Penguin Follower's Journal: What to do? A job offer far from home...

I had a conversation today with a buddy of mine that used to work with me at my current employer. He was more or less a system administrator for us, and to our clients he was the person that came in to assess the situation and report back to HQ, so that sales could pitch a solution ("total package") to the client.

He is someone that I respect a great deal. He always valued my input on a situation (he wasn't really my supervisor, but would often be the project lead on a project I was assigned). He's also yet to steer me wrong. He also always thanked me for a job well done. And, I'll also add that he's one of those people that is technically proficient in the IT consulting world, and yet has excellent social skills as well. Liked by almost everyone. It goes a long way for him at times. I am not as socially adept, but I wish I was.

That said, he currently lives in Florida and works for a financial backer (one of the things they do is loans to small businesses). It's a stable company, with a CEO who is open to new technologies. In fact, I'm told the CEO wants to investigate using Linux in the server room (CEO hates paying MS all those licensing fees). Of course, I am a huge fan of Linux, and I have had some experience maintaining mail and web servers running Linux for a previous employer (not my current employer - they are in bed with MS). So, my contact (as I'll refer to him) is the sole systems administrator at this company and he's swamped with work these days - and the company plans to expand soon.

Getting to the point, I was griping about my current job and he said, "why not come down here and work with me?" He's got more work than he can efficiently get to these days, and he's not versed enough in Linux to offer up those Linux solutions that CEO wants to see. So, I have things to bring to the table. I am generally versed enough in Linux to support Linux on the back end (so long as it does not involve doing any programming), and I am an MCSA, and I have Cisco knowledge as well - I've just never taken the CCNA exam.

I've been told I will have some "freedom of creativity" in playing with technologies to see what may be beneficial to the company. In other words, I get to "geek around" on the job instead of at home trying out new things in a lab setting. And to top it all off, the salary offer is more than enough to offset the increase in the cost of living in moving from where I'm at (Ohio) to where he is (Florida).

"So what's holding you back?" you may be asking. Family. And friends. All of the people I care about the most are here in Dayton. I have no family in Florida. I have some relatives in Georgia, but not close to where I'd be in Florida. So I will be alone, in new territory. Not that I don't do this regularly lately. If you read my last post you'll know that I'm on the road in a new place every week as part of the current project that I'm assigned to. But I get to come home on the weekends. I have family and friends nearby. I have no significant other or kids to move with me. So unlike my weekly travels where I get to come home, this will be leaving for good. And I am just not sure I can uproot and move. :( And it's sad because the job description as it has been relayed to me is extremely enticing. [sigh]

Choices, choices...

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[account_deleted]

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[Penguin Follower]

I am twenty eight.

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[account_deleted]

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[Penguin Follower]

In that case, I'd say to go. You'll be moving to a place where you don't really know anyone, but you're still young and will be working with a valued mentor it sounds like. Sure, do your due dilligence, but if it's that good of a working relationship and the money would be good (maybe they'll help with relocation expenses?), what's the harm in trying it for a couple of years?

Not being able to get back home would be my first thought. See below about the job market here.

How long have you been at your curre

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[account_deleted]

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Oh dear!

[dexterpexter]

Firstly, as you know, only you can make the decision.

A few words of advice from a random internet friend:
If the job is indeed as excellent as it sounds, and only you can evaluate that based on what you know, it would be a smart decision to move.
That you don't have anyone to move with you could present itself as an advantage, even if it doesn't feel that way. It is far more difficult to uproot a wife and children, you're freer to decide where and how you would like to live. It will also be easier to branc

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[account_deleted]

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[Penguin Follower]

Too many people stay in unfortunate situations because they feel that they have a familial obligation.

For me it's not an obligation; it's not being close to them. Or being outside my comfort zone. For instance, it is very rare in this life to have a life long friend. Especially one that you've known since the third grade. And that you have always lived near. But that is one thing I have here. My buddy Rich, who I met for the first time in third grade, and who has been my best friend almost since the begin

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[dexterpexter]

The person I have been referring to down in Florida used to work for us, so I'm hoping no one gets pissed about me going to work for him.

Moving upward is largely about the professional networks that you build, so as leaders in the company not one of them should be surprised that you would accept an opportunity from a former colleague. That said, you're right--they may colour your friend as a corporate traitor, and some of them might even try to make you feel guilty for leaving. Eventually, they should ge