Changing Jobs - Stepping Stones?
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Posted on Apr 26, 2005 11:16 am
vdalehubbard
Lost for words with all to say.
Contributor Since: Sep 12, 2003
This is something I have been pondering lately. I saw a job position at a company right next door to my house for a Network Administrator position which is what I do. Now, the job I have now, I am a Computer Consultant. Basically the same thing but I'm basically a salesmen also. I don't like doing that because I have never like the fact of a salesman trying to sale something in your face all the time to make a living. So, I basically do two jobs along with being the admin for the company my office is located in that the owner of who I work for also owns. Confusing eh? Anyway, I wanted to ask everyone's opinon about using jobs as stepping stones. I worked for the state of NC at a community college as a PC Technician and I knew I wouldn't be there for longer than a year because I was using them for experience and moving on.
I have an interview with this company I saw the ad in the paper for at 3PM today. I love my boss I work for now, he is a good friend. I like the owner because he cares for his employees. The only draw back is, I make about as much money or less as most of the paper pushers and little people here at the modular manufactor that sit around all day and do nothing. I bust my butt to make sure everything is running (more than 40 hours a week most of the time) and to also teach people how to use our system we've created (hugh database with cool interface). So, I have to know everybody's job up and down about the modular industry for all of the people here making double than me that constantly ask me how to do this and that. So, I feel like I'm not appricated as much as I feel like I should.
So, what do you think? Do you think I'm right as far as leaving this position for something else (if it's more money) and using this as another stepping stone? I'm thinking I should because I plan to get married in the next year or so, so I need more to be able to provide. Just random thoughts I've been having lately.
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Apr 26, 2005 11:30 am Quote:
So, what do you think? Do you think I'm right as far as leaving this position for something else (if it's more money) and using this as another stepping stone?
i say go for it, because ive come to the conclusion that to move up in your specified field, it takes leaving jobs, thats just he way things are these days, im not sure about computer field, but for the civil engineering field this is how it is.
vdale what part of NC are you in?!?! im in Cary,NC
Apr 26, 2005 11:34 am Bottom line to me is simple...look out for #1.
If you are babysitters for everybody and getting paid the same, that's simply not fair. Also, a good offer and notice of quitting may also make your current employer see that if you present your notice of quiting in a mature, thought out and honest manner. They may counter offer to keep you. Sometimes that's the only why to get a raise in todays market.
I say go for it.
vdalehubbardLost for words with all to say.Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003
Apr 26, 2005 11:37 am You in Cary??!! Sweet! I live in a little hick town of Star. It's 20 miles south of Asheboro in Montgomery County. I used to live in Pittsboro which isn't too far from Cary.
You are right about the computer field when it comes to going up in rank or pay. I hate to leave this job, it's a long story, but John my boss has really been a good friend and I hate to leave him like this. But then again, I'm leaving in the best way possible. All the special projects that wanted done down here is complete. I think he will understand. I'm going to see what this other place has to offer.
vdalehubbardLost for words with all to say.Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003
Apr 26, 2005 11:38 am Thanks db, you do understand how the market is in this field. Wish me luck!
Apr 26, 2005 11:43 am Yes, I very much understand your market...very well...it's a tough market, while programmers, other developers and security peeps are getting paid a lot on the consulting side (or can be) hardware guys and gals, help desk and support and other tech type roles are often being over looked and it's really not right because good ones are a necessary backbone of any tech company.
Sometimes the only way to get a company to see your value is to have tham confronted with the possiblity of not having you...
That'll learn 'em!
Especially if you plan to get married, perhaps kids and such, at that point it's all about you, not company loyalty and crap. While it's great to have such loyalty, rest assured they would drop you without a second thought if they need to make their budget...
Sad but true.
Apr 26, 2005 11:45 am Seven years ago I left a job that I thought (at the time) would be my job until I retired. I loved the job, I loved my coworkers, I loved the town in which I lived.
One day, I got a wild hair up my butt, and decided to see what else was out there. I found a few things, sent out some applications, and the next thing you know I am moving my wife and four young children clear across the state.
If I had never done that, I'd still be doing what I was doing seven years ago, hanging out with the same people, and living the same life. My current life is much better than that. I love my job, I have far more opportunities to make music with the people that I have met around here, and my kids have a lot of friends and are very involved at school and in the community. (That's not to say we weren't happy before...we were!)
The point is: each stepping stone you take leads to more doors opening, and brings with it possibilities that you have not even considered. We still miss our friends back there, but there's no goin' back...
Jim
Apr 26, 2005 11:47 am Keep moving a little farther and you'll be in Viking Country, Super Bowl Champs 2006.
God Bless Free Agency and Draft
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Apr 26, 2005 12:00 pm I'm in IT as well and unless you are in a IT/software/hardware company, your value often goes unnoticed. If you are doing a good job, they hardly know that you are there. It only seems to be when things go wrong do you get noticed.
I was fortunate enough to be able to advance within the company I'm at. Is this not an option for you?
