Jobs

[Mr. Kamikazi]

Licensed Social Worker/Therapist & Behavioral Consultant.

Love my job. Pays well. I work less than 40 hours per week. I’m 1099 which has its pros & cons but I’ve never been burned. I take off when I want, I pay for health insurance out of pocket but it’s better than any insurance a company offered me, plus it’s cheaper & better. Almost exclusively work with kiddos which I love. Gives me a chance to give back & help them as when I was a lad, not a single person helped me. Thankfully I had 5-6 really good friends who influenced me to go to college.

8 years in the field. Wanted to get into forensics but it’s niche & the agency I worked for briefly at a part time rate only paid 35 hourly & wanted to give me an upwards of 90 clients, all who were Sex Offenders (this population I'm passionate about). The work was great but they did everything prehistoric in terms of paperwork. I hate that.

[CrumblingInfrastructure]

Im an IT Support Specialist T1 at a fintech company now. I started off as the provisioning guy but now I do my basic troubleshooting tickets, write documentation and SOPs, do IAM shit, data destruction, account creation/deactivation, and a bunch of other random shit that probably shouldn’t be for a T1 guy. They just fired my Desktop Engineer that I was super close with which is a bummer. Before this I was just a hardware guy at a really large mortgage company imaging laptops and sending out equipment. Never had to talk to anyone or anything. I’ve been here for 3 months now and i’m doing some pretty wild shit that probably shouldnt be done by a T1 tech. Overall the job is pretty stressful for me but they’re paying me a gross amount of money for my experience level so im having a hard time walking away.

[TheLurper]

Im an IT Support Specialist T1 at a fintech company now. I started off as the provisioning guy but now I do my basic troubleshooting tickets, write documentation and SOPs, do IAM shit, data destruction, account creation/deactivation, and a bunch of other random shit that probably shouldn’t be for a T1 guy. They just fired my Desktop Engineer that I was super close with which is a bummer. Before this I was just a hardware guy at a really large mortgage company imaging laptops and sending out equipment. Never had to talk to anyone or anything. I’ve been here for 3 months now and i’m doing some pretty wild shit that probably shouldnt be done by a T1 tech. Overall the job is pretty stressful for me but they’re paying me a gross amount of money for my experience level so im having a hard time walking away.

For the IAM stuff are you granting individuals access to stuff or doing computer to computer shit?



I used to do some government job that had the potential to help people. The pay was garbage and location was hell, but I enjoyed the work itself. Looking back, I don't regret taking the job, but I do regret staying in it for nearly 7 years and prioritizing it over my personal life. Life is way too short to put work first.

Now, I do some bullshit private industry job that isn't very engaging and I'm constantly in fear of being laid off, but I finally get paid enough to actually live my life.

Both jobs revolve around doing social science research. And, amazingly the private industry job takes about half the brain power of the government job, but pays about 3x more.

[CrumblingInfrastructure]

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Im an IT Support Specialist T1 at a fintech company now. I started off as the provisioning guy but now I do my basic troubleshooting tickets, write documentation and SOPs, do IAM shit, data destruction, account creation/deactivation, and a bunch of other random shit that probably shouldn’t be for a T1 guy. They just fired my Desktop Engineer that I was super close with which is a bummer. Before this I was just a hardware guy at a really large mortgage company imaging laptops and sending out equipment. Never had to talk to anyone or anything. I’ve been here for 3 months now and i’m doing some pretty wild shit that probably shouldnt be done by a T1 tech. Overall the job is pretty stressful for me but they’re paying me a gross amount of money for my experience level so im having a hard time walking away.

[close]

For the IAM stuff are you granting individuals access to stuff or doing computer to computer shit?



I used to do some government job that had the potential to help people. The pay was garbage and location was hell, but I enjoyed the work itself. Looking back, I don't regret taking the job, but I do regret staying in it for nearly 7 years and prioritizing it over my personal life. Life is way too short to put work first.

Now, I do some bullshit private industry job that isn't very engaging and I'm constantly in fear of being laid off, but I finally get paid enough to actually live my life.

