New Job / Career Advice

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New Job / Career Advice

tehparadox86 (Civil/Environmental)

(OP)

15 Sep 22 10:27

So I am one of those East Coast people who moved to middle of America (closer to my home state, but have been on the east coast for last 10 years). I started this land development job for about the last month. Most of my career has been working in public works projects, mainly sanitary sewer. Is it bad to leave the job after only a month or so? I am dreading work and the work doesn't interest me as I thought it would have. I am learning a lot, but at this stage of my career, my heart is just not in it. I spend excess amount of time outside of the normal 40 hours, working in Civil 3d and producing plans. Since this company has a shortage of technicians, I am doing a lot of tech work, which I didn't mind initially, but now I feel like a CAD manager. I don't mind working outside of normal work hours, used to be in heavy civil construction for the early part of my career. Unfortunately this new region is relatively small and most engineers know each other, whether they are private or public. I am thinking of applying for a public position, but don't want to cross paths with my old employer (current land development) or be given a black eye from my current employer. Also, when I interviewed this firm made it seem like I could work from home whenever I wanted, turned out it wasn't the case and they make snarky remarks about it if I need to take a couple of hours off for doctors appointments. I am also navigating the workplace politics, which is weird because the company is only about 35 people staffed, but I could hear them complain about me not finishing projects in a faster manner. Is it the new job blues or is it reasonable at this stage in my career that I can pick and choose what job I want. Thoughts and encouragement would be helpful. LOL

1503-44 (Petroleum) · Answer 1 · 2022-09-15 11:25:29

Sounds like you will have to consider a change. Continuing to suffer at the current job isn't a long term solution, so something has to change there, or you will leave sooner or later anyway. I would do that sooner, if not immediately, if you see no potential for a relatively quick change in the office environment. If they're already coming down on you after only one month, it's a pretty negative sign in that they are not willing to tolerate or adapt to your needs, so that will be on you to adapt to theirs. If you can't see that happening, leave now. It's a lot easier to say, "It wasn't like what they explained during the interview and I quickly realised it wasn't a good fit." and leave now. Its much more difficult to justify leaving after a year or so. A quick exit will probably be much more forgiving by your current and more understandable by future employers, than after a year of increasingly bad feelings. So, I'd suggest that you work out something quickly, or leave and begin your search for other pastures. This week might not be too soon.

Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."

phamENG (Structural) · Answer 2 · 2022-09-15 12:37:35

Quote (tehparadox86)
when I interviewed this firm made it seem like I could work from home whenever I wanted

Right, but what does the employee manual say? Remember: if it's not in writing, it didn't happen.

You said you're closer to your home state, which suggests to me you aren't in your home state. Do you have a family? Sounds like you haven't been there long, so hopefully the roots don't run too deep? You may be able to cast your net a little wider and move a few hours away - could help a little.

I agree with 1503-44, though. If you're going to leave, do it the next month or so. Check the employee handbook - is there mention of a probationary period? You're likely an at-will employee anyway so it doesn't matter in a technical sense, but those probationary periods are often seen as a decision point - keep or fire, stay or go. It gives you enough time to see what the company is really like and if you're a good fit. I wouldn't worry too much about the impact on other employers as long as you have a good and thorough explanation (that doesn't involve disparaging others). The values that you hold that are going to lead you to leave this company aren't going away. And you'll want the company that you do end up working for to have the same or, at least, similar values. If they do, and you explain yourself, you should be okay. Do it more than once, though, and then you'll start making a name for yourself. So make sure the next one is a good one.

Milliontown (Geotechnical) · Answer 3 · 2022-09-15 14:03:14

Unfortunately from what I have read elsewhere online is that land development is very much like your experience. It sounds like you want out, and if I was in your position I would to.

JedClampett (Structural) · Answer 4 · 2022-09-15 16:14:19

I've known people where this happened (the job was not like what they were promised/expected) and they cut ties ASAP. They had the advantage (which you don't) of being able to return to the original jobs. And they're fine.
All this happened very quickly (weeks) and I doubt it even left a hole in their experience. More like a long vacation.
But for Pete's sake, don't keep being miserable in case your current employer might badmouth you. If he or she isn't smart enough to not criticize you, their opinion is not going to be respected anyway.
However, if you're determined to tough it out, maybe if you make an economic argument that paying you to do CAD is not the most efficient use of your time and that they should hire another technician. A very subtle threat might help.

tehparadox86 (Civil/Environmental) · Answer 5 · 2022-09-16 22:53:17

Thank you for all the advice. I’ve completed three projects, a one hundred lot subdivision design (road, drainage, water and sewer design) and a large retail store with grading and utilities, and a large retirement home (road and utilities). Still not enough for them, and they’ve had these projects in their backlog for over a year. Ridiculous, I told them today they need more techs if they want better production!

1503-44 (Petroleum) · Answer 6 · 2022-09-17 10:02:30

That's a start.
Kind of showed them that they've been slacking themselves.
How'd they take your advice?

Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."

tehparadox86 (Civil/Environmental) · Answer 7 · 2022-09-17 22:43:20

Lol. The owner blamed Biden for “lazy” people don’t want to work so they can’t find anyone

1503-44 (Petroleum) · Answer 8 · 2022-09-18 19:41:01

How did I know that would happen. I actually sensed some potential anamonisty there, you apparently being a recent "immigrant from the east" and all.

So I guess none of the Central Americans and Venezuelans etc. crossing the border happen to be civil techs. Would he be happy if a few of them were? Somehow I doubt that too. The decline in people entering all engineering and tech fields in the US has been going on for 40 years. Its finally catching up with the labor market again. The last time was in the late 80's & 90's. They solved that with issuing thousands of V2's for tech workers, but now I don't think even that works. Personally I don't know anyone with over a 6th grade education that wants to go live in the USA. That includes a lot of people with engineering degrees and excellent English skills that used to think that was all they ever wanted to do. I don't even want to go back myself. I've also heard most of the job demand is there because availble people no longer have the required skill sets. That's a lack of education issue, not laziness, or maybe both. Why work hard in any field when you can easily be an influencer on you tube.

Well, I'd bail just due to the political environment, but that's just me. Just the fact that he brought up isn't good, as it's possible that he's projecting that on you as well; I don't know. Beware.

Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."

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