#ITCareer #CareerDecisions #NewJobStruggles #CareerGrowth #CommuteDilemma #WorkLifeBalance
Reposting to get more engagements. Thanks to those who did see it previously! Out of excitement couple days ago, I accepted my first IT role that would do onsite support (Desktop Support Technician). I got referred this role by former colleagues from another employer that advanced their IT career at a MSP. I did the interview, loved me, got offered same day. The main office is 48 miles away and drive another 20 miles to the onsite support. I’m just rounding 60 to and back so 120 in a day M-F.
For some reason last night, it hit me if it’s really worth doing this? I’m currently in cellular sales so let me know if this is worth it.
### Current Job Pros:
– **Flexibility:** Especially since my fiancée recently had our newborn.
– **Company Stocks:** They give us company stocks.
– **401k:** Offers 401k and matches up to 5% if I remember.
– **PTO:** Accrue a ton of PTO, I currently have 122 hours and end of year estimate 260.
– **Benefits:** Benefit’s are great IMO, I’m pay $39 for vision, health, and dental. I haven’t added son to it yet.
– **Phone Bill Discount:** Saving me a ton (75% service).
– **Commission:** Base pay right now is $18/hr but we get commission on everything we sale. I closed at $60k last year.
– **Location:** My store is high Traffic location.
– **Nearby:** 7 miles away (15-20 min drive).
### Current Job Cons:
– **Pay Transition:** The store will be transitioning to $22/hr base pay BUT change to team commission which will depend on metrics hit.
– **More Responsibilities:** Since the store is essentially transitioning to “in-store over the phone support.”
– **Limited Career Growth:** Don’t see a career out of this long term.
– **Uncertain Future:** Have to reapply at our store and IF we don’t get it, we get moved to another store (potentially slow store which means pay cut).
– **Dislike for Upselling:** Really don’t enjoy upselling customers but it pays the bills.
### New Job Pros:
– **IT Kickstart:** The only pro I see with the new employer is kickstarting my IT career.
### New Job Cons:
– **Pay Cut:** Potential pay cut, offered at $28/hr ($58,240 before taxes).
– **Expenses:** Gas expenses.
– **Traffic:** Traffic going to and back.
– **Limited Insurance Coverage:** Employer only covers $300 month towards insurance.
– **Limited Benefits:** Offers 401K But does not contribute (planning to but no ETA).
– **Limited Time Off:** 5 paid vacation, 5 paid sick days per year.
– **Early Mornings:** 8am-5pm so I’d have to train myself to wake up around 5am and leave by 6:15am because of morning traffic.
I honestly don’t mind staying at my current job but I just don’t want to be selling phones forever. I’m 26 going to be 27 in June and want a career. I’m only nervous about the commute, not the new job itself. I’ve always had interest in IT. Moving closer can’t be an option because we just started to rent a house last month. Another pro I guess would be my sister and mom staying with us until they save up and find a place so charging them rent will help.
In conclusion, deciding whether to drive 60 miles to start an IT career can be a tough choice. Consider weighing the pros and cons of both options to determine which path aligns best with your long-term goals and values.Each person’s situation is unique, so it’s crucial to prioritize what matters most to you in terms of career growth, work-life balance, and overall job satisfaction. Good luck in making the right choice for your future!
lol no
is there no desktop support positions closer to you? the commute alone sounds horrible
Do it, you can very possibly double your income within 5-7 years, or at least get a job with shorter commute for similar pay in 1-2 years.
>I just don’t want to be selling phones forever
If you want to ensure that doesn’t happen, best thing you can do is take the job.
Honestly, a 2h commute is worth it to break into IT right now, considering you have no IT experience (correct me if I’m wrong), and the current job market being terrible (really hard to get first IT job without experience and other qualifications).
Sorry no, its just not practical.. you might be fine for a week but reality will hit you. There will be days when you just can’t wait to get home but realise you have 120ms to travel..Are you factoring traffic jams into this also? Its up to you but your life will just become work as by the time you get home you’ll eat and have to go to bed to be up early to travel again.
lets not forget co6st of gas and clocking up millage on your car.
Consider moving closer if you can?
I had a lot of anxiety about finding a job while working on my degree. I accepted a $25/hr contract position about 2 hours away from me. I could do remote half the days, but it fucking sucked.
It did help me get into my current career path and was worth it.
Is moving closer out of the question? Because you should move closer.
As someone who used to commute around 100ish miles roundtrip to a job site M-F (environmental consulting to Brooklyn from north NJ), you get used to it. I used the time to listen to podcasts and just cruise. The thing that bothered me about a new site was not really knowing how bad traffic was, or how annoying it was getting there (back roads/main roads/etc). But after a bit it becomes a whatever routine to me, so I’d say go for it to break into IT and build that future. Good luck 🙂
There’s no denying it’ll be rough, but it’s manageable if you are determined and make use of your commute time.