Both jobs revolve around doing social science research. And, amazingly the private industry job takes about half the brain power of the government job, but pays about 3x more.

For now my IAM stuff is pretty mellow, Its usually submitting requests from end users to system owners and if approved adding them to the correct groups. I work a little bit with the the IAM engineers for small ad hoc stuff from time to time (usually something breaks and we work out a fix then document/implement it).

[Mr. Pickles]

I’m and eligibility caseworker for social services. I've been running my unit for the last 9 months with no direct supervisor and 3 newer coworkers who go to me for everything. I trained them, I was their go-to for all of their questions... I put in for a transfer and went through the process, only to not get it... but one of my new coworkers did for some reason. He then sends me this condescending text saying "I'm sorry, I wish you had gotten it, but I need to take the opportunity. Keep doing the good work and you'll get something." My reply was "Go fuck yourself."  I was pissed, but ok with it until I got that text.

Anyway, I'm over it. I'm thinking about becoming a garbage man or park ranger.

[IUTSM]

Licensed Social Worker/Therapist & Behavioral Consultant.

Love my job. Pays well. I work less than 40 hours per week. I’m 1099 which has its pros & cons but I’ve never been burned. I take off when I want, I pay for health insurance out of pocket but it’s better than any insurance a company offered me, plus it’s cheaper & better. Almost exclusively work with kiddos which I love. Gives me a chance to give back & help them as when I was a lad, not a single person helped me. Thankfully I had 5-6 really good friends who influenced me to go to college.

8 years in the field. Wanted to get into forensics but it’s niche & the agency I worked for briefly at a part time rate only paid 35 hourly & wanted to give me an upwards of 90 clients, all who were Sex Offenders (this population I'm passionate about). The work was great but they did everything prehistoric in terms of paperwork. I hate that.

MSW is a versatile degree, for sure.

Whats the going rate for therapy where you’re at?

[Mr. Kamikazi]

I’m and eligibility caseworker for social services. I've been running my unit for the last 9 months with no direct supervisor and 3 newer coworkers who go to me for everything. I trained them, I was their go-to for all of their questions... I put in for a transfer and went through the process, only to not get it... but one of my new coworkers did for some reason. He then sends me this condescending text saying "I'm sorry, I wish you had gotten it, but I need to take the opportunity. Keep doing the good work and you'll get something." My reply was "Go fuck yourself."  I was pissed, but ok with it until I got that text.

Anyway, I'm over it. I'm thinking about becoming a garbage man or park ranger.

I’m sorry to hear this mate. You have a Masters Degree presumably?

[Mr. Kamikazi]

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Licensed Social Worker/Therapist & Behavioral Consultant.

Love my job. Pays well. I work less than 40 hours per week. I’m 1099 which has its pros & cons but I’ve never been burned. I take off when I want, I pay for health insurance out of pocket but it’s better than any insurance a company offered me, plus it’s cheaper & better. Almost exclusively work with kiddos which I love. Gives me a chance to give back & help them as when I was a lad, not a single person helped me. Thankfully I had 5-6 really good friends who influenced me to go to college.

8 years in the field. Wanted to get into forensics but it’s niche & the agency I worked for briefly at a part time rate only paid 35 hourly & wanted to give me an upwards of 90 clients, all who were Sex Offenders (this population I'm passionate about). The work was great but they did everything prehistoric in terms of paperwork. I hate that.

[close]

MSW is a versatile degree, for sure.

Whats the going rate for therapy where you’re at?

Therapy is between 95-140 per session.

[Mr. Pickles]

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I’m and eligibility caseworker for social services. I've been running my unit for the last 9 months with no direct supervisor and 3 newer coworkers who go to me for everything. I trained them, I was their go-to for all of their questions... I put in for a transfer and went through the process, only to not get it... but one of my new coworkers did for some reason. He then sends me this condescending text saying "I'm sorry, I wish you had gotten it, but I need to take the opportunity. Keep doing the good work and you'll get something." My reply was "Go fuck yourself."  I was pissed, but ok with it until I got that text.

Anyway, I'm over it. I'm thinking about becoming a garbage man or park ranger.

