New Year, New Job

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Kind of a follow-up to the "Merry Christmas, I Quit" thread.

I officially told my current employer that I've been "clearing my plate" of various projects over the last few weeks (I have) and that (in not so many words), I won't be requiring their services after the New Year. Kinda' weird feeling. I actually like this job but the commute sucks and I recently was given a promotion to move down to San Diego and take over the office down there, but we ended up not being able to do it (housing is too expensive plus the wifey can't get a transfer with her company). So I told 'em we couldn't do it, returned my relocation check (tough thing to do - I could really use that $$$) and that staying on for "more of the same" at the current office just wasn't an option any more, especially with the commute I'm doing and a better (local) offer on the table.

New place is local (<5 miles each way - WHOO HOO!!!), good position, good pay, good benefits. Some travel involved from time to time also, so maybe I'll finally get a chance to meet with some of you troublemakers in other parts of the country in the coming months. . . We'll see.

My father-in-law has it worse, he's "taking" (more like being prodded under threat of losing pension) retirement from Verizon after 39 years tomorrow. . . Can't image how weird that's got to feel. . .

Jim Richards · 12-28-2006, 10:00 AM

Congrats, Jeff!

Rikao4 · 12-28-2006, 10:38 AM

Good for you,
after 39 years..I would be running already, buy him a TV or something
Rika

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Congrats.
And good luck to you!

masraum · 12-28-2006, 11:33 AM

Cool, sounds like things have worked out well for you.

Yes, after 39 years, I think I'd be relieved and ready to go.

scottmandue · 12-28-2006, 12:07 PM

Congrats Jeff, if you work ever sends you all the way out to San Pedro maybe we can meet for a beer.

If your Father in law is anything like my dad he is dreading retirement, hope he has (or can start) some hobbies or find a civic group/volunteer stuff to do.

My dad is just as busy as ever and it keeps him going.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Jeff,
Good luck with your decision, sounds like you are making the right choice. I'm taking the "voluntary" salaried buyout from Ford and am currently interviewing. Today's interview went really well and I've got another tomorrow. I hope your new job works out well!

Zeke · 12-28-2006, 03:57 PM

Chances are real good the f-in-law can go back as a contractor the next day. So, what's your new gig?

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Thanks guys. Yea, funny thing is my f-i-l has already been contacted by Verizon wireless - can you say "consulting gig at five times the price?" Dunno if he'll do it, but it's just hilarious. Guy isn't even gone yet and already they're circling like vultures. I really hope the guy takes some time off though.

My gig is still architecture - I'm coming in as basically a #2 guy for the owner/principal of the firm to manage a bunch of jobs and coordinate the efforts of the younger guys and take that heat off him so he can grow the business, so I guess you could say it's kind of important. Kinda' scary actually - lots of client interfacing and what-not. Should be fun though, once I get over the jitters. Place has a kick-ass vibe, very young and trendy and design-oriented, but with stable large commercial clients too. Nice balance. Place I was at was large, national, multi-city with over 400 employees company-wide. Very stable, but stifling. Had the San Diego thing worked out, I'd have been a "company guy" and probably been set up nicely for life, but would have been a miserable "middle management" type in 10-15 years I'll bet. Going to this place grooms me a lot better for going into practice for myself in a few years, which I'm leaning towards doing - I've always had a desire to be an entepreneur. I think being one's own boss is sort of the ultimate fulfillment in a professional career like this.

Anyway, I'll let you all know how it goes. Right now I'm enjoying a few days off - don't start there until after the New Year. Nothin' to do the next few days except work on the P-cars and get sloppy drunk.

gassy · 12-28-2006, 04:14 PM

If ever in Chicago, beers on me.
Christain.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

LOL! Place I left was actually a Chicago-based company (one of them big A&E firms downtown on Michigan Ave.) I lived there for three years too (did my Masters @ UIC). Hopefully I'll get out that way as part of this new gig, but we'll see.