Life Decision Time.

[kegsworth]

*Sigh*

As many of you know, I work full-time as a Software Developer. I've been "title-changed" by my company several times, but without any raises - just promises. I started playing TAO when I first started interning for the IT department . . . close to two years ago. Since then I've been moved to CIS Development/Data Conversions and now FIS Development/GUI Development. Since my two years here, I've been "title-changed" twice, and both without pay increases. They say it's because I lack a degree (that I'm in the process of acquiring) and when I get one, they'll give me the base-pay that come along with the job(s). That's three years away. Obviously real-world experience mean crap to them.

Here's their tactic: They move me on to a different department every 8 months or so depending on the departments projects. They spend about 1-2 weeks training me on how to do it, then I get to work on them. But, the company policy is that someone must work in a department for 9 months before they are considered 'specialized' in that field. The 'specialization' comes with a pay-increase. Surprise, they keep screwing me over. I didn't catch on 'til after my last 'title change' as they call it. I've looked at all of the jobs that I've been made to do, as well as looked up job-titles on the internet. All of them start at a base-pay of $70k minimum. Approximately three times what I make. That's with a college degree, of course.

So . . . I'm going to give them the low-down today and see what happens. I'm going to tell them that I'm not going to continue to do a job for $23k that someone else they'd have to hire to do would get payed $75k. They've been weaseling their way into saving $50k a year and it stops now. Either they start to pay up, or I quit and they hire someone else that demands $70k. Hopefully they'll settle for paying me $40k a year and keeping me on, but I doubt it.

So this leads me to: The Military!!!

Yes, that's right. The Military. I've put a lot of time into deciding this, and it's taken me about 5 months to figure it out, but I'm gonna do it if I don't get kept on. I owe them four years and they pay for my college. There are several other reasons with it, but mostly it has to due with education.

What I need help with is which branch? I need real-life-experience information, rather than recruiter promises and website advertisements. So, help me out, please.

[Worker]

Id go with the Airforce considering your area of expertise.

[gryph89]

If you're not trying to get ointo fighting then go with the navy. Plus you get to see the world.

[Realist]

Look, the military sucks as a college-paying device. You've obviously got skills, if no one else is willing to pay you without a college degree (which I find somewhat doubtful, experience is worth more than degrees) then take out loans and go to some cheap school like everyone else does.

Go to the military only if you really want to be military.

[stinkydog]

really, any of them would be good, as long as you get into an area that you want. However, I would have to say airforce or army. Marines seem to screw a lot of people over (by bro and a few childhood friends were in marines). Marines may seem really nice and respected, but its also, really difficult. Navy will have you out at sea for 8(?) months at a time, while can be a very dull experience from what I have heard. So far Air Forse and Army have nothing wrong with them. Both look for recruits and offer great benefits to join (Marines don't have to advertise as much cuz they get a LOT of people wanting to join). And If this is mostly for education, maybe Air Force is the way to go due to the fact that its not going to have a high level of danger, so you dont have to worry as much about dying, and a lot of it seems computer-based, which you could possibly use later in life.
edit:i agree with realist, this should be a last resort type of thing. however, if you are 100% set on going military, don't opt out to get a sign on bonus, i hear that takes away from your college funds.

[uniquinous]

-agree with realist

[Jeffery]

*Sigh*

As many of you know, I work full-time as a Software Developer. I've been "title-changed" by my company several times, but without any raises - just promises. I started playing TAO when I first started interning for the IT department . . . close to two years ago. Since then I've been moved to CIS Development/Data Conversions and now FIS Development/GUI Development. Since my two years here, I've been "title-changed" twice, and both without pay increases. They say it's because I lack a degree (that I'm in the process of acquiring) and when I get one, they'll give me the base-pay that come along with the job(s). That's three years away. Obviously real-world experience mean crap to them.

Here's their tactic: They move me on to a different department every 8 months or so depending on the departments projects. They spend about 1-2 weeks training me on how to do it, then I get to work on them. But, the company policy is that someone must work in a department for 9 months before they are considered 'specialized' in that field. The 'specialization' comes with a pay-increase. Surprise, they keep screwing me over. I didn't catch on 'til after my last 'title change' as they call it. I've looked at all of the jobs that I've been made to do, as well as looked up job-titles on the internet. All of them start at a base-pay of $70k minimum. Approximately three times what I make. That's with a college degree, of course.

So . . . I'm going to give them the low-down today and see what happens. I'm going to tell them that I'm not going to continue to do a job for $23k that someone else they'd have to hire to do would get payed $75k. They've been weaseling their way into saving $50k a year and it stops now. Either they start to pay up, or I quit and they hire someone else that demands $70k. Hopefully they'll settle for paying me $40k a year and keeping me on, but I doubt it.