[close]

I’m sorry to hear this mate. You have a Masters Degree presumably?

No, just a BS. I’m not a social worker, just an eligibility worker. I’ve been doing this for almost 15 years and it’s soul crushing, customer service. It’s government so at least there’s retirement in… 15 years. Idk if I can make it.

[Mr. Kamikazi]

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I’m and eligibility caseworker for social services. I've been running my unit for the last 9 months with no direct supervisor and 3 newer coworkers who go to me for everything. I trained them, I was their go-to for all of their questions... I put in for a transfer and went through the process, only to not get it... but one of my new coworkers did for some reason. He then sends me this condescending text saying "I'm sorry, I wish you had gotten it, but I need to take the opportunity. Keep doing the good work and you'll get something." My reply was "Go fuck yourself."  I was pissed, but ok with it until I got that text.

Anyway, I'm over it. I'm thinking about becoming a garbage man or park ranger.

[close]

I’m sorry to hear this mate. You have a Masters Degree presumably?

[close]

No, just a BS. I’m not a social worker, just an eligibility worker. I’ve been doing this for almost 15 years and it’s soul crushing, customer service. It’s government so at least there’s retirement in… 15 years. Idk if I can make it.

Got ya. I’ve heard similar from people I know here who do that sort of stuff. I’m sorry to hear you’re burnt out.

[IUTSM]

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I’m and eligibility caseworker for social services. I've been running my unit for the last 9 months with no direct supervisor and 3 newer coworkers who go to me for everything. I trained them, I was their go-to for all of their questions... I put in for a transfer and went through the process, only to not get it... but one of my new coworkers did for some reason. He then sends me this condescending text saying "I'm sorry, I wish you had gotten it, but I need to take the opportunity. Keep doing the good work and you'll get something." My reply was "Go fuck yourself."  I was pissed, but ok with it until I got that text.

Anyway, I'm over it. I'm thinking about becoming a garbage man or park ranger.

[close]

I’m sorry to hear this mate. You have a Masters Degree presumably?

[close]

No, just a BS. I’m not a social worker, just an eligibility worker. I’ve been doing this for almost 15 years and it’s soul crushing, customer service. It’s government so at least there’s retirement in… 15 years. Idk if I can make it.

My buddy did that gig in portland for a while. Ive been a medicaid and SNAP recipient at various points  in my adult life and i really appreciate y’all on the other end of the phone. Ive has some really rude, judgey eligibility workers and some that are just saints. I remember when i was first applying for medicaid and the dude asks if i want EBT and im like “nah man, i just need to see doctors…” and he says, “well, you qualify. There is no shame in it. How about I just send you the card, if you use it, you do, if not, no worries?” That dude was awesome and the SNAP benefits were a game changer at that point of living on couches and in my car.

Im just saying this because as thankless as it can be, there are reasons im not taking county jobs, y’all are truly helping people

[TheLurper]

For now my IAM stuff is pretty mellow, Its usually submitting requests from end users to system owners and if approved adding them to the correct groups. I work a little bit with the the IAM engineers for small ad hoc stuff from time to time (usually something breaks and we work out a fix then document/implement it).

Interesting.

Why not just use identity center? Is there a reason you have to use IAM? (Legit curious about this as I know a lot of people use IAM when IC is often easier for what they're doing.)

[Mr. Pickles]

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I’m and eligibility caseworker for social services. I've been running my unit for the last 9 months with no direct supervisor and 3 newer coworkers who go to me for everything. I trained them, I was their go-to for all of their questions... I put in for a transfer and went through the process, only to not get it... but one of my new coworkers did for some reason. He then sends me this condescending text saying "I'm sorry, I wish you had gotten it, but I need to take the opportunity. Keep doing the good work and you'll get something." My reply was "Go fuck yourself."  I was pissed, but ok with it until I got that text.

Anyway, I'm over it. I'm thinking about becoming a garbage man or park ranger.

[close]

I’m sorry to hear this mate. You have a Masters Degree presumably?

