I've been called for an interview. This company puts out those free apartment seeker books you see, as well as ones to find cars. They're owned by a larger company that puts out all kinds of magazines, including Motor Trend. If they offer this I would be writing stories for their Web sites and updating them. It would be doing things I like to do, there are no customers on the phone and they don't work weekends. And they've got dental, medical, 401k, etc. The down side is it barely pays any more than I'm making now, which is not much.

The only people I've consulted about this are my parents. They think this is awful and not worth the time of day. Fitzsimmons Wireless is a huge company! If you keep applying who knows what could happen? This other company is not a household name like Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons might have all sorts of opportunities now that it's merging with AF&F (American Fridges and Fans).

There is the chance that something could happen at Fitzsimmons/AF&F, but I've been there three years and even got turned down for the petty Leadership Intern position, which was only a temp position anyhow. Another guy who sat near me has a bachelor's in Business Management and has sat there over three years now, going nowhere. Just lately I've learned there are at least a thimblefull of people in our call center who have been there five and even seven years; they hit the ceiling of what you can make in the call center a long time ago, haven't moved up at all, and there they sit. Even my previous supervisor said managers in that call center get brushed off for jobs at the headquarters all the time. In three years I've only seen two people make it out of there to a "real" job with the company.

Plus I've read articles that AF&F is going to close it's other Atlanta business and shed 10,000 people and move everything to San Antonio -- except, it's reported, Fitzsimmons, so I should be safe.

But maybe with a few more resumes I could move up and be with the Big Company that's been around a long time, have a history, etc. This other thing sounds exciting in some ways, not so exciting in others.

I don't want to hear my parents rant, even at 36. But when they told me Worldcom could go out of business, be careful, I dismissed it as hysterical rambling from out-of-touch old people. Then they downsized 11,000 of us.

So what would you do?

6 Comments:

 Unknown said...

at some point you have to stop taking advice from your parents, of course they want you to continue living under their roof and under their control, they had a child so they would have someone to change their diapers when the time came.

9:31 AM, January 22, 2007  

 Anonymous said...

I think I would take the new job if it's offered. That kind of experience is more valuable as well as being more in-line with what you like to do. What's the worst thing that could happen? If you leave fitzsimmons on good terms I'm sure you could go back at any time. As far as hearing your folks rant...well maybe it's time to skeedaddle outta Due West Circle. Change is good and how many more times do you want Fitzsimmons to slap you in the face by passing you over because you don't fit the demographic for advancement? To be rid of the phone calls and to have weekends off...seems like a no-brainer to me.

In the end it's your decision. Doesn't matter what I say or anyone else. I'd pray for discernment.

9:45 AM, January 22, 2007  

 Mr. Radio said...

I'd leave Fitzsimmons also. If the other job pays at least the same, and the mileage to and from comes out even or better, then at the very least you'd have a new skillset to add to the ol' resume.

What Fitzsimmons is doing to you is the same thing Shithole Company did to me. It's actual, real racial discrimination.

Get outta there, white boy. :)

6:42 PM, January 22, 2007  

 Anonymous said...

the experience you will get at the other job will help you land another, I see it all the time, especially with those apartment books. They overwork and burn out people fast, they are always hiring, but it does look good on a resume. Besides it is clear you are very unhappy where you are, it won't get better, stop waiting for it. Rising the ranks isn't always the best thing, they want people who make that position the sole reason they get up in the morning, you have hobbies that you enjoy so having responsibility that drains you of energy everyday would only make you even more unhappy.

11:09 PM, January 22, 2007  

 robcasting said...

Ok...first off I think Lynn(how did she find this place anyway) is wrong about listening to parents advice. They have lived longer than us and no some things we dont. However, this is your chance to start writing again. If the pay is the same what are you losing? Nothing! What are you gaining? Woking back in a field you enjoy! Go to the interview...take the J-O-B!

7:14 PM, January 23, 2007  

 Unknown said...

don't make this out to be about me, I love the attention but Art wants the comments to focus on him.

5:52 PM, January 24, 2007  

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