Employment: For Love Or Money

[350HP930]

While some of you on the board already know a little about my employment situation and history, for those of you who don't here is a little synopsys.

A decade ago I graduated from U of F with a degree in aerospace engineering. Unfortunately back then the job market for an aerospace engineer who wanted to stay in florida was not all that good. After sending out hundreds of resumes and suffering through multiple interviews I became desperate for an easier way to pay the bills than the part time tech and machinist work that had gotten me through college. Since no aerospace work was knocking down my door I realized I needed a plan B.

Fortunately I had several college buddies who were computer science majors who never even bothered graduating due the lucrative job offers they recieved while they were still in school. Nearly all of them gave me the same advice, like 'hey, you are very computer savy and an advanced programmer, look for some programming work'. I did and I quickly found a job in my old hometown. Not only was the pay great, it was a slackers dream come true. Lots of goofing off and very little actual development work made up me and my team's average day.

Unfortunately as time passed my responsibilities increased as I transitioned from programming to management. Initially it was new and fun but I eventually found myself becoming a worn down workaholic and realized that even though my income was increasing my workload was always increasing at a greater rate. With the burden of a new child, a spendaholic wife and my porsche habbit I knew my only option was keeping the throttle to the floor in persuit of the almighty dollar.

Over a period of several years I managed to build a small tech company into a well respected development firm but between office politics. growing pains and having to fight for pay increases I eventually resigned. Even though I was not sure if I had made the most stupid move in my life I was soon relieved once I starting getting job offers from various clients I had worked for once they realized that I was no longer with my old company.

After weighing the offers I ended up taking a job here in Tampa. Not only was my new work load miniscule complared to my old one but my new salary was almost 50% more. I thought I was in heaven.

In typical 'there has got to be a catch' fashion I eventually discovered that my new employer was in desperate financial straights. As I started to suspect, once I completed the major projects I was brought in to orchestrate, I was let go.

It was now 2003, and it was no longer a very good time for an IT professional to be looking for work. Once again I was sending out hundreds of resumes and going on dozens of interviews, each one leading to great disappointment. Between the pittance paid by unemployment and my spendaholic wife all the credit cards were soon maxed out. I had to do something to get by so it was finally time for plan B, C, and D. For that reason I was everything from a porsche tech to a contract IT slave during the first year after my layoff. These jobs certainly didn't pay the kind of money I was used to, but they at least did pay the basic bills.

About a year ago there was finally a positive change though. Right when I was at my lowest point, suffering through a miserable job, defaulting on a couple of large credit cards and going through a divorce, I got a call on the phone from a plan B I had nearly forgotten about. It was an automotive machine shop I applied at when I first laid off asking if I was still interested in a machinist position that had finally became available. Once I discovered it paid almost as much as my contract IT work, had good benefits and would allow me to work on my lingering 930 project I accepted their offer. For the last year its literally been a dream job since almost every day I feel like a kid in a candy store when I am there. The only bad thing about my current job is that its still not the kind of money I am used to, but at least the fringe benefits have been making up for. At one point I even had Dave White try to tempt me away from Engine Lab to be his engine and tranny builder, but a variety of reasons I have stayed put. Thats how much I love my current job.

But here is the clincher. I have recently been offered an entry level management position at a tech company that pays 30% percent more than my current job does. As much as I know that I might end up hating this new job, between my daughter and the porsche, not to mention my future retirement, I must chose money over love.

I am trying to look at the bright side, like perhaps this job will be enjoyable and the money will help me complete my porsche project, but part of me is worried that I may permanantly regret leaving a job I really enjoy.

I just wanted to share my current quandry. I am sure others will have similar tales of making a decision that favors finances over emotion.

[M.D. Holloway]

certianly a prediciment you have - there is only one soultion to a question with no answer - ***** it all and buy a Christmas tree farm in upstate NY.

as my ol sod granny used ta say in a thick Irish accent 'betta da devil ya know boyo, than da devil ya don't!'

[WOODPIE]

When I was a young, my Mum would always tell me that she only wanted me to be happy in life, regardless of what I would choose to do for a living.

She'd also tell me, "Eddie, you can get used to anything, even hanging."

Somewhat of a mixed message, I think, but, anyways....