So this leads me to: The Military!!!

Yes, that's right. The Military. I've put a lot of time into deciding this, and it's taken me about 5 months to figure it out, but I'm gonna do it if I don't get kept on. I owe them four years and they pay for my college. There are several other reasons with it, but mostly it has to due with education.

What I need help with is which branch? I need real-life-experience information, rather than recruiter promises and website advertisements. So, help me out, please.
Kill yourself.


Problem solved.

[kegsworth]

Id go with the Airforce considering your area of expertise.

I've considered it, but my dad and oldest brother are in the Navy. My third oldest brother is in the Army, and from what I've heard from all of them, don't go AF.

That's prolly coming outta spite, though

If you're not trying to get ointo fighting then go with the navy. Plus you get to see the world.

Haha, noted.

Look, the military sucks as a college-paying device. You've obviously got skills, if no one else is willing to pay you without a college degree (which I find somewhat doubtful, experience is worth more than degrees) then take out loans and go to some cheap school like everyone else does.

Go to the military only if you really want to be military.

Not really, or at least, not if you do it right. My dad and oldest brother both got their bachelors upon 4 years of being in the military. My third oldest brother just got his associates and he's twenty.

I've always had an itch to join the military, anyway. Even if it's just for four years.

really, any of them would be good, as long as you get into an area that you want. However, I would have to say airforce or army. Marines seem to screw a lot of people over (by bro and a few childhood friends were in marines). Marines may seem really nice and respected, but its also, really difficult. Navy will have you out at sea for 8(?) months at a time, while can be a very dull experience from what I have heard. So far Air Forse and Army have nothing wrong with them. Both look for recruits and offer great benefits to join (Marines don't have to advertise as much cuz they get a LOT of people wanting to join). And If this is mostly for education, maybe Air Force is the way to go due to the fact that its not going to have a high level of danger, so you dont have to worry as much about dying, and a lot of it seems computer-based, which you could possibly use later in life.
edit:i agree with realist, this should be a last resort type of thing. however, if you are 100% set on going military, don't opt out to get a sign on bonus, i hear that takes away from your college funds.

I live in Jacksonville, NC, home to the biggest Marine base on the East Coast; Camp Lejuene.

I know, right now, that I don't want to be a marine.

-agree with realist

Wouldn't you?

;)

Kill yourself.


Problem solved.

Yes, that solves everything.

Loser.

[uniquinous]

no normally i disagree with realist all the time.

if you want to go to the military, go to the military. if you want to quit your job, quit your job. if you want to get a proper education, get one. none of these things should be linked.

as for money for education: student loans and grants go a LOOOONG way.

[KBHoleN1]

"Well, you could whore yourself out to a thousand fat chicks for $50 or a hundred really fat chicks for $500."

[gryph89]

"Well, you could whore yourself out to a thousand fat chicks for $50 or a hundred really fat chicks for $500."

He'd have back problems the rest of his life then.

[kegsworth]

no normally i disagree with realist all the time.

if you want to go to the military, go to the military. if you want to quit your job, quit your job. if you want to get a proper education, get one. none of these things should be linked.

as for money for education: student loans and grants go a LOOOONG way.

I know, I was being sarcastic.

Why shouldn't all of these be linked? Wouldn't that make life a whole lot easier?

"Well, you could whore yourself out to a thousand fat chicks for $50 or a hundred really fat chicks for $500."

Why fat chicks?

He'd have back problems the rest of his life then.

I know, for real.

Again, why fat chicks?

[KBHoleN1]

It's Family Guy, ask Quagmire why it's fat chicks.

[Learz]

I had that crisis about 6 months ago (slightly different circumstances, but yeah.)
As it turns out....
Air Force: Great for lazy people. You need a fair amount of intelligence (college degree usually).
Army: Generally good. Except you'll be shipped to Iraq. If I had to chose, I'd go with the Army, actually.
Marines: Be all you can be! Very combat orientated.
Navy: You could not PAY me enough to get on a tin can in the middle of a massive ocean.

Above all, be REALLY SURE this is what you want to do. This is a life changing decision and will determine the rest of your life (seriously).
Also, bear in mind that recruiters will tell you what you want to hear just to get you to join. Even if they have to "bend" the truth slightly.

[Kyir]

Kill yourself.


Problem solved.

Or train yourself to be a Ninja.

[Megabyte]

no normally i disagree with realist all the time.

if you want to go to the military, go to the military. if you want to quit your job, quit your job. if you want to get a proper education, get one. none of these things should be linked.

as for money for education: student loans and grants go a LOOOONG way.

