Elizabeth City State University is a good school, man.

4/23/2014 4:12:27 PM

2009:
Major: CPE/EE
Job/Employer: Tech Support / Help Desk for a largely known buffet restaurant company
Starting Salary: 39,000 (hourly salary)
Benefits: 10 days vacay, practically unlimited sick days, 3% company matching 401, k?, insurance, yada yada yada
Negotiate offer: No
Location: Raleigh, NC
Hours per week: 40+ (rotating shift)

Now:
Same credentials
Job/Employer: Sr. Systems Analyst for the same largely known buffet restaurant company
Starting Salary: 77,600
Benefits: 15 days vacay, practically unlimited sick days, 3% company matching 401, k?, insurance, company provided cell service + internet, yada yada yada
Negotiate offer: No
Location: Raleigh, NC
Hours per week: 40

4/23/2014 5:45:27 PM

You nearly doubled your salary in 5 years? Shit. That's impressive.

4/23/2014 5:48:09 PM

Quote :

"GS-14? very nice dweedle"

I started as GS-9 in Jan 2012, and currently GS-11. We basically get promoted once a year (as long as production requirements are met), I'll be GS-12 in July. So 2-3 yrs after that I can become a primary for GS-14

4/23/2014 5:58:53 PM

That's what I'm hoping to do in 4 if I get this offer!!! Should find out by Friday.

4/23/2014 5:59:47 PM

I'll post some deets I suppose, as my career has progressed at the same company. If nothing else, I just want to give others "hope" that you can indeed make decent scratch with a Communications degree. You just have to be willing to put up with working for a huge corporation and busting your ass climbing the corporate communications ladder....and all the bullshit large company politics that comes with.


When I started in 2007:

Major: Communications - Public Relations
Job/Employer: A large BioTech company in RTP
Job: Communications Rep
Starting Salary: $44,000
Benefits: 4% 401k match, Health, Dental, 2-5% bonus every year
Negotiate offer: yes
Location: RTP
Hours per week: 45ish

2008
Major: Communications - Public Relations
Job/Employer: Same large BioTech company in RTP
Job: Web Project Coordinator
Starting Salary: $54,000
Benefits: 4% 401k match, Health, Dental, 2-5% bonus every year
Negotiate offer: No
Location: RTP
Hours per week: 45ish

2014
Major: Communications - Public Relations
Job/Employer: Same large BioTech company in RTP
Job: Global Web Communications Manager
Starting Salary: $102,000
Benefits: 4% 401k match, Health, Dental, 3-11% bonus every year
Negotiate offer: No
Location: RTP
Hours per week: 45ish

[Edited on April 23, 2014 at 6:05 PM. Reason : .]

4/23/2014 5:59:51 PM

Quote :

"I started as GS-9 in Jan 2012, and currently GS-11. We basically get promoted once a year (as long as production requirements are met), I'll be GS-12 in July. So 2-3 yrs after that I can become a primary for GS-14"

bleh, my working grade is GS-12, so to go any higher I'd have to apply for a supervisory position, which isn't fun in my agency hoping to get a transfer to Homeland Security in a few years

4/23/2014 6:58:11 PM

ah ok...supervisors for us are GS-15

4/23/2014 7:05:52 PM

What fucking agency do you work in that you think going from a 12 to a 14 in 2-3 years is actually a reality?

I'm guessing if there are that many 14s around you that you actually think this is achievable that you assholes aren't actually getting shit done.

4/23/2014 9:07:49 PM

it's pretty standard

and "getting shit done" is built into the job requirements as production, so it's not possible to get to GS-14 w/o "getting shit done"



[Edited on April 23, 2014 at 9:14 PM. Reason : oh, USPTO]

4/23/2014 9:13:24 PM

So you actually think you're going to spend no more than 1.5 years at a 12 and a 13 and then they are just going to hand you a 14? I see one 14 position avail (a specialist lead), a director level 15, a few Attorney 15s...and that is about it. There aren't even any 13s being advertised at the moment.

Forgive me for sounding like a skeptic, but what do you have going on that you think this is such a sure thing?

4/23/2014 9:25:28 PM

not sure if you know what our promotion structure is like

it's non-competitive up through GS-14, basically they can't refuse the promotion if you meet the requirements

we're eligible for a promotion 1 year after our previous promotion, so when I get to a GS-12 in June/July (basically the end of 3rd qtr FY14), I will be eligible to get my GS-13 in June/July of 2015

the only iffy thing is the timing of the GS-13 to GS-14 jump (I think it's also 1 year, but might be 1.5 yrs), because there's what's called "the program" where we sign some of our own cases. then a panel of supervisors/directors will review random cases to make sure we are doing everything properly, and if we pass, then we become a primary and are GS-14


in terms of what's advertised, they don't typically hire new examiners as GS-12/13/14. the highest I've seen them advertise is GS 11, but I started as a 9 in Jan 2012

[Edited on April 23, 2014 at 9:35 PM. Reason : ]

4/23/2014 9:34:42 PM

I'm relatively speechless that line of work commands that kind of income. Maybe I'm just underpaid. I'm a team lead over 8, responsible for ~1 million year in equipment upgrades, another ~3-4 million a year in software/hardware (thats new development every year planned for the next 5 years) meant to certify ~25 mill/year (initially, closer to ~100 mil when it's fully stood up) in gear for flight readiness, and have been directly responsible for ~20 mil/saving for the taxpayer for suggesting and then doing stuff organic versus contracting it out and I'm just a 13 basically looking at 3-5 years in my position before I can grow the effort out enough that a 14 will be "justified". By then all those above numbers will have doubled or tripled and I'll again be underpaid as a 14.

