Winston wrote:
Momopi, you used to live the corporate drone life too right? Would you say that it is worth it in the long run and overall scheme of things?
Yes and no.
I voluntarily signed a contract and put myself in a cubical, because I didn't have a college degree and the company offered to pay for it. You've been to my old office in Brea, 7 mins from my school (CSU Fullerton). The company agreed to pay for my BA and MBA, plus I could take time off during working hours to attend some day-time classes, subject to manager's approval (you're expected not to abuse this privilege).
I was responsible for supporting Asian Pacific offices and had to work late due to time-zone differences. But I also got sent to Asia office every few months to attend meetings, conduct training, and build relations with local employees. The company also had apartments abroad, and you could "borrow" them on vacation for $30/week cleaning fee if nobody else was using it. It was part of my benefits and I started with 3 weeks paid vacation, increased to almost 5 weeks by the time I left. I spent at least a month abroad every year and the company paid for most of the expenses. The 6 figure salary + benefits was icing on the cake.
So, in exchange for having someone else pay for things, you repay in labor and sit in a cubical, knowing that it'd have been a great day to go fishing. I had a coworker who was responsible for supporting European offices, he took a 2-year assignment and lived in Geneva. That lucky @#%# got a company apartment with great view of the lake. In retrospect I should have asked for an assignment to Tokyo office, ah well.
Then my whole department got laid off in 2009, LoL. Jobs got in-shored from CA to San Antonio TX. We were offered relocation few years ago but didn't take it. Now I work for a small (30 employee) company. Very different and much lower pay, but I get to be a big fish in a small pond. At my last job people just play corporate politics. At this job clients call and try to wiggle or argue their way around support contracts and warranties.
Every week I deal with people who want to argue so they don't have to pay, ask me questions formatted to make me agree with them, or better yet, "dare" me to do something, like kids at a playground. LoL. I just type up a bill while they rant on the phone, then casually remind them that I'd be billing them for my time, plus whatever else they need that's billable. No money, no service. And if they demand that I fly to Canada to fix their problem or train their staff, that would be $1200/day plus expenses.
Some people just don't understand that if all they needed was a few $0.25 springs, they could've just asked nicely and I'll put it in an envelope and mail it to them for free. But nuuuuuuuuuuu~ they have to be an a-hole about it. OK buddy, I'll bill you for my time, 1 year support contract renewal, plus parts and shipping.