When you’re starting out, you need the mindset of willing to do anything to get experience. In IT you can job hop, so chances are you can use them as a stepping stone.
From experience, a commute that long for not great pay is going to crush your spirit. I don’t think it’s worth it personally.
The only way I would say yes is if you take the role but also keep searching for something better and leave as soon as you find that thing.
Not for what they are paying you.
60 miles for just $28hr, I’d walk away from that. I don’t travel more than 15 miles for $60k
I had a 75-minute commute a decade ago. Fortunately for me, I was going to a retail location, so I didn’t have to drive further. This was the job that helped launch my IT career.
If there’s no other opportunities for you and you’re eager to make the jump, it’s worth taking the job but honestly the drive will likely wear on your over time. Sure, you can take the commute to listen to podcasts but driving an hour (or possibly more with traffic) to get home when you’re already tired sucks.
I would be very focused on getting the skills necessary to either get a promotion where you don’t have to drive or get a job at another company that’s either closer or allows remote. It sounds like you’re working with one client now, but there’s no telling what client you’ll be working at in a few months to a year and how much driving that’ll entail.
If you want to get into IT I would definitely do it. I am currently in my 5th year of an IT analyst (desktop support) position and drive 75 miles each way (150 mile round trip) while also finishing my BA in Cybersecurity at night. It is A LOT and can be draining, but the amount of experience you’ll gain, and as long as you network yourself well, you should be able to easily transition into whatever position interests you. As you should gain experience in all aspects of IT to a degree, then you just concentrate on whatever interests you the most.
It’s not worth it, you’re gonna have a lot of wear and tear on your vehicle, and that’s going to eat up your savings that you’re getting right now. Commuting long-distance on a consistent basis increases the likelihood that you will be in a wreck sooner and more often than you planned. There’s plenty of online jobs out there that pay the same if not better
If you would be okay with moving for the job, I would see if you can work something out with your renter as far as transferring the lease to another renter or paying a fee to break the contract early if possible, then do the commute for a month or two to make sure you like the job before moving. Will save you a lot of sanity because even if you did do okay with the commute, you will eventually want to move up in your career which requires time studying and that will cut into your already limited free time. Not worth losing your family to a career. Best of luck!
I’m deeply starting to dislike IT. Bachelor’s degree in IT and one year in and I’m looking for an exit.
Any wiggle room on your schedule?
I’ve been at places that offer the normal 9-5 M-F and 7-5 M-TH, so long as they hit their 40 hours.
You could ask your landlord nicely if you can break the lease without penalty or let your subletters take it over and then move closer.
Calculate how much you will pay in Gas every month + estimated maintenance. If you are profiting greatly take it. If the pay increase but gas toll is only a few hundred dollars in profit it just may not be worth it. I use to drive 50 miles to work once, I hated the commute. Hell I hate a 20 mile commute. I have to wake up 3 hours before work just to get ready and beat city traffic? Screw that. Theres a mental health aspect involved as well… theres also a time thing. I personally hate commuting and never wish to do it again my entire life
Normally, that commute I’d say no. BUT, this is your first job to start your career. Idk if you’ve seen but the market is horrible for entry level. Sure you’ll be filling your gas tank 3 times a week, but you’re also getting your experience. You’ll spend a bit on gas, but hell even after just 6 months, you can start searching for another place that’s closer to home.
You have the chance to start it with a catch to the deal, given the circumstances, the catch isn’t too bad my guy. Take it and welcome to the career.
I hate to say it, but in this market, u gotta take it. Recruiters and employers are being ridiculous right now. In 2024, many helpdesk and desktop support postions requires experience.
Get in with the company, make connections with people in the IT department that you prefer to be in, and then move laterally when an opening is available. If room for growth doesn’t exist there, then use your newfound experience to get pay bump, and then execute that strategy with a better company.
Oof in your position. I’d say yes do it but start looking for another job like immediately. Been working from home now for like two years. I won’t take an onsite job anymore.
Didn’t read your whole post, but I took a 15k pay cut and a 45 minute commute to switch to IT. I now make 90k more than the job I left and haven’t filled up my motorcycle in 2 months cuz I work remote. It was a rough road and sucked at first, but well worth it for me.
No one can predict your future though
No one is looking at the fact that you have a newborn. That alone says pass.
I would only take the new job offer if you are fully committed to this new career. It sounds like a good opportunity that a lot of others would probably kill to have right now.
Besides the commute, you will need to set aside additional time to study for the job, as well as certs. I don’t know if that is feasible with a newborn and less PTO.
Considering it’s a potential pay cut be SURE to factor in commute costs. 120 miles a day, every day, will definitely eat into your check with gas alone. It will be noticeable, especially if your current job is a fraction of the distance.
No it’s not.