I Quit My Job
Yesterday was my last day at my full time job as a physician. I plan to work on MacRumors.com and other web projects full time.
The most likely reaction I expect from regular MacRumors readers is “You weren’t working on MacRumors full time already?”
As crazy as it seems, for these past 8 years, MacRumors has been a hobby or part-time job. I think most people would have made this move long before me, but the momentum of my “other” career made it difficult for me to break free.
I started MacRumors.com in February of 2000. I was in my 4th and last year of medical school. I had been dabbling in the web for fun and decided to focus a natural interest of mine (Apple) into a website. My work on the site has since had its ups and downs. Over the next 8 years, I completed medical school, an Internal Medicine residency, a fellowship in Nephrology and even worked two years in private practice as a physician (Nephrologist).
During that time, I’ve been fortunate enough that my hobby has become successful enough that I am able to transition it into my career. While the trend may have been clear for past couple of years, I was slow to recognize it.
One of the most frustrating things over the years, however, has been my inability to dedicate the proper time to improve MacRumors as I might have wanted. In addition, as a web-tech-guy I constantly have ideas and plans for other web projects that I’ve never had the time to pursue. By settling on this as my career, I will be able to execute some long standing plans.
Wish me luck!
Follow Me
Twitter: http://twitter.com/arnoldkim
RSS Feed: http://normalkid.com/feed/
My Active Sites
Normalkid - my personal blog
MacRumors.com - Mac news and rumors
TouchArcade.com - iPhone games
Contact Me
arn@normalkid.com
July 1st, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Wow, I must admit I count myself in the “you weren’t doing this full-time already?!” camp. Congrats! It’s always great to hear when someone is able to make a move like this. I wish you the best!
July 1st, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Congratulations! I always wondered how the medical career was going and how much time you were devoting to it. Hope everything works out for you, and am anxious to see what you have in store for us!
July 1st, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Congrats. Take a mental break before you step into high gear with MacRumors.
July 1st, 2008 at 6:43 pm
You weren’t working on MacRumors full time already?
Can’t wait to see what you have in store! MacRumors and TouchArcade are both already top-quality sites as it is.
Best of luck!
July 1st, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I knew you weren’t fulltime on MacRumors already, but I didn’t know you were working as a physician! Now it all makes sense, actually. It can be hard to make the jump to something that some people still don’t even consider a “real job,” and even moreso when you have a SERIOUS real job like being a freaking doctor.
Congrats though. May you find more ways to get out of the house in the coming years than most of us at Ars have.
July 1st, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I love MacRumors — and am among those surprised that it wasn’t already your full time gig. The information on there is about the best I’ve found. As a new Mac user it was one of the first sites I visited and when there is breaking Apple news I can count on MacRumors to have solid information!
July 1st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Congratulations are in order. I love it when people are able to take their passion and turn it into a business. Welcome to the club, in that respect. If MacRumors was part time before, I can only imagine where you will be able to take it going forward
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:23 am
You know you are my hero.
The additional family time will be amazing too…
July 4th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Exciting. I know from experience that drastic decisions can be nerve wracking until they’re made – then they become exhilarating. Good Luck.
I would also encourage you to turn medicine into your hobby (but not in the next 12 months!)
July 4th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Best of luck dude … continue the Gr8 work
July 4th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Best of luck … continue the Gr8 work
July 4th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Wow, I had no idea you didn’t work on macrumors full-time. You sure did a fantastic job on it.
Congratulations and May the Force be with you!
July 4th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Bold move. I respect that. I’m looking to do the same. Any advice for someone looking to make a similar jump out of the pharma ad industry?
July 4th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Congrats, and wishing you continued success. Our kidneys will be fine, just keep blogging.
July 6th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
[...] Macrumors.com Famous last words: “Yesterday was my last day at my full time job as a physician. I plan to work on [...]
July 8th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Best of luck, Arn!
And I can relate — not long ago, I made a very similar choice between being a Mac developer and going on with my medical career. In fact, I felt like I _had_ to make that choice, and I bet it was similarly hard for you.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Arnold,
I am going in the opposite direction as you. I have been a software engineer, creating J2EE systems for the past 10 years. I recently turned 36, and decided that I want to go premed. Do you have any suggestions for me?
July 10th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Arn: i’ve been a long time reader and (sort of participator). I’ve been a registered user since Jul 2001. I think I’ve been reading your site since the beginning and always was amazed how quick and good the content was. I like the style of reporting on rumors rather than spreading them. It creates a legit-feel to all of it.
My hobby is also my job, creating websites and web marketing. I never went to school for it, but I feel I am very successful and have done it for 12 years now. I make MacRumors a daily part of my life coming by twice a day or more.
About a year ago, I was privileged to be the first to report on a story (don’t even remember what it was) but it made my day to have my story on the front page for those few famed hours.
