New Job
That is just what it is - a job. I admitted it to my wife as soon as she asked how my first day was, "I hate it." I started a new job today and I immediately regretted my decision to join this big company in a transaction processing business as a contractor. I was not desperate for another job, I had a job that compared to this new one was somehow better. How did I come to the point of making this stupid mistake?
About two and half months ago I moved from California to start a position at a start-up company in Lennox Square area of Buckhead, that's one of the millionaire's row of Atlanta. The product or service of the start-up is a "sexy" application that make for a worthwhile contribution and I warmed up easily to my peers in my immediate department and the small 60 person company. However, my department happened to be led by someone that is management challenged and needless to say I felt that my first few weeks with the start-up was wasted and I left work daily unaccomplished. I am forty-something years in age and for me it matters to be able to reflect on my daily activities. Exactly after about two months into my tenure at the start-up, I finally got projects, in my role, that I was happy about, but alas it was too late. In the interim, I had interviewed and had accepted another offer with a much more, stable and bigger company.
Part of the reason I ditched the start-up was that in addition to being a start-up, they hadn't acquired a client, the application that is web based had not mature, rumors abound in the company about the survivability of the company and from well meaning employees and a peer in my department was surprised when his 90 day contract was not turned into a permanent offer. I, with a family, newly relocated to Atlanta took the most logical action and accepted the offer of the bigger, payment-processing company.
What I regret, and there are lots, despite the fact that the start-up is unstable financially, I actually enjoyed the projects after I finally started them. The drive of one and a quarter hour each way has become bearable as I get to know the traffic and there are lots of shops on the drive one can easily stop and pick a few items on the way home. The office itself is located near the Lennox Mall and people watching alone provided needed distractions.
My new job is in the middle of suburb where there's is hardly anything to do. The office, I think they are trying to be energy efficient, was so dark and people were hunkered down in their six by six cubicles that they seemed to be working for just for their pays! That may seem strange, we all work for a paycheck but I turned down another job three months ago because I didn't like the environment nor the business practice. Now I am in the same situation. Maybe I should relax a bit, after all it was my first day but I didn't see a deliberately smiling face today!
What would I tell my children who are now very aware of what people do for a living. With the start-up, if the company became successful, it would have been easy to explain, that I was part of some revolutionary business. But with this one, in five years I would say I am a Sr. Manager of Analysis in charge of Transaction Processing. What the hell is that?
The manager of my department at my old job, the start-up company, did say I should call him if I happen not to like the new gig, but I know people say that because they know you are not really going to take them up on their offer. Another VP asked me why I was leaving a place where I was respected and people like my work; he even gave me a couple of examples about his past experiences that he regretted. If only they will call me because I am too embarrassed to call and beg for my job back. I will certainly miss it.
About two and half months ago I moved from California to start a position at a start-up company in Lennox Square area of Buckhead, that's one of the millionaire's row of Atlanta. The product or service of the start-up is a "sexy" application that make for a worthwhile contribution and I warmed up easily to my peers in my immediate department and the small 60 person company. However, my department happened to be led by someone that is management challenged and needless to say I felt that my first few weeks with the start-up was wasted and I left work daily unaccomplished. I am forty-something years in age and for me it matters to be able to reflect on my daily activities. Exactly after about two months into my tenure at the start-up, I finally got projects, in my role, that I was happy about, but alas it was too late. In the interim, I had interviewed and had accepted another offer with a much more, stable and bigger company.
Part of the reason I ditched the start-up was that in addition to being a start-up, they hadn't acquired a client, the application that is web based had not mature, rumors abound in the company about the survivability of the company and from well meaning employees and a peer in my department was surprised when his 90 day contract was not turned into a permanent offer. I, with a family, newly relocated to Atlanta took the most logical action and accepted the offer of the bigger, payment-processing company.
What I regret, and there are lots, despite the fact that the start-up is unstable financially, I actually enjoyed the projects after I finally started them. The drive of one and a quarter hour each way has become bearable as I get to know the traffic and there are lots of shops on the drive one can easily stop and pick a few items on the way home. The office itself is located near the Lennox Mall and people watching alone provided needed distractions.
My new job is in the middle of suburb where there's is hardly anything to do. The office, I think they are trying to be energy efficient, was so dark and people were hunkered down in their six by six cubicles that they seemed to be working for just for their pays! That may seem strange, we all work for a paycheck but I turned down another job three months ago because I didn't like the environment nor the business practice. Now I am in the same situation. Maybe I should relax a bit, after all it was my first day but I didn't see a deliberately smiling face today!
What would I tell my children who are now very aware of what people do for a living. With the start-up, if the company became successful, it would have been easy to explain, that I was part of some revolutionary business. But with this one, in five years I would say I am a Sr. Manager of Analysis in charge of Transaction Processing. What the hell is that?
The manager of my department at my old job, the start-up company, did say I should call him if I happen not to like the new gig, but I know people say that because they know you are not really going to take them up on their offer. Another VP asked me why I was leaving a place where I was respected and people like my work; he even gave me a couple of examples about his past experiences that he regretted. If only they will call me because I am too embarrassed to call and beg for my job back. I will certainly miss it.
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