Job Dilemma

[LuckyTaxi]

Current Position: Network/Systems Admin making less than $32k a year

Pros:

- Lots of time off due to the nature of the environment (private school)
- Final say in everything related to technology
- Hands on experience (10 servers and 100+ desktops)
- Not much overtime required

Cons:

- Low pay
- No room for growth

Possible Position: Computer Support making $40k

Pros:

- More money
- Room for growth/advancement

Cons:

- No vacation first year
- Basically a desktop support/web development position
- Travel
- Overtime

I wanted atleast $45k but he keeps saying $40k is a big jump from what I'm making now. But I said he shouldn't use in negotiating since I'm seriously underpaid anyways. I dont know what to do now. If i accept, if it's offered, then that's an extra $500/month after taxes.

 

[Shockwave]

If it was fun, it wouldnt be called work.
Go for the money.

 

[godmare]

I don't know how old you are, but I can definitely say that no amount of money is going to keep you happy or keep you in a position for any length of time.
If it's a good company, and there's growth and longevity available, busting ass for a year or two may pay off before too long.
/Edit- Also if there are no social/family issues (such as spouse/children, etc.), then that may make your decision to live at work much easier.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

I'm 24. The way I see it, I'll make $40k in my current position in 4 years.
I would like to be compensated for my skills, but I know in today's job market, that's going to be tough considering the competition
from unemployed folks.

Money isnt going to keep me happy and that will be a deciding factor. I left my first job because I wasnt learning much. I came
to my current job for less money and I'm learning A LOT more. I can play with Linux until I'm blue in the face, but with this
other job, I can't be installing new servers w/o other ppl's permission.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Well, any amount of extra money is good right about now. I have a fiance and we're trying our best to pay down our credit card bills.
The extra money will definately help. I just dont know if I can go to work each morning taking calls from people.
I do so now, but i also know I have a variety of other things to do.

 

[HamSupLo]

any chance for a raise at your current job? I say go for the new job since future employers are going to lowball because of your current salary.

 

[kalster]

what is your educational background?

 

[LuckyTaxi]

No chance for raise. Private schools tend to pay low.
I have a BS in MIS. I graduated in 2002, but I've been working since 18 and have over 6 years experience in the IT field.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Sounds like you really don't want the new job except for the pay increase -- perhaps you should stay where you are for a while longer until the job market improves and you can find a new job you're actually happy to take.

have a fiance and we're trying our best to pay down our credit card bills.

That's very important. Work and money issues are two of the main reasons why marriages fail. But taking the new job might leave you so stressed out that it's worse than doing without the $500. Maybe you should try to get debt-free by cutting expenses (fast food, tech gadgets, etc.) instead of getting a job you hate.

PS - does your work contract / agreement allow you to moonlight after hours? A little weekend consulting might help your resume and bring in extra cash.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Don't jump just for $500.00 dollars a month. Job satisfaction and quality of life are just as important as money. I'd wait till the economy gets better and find some thing thats a better fit for you. Eventually, with time & experience, the money will come. Your young, be patient and learn all you can where you are and enjoy it.

 

[Corporate Thug]

the second job seems to offer a considerable pay increase. i would think that the pay compensated for the cons

 

[WannaFly]

As mentioned previously, it doesnt sound like you want the new job that much. IMHO, you are only looking at only $8K/year pay difference, and you have to ask yourself if making yourself feel unfullfilled(if the new job will do that) then its probably not worth it. being able to learn, expand, and share your knowledge and liking a job is worth more then $8K/year if you ask me.

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

Maybe keep current job, keep interviewing, you will find one that is a more clear-cut better choice.

 

[nageov3t]

sounds like you have a pretty sweet job right now. if you really need the money, go for the new job, but if you're living alright right now, I'd stay where you are.

 

[benliong]

I'd vote for staying in the current position, at least until the econ is better. This current position sounds very impressive when you're looking for a new job (the part where you get final say in everything technology related, sounds like a jr CTO or something )

 

[z0mb13]

is the new job gonna be phone related?? (ie, like phone support?)

if so, I heard it sucks..

 

[angrymaxx]

I would take the higher paying job with more opportunity unless you really enjoy doing the lower paying job. Most jobs suck as it is and you might as well be getting paid well to do yours. The lower paying job sounds like dead-end no challenge. I recently had an opportunity take a job in the software development group of a couple of mortgage companies for a significant pay raise or work at a video game development studio for the same pay. Guess which one I picked?

 

[BD231]

A job is a job man.

You're getting paid to do jack right now and it's obvious you're going to have to put out a little if you want more cash.

If I were you I'd be happy there's a place that will give you more than what you're making now and I would most certainly not pass it up for pleasing self. That's way to much money to pass up, you've got a lady to please man.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: BD231
A job is a job man.

You're getting paid to do jack right now and it's obvious you're going to have to put out a little if you want more cash.

If I were you I'd be happy there's a place that will give you more than what you're making now and I would most certainly not pass it up for pleasing self. That's way to much money to pass up, you've got a lady to please man.

At times I must agree with ppl when they state money is money. If you're not happy doing what you're doing and making $60k a year then the job isnt worth it. As it stands now, everything related to technology runs through me. I guess you can call me the jr CTO, as someone stated earlier. It's nice because of the flex time and I can fvck around with stuff w/o worrying about someone being up my ass. As long as I get my job done, I can do what I want in my office.

However, we know more money means more responsibility and sometimes it means changing scenary and having to report to someone else. I can accept this, but only if the job is going to challenge me and get me places. Will the new one do this? Challenge, probably not. It's basic desktop support and web development. Can I "climb the coporate ladder?" Probably not as I will be reporting to the CIO and it would just be me and him. So, I wont be going anywhere unless they grow bigger, which they might as revenues are expected to climb this year.

It's a tough decision, but I do have side ventures that I am really counting on. But here's how I see it.
I will be making $40k in another 4-5 years at my current job. If I take the other job, I would be making $45k in 4-5 years.

 

[jyates]

You might want to consider how much time off you get working for a school and compare
with how many more hours you will have to work to get that extra $8,000 in a year's time.

 

[300MDemon]

Seems like you have a pretty good deal at your present job. Trust me -- having the final say on all things IT makes a hell of a difference. I'm at a new job right now making about $5K more than my last position. However I have to tell the IT Director if I even want to run a virus scan on people's workstations. When at my last position I was running 12+ offices by myself. If there is any possible way you can do without the extra $500/month then I would say stay at your present job.

 

[psiu]

Sounds like you will be in a prime firing position at that new job for a while too, the new person, desktop support/web stuff....

Probably just stick with the current one for a good while....pay will slowly go up, it's a school, so you can probably get free classes and upgrade your current degree or get another one....and it sounds stable, which is always a good thing.

Not much fun for you to get $500 more a month until that company decides to "reposition their strategic assets for a better business paradigm," and send your position to India, Canada or elsewhere.

 

[maziwanka]

definately try for the 45k. seems like you should be getting that considering you were underpaid during your previous employment

 

[Leejai]

assuming you received your offer letter, have you tried to see if your current job will counter it?

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: WannaFly
As mentioned previously, it doesnt sound like you want the new job that much. IMHO, you are only looking at only $8K/year pay difference, and you have to ask yourself if making yourself feel unfullfilled(if the new job will do that) then its probably not worth it. being able to learn, expand, and share your knowledge and liking a job is worth more then $8K/year if you ask me.

You realize thats right around enough to afford a car payment on say.... A Cobra? Or WRX? Or <insert nice car> of your choice? I dunno about you, but walkin out of work everyday to a sweet car goes a long ways to making me smile at the end of the day.