My current situation: Working as a senior data engineer in a non toxic work environment (not EY, at a boutique consulting firm) that pays me an good amount (TC 185k, YoE 5 years). I’ve also been promoted regularly and I like my coworkers. However, I only do 2-3 hours of work per day and I am very bored. I feel like I can do more and want to get more out of myself + want to switch out of consulting and into tech. My potential next situation: a job in tech which would see me earn a salary of around 325k. That being said the company has some of the worst reviews I’ve ever seen online (not going to mention them as I will dox myself). This company (according to what I’ve read online) is a complete dumpster fire with weak leadership and a HIGHLY toxic work environment that has seen a ton of people leave. Part of me (is most definitely drinking the kool aid) thinks that I can help them turn things around as this would be a step up from being a senior DE so I’d have a real impact. It would also give me the opportunity to break into tech. That being said literally everything online SCREAMS do not join this company. That company also had layoffs and their stock is the lowest it’s ever been. I just really want a change from my current situation and would like to work on different problems. What should I do? Let me know if I can provide more context in the comments. #tech #careeradvice Edit: can’t reply to everyone but thank you for your advice. I guess I needed people to tell me I’m taking my current opportunity for granted and being way too optimistic about the other company.
You basically have a great gig right now and the grass ain’t always greener in a higher TC company. I would keep searching for other opportunities since there’s no urgent reason to move.
Don’t choose money over mind space. If you got that money, means that you are worth it. Just wait for a while for market to open up and then move. I think mental peace is super important as it impacts physical health too
Your mistake with toxic company is to think you will help them turn things around. You are assuming they want to change and they acknowledge they are a dumpster fire. Toxic companies are toxic from up -down meaning, you’ll have toxic CEO and management, so will just hit your head against the wall every time you want to change anything. They might even resent you for wanting to make changes. I’ve been there.
Why not look for an offer from a nontoxic tech company? They exist
True but the job market is tough right now so it isn’t exactly easy to find something else. Guess I just need to be patient and keep going.
If the choice is between toxicity and patience it shouldn't be much of a choice
Have you spoken with your hiring manager about the toxic reputation? If you can't have a productive discussion about it now then you never will.
No I probably will soon though. Any questions you think I should ask in addition to gauge the situation at the company?
I'd say something like, "I'm really excited about the company vision and working with your team but I went online and saw some scary reviews of the company culture that look significantly worse than the reviews of my current company. What's going on?"
Don’t take it. I did this and got dragged along 2 years longer than I planned. Managers were predatory and arguably abusive to employees. My self esteem suffer and I found it very difficult to interview. I had to reach back out to former colleagues at my previous jobs to salvage the situation and find a more jr role elsewhere. The extra pay was nice but I probably ended up worse from taking time off and down leveling later. I told myself the same thing. “Maybe I can help turn things around and improve the situation.” What really happened is that leadership greedily saw my enthusiasm as something to devour to feed their hunger. They gave zero recognition and used me as a scape goat.
This is great advice - really appreciate your perspective
Thanks. It cost a lot to acquire.
You probably can't change a place even if you're smart enough to do the right things. Even non-dumpster fire places block smart people from doing actual work because of stupidity, egos, and politics.
You ain't changing shit with out support from leadership, not just a word salad email of support either.... So if it's impactful work you're chasing wait to find somewhere that would actually be able to change. If it's money you're chasing there's plenty more options to augment your pay with out jumping ship. Source: been at a company with shit leadership and wanted to make a change. That change was leaving them lol
Take it and work both. If you cant handle the toxic one instant quit.
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If your current job is remote then I would treat it like gold if it really is 2-3 hrs/day for $185k. You could start your side gig or level up your skills hugely. Adjusted for effort your current job pays much better. If I were to accept the other job then I personally would take vacation time in Job 1 while you start Job 2 and overlap the first week or two just to be sure it’s not complete hell right out of the gate. That’s assuming no Visa issues. Usually the toxic environments don’t become unbearable until you’ve been there a while though.
Current job is indeed remote and only 2-3 hours a day. However I would say I’m the anomaly at the firm. Others work significantly more than I do and if my current client cancels my contract (which is not impossible) I’d be working a lot more too.
@OP why not change teams at current job?