Two job choices, which do you choose

Hey guys. Looking for an opinion on career path. One job involves working for the government, on various systems with excellent job security. The work isn't exactly what I had hoped for coming out of school, but gives me experience with several aspects of IT. My current duties include configuration and deployment of cisco switches (access layer stuff), call manager administration, checkpoint firewall admin, DHCP, DNS , and Active Directory. Everything has been deployed and at this point it is mainly just supporting an existing system. I won't ever become an expert an any one subject.

I've been offered a job as a Voice engineer at an ISP here. Essentially the job involves consultation for local businesses that are upgrading their cisco telephony systems, doing new installs, or adding new features to existing systems. It will allow me to focus entirely on Cisco Unified Communications products and hopefully become an expert in that area. Job security is average. They haven't laid anyone off anytime recently, but people who work there don't have the comfort that I do.

The pay and benefits are near identical. Which do you choose? What am I failing to consider in my decision?

Any input is appreciated.

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Comments

it_consultant

This one would be a no brainer for me, work for the ISP. ISP experience is critical, experience I wish I had. I hate government work so I will always vote against that. Lets say the job you had now was your current job but in the private sector, I would still go for the ISP.

xenodamus

I agree.

I'm not seeing much of an argument for staying in your current spot. I wouldn't stay for the job security. You can shoot yourself in the foot thinking like that. I've done it. Go for the challenge and experience.

networker050184

Another vote for the ISP job. Assuming Voice is what you want to get into it sounds like a great gig. I've always stayed as far from the red tape of government jobs as I could also.

sandman748

My first instinct is to play it safe and stay where I am. I realize that I should take the other job and am going to look into it.

My biggest roadblock at this point is that I signed a contract for some training my current employer asked me to do. Basically I will have to pay 6 grand if I leave within the next year. Does anyone have any experience with similar contracts?

xenodamus

Ouch...that could be enough to make me reconsider.

What kind of training did they put you through?

sandman748

Checkpoint R71 Admin and Expert level training. What a waste. I tried fighting it, but in the end it didnt seem worth it. Totally regretting it now.

networker050184

So, they made you go to the training and still want you to pay for it? Sounds like you could get out of it to me.

colemic

networker050184 wrote: »

So, they made you go to the training and still want you to pay for it? Sounds like you could get out of it to me.

It sounds to me like he signed a time agreement - they provide/pay for the training, and he is obligated to work there for a certain amount of time, or he has to repay the training cost. Very common, and pretty much the only way to stop someone who convince their company to pay for expensive training, and then turn in their notice the week after they get back.

networker050184

colemic wrote: »

It sounds to me like he signed a time agreement - they provide/pay for the training, and he is obligated to work there for a certain amount of time, or he has to repay the training cost. Very common, and pretty much the only way to stop someone who convince their company to pay for expensive training, and then turn in their notice the week after they get back.

The bold being the key part. If he requested the training then of course, this is common practice, but thats not what it sounds like here. Sounds like they sent him for a job requirement. I could be misinterpreting the post though.

sandman748

networker is correct. I didn't ask for the training. They told me I had to take it. They also told me I had to sign a time agreement, just as colemic suggested.

So I did sign it, but I didn't ask for it. I'm pretty sure I'm screwed and just have to deal with it, as I doubt I have any real legal avenues to pursue. Have any of you or anyone you know, left while under this kind of contract. I assume they would keep my last pay, but I don't even have the 6k to give them and one check won't cover it.

colemic

networker050184 wrote: »

The bold being the key part. If he requested the training then of course, this is common practice, but thats not what it sounds like here. Sounds like they sent him for a job requirement. I could be misinterpreting the post though.

Totally correct - but I was using that as an example of why companies usually insist on the agreement, not that he asked for the training. Minor detail though, so no worries.

The fact that you didn't ask for it though, you may have a valid point to raise - i would like to know more about if they require you to go to a specific training course, how they can obligate you for a set length of time, if it is a requirement. The bad news is, even if the issue could be raised, the fact that it's done and signed probably means you are stuck for now. The good news is, if you are currently a government worker, file a grievance and see if you can get it nullified.