Career Options
 

I'm at a bit of a crossroads right now.

I've been on the same team doing the same thing for 11 years. I've been thinking for awhile about doing something different and trying to flee Illinois. Fortunately, it looks like there are opportunities with my employer that will fit the bill. I currently develop in an obscure language that is soon to go away in our shop. One thought is to find something that is more pure Java development. Another thought is to find something that takes advantage of my data access/SQL skills.

I'd also like to get the heck out of Illinois while I can still sell my house and before the state's finances implode.

I've been looking into a job in another department that would deal with data access. Basically it would be answering difficult questions for people--like executives. I'd be in the trenches and wouldn't have any direct interaction with the questioners, but I would have to have knowledge of our databases (which I do) and devise creative methods for getting answers. There would be far fewer processes and procedures than I currently deal with, but more "emergencies" that require quick turnaround and long hours. The job is in Atlanta.

Because we are sunsetting the technology I currently work in, we are rewriting our applications to a Java-based technology. It will require a bigger team than we currently have, and there may be some good opportunities for me to lead a development team if I stick around. An announcement came out yesterday that our department will be expanding, but not in Illinois. (My department is currently 100% in Illinois.) They want volunteers to move to Dallas, Phoenix, and Atlanta to seed new development centers. It is conceivable that I could keep my current job, have it become more what I want to do, and still move out of Illinois.

I talked a little with my wife yesterday and she has a strong preference for moving to Atlanta, while I'd prefer Dallas. Both cities have lower housing and costs of living that Bloomington. My mom is in Atlanta, my best friend is in Raleigh, and my wife's sister is in Orlando. I like the climate and the no state income tax thing in Texas. :) Phoenix is third on both of our lists, but still ahead of Illinois.

Sounds like you need to start fleshing out some of those maybes. Have you talked to your boss, or another trusted member of management? If it were me, I would sit down and have an honest conversation with somebody that can help add some actual fact to the equation. As someone that leads people, I can tell you that an employee coming in with the desire to grow in their career is something that is usually positively received. Your desire to relocate will probably open up all sorts of options, frequently when a company wants to move or expand departments to other locations they have a hard time finding people willing to move. Sit down and have an honest conversation(s) about your real options, then you'll know what you are dealing with.

We've been contracting out Java developers for a while... I'm not in ITS so I'm not sure of the current job status, but I know we recently moved a lot of stuff from zVM on an IBM mainframe to PPC based linux machines. But we still have stuff on the old mainframe as well.

Want me to PM ya if a developer job opens up? Also, UF frequently has developer positions open.... ah, just checked, quite a few dev positions with deadlines for application in hte next few days. https://jobs.ufl.edu/postings/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=IT&query_v0_posted_at_ date=&357=&358=&360=&359=&363=4&361=&query_organiz ational_tier_2_id=any&query_organizational_tier_3_ id=any&commit=Search

Texas. You can find all the ammo you need and tax levels that support more ammo!

We give anyone willing, who moves from Obamanation, a free firearm too.;)

Thank you everyone. I have talked with my boss about the job in the other department and he is conflicted. He really wants to help me grow, but he also doesn't want to lose me. I haven't had a chance to talk with him about relocating, but I will during my next 1-on-1. I see my boss as very much a partner in helping get me where I want to be.

Does anyone have any feedback on Dallas vs. Atlanta vs. Phoenix?

I hate Phoenix (I'm from Arizona). Winters aren't bad; summer's hot as hell--literally. Traffic is pretty bad if you work in the city (rush hours; mid-day and night isn't bad). Housing prices are on the climb again--if you were thinking about moving a year ago, I'd have said Phoenix housing market was great! But now...meh.

Having said that...there's LOTS to do in Phoenix. Lots of great food, a lot of great people (and plenty of douchebags), hiking, nearby lakes, somewhat nearby skiiing, etc. Pretty much anything you enjoy doing, you can find in Phoenix.

I lived in Atlanta for 3+ years and think it's a pretty good place to live. YMMV

I love the DFW area and visit there often. Traffic sucks and it gets damn hot in the summer, but it's dirt cheap and there's a lot to do. Plus I like the "you go to hell, I'm going to Texas" attitude. I just hope I can move there before they secede.:cool:

I have some big job changes coming and the only places I'd consider outside of Phoenix would be Austin and Dallas. I lived in Dallas until I was 11 and still have a lot of friends there. Ironically, it I were to jump ship for a competitor and move to Austin, my best friend at work would be be professional arch enemy.

COBOL?

Big-D is less humid than Atlanta. But, Atlanta is close to some of the finest hardwood mountains in the world (World Biodiversity site).

From Big-D you can drive up to the Rockies (and have Coloradans hate you when they spot your Texass plates).

But, what do you care about in life? That would be the determining factor, right?

Texas plates are second to California in the hate list now.

Not COBOL...I did some development in that 11 years ago. Just a proprietary language that my employer is ending their relationship with the vendor.

What's important to me? Low taxes, fewer intrusive laws, and a short commute. To my wife, it is being close to some kind of family (which is what makes Atlanta more attractive to her). My current 7 minute commute probably won't be matched, but much more than 30 minutes is right out. I like to drive for pleasure, not necessity.

I have spent a lot of time visiting ATL & DFW over the last 15 years & I much prefer ATL. As long as you can live & work in the same part of the city - or out of the loop - it would get my vote. Lots of great driving roads around as well.

And your wife prefers it.

Ian

Fla also had no state tax......its like an additional 12% raise......

Since you have family here in Atlanta, you probably already know this, but: ATLANTA TRAFFIC SUCKS!!!

That being said, you'll most like want to look around the Alpharetta or Johns Creek area for housing. They're "outside the Loop", as Ian referred to, but both are very desirable communities.

Because of the traffic situation, a lot of companies offer incentives for tele-commuting, which I could easily see as an option for a programmer. Perhaps your company has something like that to look into.


Randy

My kind of state.

Texas Attorney General to New Yorkers: Move Down, Bring Your Guns - Bloomberg

Randy, have you ever driven in Dallas? Traffic sucks there too.... ;)

A lot to like about DFW area, a lot not to like as well but it's like that just about everywhere.

Biggest question is where exactly would the office be? Down to the physical address if it's known.

Makes a diff on where you can live which will affect your overall satisfaction.

Last time I was in Atlanta I walked out of the hotel at 9 AM and it was so oppressive I puked on the front steps. True story.

That's because 99% of the people behind the wheel of a car are not driving.

Possibly the thing I absolutely hate the most about living here.

Ifn y'all can handle the humidity, Atl has a lot going for it. Went to check out the Mitty at Road Atlanta last year, neat area and great track, also stayed at a lakeside park about ten miles from the track. Seems like lots of cool country to explore in the area. First impressions were quite positive.