Thor Deacon’s Post

Since I was 16 years old, I’ve always had a steady job—until this year. Even after losing two previous jobs due to office closures, I was able to bounce back quickly, landing new roles that were often better than the ones I left behind. However, the impact of this year’s RIF at Nike has left me searching for my next opportunity for the past six months. I won’t lie—it’s been a tough journey. While I’ve tried to maintain a positive outlook, there are days when it’s hard to put on a game face and keep grinding. As anyone in a similar position knows, the tech job market is particularly challenging right now. And for those of us in supporting roles, it can feel even harder. Many companies view these positions as “nice-to-have” rather than critical. That said, this time away from the workforce has had its benefits. It’s given me the chance to reflect on my career and reassess where I want to go next. I’ve also been able to spend more time with my son and take on more of the day-to-day parenting duties. This summer, I reconnected with friends, traveled a bit, and even worked on my golf game—things I didn’t have much time for in the past. While I’ve appreciated these moments, I’m eager to get back to work and apply the insights I’ve gained during this break. I’m hungry to take on the next challenge and get my hands dirty again. So, if you or someone you know is looking for an experienced, agile-minded professional who excels at process optimization, problem-solving, and partnering to drive forward-thinking solutions, I’d love to connect. 

I've been working at Nike for sixteen years. This summer, I am reflecting back on what I have learned and sharing in the hope that it helps you on your path. Learning One: You will miss the people deeply when they are no longer around. When you begin your career it is easy to see those around you as fixed, static, ones who will always be there. Yet that’s not how it will be. There will come a time when you will change jobs, leave, move, or retire. And so will they. What seems normal now, saying hi as you walk in the building, past a desk, or on the Zoom will be a distant memory. You will both evolve, and their influence on you will help you as you experience something similar ahead… or when you see someone who has. But that isn’t fully the point. As Andy Barnard from the Office put it, “I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.” I miss so many of my former teammates, and I am so grateful for the way they have collectively shaped who I am today. If I could go back, what would I do? I’d keep a journal. In that journal I would reflect on the people who made a difference in my journey, while it was happening. I’d use that as a reason to keep in touch better, even when they weren’t on my team, in my city, or at my company. What about you? How do you keep in touch with incredible people you meet on tbe way? #careers #thoughtleadership #learning

Excited to share that I'm returning to Nike after 3 years! I'll be modernizing the technology vendor landscape for labor and managed services. Timing couldn't be better with Elliot, a respected long-time Nike leader, stepping in as the new CEO. As I embrace this new role, I aim to incorporate the positive changes from my summer break - a slower pace, fostering a dog for community connection, and exploring online courses in data science and relationship building. Breaks are essential for wellbeing, enhancing our values and connections. To those navigating the job market, stay positive, curious, and take risks. New connections can spark motivation even in a challenging job landscape. Praise those that respond to you and worry less about the number of rejections and ghosting you will endure. Despite potential setbacks, focus on your value and desired path. The right opportunity will come. #Nike #CareerReturn #Technology #Learning #ProfessionalGrowth

Here’s a little Friday truth bomb for you. Your current job title? Yeah, it’s not forever. Your position today doesn't define your potential tomorrow. So, what’s the secret sauce? NEVER. GIVE. UP. Big changes in the business world! 👀 Let’s talk about Elliott Hill. He started as an intern at Nike. Thirty-two years later, he’s stepping into the CEO role. Yes, you read that right—intern to CEO. It took grit, hustle, and relentless drive to stay the course for that long. This guy didn’t just hang in there—he climbed. But here’s where it gets interesting. After 32 years of hard work, he retires in 2020. Finished, right? Not quite. A few years later, he’s back to take the top job again—out of retirement, straight back to the top. Most people slow down, but not Elliott. He’s just getting started all over again. Nike’s gotta lace up those iconic sneakers and just do it… again! Here’s the takeaway: You might stumble, fall, or even faceplant (hey, we’ve all been there), but it’s how you rise that really counts. If Elliott had given up at year 10, or 20, or even after making VP, we wouldn’t be talking about him today. At DRC Systems, we know that success in business is all about persistence, trying new things, and building strong, lasting relationships. Trust is at the heart of what we do—whether it’s helping our clients with staffing, recruitment, or outsourcing solutions. Just like Elliott, we believe in pushing forward, adapting, and never giving up. Let’s keep climbing together! 🚀 #CareerGoals #StayTheCourse #NeverGiveUp #ClimbToTheTop #LeadershipJourney #InternToCEO #NikeInspiration #RelentlessDrive #MakeAnImpact #SuccessMindset #GritAndGrind #LeadershipLessons #CareerInspiration #NikeLeadership #BackToTheTop #KeepPushing