For me money isn't everything. At this point in my career a pension or some other retirement plan is very important as well.
Since you are getting married/kids and such, don't underestimate the value of your spare time as well. For me, spending my time with my family and doing the things I like to do is very important to me. I maximise my spare time by not commuting for hours each day. (I live 5 minutes away from work). If you are working more than 40 hours a week then you are already sacrificing time with your family.
Apr 26, 2005 12:03 pm True, money isn't the full package, benefits and other aspects come into play obviously, but, in my mind, while not overly money-hungry, it is easy to tell how much you are valued by your company based on that...so it's not really necessarily about "money" in and of itself as much as about how valuable that amount makes it seem you are valued...
jebus, did that make sense?
vdalehubbardLost for words with all to say.Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003
Apr 26, 2005 12:25 pm Nope, can't advance anymore really. Both of these companies, the one I work for (Practical Software Solutions) and the one that is our biggest client (Professional Building Systems), are both owned by the same guy named Bill. I used to work for PBS, but this past February we decided to have me work for PSS and be put on their payroll instead. PSS did my hiring process at first anyway and it was a huge mess as to whom I worked for in the beginning. Now, I'm back to what it should have been at the start. Then, we came up with a hourly rate for me to charge PBS, which was discounted majorly then what we normally would charage a client for consulting. We get more clients here in NC and make Bill even more money by this switch.
Basically, I was switched to PSS because the General Manager for PBS and I didn't get along. He wanted to lay me off when Bill knew the importance of me staying here to keep the place going. They totally depend on their system, when it goes down, they go down.
The deal I got out of this sucked. I stay at the same salary pay with an extra commission on what I do outside PBS. But that commission was just something to try to make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I knew that, but I needed to keep my job. The math of it, I get 10% commission ONLY payed out to me if I do over $750 in commission every quarter. So, that means I have to do $7500 every three months. Our hourly rate is $75. Sure, 100 hours is nothing at all. But I spend 40 hours a week at least at PBS which counts nothing to my commission. At first, I was trying to get cliets. Spent half the week going out on the road to visit businesses. Then, I got complained about to Bill (owner) and John (my boss) about not taking care of PBS enough. So I was told to do whatever it takes to make them happy. So, what in the hell is my job then?? I no longer can make new clients because I don't have time now.
Other words, I'm doing two jobs and getting paid the same. No wait....I take care of PBS. No....I take care of PSS.
You see how confusing it is...
Sorry for the long one, that's my situation.
vdalehubbardLost for words with all to say.Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003
Apr 26, 2005 12:26 pm Oh yeah, didn't explain why I can't advance. Well, what I pull in with PBS with that discounted hourly rate is enough to cover what PSS pays me. So, PSS comes out even with the addition to me on the payroll. So, you think I'm going to get a raise??
Apr 26, 2005 12:58 pm do they know that your are unhappy>? have you talked to them? if not before you decide to leave i would have a sit down with him (them)and let them know your what your not happy about, money,advancement, etc. and see what they have to say. you just never know. but from the sounds of it you have already voice your opinion to them?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 26, 2005 02:47 pm i concur with db, bottom line is nobody is going to jump up and down to keep you in a good place. they'll never change policy when it's makeing them something for nothing.
I was released from my first job for mismanagement, not mine, the owners. 3 of them.
I also quit a cushy job contracting to ford because of their inability to manage resources. I explained my situation, they neglected to rectify the situation and I left. Went to EDS for 7.5k a year better. Then I went back to ford a year later for 8k better still.
One thing I've usually seen with management, is they understand that business is business. If you need to advance, then do it. It may be a risk, but it's better than sitting and letting opportunities pass you by. Sounds like your guys there will be understanding as well. Like db said, they'll probably counter to keep you, but it may not be a change of heart that you're looking for. The fresh start may suit you well.
btw, my career history is in the pc/network/it field as well.
Apr 26, 2005 02:53 pm jebus, we have a forum full of geeks.
That again proves my theory, when kids that wanna be rock stars grow up, they become IT geeks...
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 26, 2005 02:56 pm number don't lie
=)
vdalehubbardLost for words with all to say.Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003
Apr 26, 2005 03:53 pm HAHAHA, I agree dB. We are geeks.....
Just got back from the interview, it went good. The woman was very nice who did the interview. Bunch of those BS questions like "What is the one thing that you don't like about yourself?" or something like that. "Ummmm....I snort too much crack and I don't believe in bathing."
I have told my boss how I feel. He understands but he can't do anything about it. It's the owner who is controlling it which he has ever right too. The only thing I really know what to do is to find something else to scare them. If that doesn't work, take the new job. That's my plan now. Hey, 10k more a year doesn't sound too bad....
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 26, 2005 04:03 pm I always thought 'I can't stop stealing company resources, like time, money, staplers, etc.' would be a good response. even thought of it once in an interview.
Good luck.
Apr 26, 2005 04:14 pm hehehehe, thats almost a saturday night live skit...that'd be funny as hell...