[close]

No, just a BS. I’m not a social worker, just an eligibility worker. I’ve been doing this for almost 15 years and it’s soul crushing, customer service. It’s government so at least there’s retirement in… 15 years. Idk if I can make it.

[close]

My buddy did that gig in portland for a while. Ive been a medicaid and SNAP recipient at various points  in my adult life and i really appreciate y’all on the other end of the phone. Ive has some really rude, judgey eligibility workers and some that are just saints. I remember when i was first applying for medicaid and the dude asks if i want EBT and im like “nah man, i just need to see doctors…” and he says, “well, you qualify. There is no shame in it. How about I just send you the card, if you use it, you do, if not, no worries?” That dude was awesome and the SNAP benefits were a game changer at that point of living on couches and in my car.

Im just saying this because as thankless as it can be, there are reasons im not taking county jobs, y’all are truly helping people

Hey man, thank you.

[rawr1922]

Do you pals know any PRN jobs outside of the healthcare setting? Any type where you actively punch in the hours you want to work every month on their scheduling system?

[swellbowed]

[mynameisnotjeff]

Tried using the search bar on here but didn't get a real result.
Any of you Pals a Physical Therapist or an Assistant to one?

Thinking about the career.

[GS77]

Tried using the search bar on here but didn't get a real result.
Any of you Pals a Physical Therapist or an Assistant to one?

Thinking about the career.

That’s a growing profession but requires a lot of schooling. I thought about it about 15 years ago when I hated my job. If you’re gonna do it be a therapist not an assistant. Assistants make less than half what the Therapist does. Maybe you can begin as an assistant and continue schooling. It’s probably a very rewarding profession.

[brucewillis]

I used to have a job similar to yours, sitting alone in an office for long hours; I was a data entry clerk. It got really monotonous, just typing away and not interacting with anyone. I found myself feeling bored and unfulfilled, so I started looking for something different. That's when I stumbled upon some job listings under Tucson careers, which led me to apply for a few roles that seemed more engaging.

Now, I work as a recruiter, and it's a whole different ballgame. I interact with people daily, learn about their experiences, and help them find suitable jobs. It’s more dynamic and fulfilling, making the workday fly by.

[Jewel Runner]

I used to have a job similar to yours, sitting alone in an office for long hours; I was a data entry clerk. It got really monotonous, just typing away and not interacting with anyone. I found myself feeling bored and unfulfilled, so I started looking for something different.

What are you doing nowadays?

I'm always looking for new carreers to see if I change areas

[slippy]

I'm a data engineer for a large company.  The work is fine but they've been stringing me along with the promise of becoming manager for a year now.  Just heard it looks like it'll be another year at least.  Definitely deflated but I need to just buck up and get that resume together again.  If anyone knows of a company < 750 people they heard good things about and has remote work let ya boi know.  Good luck out there yall

[IUTSM]

Got an 8 week contract job out of state on a monster house. 8 gables on this thing 

Replace all siding and windows w 2 other dudes, old time masters.

[sharkjumper]

Any of you pals work as a project manager?
Looks interesting and seems like there are a variety of openings.
Would love to hear thoughts on it. Thanks.

[burm]

Any of you pals work as a project manager?
Looks interesting and seems like there are a variety of openings.
Would love to hear thoughts on it. Thanks.

My thoughts of it in the IT context

Pros:
You don’t need specific hard skills, although something like a Scrum Master, ITIL, Prince2 certificate can help in some places.

Cons:
You create nothing and every problem is your problem.

Satisfaction is dependent on can you get it from helping other people work more efficiently, or, if you hate people, by making sure the project meets it’s goals regardless of how it makes the workers feel.
 

[sharkjumper]

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Any of you pals work as a project manager?
Looks interesting and seems like there are a variety of openings.
Would love to hear thoughts on it. Thanks.

[close]

My thoughts of it in the IT context

Pros:
You don’t need specific hard skills, although something like a Scrum Master, ITIL, Prince2 certificate can help in some places.

Cons:
You create nothing and every problem is your problem.

Satisfaction is dependent on can you get it from helping other people work more efficiently, or, if you hate people, by making sure the project meets it’s goals regardless of how it makes the workers feel.
 

