Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
See, if the economy were in any other state, I wouldn't even give it a second thought. I'm pretty well-qualified for many jobs, so I think I could get another one if I needed to. But still, I have several friends who have been applying and interviewing everywhere and cannot even get a job. Yet, here I am quitting the relatively stable job I landed just 8 months ago.
I feel that it's just something I must do. I've grown very discontent (bordering on depression) since I've worked here. Though I graduated at the top of my class with Mechanical and Electrical degrees and a solid 2 1/2 years' industry experience, this company misrepresented my position pretty significantly, telling me all the cool fascinating things for which I'd be responsible. Instead, 8 months later, I'm not much more than a glorified tech support, making much less than I should be, and tolerating somewhat intolerable work conditions (like abiding by a lunch bell (yes, just like in high school)).
Anyway, the point of this solicitation is not to rant or bad-mouth an employer. Rather, it's simply to ask, am I off my rocker for quitting in these hard economic times? I've been working on building a web-based company for the past couple years. It's really close to taking off, but not quite paying the bills just yet. I also have a web development company to help fund the startup. Recently, a (really cool) friend who owns a bigger, more successful web development company, approached me about contracting their extra work out to me. As it turns out, they have enough extra work to keep me busy for at least a few months (probably much more), and I'd be making more than I make here. In addition, I've got a couple months worth of expenses already saved up as well.
What do you guys think? I think I'm ready to stop hating 5/7ths of my life, regardless of economic conditions.
101 comments
[ 2.7 ms ] story [ 178 ms ] threadSounds like you've made your decision and you just want a push. And since you've asked here, instead of anywhere else, you know that we will push. And that's what you want. You are just a tiny bit insecure and want someone else to say it, but you've subconsciously guaranteed you'll get the push you want.
Ok then, I'll oblige.
DO IT! It sounds like you can afford it. Bad economic times are a good time to start. If you can survive through these times, you'll be positioned to explode when things take off. You don't have major financial obligations. You'll never regret quitting your job and taking a friggin chance. Take the chance. Embrace it. You only live life once.
And yes, everyone here is very good at pushing for risk and action over all else (myself included), and that is exactly why I posted here. Though, even if I had gotten the opposite reaction, I probably would have said you guys don't know what you're talking about, and then taken the plunge anyway ;-)
So your quitting opens up a job for another guy to take. :)
Unfortunately however I have no college degree. I got lucky landing this job straight out of high school and even though I'm pushing 5 years of experience from this job I really doubt I could easily find another one outside of retail/fast food even if the market wasn't the way it was.
/sigh
I ask because I have a couple knacks that are hyper-rare in programmers, (In my experience) but I'm having a terrible time capitalizing on them.
Good luck and don't second-guess yourself, just make sure you've got enough fail safes in place to make a go for it and don't look back.
(Just don't blame me later ;-)
Knowing it's going to be a rollercoaster really helps -- you don't get too caught up in the highs, and you know the lows are only temporary.
Sure you're still going to have them - but being conscious and aware makes it a lot easier.
Don't overwork yourself. Get at least 7 hours of sleep. Exercise at least 3 times a week. Keep a pulse of your venture and know when to move on if things aren't looking good. Life is short so don't kill yourself with one thing, you must iterate. Make time for family and friends.
These are some of the things I've learned over the years. Please add to this list if you think of anything else.
I also know that not everyone likes to do its best, and many are simply looking for the "easiest" way, but this implies abiding to some kind of lunch bell, as you described. But you're not this kind of person: it seems that you're still able to dream and tend towards something better.
So, good luck with your future projects and give good karma, you'll receive it back! :).
Being mindful of the present, as you advise, is a good practice in my opinion. They clear up enough confusion to gain insight about oneself. Sometimes, those insight tells you to move on. I don't buy that it is the only goal to target, and one should always seek for happiness through efforts, as those beliefs becomes attachments and delusions over time. They're simply there because someone hasn't gained insight to themselves yet.
Seriously, dude or dudette, what more do you need? An engraved invitation to follow your heart from Cupid?
It's a risky move in any economy. The potential downside is losing everything you own. If you find that motivating, rather than paralyzing, you're probably on the right path.
Keep your head down, keep a stable job, keep that income coming in, you're better off than all those other poor sods on the street.
What is the conventional advice given during boom times?
Get a new house, a new car, a new TV, consume, consume, consume. Don't worry about debt, since you're always going to make more. Don't like your job? Quit it now and get a better one to your satisfaction.
There is no doubt that the current economic situation is affecting the relative ability for someone to acquire income. However, if you have your current job in your current situation say, two years ago during the boom, would you feel any different? I'd say you would feel less anxious about surviving, yet, you wouldn't be as driven to succeed in your new endeavor simply because at the back of your mind, there's that safety cushion of getting another job.
If you don't have any dependents and no sigificant debt, I think you would be off your rockers to stay where you are.
i also quit around a month ago and have now been thinking why i did'nt do it earlier. bad economy or good economy, i don't think it should make much of a difference.
actually i think this is a good time to start, less competition and also, if we can make something which is making good enough money, when economy becomes better. people will be running after few good startups around.
The economy really sucks right now. Unless you have a guarantee of income (e.g. letter of employment) you should do whatever you can to save your job. Talk to your boss about the issue, and if he doesn't make things better, talk to your boss's boss. Insecure middle managers love to pull shit like bait-and-switch, but somewhere up the food chain, there is someone who would not want this to happen to a talented person (either that, or you're at a shitbag company) and you just have to find him. Now is the time to work aggressively to repair the situation-- the worst that can happen is that you get fired, but in that case you get severance and unemployment, as opposed to the $0.00 you get if you quit.
Regarding depression, it's probably not just your job. I love what I do and I'm bordering on clinical depression right now; the fact that my career could easily go to hell (something statistically impossible two years ago) and that society might collapse, although neither is likely, doesn't lead to happy thoughts.
Do it for both leaving and staying. I was surprised to learn that the worst thing that could happen to me in my job was that I continue to have success, further chaining me to a job for which I have no passion.
I have a different situation than you (married with a young child), but answering those questions has encouraged me to make a 2-year plan to get out. Two years because that is when my child will start going to school full-time and my wife will presumably go back to work, providing us with affordable health insurance.
The best advice in this economy is to get your head down and stick in your job till things pick up again.
But, you know, were not here because we do what were told or are supposed to do. :) so get outta there and go make some real money (belief!).