New Job Offer, and I want to beat my head into a wall.

[typhoon43]

Jeezus is my head pounding guys. It's already been a crazy week, but it just got crazier. I had lunch with one of the Partners at a prominant CPA firm today, and I'm utterly torn. I've been with my current job as a SysAdmin for a Credit Union for 3 years and have worked my way up the ladder as far as I can go. There are 2 positions left, and both my Manager and CIO are going NOWHERE. So that leaves me with my salary range, unless they create new positions down the road. Well today I was offered a job that pretty much pays me the top of my range at my current job, with the chance for 6 digit pay down the road, and even Partnership/Ownership in the firm. They've been around since 1959, and are a VERY stable company. I'd be the Sr. Network Admin, with 2 Admins under me. I'd maintain the network there, and then visit their clients to setup/maintain their networks. It turns out they have like 15 companies that pay them to setup and maintain their corporate IT infrastructure. He told me I could run with it and see if I could increase the business volume of that segment of the firm. If it gets big enough, they've already registered it as a separate entity and I would end up as the President of it down the road. It's an amazing opportunity to say the least.

Issues:
It's on Main Street, so my drive becomes about 15 minutes longer each way now that I bought a house out in the sticks (my current job is building teh new Admin Building/Datacenter out here in the next 3 years)
I have a huge Mortgage and now a Home Equity Loan to payoff, and where I'm at I'm SET for the long run as far as job safety goes, just not set on the money part.
I LOVE working where I am. They're a great crew. It just doesn't have the returns that this new job will have. Sure, once we build the new Datacenter (3 years or so), there may be room to up my pay substantially, but that's not guaranteed at all, whereas if I keep the CPA firm on track, the sky is the limit. The partner that interviewed me is looking to retire in the next 6 years, and he wants to groom someone to fill his position, and that seems to be me.

So do I take the chance? It's about 8 grand more than I make now, with the potential to make 100 more than that in the future. I'm a big pu$$y when it comes to getting out of my comfort zone, but something has to give, and honestly, is a guaranteed 8k raise really considered stepping out of my comfort zone?

I just need all the input I can get guys. I have a walk through with the place tomorrow to check the network out. It's nowhere near as high-end as my current setup, but they're very stable.

So, do I rough it out at my current job and hope for change, or do I politely say goodbye and go for the Gold? I LOVE the crew I have at work, so that makes it so hard on me. I'm a people person, and I'll miss those people deeply.

*sigh*.. any input is appreciated.
Sorry so long..

[bggrthnjsus]

personally, i would call $8k a step into a more comfortable zone, especially with room for a huge increase like that, doubly especially if you think there's a good chance you're being groomed for a partnership. 15 minutes extra on your commute only computes to a half hour lost each day. i guess it depends on what you think is more likely, a pay increase with a potential new datacenter, or the potential of partnership. even if you don't make partner, there's probably a good amount of advancement opportunity.

[jaXonbrown]

flip a coin

[Jigglypuff]

Take the new job, but don't burn the bridge on your way out? If you hate your new job, you can always try to see if your present employer will rehire you. Else you can also try to keep your foot in the door by offering to do consulting for them every now and then.

[odd]

Take the new job. I walked away from something similar about 8 years ago and regret it terribly.

[emx599]

Take the new job. 15 minutes isnt a big deal. epecially for 8k starting off. Plus you have room to expand. Like an above poster said, dont burn bridges. Let them know why you are leaving and if they are reasonable they will understand. If they dont well too bad.

[typhoon43]

I won't burn bridges. Hell, I won employee of the year, which was unheard of for an IT person at my compnay until I got there. They love me, and I love them. Hopefully my boss will understand. I'm going for it..

[yoda634]

I can't tell you what you should do, but best of luck with whatever you choose, man.

[jojitb]

go for it... good luck

[nextbillgates]

I don't want to rain on the OP's parade, but I've known three people that have left a steady and secure job to chase a promising opportunity, only to have that opportunity fall through, leaving them jobless.

I would think long and hard before doing jumping on this.

[hhookk]

Originally Posted by jojitb

go for it... good luck

[typhoon43]

Originally Posted by nextbillgates

I don't want to rain on the OP's parade, but I've known three people that have left a steady and secure job to chase a promising opportunity, only to have that opportunity fall through, leaving them jobless.

I would think long and hard before doing jumping on this.

That was my original concern, but one of the partners is my best friend's father, and he's been there 30+ years. The guy hiring me has been there 33 years as well. The previous admin was there for 6 years, but moved with his wife, and was supposedly not a "people person", and just a tech head, which hindered his growth at the firm. The company itself is very solid, so long term security shouldn't be hard to attain. I'm tired of "staying in the womb" and letting opportunities pass me. When my Dad got divorced, he left his private practice behind, moved to Florida, and took a HUGE paycut to go teach at UF. It was ricky as hell, but it worked out well for him. At least in this situation, I get a raise, and I finally have a job where the only limiting factor as to how far I can go is my drive, not an org chart.

Doing a walthrough today to meet the 2 admins I'd be Managing. I'm praying they're cool guys. I thrive on a fun work environment.

I'll definitely miss our unlimited IT budget here though

[isugoat]

have you told your current employers about the opportunity? if you sit down and talk to them, they might be willing to create some opportunities for you and may even give you a bump in pay if they really like you.

[the block]

this is a no brainer to me, take the new job

you'll get paid more and will be able to work your way up the ladder.. you said you're as high as you can go now unless someone retires or a new position is created.. btw an extra 15 minutes each way is nothing, a small price to pay

[Why_Ask_Why]

8k isn't what would sell me on the new job, it's the future growth potential which you seem to be missing now...no brainer, new job...and as noted already, obviously don't burn any bridges on the way out