Topic: Getting Irritated with my Job
started by: thibodeaux
Posted by thibodeaux on Feb. 22 2012,16:25
I've been there about 11.5 years now. Some stuff is starting to really aggravate me. I'm starting to think about looking around. Here's some of the reasons I might not, though:- there have been at least 3 other guys in the same department who have left recently, only to return within a year, which makes me think the grass is NOT greener
- it's a pretty laid-back environment: dress-code, hours, web-usage, etc. are pretty much whatever you want
- I'm basically considered a rock-star (literally and figuratively) by most of the company.
- I'm not sure I could earn my current salary somewhere else
- I really don't have to work very hard
So what's not to like? Well:
- I got "meets expectations" on my latest review. Bullshit; see the part about rock star.
- There is a dev team that has decided to be their own little island of development, and not re-use code. Instead, they just re-write their own versions of stuff, instead of fixing the problems they think the original code has. NOTE: I am not the only person who has complained about this team.
- I've been pushing for adoption of a common object model to be used in all our code, to no avail---mostly I blame the team mentioned above
- The VP of Engineering seems to really like this team, too.
- We have serious database performance problems, and serious legacy code problems (VB6 and C++ for crissake!), and there's no serious plan to fix them that I can see
- These add up to me wondering about whether we've made a mistake in hiring this VP of Engineering (about 15 months ago, I think)
- Also the company treated one of my good friends really shitty about a year ago, and it kind of rankled.
So...I just don't know. There's a lot of pro and con, but I part of me thinks the con just adds up to "butthurt." And I don't want to be that guy.
Posted by GORDON on Feb. 22 2012,16:29
"I got "meets expectations" on my latest review. Bullshit; see the part about rock star."Maybe their expectations are that you perform like a rock star.
"There is a dev team that has decided to be their own little island of development, and not re-use code. "
I would say fine, but no one else touches their code. If their codes breaks, they get called in the middle of the night to fix it. If their code stops production, they decide who among themselves gets fired.
Posted by thibodeaux on Feb. 22 2012,16:35
(GORDON @ Feb. 22 2012,19:29)
QUOTE
Maybe their expectations are that you perform like a rock star.
Sure; in fact my boss said, "you're extremely senior, so the bar is very high." But he didn't really say what I could have done differently.
Here's the thing: about 5 years ago I invented a game-changing feature, that is now incorporated into every one of our products, that none of our competitors can hope to copy. Maybe I've been coasting on that, but I've been tweaking it and improving it since. I've been *trying* to get my new idea adopted, but nobody seems to be buying. And since I have to work on my actual assigned tasks, it's hard to ship this.
QUOTE
I would say fine, but no one else touches their code. If their codes breaks, they get called in the middle of the night to fix it. If their code stops production, they decide who among themselves gets fired.
In fact, this is my new policy. They created their own version of some of "my" code, and a guy on another team was trying to use it and asked me about it. I said, "Ask team X." And that team's lead replied to him, "not sure why I'm the goto guy on this issue."
Hah.
Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 22 2012,16:42
The island thing is Wrong. A thousand times wrong, we have the same shit at my job.Wearing shorts is nice.
Money does matter. I don't know what you make, but good engineers in our area are >$100k. The only question is how transferrable your skills are, or whether your an expert (thus rock star) in "shit people at your company need to know" or "everything." Let's face it, you've always been really good.
Given your company's history with VPs of Engineering (OK, a sample size of 1 for me), I'm 0% surprised to see a bad candidate in that position.
Like Gordon alluded to, expectations change base on how your are. Once you're really good, people expect that. The only reason the reviews matter though, is money/stock/bonus/whatever. If you feel you deserve more, make a case for it, outside of the review process.
Grass is rarely greener, in my experience, though it has been a couple of times. I doubt you'll find much greener than where you're at.
Our company has some pretty serious dev issues, but a) things are finally improving, b) we're winning in our industry, c) we're pretty profitable (so my employment should be stable), and d) I have my own consulting firm outside of work.
I really just want a good paycheck, and decent working conditions.