Keep up the good work and I wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Marc Pope (aka marco114)
Falcon Internet
July 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Well done arn! Macrumors.com has, for me at least, been first among, well, Mac rumo(u)rs sites; its Buyer’s Guide feature was pivotal in my decision to make the switch to Mac (specifically to a PowerBook, all of 3 weeks before the MacBook Pro came out - thanks…! :)). All the best for both Macrumors.com and your future projects.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Wow, didn’t know you were a physician! That’s crazy. I’ve been a regular MacRumors visitor since the early 2000’s. Best of luck!
July 12th, 2008 at 8:51 am
You’re a nephrologist? Woah. Awesome! You’re an inspiration. =D
I’m a med student, starting my internship next year. =D
July 13th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Great blog, subscribed to your rss feed. Thanks.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:39 am
Wow — you are amazing. Most young physicians going through residency get no sleep and have no life from the drain of residency alone, and most say it is almost unbearable. And during those trying years you did Macrumors on the side! You truly are an outstanding man. Congratulations, and I hope the career move will bring much happiness, fulfillment and prosperity to your life. One piece of advice: Try to stay somewhat on top of developments in nephrology, too, so you will always have the option of returning to your medical career should you ever so desire.Much happiness to you, and now that you don’t have the dual responsibility anymore don’t forget to take a vacation sometime and smell the roses! true777 from Macrumors
July 14th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Wow, much respect! Let me add to the chorus in saying “Macrumors wasn’t already your full time job?!” The fact that you were working full time as a physician makes it all the more incredible. I love Macrumors and remember stumbling upon it after seeing the powerbook commercial with Ming Yao, and Mini-me thinking: “I’ve got to get me one of those!” It started my Mac obsession.
The site has always been one of the most informative-professionally run sites around. You always came across as such a willing and humble participant in the forums, and to think that this was your “hobby” is amazing!
Best of luck to you as you embark on this new yet familiar career path!!
July 14th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Congratulations on your bold move. I’ve always thought it was amazing that you managed Macrumors while working a *very* challenging day job!
July 14th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Congrats and best wishes. Macrumors is the ONLY Mac site i go to - because the core of what the site is, is what i strive for mine to be. You’ve been a great roll model in that area for me.
Thanks! But darn it - i can’t afford an iTouch yet, so i’m not going to read about all those great games! LOL!!
July 14th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Best of luck Arn.
We only have one shot at life, so do what makes you happy.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Wow, congratulations Arn! That’s huge! You’re your own man now, amigo.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Good luck Arnold. You have one of my favorite sites. I could say that I don’t go a day with out going to macrumors atleast 5 times. It’s just so exciting to see a new apple rumor. You have a well run site here. I also really like touch arcade because it notifies me of all the new great games that are coming out for the iPhone. On the iTunes store I can’t see the new apps ever being added because the NEW bar always looks the same. If you think about it touch arcade is the IGN.com for iPhone. It’s amazing. Well thank you for making such wonderful sites and keep it up.
July 14th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
That’s great, Arn! Congratulations!
–Emerson/scem0
July 19th, 2008 at 4:09 am
[...] July 19, 2008 Posted by Bertalan Meskó in Blogging, Medicine, Web 2.0. trackback Arnold Kim is a nephrologist who left his practice to become a professional blogger. As crazy as it seems, for [...]
July 20th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Great info - keep up the great work.
July 20th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Arn,
In your spare time, could you become a psychiatrist? I need help breaking my “Macrumors” addiction! (in all seriousness, good luck! And maybe go back to your doctorship part time?)
July 20th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Wow, you managed to have 2 successful careers at the same time over the years?! That must’ve been difficult and stressful I imagine.
Congratulations on all your hard work and success!
July 20th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Congratulations well done Dr. Kim. A great day for you and a great day for blogging.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:33 am
Good luck! I have always loved your site and look forward to what it can become now that you have the time.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:53 am
[...] Arnold Kim apparently quitted his day job a couple of weeks ago, but I just learned about it in a New York Times piece on him. Kim is the [...]
July 21st, 2008 at 3:46 am
Congrats and best of luck!
Stewart
July 21st, 2008 at 4:32 am
Congrats!
July 21st, 2008 at 8:29 am
Haha, I bet your glad you spent all that time in Medical School! What a switch, from Doctor to MacRumors…. Makes you wonder though, what kind of impact you could have had in the medical community. With as many doctor-esque horror stories there are out there, seems like intelligent, capable doctors are quite the exception!
Good luck in the new venture, hope it pans out
July 21st, 2008 at 10:49 am
Arn,
Congrats! I follow your site almost more then daily. I have been toying with quitting my full time job as well, just so that I can bring more ideas to the mac market!
I wish you the best!
Mike
July 21st, 2008 at 11:35 am
Arn,
Regardless of what you choose, it’s that you are doing what you want and love to do. For that, I salute you.
