Pay or experience?

Would you ever go backwards in your career to make more money?

Currently I'm in a position that is considered rack and stack but I only spend ~60% of my time doing rack and stack related tasks the other ~40% of my time is doing system/network admin tasks. I love what I do but they just aren't paying me what I'm worth.

I could take a job making 25% more but spend 100% of my time doing rack and stack. More money, but nothing to really build my resume.

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Comments

Techguru365

I personally wouldnt go backwards in my career. Yes, the raise might seem enticing, but i am sure especially since you are currently employed and have hands on work experience, you will be able to find a job that not only pays more but also advances your career. Just keep on looking and sending out those applications

TechGuru80

Most people transition out of fully technical positions by the end of their career. How old are you? Generally going backwards is a bad idea. Would a major league baseball player volunteer to go to the minors?

kohr-ah

Nope. Everything that has happened to me I am assuming has happened for a reason.

Go forward and find a job offering that same increase plus the experience. It may take a little but better to always go forward.

ande0255

Experience 100%.

Doyen

Unless you REALLY need the money now, I don't see the reasoning to go backwards for more pay. You may be denying yourself a future opportunity for a higher position due to not having more hands on experience. A friend of mine at EMC had the same choice and I gave him the same advice. He mainly had a part time hybrid networking and rack n' stack, but was offered a full time position just rackn' & stackn'. Two years later he got promoted to a senior networking level at a NOC with the grunts doing the rack n' stack. I don't think he would have achieved that if he didn't have more technical experience other than rackn' & stackn'.

However, it is situational and only you can evaluate your position in whether you think it is best. If that 25% is worth it to you now, then take it. If you wanted stay as you are in order to invest in experience, it may pay off for career opportunities later. I am curious for updates on what you ultimately decide on doing.

JoJoCal19

Experience will bring the money. Might not happen today, but it will.

Kinet1c

Experience > Pay.

zxbane

I agree with most others here, experience is more valuable and in time would demand a higher salary anyways.

malikhan292

exp definitely.

puertorico1985

I agree with most people here. With that said, if someone offered me a 500% raise to go back to the Helpdesk, I wouldn't be thinking about it too much (but of course, that doesn't happen in the real world)

Akaricloud

I don't feel like you're looking at the entire picture here.

If you're doing 40% System/Network Admin tasks then go find yourself a full time System or Network Administration position that will likely come with quite the large pay increase. You're in a great position to move ahead, take the next step forward.

There's absolutely no reason why you have to pick experience or pay here.

Priston

Yea, I think I'll just keeping looking on the job boards.

coreyb80

Solid experience leads to excellent pay.

Priston

Interesting enough I sent out one application yesterday for a mostly networking position and got an e-mail back today asking for a time to call and chat with me.

kohr-ah

Awesome! Hope it goes well and is a good place 😊

LionelTeo

Many a times, I have been stuck a situation like this. This is when you look at ROI. Which one gives a better Return on Investment? I believe a rack and stak with 25% increment has diminishing ROI as compare to something someone has mention, a network or sysadmin which can give you more salary and experience with a better ROI on your time in career.

GoodBishop

I think the best way to look at it is a combination of ROI and what I like to call the "happiness" factor.

Is it worth it to take a pay cut when changing jobs? Yes, if what you are doing gains you experience and makes you even more valuable than the prior job in the future.

Also, it's not worth it to be unhappy at work. It's better to be making 60k doing what you enjoy vs 70k and being miserable. Actually studies show that after 70k, making more money isn't a large factor anymore on total happiness.

higherho

Pay will come in time. You need the experience to properly negotiate for the pay you want. Plus your passion will also determine your ability to get more money, experience, and perfection at your job. Do what you want to do just remember money isn't everything. Passion for your career choice comes first.

Respectfully,
H

UnixGuy

Experience first especially early on your career. For example if your goal is to become a network expert, find jobs with NOCs/MSP/partners etc etc where you get tons of hands on experience. But later on, you must command the salary that you deserve based on MARKET's rate. If you keep on accepting lower salaries you will sell yourself short. Once you cross that 5-10 yrs of "hands on" experience, I think you shouldn't go backwards, but every situation is different.

Plantwiz

puertorico1985 wrote: »

I agree with most people here. With that said, if someone offered me a 500% raise to go back to the Helpdesk, I wouldn't be thinking about it too much (but of course, that doesn't happen in the real world)

This would only be a benefit if you ever 'enjoyed' helpdesk. And after 10 minutes of sitting back at a desk with a few monitors and a headset, you'll wish you didn't fall for the money. Some people are very good at help desk and sort of enjoy it, but very few I have run into enjoy it longer than it takes to gain the experience to spring out of that desk. FWIW

The money is 'never' worth doing a job you dislike.