Work Work Work
I want a new job. Plain and simple. I am what's called an implementations specialist. Implementations specialists install software and hardware systems for different companies. They also provide the necessary training on the systems for employees. I love what I do, but after 5 years, it's starting to wear thin.
I travel all over the country and this has afforded me the opportunity to see 38 of the 50 states included Alaska and Hawaii and I have been to Canada 4 times. The problem with all of this travel is that I miss out on a lot of things at home. Concerts, friends, parties, picnics, shows and everything else that happens. I am grateful to have traveled the country, but I just think that I miss out on too much.
Another problem with my job is that the company that I work for is resistent to raises and promotions. There are people in my position that have been doing the same thing for 10 years and have not been promoted. They have been given raises, but no promotions. A higher position comes along only every few years and someone outside of the company is usually hired. I was eligible for a pay increase in April of this year. Did I get it? No. When I asked about and presented my reasons why I thought that I was due a pay increase, I was told that raises had just been given out a few months earlier. What the hell that had to do with me I don't know since pay increases are granted upon your anniversary date?
Yet another problem is the number of hours that I work. The most that I have worked so far is 27 hours straight. And that was just a few weeks ago. Most days I work at least 10 hours. And on the day that we convert the systems, the average is 17 years. This week I have works 11 hours each day for the last 6 days and have had a headache for 4 of those six.
The reason that I have stayed as long as I have is because there are positives to the job. The travel is one of them, but the best part of the job is also the worst. My schedule. There are times when I have been off for 3 weeks at a time. Is there any other job that gives you 3 weeks off and you still get paid? If there is, tell me about it. But on the flip side, there are times when I have to work 3 weeks straight. Like right now, I am on day 17 of work. I left one project and went straight to another. I was scheduled to go to another project, but it moved dates. At that point, I had a week off, but today I was put on another project starting Monday. That leaves me with Sunday as my only official day off ( I get home Saturday afternoon from this site).
So I think that it's time that I explore my options when it comes to employment. I don't know if I truly want to leave, but the pay, schedule, and advancement opportunities aren't all that great. There have to be better options.
I travel all over the country and this has afforded me the opportunity to see 38 of the 50 states included Alaska and Hawaii and I have been to Canada 4 times. The problem with all of this travel is that I miss out on a lot of things at home. Concerts, friends, parties, picnics, shows and everything else that happens. I am grateful to have traveled the country, but I just think that I miss out on too much.
Another problem with my job is that the company that I work for is resistent to raises and promotions. There are people in my position that have been doing the same thing for 10 years and have not been promoted. They have been given raises, but no promotions. A higher position comes along only every few years and someone outside of the company is usually hired. I was eligible for a pay increase in April of this year. Did I get it? No. When I asked about and presented my reasons why I thought that I was due a pay increase, I was told that raises had just been given out a few months earlier. What the hell that had to do with me I don't know since pay increases are granted upon your anniversary date?
Yet another problem is the number of hours that I work. The most that I have worked so far is 27 hours straight. And that was just a few weeks ago. Most days I work at least 10 hours. And on the day that we convert the systems, the average is 17 years. This week I have works 11 hours each day for the last 6 days and have had a headache for 4 of those six.
The reason that I have stayed as long as I have is because there are positives to the job. The travel is one of them, but the best part of the job is also the worst. My schedule. There are times when I have been off for 3 weeks at a time. Is there any other job that gives you 3 weeks off and you still get paid? If there is, tell me about it. But on the flip side, there are times when I have to work 3 weeks straight. Like right now, I am on day 17 of work. I left one project and went straight to another. I was scheduled to go to another project, but it moved dates. At that point, I had a week off, but today I was put on another project starting Monday. That leaves me with Sunday as my only official day off ( I get home Saturday afternoon from this site).
So I think that it's time that I explore my options when it comes to employment. I don't know if I truly want to leave, but the pay, schedule, and advancement opportunities aren't all that great. There have to be better options.
