I'm 2.5 years into my first entry level job. I'm not crazy about it, but as a fresh college grad I leapt in with both feet without asking too many questions.
I'm an electrical engineer, but I spend most of my time dreaming up my own assignments to stay busy. We're overstaffed for the work we have (which is not technically intensive; it mostly involves updating old technical instructions to modern requirements), so it's hard to stay productive, even when you're actively seeking assignments.
The only place to exercise any autonomy or creative input is in the rotating pool of field engineers; everyone is required to do 12 weeks each year, but typically no more (so the office groups can continue to produce instructions and planning products.)
I've been considering making a career swap (in about 6-7 months, when my lease expires) to a position that supports remote work and international travel. I'm in a good position in my life to take off on a whim and travel the world while working remotely.
However, my new supervisor tossed me a carrot this week and informed me that the field engineering group will be starting a new project next September, and they'll be looking for a technical lead right around the time I was planning to leave. I suspect they're trying to keep me, because we have a terrible attrition rate as it is (~7 people a year), and I'm right in the average departure time frame.
It's a year-long assignment in a leadership position (supporting all electrical work for a major project, working with the rotating engineers to provide continued coverage and minimize work stoppages), which isn't something I have documented experience in (and am unlikely to obtain if I spend the next few years working remotely). I'm not guaranteed the position, but I will be one of the top candidates.
I'm torn, because I think getting leadership experience in this kind of role is a good long-term career move, and a huge step towards leading my own team, but I'm also sick of management's reluctance to allow change, even for small QoL improvements. My view towards remote work is arguably a bit on the romantic side, and I'm sure it won't 100% match my expectations, but there are so many opportunities opening up globally for remote workers to stay beyond the standard traveler's visa that it just seems like the perfect timing.
Is it better to stick it out in my current job for the leadership experience, or can I make up for it in a different position further down the line? I want a job where I'm able to make changes and provide improvements instead of monotonously reinventing the wheel, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot, either.
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19 Comments
19 Comments
Kat
238
FGB VIP - Sharing knowledge, providing support
12/08/20 at 8:05PM UTC
I don't really see much reason for staying. You're unhappy with what you're doing and you don't like the company or the structure much. You're not challenged and not given any opportunities to grow. A possible promotion 6 or more months down the road isn't much incentive. A lot could change in that time. The position might get pushed back or not happen at all. Start networking and looking for new opportunities now so you know what's available. Also, think about the kind of job/career path you do want. Look into companies that are more supportive of career development than the one you're at. It sounds more like your manager is more interested in not hiring a new person rather than helping you develop your career. Engineering is such a diverse field - there's no reason to limit your options. The job you want is out there - good luck!
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Anonymous
12/08/20 at 10:28PM UTC
If you are offered the leadership position, stay. If/when the leadership position is taken off the table, you can revisit the remote work option.
Two more suggestions:
1)Continue at your current job and, if you wish, apply for remote work simultaneously. That way, you needn’t quit your job before you have an alternative lined up.
2) See if you can do some research beforehand to determine the pros ands cons of remote work. Some enjoy it, others do not.
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Anonymous
12/10/20 at 1:35PM UTC
I would also add that the leadership position may allow you to make changes within your team, which could provide you with good experience in an organization that has a stagnant culture - valuable experience that you will be able to take to another company.
Also, if you have some down time in the next 6-7 months in your current role, are there any learning opportunities or courses in management that you would consider taking advantage of to increase your chances of getting the leadership position? There are lots of free or low-cost courses online.
User edited comment on 12/10/20 at 1:38PM UTC
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Amy Pasquale
67
Expert on Leadership, Teams, and Culture Change
12/08/20 at 11:19PM UTC
@Christina - firstly congratulations on where you are at and the opportunities and paths you have drawn into your life. From my perspective the only person who can really answer this question is you! The key phrase you said, to me, is "I'm torn." Whenever this shows up for me - I know I have to go deeper and clarify my values and needs. Either of these choices has validity and value - they are just different. Getting clear on this will be important. There is some wonderful work by Edgar Schein around something called "Career Anchors" and essentially this work says that everyone has a specific set of needs and these needs drive their career decisions and can be seen across ones career (when looking back with hindsight). It might be useful to take one of these free and easy assessments online to deepen your own awareness around what values and needs really underpin this and any other decision like this. https://www.123test.com/work-values-test/. Please remember (or at least do your best) to answer the questions based on your own thoughts and feelings and not what you think others "think" you should want or value (this includes, importantly, society - there are many powerful messages about career success we are programmed with and this programming can mask your own needs). Hope this helps!
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Christina
23
Electrical Field Engineer
12/08/20 at 11:25PM UTC
Thank you! I think 'career martyrdom' is definitely something I have to actively fight against. It seems like a majority of people (myself included) are susceptible to defining themselves by their career success instead of using their own interests and values to define their career moves.
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Joycelyn M. Siame
150
Experienced Admin.
