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Hello community,

I’m back with an update. But for those wishing a backdrop, here ya go: http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/462808-got-job-back-now-what

And for further backdrop, here ya go: http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/452383-company-laid-me-off-now-what

Moving on, I got offered a job position for a small IT consulting company as a Technical Support/System Administrator. I would be dispatched to a few of their clients, in Salinas, Santa Cruz, San Jose, to provide on site support and maintenance over the equipment (servers, switches, routers, computer systems, etc.) The job ‘plans’ to give me 40hrs a week at a respectable? modest? compensation at $20/hr, while also remaining flexible with my school schedule and additional training. They will also provide for my medical, dental, vision. I can also begin a 401K (I’m a young buck at 20). They will cover fuel costs and time spent traveling between locations, just not for the initial drive to the site.

I went to my current employer, which located in my same town about 15 minutes away, and informed them to see if I can get a raise, or an increase in hours, or both. I’m currently set at $18/hr for 20hrs a week as a Help Desk Technician/Network Assistant. No extras like healthcare. They counter offered me with a performance review in the nearby future to determine my skill set, and based on that it will determine if it justifies an additional $4 raise and a slight increase in hours. Kind of vague. He couldn’t promise me full time. The owner did say he hoped for me to rise through the ranks and become the Admin he could count on. But hey, this is the same guy who threw out my dad! Read the backdrop story.

I will be passing the A+ soon and I have plans on passing the Network + in a month or two to give you an idea on my skill level. I am also taking a Windows Servers class teaching the fundamentals, installing roles, configuring roles, creating and managing AD, group policies, file sharing, configuring DHCP, DNS, etc.

So my question to you is: If you were in my shoes, what position would you take? Would you stay and work under a rude, arrogant, and derogatory interim administrator hoping one day soon you’ll rise above him and enjoy every moment he squirms (whoa now I’m taking this to far lol). Or would you take this new position and commute between locations, networking with new, fresh people and hope the position is up to your enjoyment, although in the end it may not be enough pay as if I were to pass this performance review? Keep in mind, if I was to get additional pay and hours I still wouldn’t get health coverage as I am not full time; but it is located 15 minutes away.

As always everyone’s input is welcomed and I will respond to any questions or comments. Thank you all.

-HeinzenIT

20 Spice ups
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I would do what I thought was best for me, but only you can decide what’s best for you.

Congratulations on getting back into the work force though.

4 Spice ups
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Take the job with benefits and better pay now. You already know the people you work for don’t value keeping people around.

Anything other than a definite answer from your current employer about raises/promotions should be treated as a “no”.

19 Spice ups
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go for the new job. Seems like from what you have said they are willing to work with you and pay you what you are currently worth considering you don’t have the skill set quite yet. Leave the old place, they are most likley empty promises that you don’t want to kick yourself for later on.

3 Spice ups
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I would go for the new job. Although it’s the “devil that you don’t know”, you do know that the pay will be better, and there’s the chance that the work and working environment will be better.

3 Spice ups
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Onwards and upwards.

You’ll get much more valuable experience.

Besides, you got the new job, why stick around because they “might” give you a review, and they “might” make you a new offer.

Time to get a box and pack up your desk.

3 Spice ups
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I would say New job. If your not valued now, that is not likely to change.

Better to start over somewhere new, instead of cleaning up someone elses mess.

3 Spice ups
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Seriously. You already know what you want to do. You are young. Take the plunge. If it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t.

4 Spice ups
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The new job seems to value you much more. while being a road warrior is tough sometimes. You will get more experience with a variety of environments. more money and hours + benefits sounds like a win,win,win to me.

A performance review down the line is a way for your current boss to say. NO, or to drag you along until he can afford to lay you off.

normally i would throw out “GO west young man!” but you are already in Cali and that is about as far west as possible (without being in Hawaii.)

You are young and have the opportunity to grow. Take it.

2 Spice ups
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And anything that is said without it being written down with a signature won’t be legal. Unless they sign a document saying they’ll give you your performance review and everything else, they can just back down at any point, or give you more vague promises.

1 Spice up
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It’s a no brainier, take the new job.

2 Spice ups
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Having a rude and arrogant boss would have been enough reason for me to leave.

Pay raise, full time, benefits, and flexibility are icing on the cake.

3 Spice ups
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I would go with the new spot! You will get WAY more experience seeing different networks than sitting in a single network. I did it for 9 years and you get to see so much.

1 Spice up
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Thank you everyone for your quick responses! I think I just needed to hear some reassurance that it is a good decision to make the move to other pastures. Hopefully they really are greener :slight_smile:

I will call the new employer shortly and inform her on my decision to chose them.

One other question, would you give a “two week notice” that you are leaving? I already informed my current employer I would give him my final decision Monday.

Thanks again everyone, this community is rocking!

-HeinzenIT

(I’ll have to change my display name too lol maybe CaliforniaCowsIT haha)

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i took an IT JOB that pays less than what i was getting at my previous job some what but i view it as an opportunity to get some experience.

1 Spice up
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You have the opportunity to get in with an MSP and to be paid more than I’m getting paid as a SysAdmin for a medical group. Add to these things that you will get to start a 401k (which at your age is great to get started). I would go with the $20/hr job without a doubt. Working for several clients means that you will get to experience several different working environments, each with its own individual needs and challenges. Essentially, what you are looking at is getting exp*N, where N = the number of clients you will be servicing.

Compare that to my work environment. I work the same place 5 days a week. After 10 years of work, I will be able to say that I’ve covered the same ground several times but it will still just be the same ground. On the other hand, you will be covering different sets of ground. MSP’s are the way to go for trying a lot of things.

Given the really good running start you have the opportunity to get yourself into, I would seriously consider skipping at least the A+ and maybe the N+ as well. Instead, I would see if the consultancy group can help you pursue LPIC (and/or RHEL), MCSA/E, and Cisco certs. You might find yourself getting the A+ and N+ only to very quickly outgrow them.

EDIT: Also, virtualization and ITIL certs.

1 Spice up
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Take the better of the two jobs with full benefits and a new start and not work under a bad person. I never rely on spoken promises especially if you have already seen where he threw your dad out.

My two cents.

1 Spice up
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Always give a two week notice.

My other two cents :slight_smile:

3 Spice ups
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Yes, give the two weeks. You don’t want to burn bridges because you never know.

2 Spice ups
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I agree about the 2 weeks although for a different reason. it is the right thing to do and you are a right guy even if they aren’t!!!

2 Spice ups