Labels: Job
posted by That Dude Right There at
8/11/2007 12:41:00 AM
14 Comments:
Look at it like this. You have travel the States more times than you can remember so there is no love loss there. You feel that you are missing more out of life at home because of the constant travel. As we all know with any job there are good perks and bad ones.
Figure out if it is worth you staying at your current job or venturing towards another would be best. If you feel that you miss your friends and other opportunities and if that is high on your agenda then make the move towards another job. In the end it's all based on the pros and cons. Weight them in the order of most important to YOU.
the job switch is always a major point in one's life. you seem like a very organized and detailed person, so i'm sure you won't be making any rash decisions. if you decide to bounce, make sure not to burn any bridges!
Oh no...I thought I had it bad. My schedule can be bad, but 17 days straight is crazy. I'm about to discuss my pay real soon and I don't give a two cents about other money issues I just want my raise
You have a very different work schedule. I know a lot of people who can't wait until Friday so that they can enjoy the weekend off work. But your schedule gives you much longer periods of days on and off. I wouldn't mind trying a job where I worked three weeks on and then had three weeks off.
On the plus side, a five year stint in the same position looks good on your resume and you can look for a new job and interview during your next long period of time off.
N - I know what you mean. I've worked pretty much straight through for, like, 20 some days now. I had a day off once in there, and I came in late one day, but then stayed late that night. No matter how you cut it, those long stretches wear pretty thin, and ONE day off isn't enough when you've put that much energy into your work. In fact, it's damn near useless since that one day ends up being all work just to get your laundry done, housework caught up, etc. In other words, when you work like that, you have no friends and no life that doesn't involve work or "work support."
At least you get the occasional break. My break is never longer than a 4 day weekend, and those are rare (1 so far since April.)
It's an issue you've been mulling - you've referred to it several times in past months. Something keeps you where you are - money? the travel? Something else?
What are the positives? For me, it's money, status, and I love the work. That keeps me going. And even though I'm dog tired each evening, and many mornings, I keep going. Friendships suffer, and some day I'm going to regret that, but at least I'll be rich and regretful? Some days I don't know if that's enough.
Wow...the grass is always greener...
Knowing that has held me in my current position. I know I come into the office when I'm ready and leave when it feels right...I hit the gym each day for over an hour and eat my lunch right after without a care in the world. I'm not doing exactly what I want to do, but the pay is good, everyone likes me and I like the place. I weight my pos and negs each day...I rather deal witht he devil I know for now. Looks like you've done the same. Quietly, carefully and with much forethought, look for what's available and make an intelligent decision to do something that satisfies you without demanding more of you.
Good luck and keep us posted.
lol at we just gave out raises as if u didnt get in line fast enough.
I feel u on the job thing. I've been doing what i do for six years now (longest ever) and the promotion areas I just dont want to be in so there is no room to grow. I want to leave SOOOO bad. There aren't many opportunities that wouldnt take me too far away from home or involve a tremendous atlanta commute. (sigh) I hope you find something that you enjoy soon.
I like ProfessorB's idea: start your search and interviews during your off time, especially if you know in advance you'll be off for a couple weeks.
Much luck on your search!
You seem so quick to cut someone with your mouth when you're offended, use that same mouth to get you a promotion and raise. If you feel that the work you put deserves more, how will they know if you don't get in their face...as usual.
Good luck wuth that..just make sure you get something elase lined up before you decide to leave..if you decide to leave.
Heh...you already know how I feel about my job. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you.
MAN i hear that one loud and clear. Im actually transitioning out now. The way i see it....If it works bette for your bottom line mentally, socially, physically, financially then make the change because you'd better believe if it worked better for your companies bottom line to let ou go, you'd get a nice lil letter saying bye bye. Do you man!
my bestfriend was doing the same exact job but as a contractor to the military... he left after a year, the travel was keeping him away from his house he just bought.
i myself love the travel and am looking forward to getting back to that aspect in my new job.
That's the double-edged sword with jobs involving travel. Most people love it in the beginning. But like all things, it can get old; especially if you have a family (romantic or otherwise) or a house.
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