chewing. The answer to the question everybody wants to know: Matt, what's your decision?

MT: Oh, I get it. Nice transition, Jim. In this fall, this is very tough, in this fall I'm going to take my talents to the Far East and join DHL (in Hong Kong). I gave UTC my 6 week notice on July 12th and my last day will be on August 20th.

JG: Why?

MT: If there's a time to do something like this, it's now.

JG: How do you explain this to the people in New York, California, and DC?

MT: I will miss California. My parents are moving from the house I grew up in NY, too. I'll miss that house. Change is crazy/scary. Loss is inevitable. My hope is that the future will be bigger and better and that the gains will outweigh the losses.

JG: What was the major reason for leaving the California?

MT: The guy to girl ratio is like 3 to 1. I mean a Yahoo! article referred to San Jose as Man Jose.

JG: What do you think will be the fans' reaction back on the East Coast?

MT: They were all pretty happy when I left in 2006.

JG: Ever want to go through this again?

MT: No but I will have to. In 2011, I'll have to decide on where to live again. NY is my home and will have an edge. I have a lot of friends and family in Cali and DC, too, and I'll consider these locations as well.

JG: Final Thoughts?

MT: I will be traveling to Japan prior to my departure to Hong Kong (around 8/30 to 9/8; feel free to join in on the trip). I hope to travel while I'm in HK. At the end of my 6 months, I plan on going to Thailand (sometime in March) and anywhere else (I'll need company; a few people have expressed interest) before coming back home to the United States. Feel free to visit me while I'm in Hong Kong.

This is a big move for me from both a personal and professional stand point. When I left NY for CA 3.5 years ago I was pretty naive about the impact a move can have on relationships, etc. I suppose I'm a little bit more mature/smarter now, which makes this decision that much harder. I think I've summed a lot up in this note. I will certainly miss (by being so far away) my parents, sisters, other family members, and friends but this is a rare opportunity and I'm excited about it. That's my story.