Disagreeing here, as I've got my bachelors in economics and working on my financing degree and broker's license while in the service (maybe CPA down the road, who knows).

But to Kegs post...

Military service isn't for everyone and if you're doing it simply to pay education costs my advice is to not do so. Like you said, if you do it right, it works, but it's not easy to do it right, especially when you've started schooling.

Like it as not, you're not gonna get paid 75k for 2 years experience and no degree in your field (and still unlikely 40k). They can just as easily boot you and bring in another student worker, who will happily do your job for the pay rate you have and lose any money at all. Welcome to the realities of working up the ladder, one of them is education and promotion it takes time. It's not weasling on their part, just the way things work. You're looking for a 75% pay increase for your time (if you went for 40k a year), which is extremely unlikely anywhere at any pay level, for 2 years of work. Hell, a 25% increase would be pretty extravagant (to my eye) for someone in your position. Not saying you shouldn't discuss SOME sort of pay increase with your employers, there are COL things which do need to be considered for your time there after all. Just keep a perspective on things.

Not quite sure I see what your gripe is, yah it's not fair but it IS reality. 23k isn't total crap pay as a student, and as was said some loans and grants would help supplement your income just fine. I don't want to call your complaint silly...but basically you want a very high pay increase for a few years work experience or you'll join the military. Is this the whole of the situation or is there more not being said? It's just not making much sense to me. You mean you wouldn't wait for the remaining 3 years to get a 200%+ pay increase?

[TTitan44]

I'd say join the military if you want to be in the military not for an education. But if are looking for an eucation, try the reserves.

I am actually enlisting for 5 years with the Marines in February, but going into the Delayed Entry Program til the summer.

[kegsworth]

Disagreeing here, as I've got my bachelors in economics and working on my financing degree and broker's license while in the service (maybe CPA down the road, who knows).

So . . . you're in the military? I didn't know that.


But to Kegs post...

Military service isn't for everyone and if you're doing it simply to pay education costs my advice is to not do so. Like you said, if you do it right, it works, but it's not easy to do it right, especially when you've started schooling.

I'm not simply joining for the education purposes only. I've wanted to join the military pretty much my whole life. My dad and brothers are in the military, so naturally it's what I know. I was given this job-opportunity while I was in school, so I took it. $23k a year was 'rich' to me at the time (and still may be), but I've come to realize I have a very small future in this company . . . especially because they refuse to let me specialize in any one thing. I can't see sticking around here and working my ass off full-time while going to college full-time, for a company that doesn't give a rat's ass about me.


Like it as not, you're not gonna get paid 75k for 2 years experience and no degree in your field (and still unlikely 40k). They can just as easily boot you and bring in another student worker, who will happily do your job for the pay rate you have and lose any money at all. Welcome to the realities of working up the ladder, one of them is education and promotion it takes time. It's not weasling on their part, just the way things work. You're looking for a 75% pay increase for your time (if you went for 40k a year), which is extremely unlikely anywhere at any pay level, for 2 years of work. Hell, a 25% increase would be pretty extravagant (to my eye) for someone in your position. Not saying you shouldn't discuss SOME sort of pay increase with your employers, there are COL things which do need to be considered for your time there after all. Just keep a perspective on things.

I'm not going to argue this paragraph, because it's perfectly right. I was being kinda sarcastic/extreme when I stated that price. I'd be happy with a %15-%20 increase, if only they'd actually think about it.


Not quite sure I see what your gripe is, yah it's not fair but it IS reality. 23k isn't total crap pay as a student, and as was said some loans and grants would help supplement your income just fine. I don't want to call your complaint silly...but basically you want a very high pay increase for a few years work experience or you'll join the military. Is this the whole of the situation or is there more not being said? It's just not making much sense to me. You mean you wouldn't wait for the remaining 3 years to get a 200%+ pay increase?

There are a lot of little things that are adding to the situation. I'm not going to list them all, because there are far too many. In fact, I wouldn't be making such a complaint about it if they never said a thing about it. But, the fact is that they've made promises and they won't live up to them.

Also, I don't qualify for a lot of grants because of my financial state. I make too much for most of the grants and scholarships available, but not enough to cover them all on my own.

I'd say join the military if you want to be in the military not for an education. But if are looking for an eucation, try the reserves.

I am actually enlisting for 5 years with the Marines in February, but going into the Delayed Entry Program til the summer.

This is next February? Well, good luck with that.

I'm not looking to join the Marines . . . too many where I hail from and I know what they're all about. But, I'll still consider it if it comes down to it.

[Soda]

Come to Australia and party with me?

[kegsworth]

Come to Australia and party with me?

You know I would.

:)