• From: Universe, Sol System, Earth
  • Registered: 2011-03-26
  • Posts: 77
  • User Karma: 7

Topic: New Job; Terrified

Hi everyone,

So, I have a job offer on the table to become the senior mechanical engineer/project manager at a local engineering firm.  I'm 31 and have worked for 12 years at another firm (4 years as a draftsman and 8 years as a project manager).

I do mechanical work, but I don't have a mechanical engineering degree.
This is a huge jump in salary, responsibility & stress. My current job is the only one I've had in the engineering field, and I started here when I was 19. I'm married to my high school sweet heart.

My point is, I'm not big into the whole change thing.

I'd appreciate if anyone could post similar stories of how they took the big leap and it wasn't the worst mistake of their lives. Until then I'm going to continue to work on this ulcer and try to find a way to tell my boss that I'm leaving...

Thanks!

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  • paulou
  • paulou
  • Knows all the Feminine Forms
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  • From: Los Angeles
  • Registered: 2010-06-01
  • Posts: 714
  • User Karma: 174

Re: New Job; Terrified

I left a sweet set up in New York to move to Los Angeles and work in an unrelated field with zero leads for employment. Figured if I was going to fuck up I might as well get that out of the way as soon as possible. A month later I was working more than what's considered a full time job, responsibilities and stress in tow. Didn't matter though, since I was deriving an immense satisfaction from the new work I was doing. That tends to be the Most Important Thing.

Do you want the job? What about it excites you? Your post sounds very negative. Just chalk that up to being consumed with anxiety?

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  • From: Universe, Sol System, Earth
  • Registered: 2011-03-26
  • Posts: 77
  • User Karma: 7

Re: New Job; Terrified

As you can tell I am extremely anxious, but I do want the job. , I've just never been in the position of "the bucks stops here". Right now I'm just project manager / staff engineer, if the shit hits the fan, I have a boss to hide behind.

I'll be doing long term renovations to several northeast US air force & naval bases as well as VA hospitals.
It's work that I'm interested in and the new place seems nice, I'm just worried because it's the next level...

Thanks for sharing too, moving cross country with no guarantee of a job -- with no contacts, you're a braver man than I.

Last edited by braedan51 (2012-02-16 17:48:23)

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  • Phi
  • Phi
  • Numbers Commissioner
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  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2010-06-09
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Re: New Job; Terrified

braedan51 wrote:

I live in my brother-in-law's basement. I would take a picture, but the crushing depression of it all doesn't photograph well. Also, it's suburbia.

Sounds like you need the change and the increased income. More responsibility is what pays and as long as you've get interesting work with good people you won't regret changing jobs.

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  • From: Universe, Sol System, Earth
  • Registered: 2011-03-26
  • Posts: 77
  • User Karma: 7

Re: New Job; Terrified

Thanks guys, I gave my notice today.
So I'm on my way. The adventure continues...

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  • paulou
  • paulou
  • Knows all the Feminine Forms
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  • From: Los Angeles
  • Registered: 2010-06-01
  • Posts: 714
  • User Karma: 174

Re: New Job; Terrified

Yeah! A toast!

clap

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  • Registered: 2010-05-21
  • Posts: 149
  • User Karma: 6

Re: New Job; Terrified

Nice.  I've been equally terrified of signing on as a producer for a company I've somewhat started.  Not because I'm worried about responsibility and whatnot, but more because I've never been on salary anywhere before.  I'm not sure if it's something I want to do at all...


- Branco

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  • From: Universe, Sol System, Earth
  • Registered: 2011-03-26
  • Posts: 77
  • User Karma: 7

Re: New Job; Terrified

Branco,

I did the same thing, we'll see how it plays out...

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