Although you’ve no cause to be aware, I’m actually a permanent fixture on Careers Blog. Unfortunately, the title “grinning idiot in a helmet in the second-from-the-right picture on the bottom row, wearing a shirt that – yes – says, ‘GOT PORK?’” doesn’t carry much cache, so I’m pretty excited to have my speaking debut. By way of introduction, I’ve been a Homestead employee since graduating college – almost two years now – with a math degree. It’s not an exaggeration to say that every day at Homestead is exciting in its own unique way, and our little company has a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that supports personal and professional development while still being a metric ton of straight-up fun.

(there’s a paragraph that goes here, something about responsibility and professional development; you know, serious stuff)

And fun? We have that, sometimes. Moustache-growing competitions? Sundae Fridays? Foosball? Video Game Olympics? Parking lot cookouts? Coworkers who like each other enough to take part in all of the above, and more? There are eighty other leading questions I could ask, but there’s only so much space. Sappy though it may sound, Homestead is one big family, and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. When you can kick back and really connect with people who have more than one dimension, what’s not to love?

At Homestead, we abide by the “no jerks, no idiots” policy. If I had to add a second, it’d be the old standby, “work hard, play hard.” Because we can learn and make a difference, and still have time to tend our moustaches and eat sundaes, too.

-Kyle Woodward; Manager, Data Analysis

This month, to ring in the summer, we will be bringing back a popular perk from last summer known as Sundae Friday! Sundae Friday is another time when employees can get together, relax, and enjoy a “build your own sundae!” For Sundae Friday we bring in several gallons of ice cream from the local Palo Alto Creamery, and employees can build their own sundaes! It’s just another opportunity to take a break and enjoy some ice cream during the hot summer months.