Hobbes-
06-17-2006, 08:24 PM
Okay, so here's my dillema:
I do GIS (make maps on the computer) for a living. I had a temporary position at a government agency dealing with transportation and environmental planning maps that ended at the end of this June. Because of that I was desperately searching for a full time position in my field.
I applied to many places and recieved an interview for a real estate firm doing retail mapping. At the same time I applied to a city metro company doing transportation mapping and analysis. I recieved an interview for the real estate firm and was offered the job. Since I knew the guy for the metro job for my other potential job, I instantly called him and asked him what the situation was. I really wanted the transportation job, but needed something to hold me over. He told me that I was the leading canidate for the job, after looking at the applications, out of 3 but that he could not promise me anything and suggested I take the other position as well as go on an interview with him.
Now this is something that neither he nor I would normally do. I must say he is a very nice man and said that under most circumstances he would not have reccommended that.
So I started the new job 1.5 weeks ago. I had 2 days over overlap with the previous person that performed the job in which I attempted to learn the entire position. The real estate job had only one mapping person and used a mapping software package that was entirely new to me and used by about 5% of the GIS field. They immediately through me into 8+ projects that needed to be done without me even knowing how the software worked. My first week was spent fudging things to make them look sufficient but I still had no understanding of how the program works entirely.
A few days ago I went on the interview for the metro position and recieved a call on Friday telling me that I was going to be recommended for the job and that I should be expecting a call from HR sometime in the next week or two after they did all the paperwork and such (basically because he was a friend prior to the interview he called me, a nice nice nice guy.. that would be my supervisor).
So my dillema. At first I was contemplating whether or not I want the metro job but have decided that it is in a field that I like much much more. I would also be using the programs I know and that are used by 95% of the mapping community. Not only that, I would still be able to learn from people above me rather than having to teach myself new things at the real estate position. Not only would I have problems taking vacation (because noone else knows how to use the software, which is really stupid might I add) but I would be teaching myself inferior software and wouldn't have much direction.
I want to take the metro position and am planning on approaching my boss after I recieve word from the HR department with an offer. I have discussed my situation with many people and was wondering if anyone else had any insight.
To help you out, I am still early in my career, in my mid 20's, and still plan to go back to grad school. I have love transportation all my life and am always thinking of better ways to fix intersections, roads, and transit routes.
I had a few thoughts of what I should say and was wondering if anyone else had anything to add.
Thoughts:
"When I first started this job, I envisioned it as something totally different from what it really was.
Before we go too far down this road and invest too much into this, I think it’s best that I leave and pursue a job in the career path I see myself in.
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Therefore, I will be giving my two weeks notice. Should you have someone come in before I leave, I would be happy to help them get situated into the job"
I was thinking that I may not even want to mention the other job. If anyone needs more info, ask away.
Sorry for such a long message.
-hobbes
I do GIS (make maps on the computer) for a living. I had a temporary position at a government agency dealing with transportation and environmental planning maps that ended at the end of this June. Because of that I was desperately searching for a full time position in my field.
I applied to many places and recieved an interview for a real estate firm doing retail mapping. At the same time I applied to a city metro company doing transportation mapping and analysis. I recieved an interview for the real estate firm and was offered the job. Since I knew the guy for the metro job for my other potential job, I instantly called him and asked him what the situation was. I really wanted the transportation job, but needed something to hold me over. He told me that I was the leading canidate for the job, after looking at the applications, out of 3 but that he could not promise me anything and suggested I take the other position as well as go on an interview with him.
Now this is something that neither he nor I would normally do. I must say he is a very nice man and said that under most circumstances he would not have reccommended that.
So I started the new job 1.5 weeks ago. I had 2 days over overlap with the previous person that performed the job in which I attempted to learn the entire position. The real estate job had only one mapping person and used a mapping software package that was entirely new to me and used by about 5% of the GIS field. They immediately through me into 8+ projects that needed to be done without me even knowing how the software worked. My first week was spent fudging things to make them look sufficient but I still had no understanding of how the program works entirely.
A few days ago I went on the interview for the metro position and recieved a call on Friday telling me that I was going to be recommended for the job and that I should be expecting a call from HR sometime in the next week or two after they did all the paperwork and such (basically because he was a friend prior to the interview he called me, a nice nice nice guy.. that would be my supervisor).
So my dillema. At first I was contemplating whether or not I want the metro job but have decided that it is in a field that I like much much more. I would also be using the programs I know and that are used by 95% of the mapping community. Not only that, I would still be able to learn from people above me rather than having to teach myself new things at the real estate position. Not only would I have problems taking vacation (because noone else knows how to use the software, which is really stupid might I add) but I would be teaching myself inferior software and wouldn't have much direction.
I want to take the metro position and am planning on approaching my boss after I recieve word from the HR department with an offer. I have discussed my situation with many people and was wondering if anyone else had any insight.
To help you out, I am still early in my career, in my mid 20's, and still plan to go back to grad school. I have love transportation all my life and am always thinking of better ways to fix intersections, roads, and transit routes.
I had a few thoughts of what I should say and was wondering if anyone else had anything to add.
Thoughts:
"When I first started this job, I envisioned it as something totally different from what it really was.
Before we go too far down this road and invest too much into this, I think it’s best that I leave and pursue a job in the career path I see myself in.
<o =""></o><o =""></o>
Therefore, I will be giving my two weeks notice. Should you have someone come in before I leave, I would be happy to help them get situated into the job"
I was thinking that I may not even want to mention the other job. If anyone needs more info, ask away.
Sorry for such a long message.
-hobbes