Career advice needed! 6

[RMGA]

I recently (8 months ago) took a new job as an engineering supervisor, and I am now wondering what to do. I left my last job after 5 years because I felt I learned all I could at the position and there was no where to move in the company, so I took this job as a step up. However, now that I am in my new position, there are several things with the new company that are making me worry. Several times I have seen things I would consider ethically dubious, and have even had upper management pressure me to approve something I knew was incorrect (fortunately I did not give in). As well, now that it is known that I will not give in, I have heard thru the grapevine that some people were attempting leave me out of the loop on certain things so the company wouldn’t need my approval (I have the only stamp in the company). Turnover is high, and the whole organization is fairly disorganized. However, I do not believe I would be able to find an equivalent position with the same good salary. Should I try to stick it out and gain experience (this is my first supervisory position) and improve the company from within? Or should I cut my loses and leave? Will the short period of employment look bad on my resume?

 

[JAE]

However, I do not believe I would be able to find an equivalent position with the same good salary

Don't sell yourself short...

Will the short period of employment look bad on my resume?

I don't think so - if you explain to interviewers what happened and how you found the unethical conditions intolerable, you will automatically be sifting out potential employers that also do unethical things.

 

[Heckler]

If you didn't burn any bridges I would consider contacting your previous employer for rehire. I don't think the short period of employment would look bad on your resume'......this has happened to me and it worked out fine. You might want to take a step back, clear your mind/head and spend a week or two taking notes on the whole business process.....seeing where you might be left out of the loop on important engineering issues. If you're the only PE stamp then how are they getting designs approved without your involvement? I would also consider talking with "upper management" if they're open to bi-directional suggestions.

 

[SWComposites]

"Turnover is high, and the whole organization is fairly disorganized". There is a reason for this and it very likely can be found with upper management's attitude. Start seriously looking for a new job NOW. It is much better to be looking while still employed rather than after you quit in disgust or are fired. You obviously have too good of ethics for this company.

 

[tygerdawg]

My sister with her Ph.D. in Psychology has always advised me that the person at the top of the organization will imprint his/her personality on the organization. If they're nice honest demanding people, then the org will be on a fairly even keel. If they're a whacko psycho backstabbing evil SOB, then the whole place will be neurotic and dysfunctional.

I've worked at both types of places and, lemme tell you, run away as fast as you can from the latter type. On the next interview, just explain the truth about how your ethics did not agree with that of your management's. I have never had an HR guy question that as a motivation for leaving a company.

TygerDawg

 

[Rheinhardt]

The fact that they would want you to put your name on a document which you dont agree with is already to much, how can any orginisation expect any of their employees to do such a thing.

When we put our names down we put our b@lls on a block and will be held responsible if anything goes wrong,

I had worked with a company that is pretty close to what you explained,

As to the term cut your losses n go, you haven't lost anything if you didn't sign whatever document you had not agreed to.

If you feel that the structure in the company could be altered with your own opinion, refer to tygerdawg comment.

IT WILL NEVER CHANGE unless there is a major change in top management (highly unlikely),

As for change, quote somebody " A change is as good as a HOLIDAY"

--Off all the things i've lost , i miss my mind the most--

 

[xgrigorix]

I'd be very wary of working at anyplace with a high employee turnover rate. For that reson alone I would start looking for a new job.

 

[RDK]

The only high turnover company that I would consider would be one with a reputation for offering good training and development opportunities.

Some companies are known for this, good entry level jobs but no opportunities after that.

These companies are few and far between. We have one locally that is a material testing company. A junior engineer with a couple years there has seen a lot and done a lot on job sites and is ready to move up, they just don’t have many opportunities within their company. (on the other hand an engineer with 20 years there only has 2 years 10 experience 10 times.)

They also get a lot of work from former employees.

This does not appear to be the case in the origional post.


Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[RMGA]

Are there any upsides to staying with this company?

 

[whyun]

Look at the upper management at the company. If your future dream looks like what they are enjoying right now, go for it. Also, once you are there, are you willing to ask your employees to do what you were asked to do presently?

More importantly, regardless of your goals with this company, ask yourself whether the company plans to get you there in the near or distant future.

Regarding short period of employment, I have two companies in my resume with less than one year. They have not been a problem in any subsequent interviews.

 

[davidinindy]

In this day and age, short employment stints are pretty common. Lay-offs, off-shoring, etc. make it more the norm than the exception.
Since 2003, I've worked at a few different companies.
1 month, business got slow, laid me off.
8 months, company restructured sent design work to Germany
One week, project got cancelled... got let go.
4 months, work slowed and got laid off.
2 weeks, finished first project... got let go.
I keep getting interviews, and getting jobs, but thru no fault of mine, keep taking the wrong jobs.
I don't even put the one and two week stints on my resume. It would probably throw up too many red flags and I wouldn
t even get a chance to explain them. All of the other positions are on it though, and it hasn't hurt anything.
I have another interview today, and if I get an offer I'll probably take the job. It's a big company with a lot of room to grow, but I will never feel like I'm going to be someplace until retirement.

David

 

[southbeach]

I have a question with respect to age. I am 31 years old and I am considering finishing my eng degree. I will be 33 or 34 years old.

I do have some industrial experience and some lab experience.

I am worried about my propects due to my age.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Regards

 

[jgailla]

I was 29 when I graduated. A good friend of mine who graduated with me was 34. We were more marketable than someone 22 just out of school. It is my impression that many employers would rather have someone with experience, even if it's in another field. Also, they don't have to worry about young people never having had a real job before. It's harder to get a degree at 30 than at 20.

Go for it. Your age shouldn't be a problem and will probably be advantageous.

 

[davidinindy]

southbeach. Your age isn't on your resume is it?
Unless you volunteer it, age whoudn't be an issue to getting an interview. Even if your college graduation date is on your resume, how would they no you didn't go straight out of highschool?


David