Recently, I had the opportunity to choose where I wanted to work as a web developer. After working as a Statistician at several jobs that didn't quite fit, I had learned that it's not just about enjoying the raw elements of your job - the Ruby or the Statistics. It's about the routine, the people you work with, and an environment that facilitates growth. All three will affect you every day.

This time, through the magic of luck, help from friends, and magic unicorns*, I had three offers in my hand at one moment - 2 in New York and 1 in Chicago. There was a lot to think about, but as soon as I got my last offer from NYC Dev Shop, the decision was obvious.

The Routine

Since I started learning Rails, the thing I liked doing most was building minimum viable products (MVPs). Building MVPs is about bringing a new idea to reality in a short period of time. You invent a product. Then, you build the minimum representation of that product to gauge...