This is helpful insight. Thank you.

[sometimeperhaps]

Looking for some advice from my fellow PALS.

I work as an art director in the healthcare space, and I've been at my current company for five months now. I got this job after getting laid off from my previous job. Funnily enough the reason I got laid off from my previous job is because our biggest client moved to my current employer.

My current job requires about 3.5 hours of commuting a day, 10 times a month (2-3 days per week). The commute is pretty easy, but obviously long. It is kinda flexible where I can leave a bit early and make it home by 5:30 most days. I have a 15 month old so that's nice. My co-workers are all pretty good, and the job is fairly easy most of the time, which is nice but also perhaps not the best for career growth.

I was recently contacted by a company in the city I live, who I had applied and interviewed with a couple times over the last two years but things never worked out - first time they low balled me, second time they said I wasn't experienced enough. I was doing some freelance for them over the last year, and have a few good friends from past job that work there so my name was getting around, and they were happy with the services I offered and my abilities. Basically COO reached out to say "lets get to know each other, and if you're this well regarded why aren't you working here?". We chatted what I want career wise, salary, etc.

In their latest message, they basically said I can get everything I mentioned in our call - salary, role, growth - but it's only available this time. If I pass on it but apply in the future, the same offer isn't on the table.

The pro's are I'd get a $10,000 (or more) salary increase, plus the few thousand I'd save per year not having to commute along with my time. I'd probably be in a better spot for career growth, and I'd be working with some good friends again. Also being close to home will be helpful with family stuff once my kid is going to daycare and school, as my wife will have to take that 3.5 hour commute I mentioned earlier some days once she's back at work. We don't have any family where we live so we can't really rely on anyone to help with kid things should they need to be picked up early, appointments, etc. Basically it could turn into a stressful logistical issue in the future. There's not really any obvious cons I'm aware of, although they did lay off a friend of mine weeks before Christmas a couple years ago, which left a bad taste in his mouth. Slightly different scenario than what I'd be walking into but valid still. I do wanna reach out to a couple friends their to get their thoughts.

I have a hard time leaving jobs, and tend to work at places for a long time assuming things aren't terrible. Despite not working at my current job a long time, I'd feel as though I'm "letting people down" by leaving. But at the same time this is a large company, who of course would have no problem cutting me should they need to. Basically how to I convince myself to make the right decision, based on what I laid out. I think the positives are in favour of accepting this new offer, but I find it's always a touch choice to make. The area I work in is somewhat niche, and I don't want to burn any bridges. But at the same time, being closer to home with more pay and less commuting would make family life presumably easier in some regards.

[slaab900turbo]

Looking for some advice from my fellow PALS.

I work as an art director in the healthcare space, and I've been at my current company for five months now. I got this job after getting laid off from my previous job. Funnily enough the reason I got laid off from my previous job is because our biggest client moved to my current employer.

My current job requires about 3.5 hours of commuting a day, 10 times a month (2-3 days per week). The commute is pretty easy, but obviously long. It is kinda flexible where I can leave a bit early and make it home by 5:30 most days. I have a 15 month old so that's nice. My co-workers are all pretty good, and the job is fairly easy most of the time, which is nice but also perhaps not the best for career growth.

I was recently contacted by a company in the city I live, who I had applied and interviewed with a couple times over the last two years but things never worked out - first time they low balled me, second time they said I wasn't experienced enough. I was doing some freelance for them over the last year, and have a few good friends from past job that work there so my name was getting around, and they were happy with the services I offered and my abilities. Basically COO reached out to say "lets get to know each other, and if you're this well regarded why aren't you working here?". We chatted what I want career wise, salary, etc.

In their latest message, they basically said I can get everything I mentioned in our call - salary, role, growth - but it's only available this time. If I pass on it but apply in the future, the same offer isn't on the table.