Sounds like you've made up your mind already, going for the money over happiness. A good choice, you're still young. If you end up regretting the decision, well, that'll build ya' some character. I would have chosen the happiness, being an older fart with fewer bills and even less desire for goods and services.

I hope your new-found wealth doesn't change your political POV.


Ed

[84porsche]

Best of luck in your decision but it sounds like you have your mind made up already. I know your feeling, I am in a content job right now but my income is quite shallow compared to what I would like it to be. I want so much more and if another opportunity comes along with more income I will take it and learn all I can learn. I know the content job will be there always for less money but its time I played tough and got aggressive. You need to go after this because it is a good building block for a more stable future.

[gavinlit]

I'd be looking at a way to supplement your current income. That way you could still do the job you love, a bit of other stuff(sounds like you have a good range of skills) and so be a little better off & still loving your work.

Now for the other side. If you knew you would hate your new job offer I'd say reject it. But you don't really know. So maybe it's worth a look see. You could end up loving it more than your current position and be earning more money. Change is as good as..

[kycarguy 935]

I was in a very similar situation with a very similar outcome. I prefer to make a little bit less and work for a company that may be around {with me working for them} for awhile. It sounds like people dont leave the machine shop to often so it seems it may be a good place to work. I have worked for 2 very large corporations in the last 5 years and I dont miss them one bit.

Good luck on your endeavor.

[LeeH]

Originally posted by 350HP930
... its literally been a dream job...

Not many people will ever say these words about their profession.
You say this move is for your daughter, your Porsche, and your future retirement.

When you say it's for your daughter - are you having trouble putting food on the table or is it that you just can't buy her enough stuff? For the Porsche? Well, painful as it may be, that's truly a luxury. Your future retirement - pretty important and probably the only genuine concern of the three.

If you are really happy in your current job then I'm guessing your day to day outlook on life is better than the average Joe. This will be reflected in your overall attitude and then your daughter is benefitting from you having this job. Will more money benefit her or will it teach her to sacrifice happiness to have more stuff? I'm asking - not making judgements here.

Six years ago I sold my business and was about to buy a bigger, better one to build up. Then my wife got pregnant. Since she's a pilot I decided to put my plans on hold (possibly forever) for the sake of staying home with our daughter. I've sacrificed six years of earnings and now work part time at a significantly reduced rate so I can have a flexible schedule. My daily driver is a '98 with 80K miles. We live in a 1900 sq. ft. house instead of the 3000 sq. ft. we wanted.

And... I wouldn't change a thing. I have a closer relationship with my daughter than most men ever have with their little girls. I guess my message is to thoroughly examine your priorities before making a decision. Yes, the extra money would be nice, but there really is more to life than a bigger bottom line.

[jyl]

Man, I'd think pretty hard before leaving the dream machinist job.

You did the management thing, it wore you down. Entry level managers are expendable at tech companies. And you love the machinist thing!

Can you see some way to make more money as a machinist? How about eventually opening your own shop?

Hate to see you leave something you love doing.

[Paul T]

My $.02......stay, stay, stay, corporate life blows! As was said above, not too many people in this world get up everyday and look forward to what they do (I know I don't)...that's something to be treasured, unless you absolutely NEED the extra $$ to make things work...

[Moses]

Stay where you are. If you earn more, you'll spend more. Zero sum game. Damn few people have a job they like. You're lucky.

[RickM]

Interview the pespective empployer as much as they interview you.
If it looks like it'll work out then go for it.

More money may mean you can buy your own machinery and do it as a hobby. (Sure it woun't be the high end stuff)

Or perhaps work part time for your current employer.

[lendaddy]

Have you approached your current employer for an increase that will allow you to stay? Believe it or not, we're not all greedy azzholes You might be surprised, some of my guys were.

Also, keep in mind that compensation can come from other places. Gas card? Insurance? Vehicle? These are much more acceptable expenses sometimes.

[vash]

stay put, and do contract IT stuff on the side.

[AFJuvat]

My story has many similarities to yours.

Got married young, had a son, going to college, and the job market dried up where I was living (Metro Detroit).

Joined the USAF, eaked out a living, went to school, did a lot of side jobs, had a daughter.