Posted by thibodeaux on Feb. 22 2012,16:49
My raise was shitty: like 1.7%. But yeah, I'm probably in the top of the "senior software dev who is not a manager" bracket. But I guess the thing is: I thought I was still above expectations. Guess not. Maybe it's just an ego thing.I do think sometimes about a side project. Someday I wanna get you to tell me more about that. Like, how much time does it take and stuff. We could get some BBQ over at Smokey's or something now that the weather is nice.
Posted by thibodeaux on Feb. 22 2012,16:55
Oh yeah, you know what I did last year? I got rid of webMethods! BY MYSELF. If that's not "exceeds expectations," I'm not sure what is.
Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 22 2012,17:07
Well, if you got rid of WM, they should make your title Hero. Do you have Architect roles? Most places allow manager-level equivalency, but as a technical role.Lunch any time. My schedule is pretty flexible at work. We've move a bit to the north, but prolly only 10 minutes from where you're at.
Posted by thibodeaux on Feb. 22 2012,17:13
We have an architect, but he doesn't get to do any architecting. Apparently dev teams can do whatever the hell they feel like, anyway.What days are you in the office?
Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 22 2012,17:22
(thibodeaux @ Feb. 22 2012,20:13)
QUOTE
We have an architect, but he doesn't get to do any architecting. Apparently dev teams can do whatever the hell they feel like, anyway.
What days are you in the office?
What days are you in the office?
Every day
We can no longer work from home now that we have a bigger fancier office. I have lunches each day this week, but am generally open.
Posted by thibodeaux on Feb. 22 2012,17:29
Doh. Well, I still get a day/week at home. How about next week then?
Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 23 2012,05:01
(thibodeaux @ Feb. 22 2012,20:29)
QUOTE
Doh. Well, I still get a day/week at home. How about next week then?
Sure, name the day. I've got lunch Wednesday, but free the other 4.
Posted by thibodeaux on Feb. 23 2012,05:35
Let's try next Thursday then.
Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 23 2012,06:03
(thibodeaux @ Feb. 23 2012,08:35)
QUOTE
Let's try next Thursday then.
IT'S ON!
What time? I generally eat lunch late (1pm), but any time works, really.
Posted by GORDON on Feb. 23 2012,06:05
You know, Motel 6 has their own website now for getting a room.
Posted by thibodeaux on Feb. 23 2012,06:13
How bout I send you a FB message. But maybe noon-ish?
Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 23 2012,06:39
(thibodeaux @ Feb. 23 2012,09:13)
QUOTE
How bout I send you a FB message. But maybe noon-ish?
Sure and sure. email works well for me too thecatt at gmail
Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 23 2012,06:39
(GORDON @ Feb. 23 2012,09:05)
QUOTE
You know, Motel 6 has their own website now for getting a room.
You're cute when you're jealous.
Posted by Cakedaddy on Feb. 23 2012,13:58
They just set up a nooner.In my experience, the grass has been greener after every move I made. But then, it's also because the grass was dying.
My first real job ever was AMAZING. Awesome environment. Awesome co-workers (except Gordon), bosses, etc. Got exposed to more stuff the first two years there than I did the next 10. Year three, things were changing both within the company and with me. After being denied a promotion and the person taking the job being (in my opinion) an ignorant IT train wreck, I left for more money. Like 3 times more money. Which was awesome. Cool co-workers/bosses again, but tech was old. Main frame based stuff and I didn't like it. But damn was the money good. Left that place after 2 years and got a new job testing all the new stuff. Research and development. Although, the development was developing a way to implement new technology so it didn't break existing stuff. Decent co-workers, decent pay, and it was cool being one of the guys people called when no one else could fix stuff. We got shielded from the dumb stuff and worked on the cool stuff. That company was super profitable and was buying smaller competitors left and right. Then it came out that the execs were cooking the books Enron style and they went to jail and the company tanked. I got laid off and started my own business. During stressful times, I've considered going back to a cubicle. But then I read posts like this to remind myself "no way".
So, yes, the grass has always been greener, but it was because the old green grass was dying, so, it wasn't hard to beat the old. At all three jobs, I was considered a 'super star' in the beginning. When they got used to my awesomeness, they took me for granted which made me not want to be awesome any more and found a new place that would appreciate my awesomeness.