Words cannot begin to describe the emotional whiplash I’ve experienced in the past few days (and boy, is it weird waking up on a Monday and not logging in to work!). For those not in the know, as part of Hasbro’s restructuring last week, my role was eliminated. As I was assured multiples times by multiple people, this was not a performance issue - simply a business decision. Even though well-meaning, these assurances are not enough to soften the blow when you’re being told that you will no longer be working with the amazing, creative, and talented individuals you (used to) see every day. That being said, the support I’ve received from those folks has been unreal and the reassurance I needed of the impact I was able to make during my three years with the Company. It was a dream job, and the opportunity of a lifetime - and for that I cannot thank everyone enough. You have forever left a mark on me. Today, I’m reaching out to my network as I gear up to, once again, begin applying to jobs. If your team is hiring and could use an engineer with diverse training, including a background in both materials science and product development - please reach out. Due to the nature of my experience, project management isn’t too far out of my wheelhouse either. Take a chance on me; performance will never be an issue ;) In the near future, I will be bopping around the US - I’ll be in the northeast for a few months before heading down to Houston, TX (to spend the holidays with my family), if we're in the same area please reach out - would love to catch up! Finally, as many of you do know, despite working for some time now, in the eyes of the US government I am still an “international student”. With less than a year remaining on my STEM OPT, and the state of the job market, finding a job will be a mammoth task (some might say impossible!). The timing of this could not be worse. But who knows?! This opens up the whole world to me. Maybe the right role for me isn’t even on this hemisphere... #Hasbro #Hasbeen #InternationallyMinded #OpenToWork #STEMOPT

Many have marveled at the resume of Nike's Elliot Hill, who rose from intern to CEO, turning grit and hard work into a 30-year career with a single company - a rarity in today’s workforce. For those of us who once envisioned long, impactful careers with our dream companies, Elliot’s journey is a reminder of what’s possible when perseverance meets opportunity. Linked here you'll find my 20-year journey: Matthew Honovic. My path has been shaped by perseverance and by continually taking on new skills and responsibilities in the face of multiple layoffs, earning post-graduate degrees for competitive edge, and consistently investing in self-improvement and industry relations. The result? A diverse, multi-faceted career spanning business & legal affairs, publicity, marketing, PR, client & project management, and the filmmaking process - from script to screen. This breadth of experience has enabled me to drive success in fast-paced, high-stakes environments as both an independent professional and a collaborator who consistently meets requested job qualifications:  • 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀, engaging stakeholders and aligning teams around shared goals. • 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, driving me to stay ahead of industry trends and continuously learn. • 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, managing across teams to deliver results. • 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻, ensuring every decision supports broader business objectives. • 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁, seamlessly aligning creative development with execution for lasting impact. • 𝗛𝘆𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀, blending strategic thinking with creative development - a Swiss Army knife approach to versatility and specialization. In a market that seeks “rockstars,” “generalists,” or specialists expected to serve as entire departments, I embrace my hybrid experience. Far from the stigma of being a Jack or Jill of all trades, I continue to adapt, learn, and master new disciplines - not out of indecisiveness or lack of focus, but out of necessity and determination. Whether exploring new systems to improve efficiencies or driving brand campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences, I leverage my skills to succeed in today’s evolving marketplace. After all, each of my unique roles has pushed me to perform tasks for the first time with no experience in new facets of the industry - and succeed. And for a limited time, I’m #opentowork, ready for the next chapter of my success story.

What a journey

The light is shining on a new day, a new adventure. A new era. Every journey begins with an element of the unknown. When we are in control and seek out a new journey, we bring our enthusiasm and sense of wonder. Yet when a new journey is forced upon us, we often start it with fear and anxiety. ✨ I choose to embrace this new journey with a sense of wonder. A sense of wonder and gratitude for every challenge, every element of uncertainty, every element of joy yet to be experienced. 👋 While my journey at Nike has ended, I am blessed to bring so many friendships, experiences, learnings and accomplishments forward. With a career defined by delivering best in class consumer engagement across Fortune 100 consumer brands, I look forward to helping other brands grow in the global marketplace. Just getting started! 🚀 #retail #membership #loyalty #consumer #experience #cx #insights #leadership #nikelayoffs #nike #opentowork

🌟 From Intern to CEO: A Journey at Nike 🌟 https://lnkd.in/gZ2pZNCa This week, we explored the incredible story of how an intern at Nike ascended to the position of CEO, highlighting the importance of hard work, mentorship, and seizing opportunities. The article reflects on key lessons for all professionals: ✨Embrace Learning: Every role, no matter how small, offers invaluable experience. ✨Network and Build Relationships: Mentors can be instrumental in shaping your career path. ✨Stay Adaptable: The ability to pivot and adapt is crucial in today’s fast-paced environment. ✨Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Continuously seek to improve and take on new challenges. As we navigate our careers, let’s remember that every step, big or small, contributes to our journey. Who knows? The next intern could be the future leader of your organization! https://lnkd.in/gZ2pZNCa 💼✨ What’s a key lesson you’ve learned on your career path? Share in the comments! #CareerGrowth #Leadership #Nike #Inspiration #Mentorship #GrowthMindset #ProfessionalDevelopment

Hey everyone! I’m on the lookout for a new role and would really appreciate your support. I’d love to reconnect with you all, share my experiences, and catch up on what’s new in your world. If you hear of any exciting opportunities or are open to chatting, send me a message or comment below! #OpenToIntenship in product management