7 combat tours, a purple heart, and the realization that I had missed a large portion of my kids when they were small (now 13 and 11 respectively) I left the USAF after 12 years. Liked the area around my last base so much that I built a house here (melbourne FL)

My computer skills paid off, I got picked up by a large communications company here in town as a network engineer. As a side job (I'm still a bit of a workaholic), I was working as a Porsche tech.

Fast forward 18 short months, I am informed that I am being laid off, effective immediately due to departmental reorganization, switch into panic mode, 2 days later I am informed that I am not laid off. While I am pondering how to get rid of the grey hair that sprung up over the last 48 hours, I am called in the next day (first day back to work) and told that I am going to be laid off at the end of the month.

4 days later, I am informed that they can ensure that I will be with the company until January, 2004; after that, it is a crap shoot.

I shoudl also mention that about this time, the IT market in this area for all intents and purposes, died.

About this time, my part time, fun job, offers me full time employment. Money and benefits are about the same.

I asked manager of my department for a final answer, and was told Jan, 2004.

I gave my two week notice right then and there.

I send out resumes from time to time, gotten a few interviews, but if I don't get hired, I'm not really worried about it.

Do what you enjoy, I've learned that working just to survive makes for long, miserable days at the office.

I work harder, and it is certainly a lot dirtier than working on servers, but the stress level is a LOT less.

AFJuvat

[gaijindabe]

"entry level management position at a tech company"

That is kind of like being an infantyman in WWI. Very expendable.

for 30% more....

And how much more of that 30% will go in taxes? Or child support ?(Not that you should not pay your fair share.)

Maybe keep doing a little contract IT work and a better offer may come your way.. 350 Man, good luck!

[Vipergrün]

Passion is the key. Do what you love and it's said the money will follow. Did you ever think the guys at Orange County Choppers would be where they are today? Ok, maybe a bad example I would not go back into management myself, I have enough of my own issues to worry about, don't need to worry about everyone elses issue as well..... Hang in there.

[350HP930]

Its interesting to see everyone's responses, especially since I have pondered a lot of the issues brought up here myself. Its also interesting to see how many people have also dealt with very similar issues. Let me clarify some of the variables that have lead me to my decision.

Job Security: The shop where I work is a family owned operation, and the owners are reaching retirement age. Its a diffucult business to run and sometimes they have some lean months that make them question whether they want to go on. I can not say for sure whether my current job will be there a few years from now. The new one appears to be very stable in comparison.

Pay: I am the highest paid guy in the shop and I think the only reason is because they knew I wouldn't leave my previous job for less than a certain amount. It pains me that I make more than some of my coworkers who have much more experience than I do. My employers get a good bang for their buck, but I am pretty maxed out as far as pay goes. The other job would have the potential for a lot of upward movement, and thats what I mean by it being entry level.

Nature of Jobs: Some of the reasons I love my current job are because its easy, stress free and I enjoy working with metal and machines. Another reason is that I get to do an overly obsessive job of rebuilding my 930. I also enjoy that I am touching up on my machining and automotive skills that were getting a little atrophied from sitting behind a desk for several years. Now that I have have polished up my knack and the 930 is nearly finished I see that some of the reasons work is so great are starting to wain.

The nature of my new job will be managing several departments for the company that used to sub me out to other company's when I was doing contract work. My technical skills will mostly be dedicated to orchastrating internal development projects and acting as one of the top admins for our network center. It could be another dream job in the making or a potential nightmare depending on the superiors, coworkers, servers, networks and projects that I have to work with. If it sucks I will move on, but if I like it there is room to be comfortable or move up.

There is also a plan B, in fact at this stage of my life there is always a plan B, C, D and so on.

Its just hard to sometimes decide what plan A should be. Emotions like love can lead one to make bad decisions.

[LeeH]

Approach the owners about buying the shop when they're ready to retire.

[AFJuvat]

Originally posted by LeeH
Approach the owners about buying the shop when they're ready to retire.

That is my plan when the current owner of my shop retires.

AFJuvat

[jyl]

I'll bet with your new blood and energy you could make the shop a better business. And you'd have the chance to run your own business. That kind of chance doesn't come around very often. Working for other people in a big corporate organization can really suck - I'm going through that right now and it's really bad, and you know that from your prior time in corporate-world.

If there's no route to buying the shop or opening your own shop, then I guess that could be different.