12/09/20 at 1:59PM UTC
Because you were planning to stay until the time that new project would start up, I say stay and see if you get the job, it would be a great experience. It would be different if you were looking to leave within a month or so. I have been in positions where the day to day was so mundane and monotonous... so I did as you did and made up side projects or improved on a skill and made a professional portfolio for myself. Then, when I was ready to leave, not only did I have a great portfolio, I had "experience" from my job, which made my CV look great. So far as they are treating you well, I would take advantage of the down time, build myself see if I would get the leadership position, and if it isn't offered to me, then leave as was the plan.
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Anonymous
12/09/20 at 5:02PM UTC
Like Jocelyn, my advice is to stay.
First, while it is not fun being 'bored' at work there is a lot to be said for being able to create assignments which help you hone your career skills (including positioning yourself as a very strong contender for the upcoming opportunity). This is easier said than done but independence is better than micromanagement.
Your supervisor is new. It could be that this person recognizes you are being underutilized /that you are capable of much more. Can you build a stronger relationship with them?
The potential opportunity would satisfy one of your stated goals which is to lead a team. It would also give you invaluable experience and be a terrific career springboard.
Finally, working remotely and traveling internationally are conditions of a job - but not the actual work. Since you are still in your career building I'd have the work itself be the primary driver. The entire situation is not one or the other. You have time to gain skills and to plan - and as sappy as it sounds, a job during this challenging time.
Its good to have choices! EE's are always in demand, and while your current experience is not building on your tech knowledge in a hands on way, IF you get this role, it would certainly enhance your experience levels quickly.
Some questions: The role is a year away; you have no guarantee to get it. What will you do / how will you feel a year from now if not?
Have you researched other companies and their cultures to id the type you would like to work in? Have you really validated the culture you want?
Is there harm in putting out feelers now to other cos, and just do a little fishing? You may find that perfect fit!
Whatever you decide, your EE degree is valuable in a variety of industries, and demand will surge post covid due to the generational changeout. Good luck!
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Flossy
1.02k
Client Solutions Consultant
12/10/20 at 1:39PM UTC
My thoughts:
1: International travel and remote work is a great thing to do while you are early in your career. My fear is travel is going to be the last thing that comes back and you will face quarantines crossing borders. Time is your life =great. Time in the world = not great
2. Project Management role: this potentially is great experience working with a ton of different professionals - building your network. You won’t be trying to make work.
My advice have a bifold path that allows you to look at the travel piece as a plan b if you don’t get the promotion. After that project is complete, take your new experience and move on.
You could also ask your current employer for a sabbatical after the project to do a year of remote international work and bring your experience back to the organization.
It has to feel great they WANT you. Don’t discount that ... cherish it.
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Michelle West
49
12/10/20 at 1:42PM UTC
Like many are saying here, I would wait and see. I would stick with the “look for another position that offers remote work and the possibility of international travel” plan and start looking in 6-7 months anyway. If, in the time frame you are looking to leave, you get the leadership offer, you can opt to stay and give it a try. Otherwise move on and do your remote world travel thing. This leadership position doesn’t sound like a sure thing at this point, and it it sounds like you are young, and it is very early in your career - you are really just getting started. So if you decide to leave and travel the world it should not be that difficult to get the leadership experience later on in your career with a different company. And now is the time to do your traveling while remote working - before you get tied down with a family, mortgage, etc. If it were me, I would be leaning heavily towards the remote work plan, and go experience the world. World travel experiences are worth more than their weight in gold. They allow you to develop emotional maturity, acceptance of diversity, and personal character. If you choose this path, you will not be sorry. Good luck in whatever you decide!
User edited comment on 12/10/20 at 1:43PM UTC
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Anonymous
12/10/20 at 1:44PM UTC
I think you need some tough love here. Your romantic notion of working from anywhere, logging in between sightseeing adventures, is unrealistic. There are practical considerations that go beyond accommodating time zones. Most companies are not prepared to deal with the tax implications, the data security implications, and the visa implications of international work (because you can't work on a travel visa...you just can't), unless they're already established overseas. Even then, if you want to fly off to a country where they're NOT set up, you may not be able to work from there. It's not as easy as living in Ohio and working for a couple weeks from Florida.
On top of that, working 100% remote is HARD. Are you TRULY prepared to have no boundaries between work and home?
Lastly, in the midst of a global pandemic that's showing no signs of letting up, the kind of travel you want to do isn't going to truly be feasible for quite a while. Are you prepared to have to follow multiple quarantine rules? Because they're still there. Do some research. There are still countries that aren't allowing Americans to travel there because of the utterly horrific handling of this pandemic here.
