Time to move on, but....

[macmet]

OK, I know almost every week someone comes on here and asks whether or not they should leave their current job. I'm sure a lot of you are tired of reading about this problem and I was too until it happened to me. Now I totally understand. So, I apologize about bringing up the same old thing one more time to those that are sick of it, but here's my situation.

I have made two personal commitments to things totally unrelated to work. Both of them are important to me and I do not want to break either of them. Both will be over in 6-7 months.

My problem is I need a new job. I don't think I can take that much time at this job anymore. I come in every Monday morning with the mentality "40 hours to go". There has been a lot of new hires here and another guy leaving which means I may end up travelling a lot more for work, but b/c of my personal issues I do not want to do that anymore.

I've looked for jobs in the same city that would allow me continue my personal stuff and get me out of this place. I will keep doing this.

In the meantime, I'm wondering what effect it would have on my career if I got a six month temp position. I have a contact at a placement agency that does do some temp work. Would this look bad on a resume?

What about if I tried a totally new career for a bit? I still like eng work but I've considered trying something totally different for six months. Would this look bad?

My original plan was to tough it out here so I would have almost 4 complete years here when I left but I don't think I can take anymore of it.

 

[MadMango]

Are you still in the early stages of your working life? If so, then a few temp positions sprinkled in shouldn't hurt. Have you tried talking with your supervisor? You have been there almost 4yrs, plenty of time to have "proven" yourself as a valuable asset and a team player. If there are newer hires about, and other experienced people leaving, you may now be in a position of being the "go to" person.

You haven't listed any problems you are having with work per se, so I am under the impression that this is a scheduling conflict between your private life and working life. I would compromise my working life until it started to affect my personal life and my ability to lead the life I desired. It sounds like you are in teh same position.

If you try a new career and it doesn't work out, you don't have to list it on your resume.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[cedarbluffranch]

I'd like a lot more details if you are willing to share:

- When did you graduate? (i.e., how long have you been in the workforce)
- What kind of engineer are you?
- What is your current industry?
- Do you like your current field?
- Are you itching to try something else?

With that information, I could try to give you a bit more informed answer.

 

[DonPE]

I wouldn't work with a temp agency at all. There is no reason to let these parasites into your life. Start networking on your own instead, and cut them out of the employment loop. I would guess that all of us have contacts at placement agencies; I can't seem to shake mine.

Do you already know what you want to try that is "totally different", or are you trying to find something?

 

[macmet]

OK, I'll try to answer any questions...

- I graduated in spring of 2005 and have been in the workforce ever since.
- I'm a mech/matls engineer. My current job is more mech than materials. I do a fair bit of field work too.
- I'm in the alternative energy industry.

I don't know what I would try that is totally different. I have a lot of contacts from outside of work that may help with the job search. Almost all of my contacts are in non-eng fields though, that's why I was wondering about jobs in other areas.

My actual "job" is alright most of the time. I would, well I have, looked at jobs in the same industry but I'd have to move, which I'd be willing to do but not until the spring. So, I wouldn't say I'm itching to try something new, but at the same time I'm not opposed to it. My problem isn't so much my job, it's the internal politics in a mom and pop shop that have got to me. You know the saying about liking who you work with? I don't anymore.

 

[MadMango]

Then its a no-brainer, find a new job and enjoy yourself!

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[moltenmetal]

macmet: what's your location, and how much do you like living there, or need to stay there?

 

[metengr]

macmet;

My actual "job" is alright most of the time. I would, well I have, looked at jobs in the same industry but I'd have to move, which I'd be willing to do but not until the spring.

My advice;
Start looking for another job in a location where you would like to live (since you stated above you can move next Spring). Take your time looking for another job, and I know how difficult it can be but try to stick with the current job knowing you will be leaving in 6 to 8 months. Do you exercise on a regular basis? If not, you might want to give it a try to relieve some of the work related stress.

 

[macmet]

Moltenmetal... I'm in Ontario, Canada. I don't mind it. I'm not looking to move simply to change cities. I would move or if something came up here I'd stay. It just seems like most jobs that interest me are not in this area. Another problem I have is a lot of these jobs are in the States and I have been told by more than one company that they've been told they can only hire Americans.

Metengr, I am pretty much busy all day. I get my excerise and it does help with the stress. The last straw for me here was they're trying to take away my flex hours. I need the flex time for one of my commitments. So it looks like I may have to miss a lot of it b/c of this job, which I only kept b/c of the flex time. Viscious circle.

The other issue with toughing out 6-8 months is I've already been doing that. It is so hard to do.... It stresses me out for at least 8 hours a day.

Does anyone think a temp position is a career killer?

Down to 36 hours to go.... ha

 

[Bester2]

33 ha ha



SW 2007 SP 5.0

 

[moltenmetal]

macmet: I knew that. WHERE in Ontario, Canada? Ontario's a big place...

Check out

http://www.zeton.com

if you're near enough Burlington. The website's crap, but it's a great company...

 

[Mr168]

I know quite a few engineers who have done temp work due to personal circumstances in which they needed to take time away from their normal work, for everything ranging from marriage problems to physical illness. All of them stayed in their respective field however, typically doing consulting, training, or inspection work. None of their careers suffered because of it.

 

[macmet]

There seems something wrong with going into too much detail about where I am when I'm talking about how much I hate my job. I'll just say that if I left for Burlington right now, I'd be there in less than two hours, including time for gas and a coffee.

I checked out that site, I think I might send something in. Thanks.

 

[hokie66]

I wouldn't worry about a temporary job messing up your resume. Just don't list it. You worked in one job finishing in 2008, started another one in 2009. No gap there.