Cheers,
Xavid
July 21st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Arn,
My best wishes… You are really doing a big and great work in MacRumors.
Thank you
Regards,
Jorge
July 21st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Arn
Congrats on your decision. As one Apple blogger to another, I know how much time building and maintaining a site about the world’s most innovative company can consume. I have been in advertising for over 30 years and just started my site last November and hope that soon I, too can provide more time in the site as well.
Good luck
cotten999
aaplinvestors.net
July 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Great admiration from this quarter, ARN. You worked hard to get through medical indoctrination….Enjoy each day with what you love to do!!!
Keep your MD license active, no matter what!! Dean Edell was also an ophthalmologist (like me)….many give up medicine to do even greater things in life. I now blog, write for the WEB site, about.com (owned by the NY Times.
My son began http://www.kombo.com several years ago as a hobby. Check it out. It is a little like arcade.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Congrats! Who needs physicians when we have rumors about apple!
woo
July 21st, 2008 at 7:39 pm
MacRomor Blogger, Anrnold Kim, quit his job - a physician…
Wow! it is incredible news for me because in the circumstances of Korean thought of jobs A DOCTOR is superior position beyond comparision. Ah, we already knew that kinds of man, Ahn. Ahn’s decision is admired to many people. He also quit his job - a d…
July 21st, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Dr. Kim
It’s amazing! I send a mail. Plz, check it.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 am
Never been to either of your sites until today, but I’d like to wish you the best of luck in your endeavors! I’ve been trying to figure out how to turn blogging into my full time job for some time now, and I’m glad to see that someone is actually succeeding!
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 am
I read MacRumors before I had a Mac. I remember the rumors about the Intel version of Mac OS. You guy(s) are good.
Good luck!
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 am
arn, i didn’t know you were a doctor until i came across a new york times article! i’ve been reading your site almost every day since you launched it eight years ago! here’s to another 888 years!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:54 am
Man, you are wicked!
Thank you for your contribution to mac community!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Woah, must have been very time-taxing to juggle medicine and quality site moderation. Now that you are full time, maybe you could update the UI or graphics of MacRumors? I always felt the site looks a bit non unified graphically, compared to the quality of the content. Content is great, by the way.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Good look and go on with your dream, greatings form vienna/asutria
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:38 am
Hi Arnold,
I am a korean as you but from Daegu, Korea.
Congratulations in order.
Please, with the power of your Macrumors.com,
I hope you press on Apple to launch Iphone in Korea soon.
Thx.
Dal Soo Kim
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:46 am
As a second year medical student I am surprised, awed, and concerned for you all at the same time.
Sadly though the biggest thing I got out of the story was that you didn’t go into medicine for the career, you did it for the money.
I know it sounds blunt but when you consider the hours, money and effort that was put into achieving your MD degree, to just give up on being a physician for another job tells me that money was your main motivator
cheers !
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:07 am
@Richard
I appreciate the candor. If I was in it for the money, I would still be doing both. In the end, there’s only so much time in the day, and the critical choice was between spending more time or less time with my family. I didn’t want to look back in 20 years and regret that.
Good luck in your training, but I would think in 10 years, you would make the same decision. Feel free to email me arn@normalkid.com if you’d like to discuss it further.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Good luck!
I like the macrumors as I like the Apple.
I may create one website to absorb people all over the world.
July 27th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
[...] community, always providing reliable news and rumors and a thriving forum. The owner and creator, Arnold Kim, was recently featured in the New York Times because he decided to quit his job as a medical doctor [...]
August 14th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Must be nice!
I will be hopefully be there one day. Again, Congrats!
August 29th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Wow, How lucky you are. I’m sitting here closing charts at 8 pm.
I have a blog too, but it’s nothing like this. Well done and I do so envy you but wish you all the best.
Just a quick request, if I have a patient with hematuria or 3+ proteinuria can I still bum a corridor diagnostic workup from you?
:):):).
Good Luck and Do No Harm.
LDD.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Dr. Kim,
Over the years I have visited the MacRumors site because of the gadget geeks in my home, ok myself included. The thing I didn’t know is that Arn was the same person as the Arnold I was working with in the medical field. (lol)
I love blogging, but wow I must say you have taking your hobby to another level. KUDOS!!!!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:04 am
[...] rumor-based site relating to all things Apple. To our surprise, Kim recently announced he quit his job as a physician, and he now run’s Mac Rumors full time, and is said to be focusing on other [...]
October 10th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
[...] as of the 1st of July 2008 Dr. Kim has hung up his stethoscope and has devoted himself full time to macrumors.com, his family [...]
October 19th, 2008 at 2:26 am
Glad to hear you quit! I just left my IT job a week ago to pursue blogging full time as well. I’m convinced it will work out for the best.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:07 am
[...] been keeping busy… in fact, I might have been keeping too busy. In retrospect, the quitting decision was clearly the right decision. One major perk of not being a physician is that for the first time [...]