Seems like you are at the 'taken for granted' part of that job.
Posted by GORDON on Mar. 02 2012,09:34
Teach.
Posted by thibodeaux on Mar. 02 2012,09:43
(GORDON @ Mar. 02 2012,12:34)
QUOTE
Teach.
I've thought about it.
Pros:
- I keep getting older, but the girls stay the same age
Cons:
- probably is MORE work than I am doing now
- longer commute
- would have to dress nicer
- PC BS
- "research." Blech. Been there, done that
Posted by Troy on Mar. 02 2012,10:49
(thibodeaux @ Mar. 02 2012,09:43)
QUOTE
- would have to dress nicer
I used to think this, but then I realized that dressing nicer makes me more confident, which has a positive effect on most other things that I do.
Confidence rules.
Posted by TheCatt on Mar. 02 2012,10:52
(Troy @ Mar. 02 2012,13:49)
QUOTE
(thibodeaux @ Mar. 02 2012,09:43)
QUOTE
- would have to dress nicer
I used to think this, but then I realized that dressing nicer makes me more confident, which has a positive effect on most other things that I do.
Confidence rules.
Are you a woman?
Posted by thibodeaux on Mar. 02 2012,11:04
(Troy @ Mar. 02 2012,13:49)
QUOTE
(thibodeaux @ Mar. 02 2012,09:43)
QUOTE
- would have to dress nicer
I used to think this, but then I realized that dressing nicer makes me more confident, which has a positive effect on most other things that I do.
Confidence rules.
I'm pretty sure I don't have a confidence shortage.
Posted by Troy on Mar. 02 2012,11:20
(TheCatt @ Mar. 02 2012,10:52)
QUOTE
(Troy @ Mar. 02 2012,13:49)
QUOTE
(thibodeaux @ Mar. 02 2012,09:43)
QUOTE
- would have to dress nicer
I used to think this, but then I realized that dressing nicer makes me more confident, which has a positive effect on most other things that I do.
Confidence rules.
Are you a woman?
Nope, just a client facing professional.
Posted by TPRJones on Mar. 02 2012,11:21
Community College, maybe?QUOTE
Pros:
- I keep getting older, but the girls stay the same age (CHECK)
Cons:
- probably is MORE work than I am doing now
- longer commute (???)
- would have to dress nicer
- PC BS
- "research." Blech. Been there, done that
- ADD: less pay but less bullshit
- I keep getting older, but the girls stay the same age (CHECK)
Cons:
- longer commute (???)
- ADD: less pay but less bullshit
Posted by thibodeaux on Mar. 02 2012,11:30
(TPRJones @ Mar. 02 2012,14:21)
QUOTE
Community College, maybe?
QUOTE
Pros:
- I keep getting older, but the girls stay the same age (CHECK)
Cons:
- probably is MORE work than I am doing now
- longer commute (???)
- would have to dress nicer
- PC BS
- "research." Blech. Been there, done that
- ADD: less pay but less bullshit
- I keep getting older, but the girls stay the same age (CHECK)
Cons:
- longer commute (???)
- ADD: less pay but less bullshit
Forgot to mention
Cons:
- no patience for morons
So, that pretty much rules out community college. THAT SAID, I have entertained the notion of teaching at one of those online universities.
Posted by TPRJones on Mar. 02 2012,11:38
No teaching for you, then. New teachers have to teach the intro classes, and those are 90+% idiots, regardless of where you are teaching.
Posted by thibodeaux on Mar. 02 2012,11:44
(TPRJones @ Mar. 02 2012,14:38)
QUOTE
No teaching for you, then. New teachers have to teach the intro classes, and those are 90+% idiots, regardless of where you are teaching.
Yeah, I know. I mean, 90% of EVERYBODY is idiots, if you think about it. If you define "idiot" as anybody with an IQ below 130.
Posted by TPRJones on Mar. 02 2012,13:49
I prefer to set the cut-off around 140, myself. Even at 135 they might still be too slow on the uptake to be worth even the most basic of conversation.