Career Decision
- Started 16 years ago
- Last post 14 years ago
- 86 Responses
- whitewolf
So hypothetically I know this kid who is an entry-level designer.
This guy interviewed for a graphic design position that included: photo studio work, print, illustration/logo, some web comps etc. He got the job offer and accepted. Three weeks into the job, he was given a web project. He was to take a pre-designed comp and develop/build the website. Keep in mind that in the interview process this kid explicitly expressed that all he had was a basic knowledge of web technology (flash animation, html, xhtml, basic css, tables etc) This person tackled the project the best that they knew how and upon completion was question of their ability.
A meeting was then held with the CEO and creative director: Bottom line, we need someone who can do web, and only web, either get up to par or get out. So, this person then consulted many a tutorial and fellow web personnel in the company. Now this person is up to par with company demands. They can build with css, div tags etc.
It has been three months since the meeting and this person has yet to see another non-web job. This person is thankful for the crash course and learning a bit of web development, but is creatively stifled.
So...
Should this person:
A) Stick with this company for one year, learning as much as they can and reaching the 1 year agency experience mark for the resume. Then apply elsewhere for a more fitting position.
or
B) Leave at the 8 month mark, and cash in on the opportunity to live in Southern Sudan/ Northern Uganda and work with a dear friend's humanitarian non-profit. Basically riding around in land rovers helping build schools and medical centers for refugees. This would be a total of 3 months and then this person would return to the states and start the job hunt over again.
So, is getting a full year under their belt at a place that they do not trust help them more? Or should this person cut the agency experience short by pursing a passion and going on the ultimate adventure?
Fire away.
- brandelec0
can B wait 4 months? if not, then B
- PonyBoy0
... or 'B'.
They're young... no worries - they must have money / funding / backing of some sort to even think of doing volunteer work for that period of time...
... plus that small piece of life experience will be great for conversation in an interview...
.. yep...
'B'.
- canuck0
You're young (I assume) go do B.
- kgvs720
I would totally leave at the 8 month mark and go on the job hunt when I return. Perhaps bring a DSLR, video camera, laptop, and solar charger to document his/her experience.
- Plenty of flash cards too.kgvs72
- Great advice. That can be a fantastic portfolio piece.CyBrain
- <alicetheblue
- jfletcher0
Would staying 4 months at a company really matter? My first two design jobs were 6 months and 3 months. It's a hard economy, people understand movement. You're fine.
Just be prepared for the hunt when you return.
- Leigh0
if A is not the road you/he wants to go down, then don't waste any more time going down that road.
Get out now.
- kgvs720
I think volunteering can give a person more sense about the world. Here in the States a lot of people don't realize or are out of touch (perhaps because of an out of touch president) with reality.
- volunteering is for suckersMilan
- unless it's humanitarian/non-pro...Milan
- fitMilan
- i like this note, i think i may just make it my new blogMilan
- awesome how you added political opinion to this guys earnst need for help. You shit head.Steve_Ceature
- jfletcher0
Agree with kgvs, document that trip someway. HD Cam, polariod, digi-cam, anything. It'll be worth it. I wish I had documented my travel better!
- MSTRPLN0
You might get pigeonholed as "web designer"
- joeth0
This person might want to give their current company a fair warning (at least a month), and explain that he/she can't pass up this opportunity. If the designer is nice about it and they're valued as an employee, they may be asked to come back to work when the trip is over. Even though this person doesn't want to stay there, it would be nice to have the old job waiting for them. They should at least leave on good terms so that there's a possibility of returning, if they need to. Never burn bridges.
Either way, if this person can afford to do B, they should go for it!
- harlequino0
He should leave his job and accept a position at Starbucks with a bunch of teenagers. He rebels against his newfound lot in life by doing a shitty job and playing practical jokes on the customers, who are all assholes. However, eventually, through bonding with his coworkers, he discovers love and the true meaning of friendship.
- duckofrubber0
B. No question. Your "friend" will appreciate the personal growth that will come through world experience.
- Nairn0
You can't expect an absolute answer either way from anyone who doesn't intimately understand your situation, so I humbly offer you the only absolute answer I can - 'follow your heart'. Everything else is secondary.
- ********0
B) A change in perspective will lead to better opportunities. Making a mark on a job, which does not suffice the inner needs are deemed failure in long run. An experience in life can bring about new challenges and develop change in course of path in career.
- ********0
From my past experience..
Me and my friend had an opportunity to go to Middle East for a year with UNICEF and UN Peace Envoy. I decided to stay, he went. After a year, he came back and changed his path in to NGOs, now he works at UN. As for my self, I still work at design which does not fulfill my needs. He is much happier. He no longer sees life as progression of monetary means. But, as money follows him as cares less about them.
- studderine0
ohhh
- mcLeod0
B without question whether this person is young or old. how many people get an opportunity to expand their horizons? Jobs will still be available when this person gets back.
- scarabin_net0
do the 8 month thing and take off to uganda. if you don't you will regret it for the rest of your life.when you come back put "1 year" on your resume instead of 8 months.
win/win.
you're welcome.
- whitewolf0
*****UPDATE
i have my flight booked i leave may 12th, uganda, kenya, southern sudan, 3 months.
here is the best part:
i was planing on putting in a notice the monday after easter, two weeks notice, hopefully they wont cut me then, and i'll get paid through april, but it will be tricky leaving on good terms as i am quitting--i really need the references seeing how this is my 1st design gig out of school.
i have not told anyone in the company yet.
yesterday they make cuts, i am one of them, i get severence pay through the rest of april, they have no idea i was leaving, and they give me the cheer up kid pep talk and tell me how they think highly of me and i have a wonderful recommendation from all of them in the future.
if that is not divine, i don't know what is--to think i almost didn't accept the trip offer in order to "keep my job"
i'm so excited! i'll post the trip blog soon.
love you guys.
- glad for you, I wish I had enough balls to do the same.dyspl
- nice one!FallowDeer
- Too awesome. I'm so happy to hear good fortune befalls you.********
- Congrats on your balls.joeth
- nice one :)canuck
- way to go! :-)akrokdesign
- good balls!jimzyk
- that's great. congratsJaline
- well damn! that is great!!! congrats.herzo