The pro's are I'd get a $10,000 (or more) salary increase, plus the few thousand I'd save per year not having to commute along with my time. I'd probably be in a better spot for career growth, and I'd be working with some good friends again. Also being close to home will be helpful with family stuff once my kid is going to daycare and school, as my wife will have to take that 3.5 hour commute I mentioned earlier some days once she's back at work. We don't have any family where we live so we can't really rely on anyone to help with kid things should they need to be picked up early, appointments, etc. Basically it could turn into a stressful logistical issue in the future. There's not really any obvious cons I'm aware of, although they did lay off a friend of mine weeks before Christmas a couple years ago, which left a bad taste in his mouth. Slightly different scenario than what I'd be walking into but valid still. I do wanna reach out to a couple friends their to get their thoughts.

I have a hard time leaving jobs, and tend to work at places for a long time assuming things aren't terrible. Despite not working at my current job a long time, I'd feel as though I'm "letting people down" by leaving. But at the same time this is a large company, who of course would have no problem cutting me should they need to. Basically how to I convince myself to make the right decision, based on what I laid out. I think the positives are in favour of accepting this new offer, but I find it's always a touch choice to make. The area I work in is somewhat niche, and I don't want to burn any bridges. But at the same time, being closer to home with more pay and less commuting would make family life presumably easier in some regards.

Take the offer. The time you will get back from your shortened commute trumps the pay increase. Before Covid I had to commute to a job 5 days a week that there was no reason I could not do the same job from home. My company went to a “virtual first” model during the pandemic and I have been 100% remote for 4 years and it has been life changing. Granted my situation is not the same as yours, but getting back the time I was spending commuting has really been positive. Good luck!✌️

[fakie nollie]

I work in marketing at a cushy large company now but my boss and coworkers leave a lot to be desired. Lots of politics and I’ve had multiple people come to me I tears because they’re mistreated by either my manager or other superiors. I do have decent pay though and my boss does advocate for me.

The first day I was hired, the manager I interviewed with (and really liked) was fired. After being here for a year, I’ve come to the conclusion she was pushed out due to politics, more or less. I have a meeting with her next week and I think it may bring up a job opportunity. If this happens, I’m not sure what I’ll do, as it’s a startup tech company. I’ve worked at 5 different companies in the last 6 years and really want stability, but I’ve also tripled my salary in that time by making these moves for different titles.

On the other side of this, I have a side gig idea that I’ve been sitting on for months now that I need to launch. I’m hoping that, whatever I decide to do, that gets to a place in the next couple of years to where I no longer have to work for anyone but myself.

[sharkjumper]

Looking for some advice from my fellow PALS.

I work as an art director in the healthcare space, and I've been at my current company for five months now. I got this job after getting laid off from my previous job. Funnily enough the reason I got laid off from my previous job is because our biggest client moved to my current employer.

My current job requires about 3.5 hours of commuting a day, 10 times a month (2-3 days per week). The commute is pretty easy, but obviously long. It is kinda flexible where I can leave a bit early and make it home by 5:30 most days. I have a 15 month old so that's nice. My co-workers are all pretty good, and the job is fairly easy most of the time, which is nice but also perhaps not the best for career growth.

I was recently contacted by a company in the city I live, who I had applied and interviewed with a couple times over the last two years but things never worked out - first time they low balled me, second time they said I wasn't experienced enough. I was doing some freelance for them over the last year, and have a few good friends from past job that work there so my name was getting around, and they were happy with the services I offered and my abilities. Basically COO reached out to say "lets get to know each other, and if you're this well regarded why aren't you working here?". We chatted what I want career wise, salary, etc.

In their latest message, they basically said I can get everything I mentioned in our call - salary, role, growth - but it's only available this time. If I pass on it but apply in the future, the same offer isn't on the table.

The pro's are I'd get a $10,000 (or more) salary increase, plus the few thousand I'd save per year not having to commute along with my time. I'd probably be in a better spot for career growth, and I'd be working with some good friends again. Also being close to home will be helpful with family stuff once my kid is going to daycare and school, as my wife will have to take that 3.5 hour commute I mentioned earlier some days once she's back at work. We don't have any family where we live so we can't really rely on anyone to help with kid things should they need to be picked up early, appointments, etc. Basically it could turn into a stressful logistical issue in the future. There's not really any obvious cons I'm aware of, although they did lay off a friend of mine weeks before Christmas a couple years ago, which left a bad taste in his mouth. Slightly different scenario than what I'd be walking into but valid still. I do wanna reach out to a couple friends their to get their thoughts.

