Municipality vs College Campus Position

zdx

I currently work for municipality as a IT Specialist but I literally do almost everything. I've been here for little over 3 years and while the benefits are nice the pay isn't great 30k and work/life balance is tough because I am almost always on call and there are usually calls where I have to remote in and take care of or be in town to respond. I found a job posting for my alma mater that pays almost double and this is the job description.

• Package, prepare and configure computer applications for installation in academic labs, academic classrooms and for administrative use.
• Configure and maintain application packaging support through Microsoft System Center (or equivalent tools).
• Design, configure, deploy and maintain Windows desktop clients, including creating and maintaining operating system images, managing desktop applications, implementing desktop security, resolving issues, and monitoring performance.
• Research, evaluate, test compatibility and recommend software that will be used by the college to meet the needs of faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Provide technical and user support for faculty with the use of academic software.
• Provide technical and user support for packaged administrative software running on microcomputers, local servers, and the cloud.
• Work with other IT Department employees to facilitate the installation, troubleshooting, and use of software applications for the college.
• Working with the Data Center staff, configure and install multi-tier packaged Windows Server based applications.
• Provide support for the planning and implementation of academic computing and administrative software.
• Generate and maintain documentation about software installation, configuration and technical support.
• Manage software inventory through appropriate archival methods.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

This seems right up my alley and I was a student employee at the college campus too. It was a great comfortable job but I was paid minimum wage which is why i left.

Is it something I should apply to? I've only been at my current job for 3 years and at time it can be stressful dealing with different departments and users with particular needs. I never did finish my studies due to this job getting in the way but I feel perhaps my experience might make up for that. A part of me wants to apply and a part of me says to stay loyal to my bosses because they think I'll be in for the long term and move up as an manager. Its tough already since we are short-staffed but that pay hurts because I have to support myself and my mom. I need to get three professional references but I'm afraid to ask anyone I work with because. I can get a reference from my old boss and another consultant who was recently let go.
Do I have a chance?

cyberguypr

Loyal to bosses? You are hilarious. You need to look out for YOURSELF. No one else will. Do what's best for you. It's business, not personal.

wtrwlkr

Agreed with cyberguy. You do the work you're assigned, you get paid a paycheck. That's where your obligation ends. You don't owe any company loyalty.

tedjames

Loyalty is great, but it doesn't pay the bills and doesn't necessarily provide job satisfaction in the long run. If you can get close to a 100% raise and a more relaxed work environment that might actually pay for you to finish your degree (I'm assuming this part), go for it. If you don't ask, the answer will always be "No." Apply and see what happens. If you get an offer, maybe your current bosses will do what it takes to keep you. Sounds like a great opportunity.

Lexluethar

I'll echo what others have said, you owe the company nothing.

If you have to ask a forum full of strangers if it's the right time to make a move - you should have already done this. Sounds like a great oppotunity and it will give you the ability to finish your degree as well as save money getting that degree (usually discounts are available with employees).

Make the move and don't even think about a counter offer if your current company offers one.

zdx

Thank you guys. I just needed to hear this. I'm crossing my fingers.

the_Grinch

Go for it! Often when you work for a college you get tuition for free or a very reduced rate. I worked at a college and loved it.

danny069

It's a no brainer, apply for the job, get the job, and finish your degree there for free! You gotta do what you gotta do for yourself, don't stay stuck, move on to something more fulfilling.

Kyrak

Like Danny069 said, this is a no brainer. Go for it and worry about the decision when you get an offer on the table.

volfkhat

cyberguypr wrote: »

Loyal to bosses? You are hilarious. You need to look out for YOURSELF. No one else will. Do what's best for you. It's business, not personal.

I use to roll my eyes and think disparaging things about the millennial generation (just a bunch of self-entitled slackers).

And then, one day, i read the story about a young lady who wrote an Open Letter to the CEO of her employer (Yelp).
It was very well-written, somewhat persuasive, and professional.

Well, OF COURSE she was quickly terminated.

And i thought to myself: "Idiot!! what did you think was gonna happen?"

and THAT's when it hit me:
Had it been myself... i would have kept my mouth Shut and continued to endure a BAD situation.

But this 20-something possessed the courage/stupidity to Demand Better.

Who's the real idiot?

I was humbled by this epiphany. This kid (decades younger) taught me a valuable life lesson:

Stand Up for youself.
Demand Fairness from others.
And Never Apologize for it.