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Programming

Journal insanecarbonbasedlif's Journal: Quandry 14

Journal by insanecarbonbasedlif
Situation - I studied to be a programmer in college, this was my original intention upon graduating. However, I could not land an entry-level programming position. I did have a good thing going as an IT Support (help desk/repair) Specialist at a small company. I have since moved up in that company to a manager position, and I like it a lot. It's not too stressful, it interests me, I have a huge amount of flexibility in hours, and the pay is enough. So, a few months ago, I decided to stop looking for a job at all, and just to be content with my current job.

A company I applied at about 9 months ago called me yesterday to set up a time for a phone screening. It's today at noon. This is a small defense contractor in Sunnyvale, looking for entry level "Software Engineers". A year ago, I would have jumped all over this opportunity. At this point, though, the less flexible hours, a longer (from 5 minutes now to 1hr+ if I worked down in Sunnyvale) commute, and the lack of knowing that I'm good at what the company wants me to do (remember, I've never programmed outside of college/hobby), is making me feel like it's a bad idea. Am I missing something crucial, or should I just tell them, "I'm happy where I'm at"?
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  • This sounds like a no brainer to me; if you are happy with your current job, and your salary is ok, why move? Unless you think your current job will be going away soon or you enjoy really long commutes, I say stick with what is working.....
  • I certainly don't want to give advice-- but I would like to throw something out for your consideration. If they do want to hire you and will get you a security clearance for what you do-- once you have that clearance all kinds of doors open up and your earning potential goes way up.

    I don't know what you want out of life to have a clue as what you should do--- but more data is always good when there's a choice (in my mind anyway).
  • First of all, take the interview. Worst case scenario is you just don't accept any offers if they give it to you.

    If they give you an offer, you have something to compare it with. You have a bargaining chip if you want the job (well, I make $X right now and you are offering me $X-Y.. can we look at more in the salary dept?).

    But, after the interview and getting an offer (if you get the offer) is a decision that only you can make...

    • If they give you an offer, you have something to compare it with. You have a bargaining chip if you want the job (well, I make $X right now and you are offering me $X-Y.. can we look at more in the salary dept?)

      I've heard many career specialists say this is a very bad idea. First, if the company didn't think you were worth more pay to begin with, why would they now? Second, if they make a counteroffer and you accept, you now have shown your disloyalty to the company and you probably won't be treated t

      • I disagree. They give the salary they think is fair. But in their minds they are making a commitment to you. If you ask for a little more money and its still in the range of salary for the job, they'll give you the money. Otherwise they will say "no, our original offer stands" (unless you ask for some obnoxious amount of money).

        People leave one job for the other over money all the time. Money shouldn't be what keeps you at a job, but the job itself. You are showing no disloyalty if you take a differ

        • I went back and re-read what you said. I thought you were saying to go back to his current employer and try to negotiate for more money. You were talking about negotiating the job he doesn't have yet. If that's the case, I'm in complete agreement.

        • an executive VP of Human Resources in a very large fortune 500 company

          WTF?? Hook us up man! I can talk to him, I've got the Master Bootlicker Award (MBA) to prove it. I can use 'synergy' in a sentence without visibly grimacing. I think you need to let his email address, postings available, and company 'accidentally' slip for all us on the job hunt;)
        • They give the salary they think is fair.

          I would expand upon this and say that this isn't always true. Many companies won't pay you what they think is fair, but what you're willing to work for. The idea of fair is oftentimes debatable.

          This is why it's important to know your worth.

          There are some companies who will, of course, pay you enough to make sure that you won't bail at the next greatest offer, but if they think that you have family rooted in town and aren't about to leave, they will oftentimes o
  • Sys Engineers look down on HW engineers, who look down on SW engineers (who look back down on them, but whatever) who look down on IT. But fuck the bullshit, right?
    We SOLVE problems. If we are any good at all, we just love the challenge of making shit work. It doesn't matter what your forte is or what tools you use. So dig that.

    As for being "rusty"- don't worry about it.
    Every body is entry level when they come on to a big defense contractor job. They have some monolithic system (both the software in que
    • Every body is entry level when they come on to a big defense contractor job
      This is a very painful Truth
      I got hired at the company I work at now (Big DOD Contractor) knowing C/C++ and a smattering of Java,FORTRAN, etc. . First assignment was to reuse a giant (1 Million + Lines of code) system written in Ada83, No training in Ada, Just figure it out and go. Having a security clearance(if they are going to get you one) is a big plus, opens a lot of opportunities. But if you are happy why mess with a good thi

  • Let us weigh out both sides.

    Current job:
    + 5 minute commute (~50 minutes/5 day week)
    + Flexible time
    + Secure in your position
    + Pay is satisfactory

    Potential job:
    - 1 hour commute (10 hours/5 day week)
    - not as flexible with scheduling
    - Job security is an unknown. Also being defense means you're at the whim of grants and/or government contracts.
    ? Pay isn't mentioned

    I'd suggest googling the firm and seeing what exactly they do. Are they looking for programmers to work on a new project with a timeline or

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