08-05-2008, 10:02 AM | #1 |
Jack Burton
Join Date: October 16, 2001
Location: PA
Age: 43
Posts: 5,421
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New Job
A little background. I've worked at my current job as a multimedia production specialist for 8 years now, 3 in the army, and 5 as a civilian. They've seen me through getting my drivers license, my marriage, my wisdom teeth coming out, the births of my 3 girls, my divorce. Hell, when I separated from my ex my boss took me in and let me crash on his couch for 2 months while his wife was dying of Rheumatoid Arthritis. He testified on my behalf during the custody hearing, and all around they've been supportive of me through the best and worst parts of my life thus far, and that's far more than I could ever fairly ask of any employer. My supervisor (who has been my supervisor, mentor, and friend for the entire 8 years) is getting ready to retire, and wants me to take over for him. A large part of me wants to do just that, BUT I can't fairly turn down the new position. My work is as varied as the term "multimedia", I do photo editting, print, pamphlets, websites, audio, video, flash, posters, CD Duplication, preservation, and more along with being an MCP working on my MSCA and MCSE.
The new job is a GS-11 (around $55K a year starting, a jump of $17K over what I make now) job with the Veterans Hospital in Lebanon PA, one of the biggest in the nation, as their webmaster. http://www.va.gov/lebanonVAMC/ It's obviously, a Federal Gov't job, meaning recession-proof, the benefits are awesome, and the retirement plan is very good too. As an added bonus, once I'm in it will be a relatively simple matter to get transferred somewhere else, like Idaho in a few years to be closer to my friends, parents, and family. Downside... it's an hour drive each way.
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08-05-2008, 11:11 AM | #2 |
Very Mad Bird
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Location: Breukelen (over the river from New Amsterdam)
Age: 52
Posts: 9,246
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Re: New Job
Take the new job and if necessary, move closer to it.
Who can blame you for taking a job based on all those reasons? Certainly not people who love you, even though you'd be missed. It sounds like a fantastic opportunity Morg! |
08-05-2008, 01:57 PM | #3 |
Drizzt Do'Urden
Join Date: April 9, 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Age: 68
Posts: 630
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Re: New Job
Take it, 17K is a hell of a raise.
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08-05-2008, 02:03 PM | #4 |
40th Level Warrior
Join Date: October 29, 2001
Location: Western Wilds of Michigan
Posts: 11,752
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Re: New Job
40% is a hell of a raise too... but make sure that you take it for reasons besides money. Make sure that it helps with what you want to do... and it sounds like it does.
Life isn't all about money. I'm not against it by any means; in fact, I'm quite fond of it. But I know it's easily replaceable, even if it doesn't seem like it sometimes. Other things (family, friends, kids, health, and so on) can't be bought or replaced. I respect the ties with your supervisor. It sounds like he's been a hell of an ally over the past few years. And if he truly supports you, he won't begrudge you taking this job if it's what's best for you, even if it might not be best for him.
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08-05-2008, 03:07 PM | #5 |
Jack Burton
Join Date: October 16, 2001
Location: PA
Age: 43
Posts: 5,421
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Re: New Job
Thanks guys. As I told my boss, the money is actually a minor factor, at least initially, a lot of the increase(over my supervisor's job if I had decided to take it) will be eaten by gas. But the benefits are outstanding, and it really will help later on with moving back west where I want to live and raise my girls. It wasn't an easy decision to come to, but ultimately it's the right one, and my boss is very supportive, which I expected, but it makes it a bit easier.
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"Any attempt to cheat, especially with my wife, who is a dirty, dirty, tramp, and I am just gonna snap." Knibb High Principal - Billy Madison |
08-05-2008, 03:18 PM | #6 |
Iron Throne Cult
Join Date: March 12, 2001
Location: Manila, Philippines
Age: 39
Posts: 4,864
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Re: New Job
Whatever makes you happy.
It's always difficult, but always go with something that you know you would not regret. Good luck! |
08-05-2008, 07:10 PM | #7 |
Lord Soth
Join Date: July 25, 2002
Location: Melbourne FL
Age: 59
Posts: 1,971
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Re: New Job
Sounds like you've decided on the webmaster position. From your description that's what I would've recommended. Any chance you'll be able to telecommute from time to time?
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08-06-2008, 08:26 PM | #8 |
Dracolisk
Join Date: November 1, 2002
Location: Australia ..... G\'day!
Posts: 6,123
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Re: New Job
If your mentor and friend is retiring then the place won't be the same without him anyhow, be thankful you have had a rock to lean on these last few years, they are hard to come by, but move on Morgeraut.
But do make time to go visit your supervisor often, retirement is lonely sometimes and you have a small duty to repay the friendship he has given. All the best
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08-07-2008, 08:12 AM | #9 |
Silver Dragon
Join Date: August 2, 2006
Location: i ngach aon áit (but mostly Western Europe)
Age: 55
Posts: 1,619
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Re: New Job
Supervisor, mentor, friend (not dissimilar to being a parent) - if he's been all of that for you and you are now able to move on up, then he's done well by you. Do youself proud and you'll do him proud.
As Wellard says, keep in touch, let him know how things go - you can bet he'll still talk through things with you if you ask, and an independent view-point is always worth having.
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