New Job

Morgeruat · 08-05-2008, 10:02 AM

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.

Yorick · 08-05-2008, 11:11 AM

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!

machinehead · 08-05-2008, 01:57 PM

Take it, 17K is a hell of a raise.

Bungleau · 08-05-2008, 02:03 PM

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.

Morgeruat · 08-05-2008, 03:07 PM

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.

Bahamut · 08-05-2008, 03:18 PM

Whatever makes you happy.

It's always difficult, but always go with something that you know you would not regret. Good luck!

VulcanRider · 08-05-2008, 07:10 PM

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?

wellard · 08-06-2008, 08:26 PM

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

Unglaublich Verwustung · 08-07-2008, 08:12 AM

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.

08-05-2008, 10:02 AM	#1
Morgeruat Jack Burton Join Date: October 16, 2001 Location: PA Age: 43 Posts: 5,421	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. __________________ "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, 11:11 AM	#2
Yorick Very Mad Bird Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Breukelen (over the river from New Amsterdam) Age: 52 Posts: 9,246	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! __________________ http://www.hughwilson.com

08-05-2008, 01:57 PM	#3
machinehead Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: April 9, 2001 Location: Massachusetts Age: 68 Posts: 630	Re: New Job Take it, 17K is a hell of a raise.

08-05-2008, 02:03 PM	#4
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	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. __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

08-05-2008, 03:07 PM	#5
Morgeruat Jack Burton Join Date: October 16, 2001 Location: PA Age: 43 Posts: 5,421	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. __________________ "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
Bahamut Iron Throne Cult Join Date: March 12, 2001 Location: Manila, Philippines Age: 39 Posts: 4,864	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! __________________ http://makeallthedifference.blogspot.com http://www.bratgirlcentral.com/cgi-b.../ikonboard.cgi

08-05-2008, 07:10 PM	#7
VulcanRider Lord Soth Join Date: July 25, 2002 Location: Melbourne FL Age: 59 Posts: 1,971	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? __________________ ----- Help feed animals in shelters with just a mouse click at The Animal Rescue Site !!

08-06-2008, 08:26 PM	#8
wellard Dracolisk Join Date: November 1, 2002 Location: Australia ..... G\'day! Posts: 6,123	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 __________________ fossils - natures way of laughing at creationists for over 3 billion years

08-07-2008, 08:12 AM	#9
Unglaublich Verwustung Silver Dragon Join Date: August 2, 2006 Location: i ngach aon áit (but mostly Western Europe) Age: 55 Posts: 1,619	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. __________________ Make a decision, even if it's wrong, and remember.... ...it's never too early for a salad.

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