Job Deals?

[squata]

I know this isn't the deals forum, but I really need to quit my job. I am sick and tired of working 70-75 hours a week and not getting any recognition for work well done. I don't get to see my wife, and I just sleep when I am not working or checking out the GotApex? forums. Please don't think that I am a poor schmuck who is trying to get some sympathy from you folks. I have just had it up to here (**pointing to my neck**), and I don't want to say anything to the wife because I don't want her to freak out. Don't get me wrong, I get paid pretty well for someone who didn't finish college, but I am going to go INSANE. Hey, this has helped a bunch. I'll quit here so I can go check out the deals forum.

[Leon]

Tell us what position, pay, and location.

[squata]

Well, right now I am an assistant store manager for a very large (the largest in fact) discount store chain. I am afraid to mention it because I don't wish to get flamed by everyone, but I'll give a hint (***-****) I have been with this company for almost 7 years (Sept. 24) Pay would be negotiable of course, but I make between $30,000 and $40,000 a year (I know that is broad, but I don't want to get fired for leaking "corporate information"). I would prefer to move back to Central Illinois because that is where both my wife's and my families are.

The part of retail that I like is helping customers find what they want and not trying to talk them into something they don't need. So, I guess a car salesman or salesperson for Circuit city are both out. I would love to be a sales rep. for a company in the computer industry, but I don't know what the qualifications would consist of.

Anyway, I love to surf the Internet, build computers and troubleshoot them, and I also love anything that is electronic. I especially love home theater systems. I don't know which I like more: the video or the sound...probably the sound.

Well, that just about does it. Now everyone who reads this post knows just about everything about me

[definition]

why don't you just stick out that job for a few more months while attending them accelerated school so you can get a degree in some form of electronics? if ITT Tech and DeVry is what they're all cracked up to be, why not give them a try or try to study to be an MS certified technician. you may not have achieved a high level of education but that does not mean you can't go back to school and get one. just duke it out and i think you should let your wife know. this will be a turning point in your career and you need someone to stand by your side.

[pennypinch]

Hmm, working for W**-M***, at approx. $35G's, doesn't sound bad. Then again, I'm on the lowest rung at my company (a major consulting firm) and I don't even work 75 hours a week on a regular basis. And I also don't have a dependant. My suggestion would be getting your GED first, absolutely imperative, you should count your blessings that you're in a position of any influence at all without that. It might be hard, but education, say what you will about it, is worth it just to put it on a resume. Once you've done that, take some steps to show electronics initiative. Try and get transferred into the electronics department at W**-M***. Hey, it's certainly not the greatest division, but at least when you interview with someone else, you can be like, well, I have 7+ years retail experience, and some electronics experience, but I just didn't feel like I was being challeneged there Employers eat that sh!t up. And honestly, it's true, right? You' d like to be doing something more technical that looking for baby bottles. You'd like to help consumer make informed decisions about their home audio/electronics/computer needs. Beyond that, just amass as much information as you can: subscribe to Home Electronics (does that exist?), go to free or cheap workshops. It takes time, man, it'd be rash, esp. with a family, to just jump ship without a plan. Take the requisite time: like my daddy always told me, f*ck the tricks of the trade, just learn the trade.

[This message has been edited by pennypinch (edited 07-17-2000).]

[squata]

Pennypinch,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I think everyone needs to hear a little of that now and again. I just have a couple of things that I didn't mention in the first post.

First, I do have a high school diploma. After high school I attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL. I majored in Manufacturing Engineering, but I pissed away an academic scholarship. I then went to a community college to at least get my Associates Degree. I went there for 3 years part-time and they screwed me over on my degree. They claim that I am still one class short. I am currently fighting them on that because I do realize that education is important.

Second, I am not a regular sales clerk. I am one of the Assistant Store Managers. The Night Manager to be exact. Every day it gets beaten into our heads (us referring to the management staff) that we have to take care of our associates. We give them time off when they need it to spend with their family. We give them holidays off (or an extra day off within the following 30 days). We give them everything. Don't get me wrong. I love working with people, but don't I count? Last I checked I was still classified as an associate. I guess this is the price I have to pay to be a salaried member of management in retail.

I am not planning on jumping ship without something to go to. I will not just walk off the job. I don't care how much I hate the job or how much I get screwed. I will not leave a job without giving at least a 2 week notice. I feel that is one of the basic fundamentals of being a responsible human being. Pennypinch, I really appreciate the quote you gave at the end of your post. Man, I love coming to this forum. That made my day.

[pennypinch]

Hah, whoops, maybe I shoulda read your first post more closely! It might be just worth the trouble to take another silly class and just get the degree, in my experience with academic institutions, you probably aren't going to get real far with them.
As far as where you can go, the only true freedom, as far as I'm concerned, is self-employment. That comes from a certain level of expertise. I would actively search out a more technical job (sounds like you have elements of the right background). By actively search out, I'd say just go to strangers that work in these fields and ask them what the hell it takes. I mean, I don't think I'm special in wanting to help a brother out with work...everyone hates their job, might as well try and help someone hate their job a little less! Just call around to people in the know, they'd be the most helpful.

[pennypinch]

Yup, you might want to let your wifee in on your plans and utter hatred for your job. Hey, is utter spelled right, there? Huh, anyway, don't you think it's kind of important? She's your WIFE after all...
Ditto everything definition said, although I don't know about the DeVry thing...literally, I've never known or heard of anyone that went to either of those institutions, so...
Basically, education is more of a posession than a tool. I graduated from an elite(ist) post-secondary institution, and I've just realized that once you have your first job, no one gives a fairy's tinkle WHERE you went. They care more about your experience and work history. So if you can land that first job out of a tech school, you'd golden. Just my observaations.

[squata]

Hey, guys, thanks for the advice.

My wife has been wanting me to quit for 3 years now. I am sorry I didn't mention that, but I thought my original post was a bit long-winded anyway and didn't want to prolong the sob story.

I have decided to check into some classes at Purdue to see what I will have time for. Can't afford to just quit and go back to school, so I gotta find a class I can take whenever I have the time.

I really appreciate your guys' insight into this and thank you again.