Figure out what you really want in a realistic manner. if you don't want to wait 9 months for potential of maybe getting a promotion, don't. Start looking. But you're going to have to let go of the notion of the jet-setting young woman flying all over the world and working while overlooking the Coliseum in Rome or in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
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Anonymous
12/10/20 at 1:46PM UTC
I would explore the idea of remote work more before taking a major leap and even look at new opportunities locally. I’m 3 years into my first job post college (I worked in career field 3 years before college as well) and I’ve attempted to make major career shifts - I work in PR and suddenly decided I wanted to become a dietitian and then a dental hygienist. Turns out I was just running from my employeer! On the note if remote work - I know it’s very much so the norm for many work from home, but something to consider, definitely so early in your career, is the value of in person interactions and the growth that comes with that. Even 6 years into my career, I don’t feel prepared to forever work remotely since it can be more of that autopilot vs. a collaborative, engaged creative space. Additionally, I have struggled to get my foot in the door for these remote positions outside my current company as the remote market is very competitive!
User edited comment on 12/10/20 at 1:47PM UTC
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Anonymous
12/10/20 at 2:31PM UTC
You are young and have your whole life to work. Go travel, enjoy life and guaranteed you will gain valuable experience in any role you choose. Life is too short. (I mean this is advice for post pandemic...right now just gotta make it through this mess. But overall don’t overthink it.)
User edited comment on 12/10/20 at 2:34PM UTC
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Pharberknockn07
201
Curriculum & Training Development in Kansas City
12/10/20 at 2:37PM UTC
Travel while you’re young. I NEVER wanted to be married or have kids for the first 25 years of my life, and yet I met my now husband and became a stepmom over night. If travel is your desire, go do it. You will only be better for it, and we never know where life may take us and make travel waaay harder. If leadership is what you want, you’ll find ways to be a leader and get experience no matter where you go. The fact that you actively look for side projects shows me that you’ll actively seek out what you want and end up where you WANT to be and not just where you’re placed. Follow your dreams, or you’ll wish you had years from now when they’re much harder to achieve.
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Kimberly Olmo
113
12/10/20 at 4:21PM UTC
Such good advice here. I think what sticks out to me is the timing of your lease vs the timing of this potential promotion. Set yourself up as best you can for both options. Use the next 6 months to explore, engage and see what you would do if you were to do your remote plan. Then if you are offered the position you can be open to make the choice. I may lean towards staying the year to get that experience. You’ll still be mighty young and in a year plus hopefully things will be more normal in the world. Ultimately you have to make the call but I think you can do both, in time.
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Anonymous
12/10/20 at 4:35PM UTC
Hello,
It's great they asked you to run your own program. However, as you pointed out , the turnover rate is very high.
What is the turnover rate for the level of position you are looking at?
What is the support offered by management to those roles?
Are they expecting you to "drink the management kool-aid" or do you really think you will be able to make changes?
QofL changes are very difficult to implement. I know from experience. While I was laid off my last position after ~20 years in May, that president just did an interview in the WSJ about how he is so upset that COVID has no one in the office and how he expects his senior leadership to be in the office every day. It made me realize how toxic that place was. I stayed there for so long because I was a single parent and in need of benefits. But to read that the president was angry because the parking lot was empty was a real eye-opening moment for me.
I had always felt trapped there but, once I left and could see more clearly, I'm kicking myself that I didn't leave sooner. Staying home with a sick kid was guilt inducing because I couldn't afford special day care. They called me on vacation all the time. Long vacations of a week or more were discouraged. "Take every Friday off ... " lots of promises of promotions but then, at the last minute ... "you are so good at what you do and no one else knows how to do it .." played out over and over with me and others around me.
You are young enough to take a chance and find what works for you. Take a hard look at the expectations on the management at your current position to be sure it is something you are truly willing to do. If you have to compromise your goals, that won't be very fulfilling.
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Pamela (Princess Amela) G. Johnson
29
AMPAS Screenwriting Studio EIC, Multi-Trade-Jill
12/10/20 at 6:09PM UTC
1) That they mentioned the upcoming opening informally means: They want to hire you after you apply, providing your work quality stays good until hire time. 2) You must decide you long term interests in order to grab this opportunity or seek elsewhere. Best to you
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Tiasha Stevenson
89
12/11/20 at 12:39AM UTC
September is so far from now. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that things can change VERY fast. It could take you some time to land a new role (in your current field, or another field). I say start looking now. Then weigh your options when you have the offer to the other job in hand. Best wishes to you!
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Katherine
15
12/12/20 at 3:16AM UTC
Some points to consider:
- I remember what is was like to be a recent college grad - bright, eager, and even impatient to prove myself in the workplace. From the perspective of being 20+ years into a career, I can assure you that these opportunities will come regardless of which path you choose. It sounds like your current employer recognizes what you bring to the table. If they do, others will too. This may be the first leadership opportunity you've been offered, but it certainly won't be the last.
- It sounds like both options in front of you are viable - your skills are in demand and you will find work either way, i.e. neither option sounds particularly risky or irresponsible from a career perspective.
- Your current company has shown you who they are and how they operate. Don't expect that to change.
- Go with whichever option makes your heart sing more, even if the immediate career rewards seem less. Speaking from the perspective of someone 20+ years into her career, at the end of the day what will really matter is how much joy you are finding in the path you've carved for yourself.
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