1

To cut to the chase, I hate my job. The company is pretty good as far as benefits go. I have a gym onsite, decent PTO, good access to learning materials, and good commute.

But there is ZERO room for advancement. I feel WAY behind on my career compared to others my age.

I originally started out in a different department, HATED that and was able to make a lateral transfer to a different department. I’ll have been with this employer for two years in September.

The kicker to my situation, is that I plan on moving out of state in a year.

Most of my verifiable work experience is in help desk unfortunately. My interest lies within Linux system administration. I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can about Linux in my free time, but I need to get into an environment that has me working with real world systems.

I realistically am qualified for a senior help desk type position because I’ve worked with all the typical administration tools: AD/MDT/SCCM/etc but those don’t interest me at all.

I would also be interested in being IT support for a small company that doesn’t really know what their IT needs are yet, and it would be my job to help their IT infrastructure grow. Where I would learn in the process.

Anyway my question is, do I stay at my current employer for another year, taking a further hit to my work experience?

Or do I find something in the meantime, like an MSP that will help me build my skills back up? But risk being portrayed as just another millennial job hopper (my previous few jobs only lasted a year).

64 Spice ups
2

A year is a long time…you need to do whatever will get you closer to completing your goal, and from what you’ve outlined, staying there doesn’t do that.

If you’re asked about changing jobs in an interview, be honest, tell them about your goal and tell them you were taking steps to complete that goal; if they don’t understand that, you don’t want to work there anyway.

11 Spice ups
3

Stick it out if you can. A year is not a very long time and it may look better to future employers to have a three year position vs a two plus one. I am always hesitant when I look at people’s resumes that only have a year or two at each place they have been. Learn what you can now and plan to make a big switch when you move.

52 Spice ups
4

You seem like you’ve got a fairly comfortable job, albeit with no opportunities for advancement.

If you’re moving a fair distance in a year it would probably be worth toughing it out for another year then finding something new or different in preparation for your move.

18 Spice ups
5

Is it really a “hit” to your career to be able to show that you are employable?

Almost anyone can fly under the radar for a short time before getting fired. If you show employment history at the same place it shows you have “something” worth keeping you employed for.

12 Spice ups
6

I am moving from my current position for a career advancement. Being a help desk tech, going to school and caring for my spouse has taken it’s toll. I have 12 years experience inproject management, department management and 4 years in IT. Time to take that desk job in the corner and relax and enjoy my life instead of burning both ends and the middle.

2 Spice ups
7

I stick it out.

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8

My perspective is skewed only because my years go into double digits, so 1 year is a blip on the radar for me :slight_smile:

But while there’s nothing wrong with looking for other opportunities if you’ve hit that Wall of Stagnation, the thing that could work against you is your plan to leave in a year anyway. You might be careful not to say something in the interview, but if it slips out, it could be a strike against you and the company decides to go for Candidate #2 instead.

Or you could start at this new, wonderful job where you get to Linux all the things, and then “oh, hey, by the way, next spring, you’re going to need to start posting again and start up another round of interviews because I’m leaving next summer.” “OK, well, thanks for coming by, we’ll mail you your final check next week. Janet, could you get Candidate #2 on the phone and see if he’s still interested in this position?”

14 Spice ups
9

Only you can answer this question.

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10

If you aren’t happy, you won’t likely suddenly become happy in your current position. Stick it out at least for your 2 year mark but start looking at positions that may be hiring or setting up new locations in the near future, they don’t have to be current openings. Get your name out there companies do hold on to resumes for future opportunities.

11

Stay the year and establish a longer track record of continuous employment. Join the VMUG with an advantage subscription for $200 and teash yourself ESX, Vcenter, NSX, Vsan over the next year.

3 Spice ups
12

To be honest, staying in a place you don’t like is really bad, though one would say a year is not much time, it can feel like ages if it is not enjoyed. If you could get something in between before moving, nice, or even maybe get something you would enjoy and decide staying (depending on your current situation of course)

But stretching the decision would be bad mentally, either stay and gut it out knowing what you have, or get something in the meanwhile, but don’t doubt it, is worse, trust me. I am sure I will pursue something else in a short run, but knowing the date I will start looking for it makes me hanging out better the daily life.

1 Spice up
13

I agree to a point, if you go this route just be very careful where you land, because the grass is always greener on the other side. I have experienced the old: “out of the frying pan and into the fire” myself on occasion.

2 Spice ups
14

So you’d be leaving a decent current job because you can’t advance even though you are planning to move in a year anyways? The purpose of leaving would be to get another job that you also wouldn’t be advancing in since you’d only be there for a year at most?

I’d say stay for the year and try to improve your skills in that time. You’ll avoid 1 more job hunt and look more stable to where ever you end up applying when you move.

10 Spice ups
15

Yep - you had me at hate…

16

" I would also be interested in being IT support for a small company that doesn’t really know what their IT needs are yet, and it would be my job to help their IT infrastructure grow. Where I would learn in the process."

— If you want room to advance, this is exactly the wrong approach to take. With a small company you’re going to while away your days fixing everything and anything that breaks. Copiers, file cabinets, and yes - PC’s, too, and servers, as the company grows - but break out your tools because you’ll also be fixing desk chairs, light switches… have fun!!! :wink:

13 Spice ups
17

Move now.

18

Since you plan to move out of state in a year, I recommend staying with your company. In the meantime, talk to your boss about your goals. Ask what you could do to advance to a senior position or if there are projects that you could take on. If neither are options, work on getting Linux certifications. Best of luck!

2 Spice ups
19

Love how the first two comments on this are polar opposites!

Now, personally, I’m screwed from this standpoint. I wasn’t able to go ANYWHERE from a career perspective until I was 32, and I’m STILL limited. But I’d given up way before then. On the other hand, there are those stories you hear about the IT kid getting promotions and raises every year, until they’re a CIO of a huge company at the age of 24! (Or look up Nick Murphy on YouTube… :wink: )

The way I see it, “I’ve been doing this for a year, and I’m not happy.” Well, what WOULD make you happy? It sounds like you won’t be satisfied unless you get the latter of my two scenarios above. Trust me, this RARELY happens. Advancement usually happens slowly, through attrition of the levels above you, or you will find a better opportunity at another company. You mention your other jobs lasting a year. My generation saw this as bad, your not being able to hold down a steady job. The ‘new’ generation sees you as an aggressive go-getter that won’t stand still! Shakes head

So stay where you are, but look around. As for your L33t Linux skills, build a couple of systems and a network at home, all using Linux! (Something challenging, like SlackWare. I met a guy that referred to himself as a Linux Guru, but all he knew was Red Hat and KDE. No CLI knowledge at all!) It’ll be a combination of experience and knowledge that gets you a dream job, and if you know Windows, Linux AND UNIX? You’re Golden!

8 Spice ups
20

MSP yuck no way.

Finding a place that uses linux primarily I think would be hard, most places Ive come across in business use windows products.

Working for a small employer is risky, lots of time they think they need an IT guy but then use you to shovel the sidewalks, get the mail or what have ya.

Id stay where your at for a year, and pursue a job ahead of time where ever you are moving to if it where me.

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