I have a hard time leaving jobs, and tend to work at places for a long time assuming things aren't terrible. Despite not working at my current job a long time, I'd feel as though I'm "letting people down" by leaving. But at the same time this is a large company, who of course would have no problem cutting me should they need to. Basically how to I convince myself to make the right decision, based on what I laid out. I think the positives are in favour of accepting this new offer, but I find it's always a touch choice to make. The area I work in is somewhat niche, and I don't want to burn any bridges. But at the same time, being closer to home with more pay and less commuting would make family life presumably easier in some regards.

Sounds like lots of positives for this new job. Remember that a big company really doesn’t give a shit about you. So you’re not letting the company down. The coworkers that you like will understand the reasons for changing- short commute, raise, etc. And leaving your current job opens a new opportunity for someone else.

[burm]

I work in marketing at a cushy large company now but my boss and coworkers leave a lot to be desired. Lots of politics and I’ve had multiple people come to me I tears because they’re mistreated by either my manager or other superiors. I do have decent pay though and my boss does advocate for me.

The first day I was hired, the manager I interviewed with (and really liked) was fired. After being here for a year, I’ve come to the conclusion she was pushed out due to politics, more or less. I have a meeting with her next week and I think it may bring up a job opportunity. If this happens, I’m not sure what I’ll do, as it’s a startup tech company. I’ve worked at 5 different companies in the last 6 years and really want stability, but I’ve also tripled my salary in that time by making these moves for different titles.

On the other side of this, I have a side gig idea that I’ve been sitting on for months now that I need to launch. I’m hoping that, whatever I decide to do, that gets to a place in the next couple of years to where I no longer have to work for anyone but myself.

I guess you need to weigh your priorities. You can take cushy money at a cushy job, or take less money for more challenge and possibly feel more fulfilled. With startups though there is not guarantee that the job will be what you want, but in general you get more say over what you do and there is more to do than people to do it so you get to put your hands on more things. And of course the possibility of the startup hitting it off and you cashing in your equity, but that's so rare that you shouldn't consider it as a part of your monetary incentives.

I have taken less pay the previous 4 times I've changed jobs just to find something more meaningful and now I finally have "autonomy, mastery and purpose" (Daniel Pink), and it feels so good to be able to really invest my time and effort into the work in a major way. But that being said I probably wouldn't be doing it if I didn't think there is chance it's going to amount to something monetary in a 1-2 year span, and I don't hope to invest this much into work on a long term.

The main thing I would say is that if you take a position in a startup that is actually doing something and expects that from you as well, it might be pretty difficult to find the resources to work on your own thing. The cushy job might give you more mental and monetary freedom to make something else happen.

[Coastal Fever]

I’m turning to the Slap brain trust on this one…

I work for a company doing installs.  It’s currently me, another guy, and a new guy.  The other guy’s body is fucked and his install days are numbered.  He thinks he’ll be transitioning to an office role.. which he might.. but I suspect the company doesn’t want him to.. for a variety of superficial and non-superficial reasons.

Today, my boss asked if I had any interest in it.  I said I’m all for new opportunities, learning new skills, and career advancement.  He then implied that it wouldn’t necessarily be advancing, but maybe more of a lateral move.

I love working on the road.  It keeps me active, I’m always doing different stuff and seeing different places.  The freedom I have is ludicrous, to the point where I’m basically running a side hustle during work hours.

I absolutely do not want an office job unless it comes with a hefty raise… BUT, I feel like turning it down would be idiotic of me, as I could learn a lot of things that make me more employable.  The installing I do is very niche, and my company is pretty much the only gig in town.

Does it ever make sense to take a shittier job that pays the same as part of a long game?  I’m ADHD as hell and not sure I could handle the confines of an office, and office politics, if no financial benefit is guaranteed.  Thoughts?


TLDR: Take an office gig that pays the same even though I prefer field work?  In hopes that it leads to more lucrative roles down the road?