Need opinions regarding a new opportunity

Hello everyone,

I've been posting here for some time, but I'm putting this under a new handle to obscure my identity as well as my employer's. There's a career-related issue that has come up and some input would be appreciated.

The information security officer in my company is moving on and she has named me as one of her potential replacements. This would move me into a full-time security position and it would expose me to a lot of new things. That's the good part.

However, the downside is that I've also been planning to leave and go somewhere else for a while now since I need a change of pace and I really don't want to commit another year or two in the same company. I've been employed in the same place for a lot longer than would be considered normal for the industry and starting to feel stagnant. While this new position would be a very nice career boost, it would also make me the sole security person for the entire company working on all different areas (policy, systems, networks, industry compliance mandates, and so on). It's not a huge company, but at the same time I prefer working in a close-knit group of like-minded individuals, even if it's a lower-level position.

Some of you I'm sure would say this is a no-brainer and just go for the job because it's not every day you get a potential offer for a position like this. On the other hand, I've been really wanting to move onto a different place for a long time now, and since the economy has been easing up I was planning on getting out real soon. The company's not bad and they've treated me well over the years, but at this point I feel the compelling need to hit the eject button.

This is a generalistic overview and I'm intentionally leaving out subtle details ... but any comments would be appreciated.

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Comments

joneno

I'd say follow your heart, if your mind is not there it is hard to give your best. But how long have u been with these company?

MickQ

Other things to consider:
#1 Family.
#2 Ease of finding a job paying you what you need, want.
#3 Options in current place of employment - eg. if you go for the security job, training up someone else under you to do your current job, doing the sec job for a while, then taking the experience and moving on to a new place.
# 4 Letting them know that you want to move on to a new place and that you can fill in the Sec job for a while until they find someone good enough to take it, whilst training in the two people for the two positions opened up.

As Joneno said, follow your heart. Just remember that it can be broken all too easily, so it's good to have a backup plan

Zartanasaurus

A few things.

Would you still feel "stagnant" in this new role?
Would spending a couple years in this role make it easier to find your ideal landing spot later?
Are you afraid of being "the man" in this role and want to find something easier?

Megadeth4168

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

A few things.

Would you still feel "stagnant" in this new role?
Would spending a couple years in this role make it easier to find your ideal landing spot later?
Are you afraid of being "the man" in this role and want to find something easier?

Excellent point! I felt the same way with my old employer, I loved the environment and the job but it got to be stagnant. I took a better paying job with a much larger organization and better pay but I quickly found that I was actually responsible for less than I was at my old job and things are even more stagnant.

I just want to caution you to really inquire into other jobs to make sure you won't be continuing down a path of that leaves you feeling unfulfilled.

ehnde

If you left your current company today, are you sure you could find a job that increases your level of responsibility, requires more expertise, pays more, and gives you more job satisfaction?

LongITDays

Thank you for the feedback so far everyone. One of the things I'd like is work in a team setting again where I can bounce ideas with others, get different viewpoints, etc.. While I have the support from a number of higher-ups for me to take this position, the company doesn't inspire me. While the position provides a nice title and great responsibility, at the same time it's like putting in more time at this place due to a promotion because, well, it's expected.

Being the sole security guy is kind of exciting, but also doesn't provide the benefit of being with like-minded people. Seeing the same faces, same commute, same environment after about a decade gets tiring and a fresh start would be very welcome. Getting a better paying job is probably possible where I'm located.

I think what I may regret the most if I skip the promotion is the title and experience that comes with that particular position. However, there's the possibility certain technical skills might fade away. I still have to evaluate the job description further, however.

Does it really make sense to tell them that I'm also "looking at other options?" It doesn't seem wise to let them know you're looking elsewhere.

MickQ

What about talking to them and encouraging them to consider changing the landscape of how things are done (your idea bouncing), if it will be of benefit to everyone?

Everyone

MickQ wrote: »

Other things to consider:
# 4 Letting them know that you want to move on to a new place and that you can fill in the Sec job for a while until they find someone good enough to take it, whilst training in the two people for the two positions opened up.

Be very careful with #4 there. If you did that, you could end up without a job before you find a new one.

Computadora

LongITDays wrote: »

Being the sole security guy is kind of exciting, but also doesn't provide the benefit of being with like-minded people.

I think that's why we have forums and other resources on the Internet, so even if we are alone and clueless, there are answers to be found. In this day of age with the Internet anyone looking hard enough can find what they seek. Also social networking is a good idea, like joining local security chapters and what not.

LongITDays

I actually have another interview lined up somewhere else, but the timing is really close. My current place needs an answer soon, but I'm not sure if I can finish through the interview process at the other place before I have to provide an answer. Do you think it would be a big no-no if I told them that I'm also exploring another opportunity?

Sometimes life throws everything at you within the same week making you juggle. I'm not sure how I can postpone giving them an answer.

sambuca69

i wouldn't tell them you were looking elsewhere as well.

with your new title and responsibilities couldn't you shape the role into what you vision it should be?