The product line is where the similarities end. The new place is not moving anytime soon, in fact they moved into a new building only two months ago. It's high-tech right down to the bathrooms.
The pay is potentially greater at the new job, it's a much bigger company with (I assume) higher earnings. There is room for advancement, there are a lot of different positions that you could potentially fill. There is an IT department, managerial positions, etc.
I know two people at the new place. A friend of mine and his girlfriend both work there. From what I hear from them there is a lot of 'he said, she said' that goes around. So I don't really talk to anyone... I just let everyone else go about their business, I might give them the occasional friendly nod.
Everything is computer driven there! Everything! Although you may not think so, I have really begun to hate computers over the last few months. I have never been keen on working on them either. I've known that since my first job where I had to use them all day.
There is a huge (and I mean friggin HUGE) conveyer that goes around the whole building. Eventually boxed up parts get barcoded and comes down to the end of the rollers where I am. I scan a barcode on the box, put a UPS label and packing list on it, then send it on its way. B-O-R-I-N-G.
You may as well forget about taking a breather unless it's a designated break time. I don't have time for that with 1000+ packages a day.
The hours are tough for someone who is trying to go to college too, they are on mandatory over time: 7:00-5:30 weekdays with a half a day on Saturday.
Back to the positive, the profit sharing plan they have in place is pretty good. 15% of your annual salary, and it starts gaining interest immediately. You have to stay seven years to be 'vested' and be entitled to 100% of the money in that account. The benefits aren't bad otherwise, either.
So what's so bad about my old job? It's dirty, there isn't room for advancement, I have to lift heavy boxes, my pay will probably top out at much less than it would if I were to stay at the new job. There is no profit sharing or 401(k), and of course they're moving 30 miles away (that's 60 miles a day driving for those keeping track.)
What's good? I don't have to stay on the computer all day, my hours are perfect for going to school in the evenings, I can talk to anyone there without fear of getting wrapped up in some long-lasting grudge match. Most of all I don't mind getting up in the morning to go there. I'm not a nameless drone, and every day is going to be somewhat different.
How relaxed is the environment? I sit in the office for an hour every morning drinking coffee with the supervisors, just talking. When the general manager finally shows up we all slip out the door into the shop. Don't think we still don't get work done though, we certainly do.
I have a friend that works there (the old job) that has a standing invitation to come work at the place where I just started. She would be making $15,000 a year more to start. She never has gone there, I guess up until now I never understood why.
I don't like this new job. I never look forward to going to work... and today was only my third day. I guess that's no way to spend the next 6-8 years of my life until I get my bachelor's (note: I'm going part-time, obviously.)
It was a difficult decision, but I'm going back to my old back breaking, dirty, low paying, dead end job.
[Lately whenever I have to sort my thoughts out I've been writing them down.... I guess that's a side effect of English Composition class. If anyone actually read this I'd be surprised
It just helps straighten me out and makes me feel better.]
