Guys, I'm kinda in a bit of a dilemma. This thread involves long passages about me and my career path, so I just wanted to forewarn anyone who is not interested so they don't waste their time reading.
Okay, here's the situation. I have been in the IT industry for close to 10 years. I have done everything from programming to testing/QA to project management, with the longest stint being project management. When I got out of the Marine Corps, I was working as a heavy equipment mechanic, and studying in the evenings teaching myself how to write code. I eventually learned how to program, and my brother (who is also an IT guy) and I started our own software development company. We were EXTREMELY successful from about 1999 until the end of about 2004. We built custom software for the nuclear power industry, and were very good at it. Over the course of this time we grew, had about 5 guys on board with us, and were making tons of money. Well, to make a long story short, the nuclear industry had major cut-backs, and we started losing business fast. It got bad enough that we decided to make the company a side business and all go do other ventures.
I was immediately hired as an IT Project Manager for a very large financial institution (which does 100% tuition reimbursement by the way). I stayed there for about a year and a half, and was moderately happy. The money wasn't what I was used to, but it was better than nothing. I felt like there was some opportunity there, but not for a substantial amount of time.
About this time, a friend of mine approached me about coming to work for him in sales (I've always had a natural nack for sales). He had an Account Rep. leave, and was VERY interested in getting me to come to work for him. My main concern was that this was a totally different and unrelated industry that I knew nothing about, and frankly didn't have a lot of interest in. BUT the salary and overall package was really tempting.
Needless to say, I accepted the position despite a pretty good counter-offer from my current employer. I have been here for about 2 months. I am now beginning to second guess my decision. I really do enjoy IT and am thoroughly interested in the IT industry. In my current position, not only did I not know anything, but alot of the "promises" seem to have been forgotten, or have fallen by the wayside. About the only thing that has kept me around this far is the money (which is pretty darn good). There are several things (that I won't go into) that are making me wonder if this was really the right decision. Please understand, I am extremely analytical and typically do not make uninformed decisions. I felt like I gave this decision due dilligence before accepting the offer. But sometimes a picture is painted one way, and when you step into that picture, it looks a whole lot different.
I just recently heard of a couple of openings back in IT Project Management, and one of them could be a higher position at my old company. I really hate this feeling of instability and uncertainty, but I don't see myself where I'm at long term.
I went back to school to finish my MIS degree, and have about a year and half left. From there, I plan to sit for the PMP (Project Management Professional) Exam (this is the most highly recognized credential in my field), and maybe eventuall get my MS in Technology Systems. As you can see, even though I am working in an unrelated field, my heart is still in IT.
My question is, given the Cliff Notes version of the situation I have provided, what do you guys think you would do in my shoes?
A. Stay where I am, even though I have little interest and the things that were "promised" have not come through.
OR
B. Start entertaining other options, and if something as lucrative as where I am now pans out, jump on it.
I don't want to drag this out too long either. I have only been here a little less than 2 months. If I were to leave now it would be a whole lot better than a year from now. Rememer, I know my boss on a personal level, and if I decide to leave, I want it to be as painless as possible.
I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks for listening...
Okay, here's the situation. I have been in the IT industry for close to 10 years. I have done everything from programming to testing/QA to project management, with the longest stint being project management. When I got out of the Marine Corps, I was working as a heavy equipment mechanic, and studying in the evenings teaching myself how to write code. I eventually learned how to program, and my brother (who is also an IT guy) and I started our own software development company. We were EXTREMELY successful from about 1999 until the end of about 2004. We built custom software for the nuclear power industry, and were very good at it. Over the course of this time we grew, had about 5 guys on board with us, and were making tons of money. Well, to make a long story short, the nuclear industry had major cut-backs, and we started losing business fast. It got bad enough that we decided to make the company a side business and all go do other ventures.
I was immediately hired as an IT Project Manager for a very large financial institution (which does 100% tuition reimbursement by the way). I stayed there for about a year and a half, and was moderately happy. The money wasn't what I was used to, but it was better than nothing. I felt like there was some opportunity there, but not for a substantial amount of time.
About this time, a friend of mine approached me about coming to work for him in sales (I've always had a natural nack for sales). He had an Account Rep. leave, and was VERY interested in getting me to come to work for him. My main concern was that this was a totally different and unrelated industry that I knew nothing about, and frankly didn't have a lot of interest in. BUT the salary and overall package was really tempting.
Needless to say, I accepted the position despite a pretty good counter-offer from my current employer. I have been here for about 2 months. I am now beginning to second guess my decision. I really do enjoy IT and am thoroughly interested in the IT industry. In my current position, not only did I not know anything, but alot of the "promises" seem to have been forgotten, or have fallen by the wayside. About the only thing that has kept me around this far is the money (which is pretty darn good). There are several things (that I won't go into) that are making me wonder if this was really the right decision. Please understand, I am extremely analytical and typically do not make uninformed decisions. I felt like I gave this decision due dilligence before accepting the offer. But sometimes a picture is painted one way, and when you step into that picture, it looks a whole lot different.
I just recently heard of a couple of openings back in IT Project Management, and one of them could be a higher position at my old company. I really hate this feeling of instability and uncertainty, but I don't see myself where I'm at long term.
I went back to school to finish my MIS degree, and have about a year and half left. From there, I plan to sit for the PMP (Project Management Professional) Exam (this is the most highly recognized credential in my field), and maybe eventuall get my MS in Technology Systems. As you can see, even though I am working in an unrelated field, my heart is still in IT.
My question is, given the Cliff Notes version of the situation I have provided, what do you guys think you would do in my shoes?
A. Stay where I am, even though I have little interest and the things that were "promised" have not come through.
OR
B. Start entertaining other options, and if something as lucrative as where I am now pans out, jump on it.
I don't want to drag this out too long either. I have only been here a little less than 2 months. If I were to leave now it would be a whole lot better than a year from now. Rememer, I know my boss on a personal level, and if I decide to leave, I want it to be as painless as possible.
I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks for listening...
![[-]](https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/images/collapse.png)