If my wife didn't love living where we do, I wouldn't put up with it.

[Edited on April 23, 2014 at 10:58 PM. Reason : .]

4/23/2014 10:57:01 PM

It's a shitty job that no one wants to do and has way more impact than the few millions you manage.

Unless you are an executive, pay is dictated by supply and demand.

Also, if you are in software, you aren't going to make salary at the government. Government is all about benefits, job security, and not having to do anything.

If you are young, you probably don't give a shit about benefits and would just rather make cash money and equity. Go to a private software company in that case.


[Edited on April 23, 2014 at 11:27 PM. Reason : .]

4/23/2014 11:25:01 PM

Major: B.A. Political Science, 2009
Job/Employer: Temp call center work, customer service rep
Starting Salary: About 27k/year
Benefits: None
Negotiate offer: N/A
Location: Cary, NC
Hours per week: 40

Now:

Major: No additional education
Job/Employer: Web app developer ("Software engineer")
Starting Salary: ~80k/year
Benefits: Health/401k/etc
Negotiate offer:
Location: Raleigh
Hours per week: 40

Started in support, learned how to code and put in a lot of time outside of work on my own projects. All of my co-workers are CS majors.

4/23/2014 11:55:24 PM

Quote :

"and has way more impact than the few millions you manage."

This isn't even close to accurate, though I wouldn't expect you to know that given how little I've posted about what I do.

I agree with you though the shitty job and supply demand probably has a lot to do with it. My point was, it's an artificially high pay given how the US has elevated IP to a level of importance much higher than it really deserves in society. Kind of like the financial industry.

Lastly, I'm not "in software". It's 30% of my job. Again, I don't expect you to know any of this.

4/24/2014 7:48:41 AM

his job is more important than yours, suck it up and quit bitching

4/24/2014 8:31:44 AM

Keep in mind that USPTO is completely fee-funded (we get no taxes), and yes it is a mundane job with thousands of examiners that they need to keep happy, otherwise the backlog would increase and applications will take even longer to prosecute

maybe your (cuntpunter's) salary table differs a lot from ours, too

[Edited on April 24, 2014 at 8:43 AM. Reason : ]

4/24/2014 8:36:05 AM

Be mindful of cost of living factors too, guys. 90K in RDU ≠ 90K in DCM

4/24/2014 8:53:35 AM

yeah but I get to move to Raleigh and work from home full-time, w/ the same salary in October

4/24/2014 9:05:22 AM

Nice


I know a few people that swear by that model... To start a job here in DC, then transfer to another city later once they're able to... Taking their pay with them.

4/24/2014 9:12:13 AM

it's part of the reason why I wanted this job in the first place, I'm pretty damn fortunate considering my degree, which usually necessitates you to work in a manufacturing environment (did that for my first job out of undergrad)

4/24/2014 9:14:03 AM

Cuntpunter pwnt, stay home

4/24/2014 9:28:58 AM

I wouldn't say that...on the surface, our pay and benefits are kinda 0_o, and the promotion setup isn't orthodox compared to most places

This did kind of remind me of a Homer Simpson/Frank Grimes situation though lol

4/24/2014 9:54:43 AM

Grimy

4/24/2014 10:44:59 AM

Quote :

"I started as GS-9 in Jan 2012, and currently GS-11. We basically get promoted once a year (as long as production requirements are met), I'll be GS-12 in July. So 2-3 yrs after that I can become a primary for GS-14"

The only GS-14s for us are Scientific Officers with PhDs and maybe one team lead. GS-14 is supervisory for sure and GS-15 is for branch chiefs. Pretty much everyone I work with that has a Master's is GS-13

4/24/2014 1:51:11 PM

WHAT THE HELL IS A GS-14?!?!>!?!?!?

4/25/2014 2:16:33 AM

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_schedule

4/25/2014 8:23:55 AM

This is all new to me.

4/25/2014 9:09:09 AM

2004

Major: EE (2004)
Job/Employer: an EE for a local
Starting Salary: 45K but up to 51K after 6 months, very small bonus ($400?)
Benefits: 6% 401k match, stock options, standard benefits with 2 weeks vacation
Negotiate offer:nope
Location: Raleigh
Hours per week: 45

now
Major: MBA (2011)
Job/Employer: Strategist
Current Salary: 100K + 10% bonus
Benefits: 7% 401k match, standard benefits with 4 weeks vacation
Negotiate offer:nope
Location: Raleigh
Hours per week: 35

I honestly believe that I make a good living but some how this thread makes me feel bad about myself. I see people who are out of undergrad half the time I was and making more than what I made before B school. Hell, even with my MBA they'll surpass me in a few years.

4/25/2014 10:28:41 AM

Major: BS Poultry (2007)
Job/Employer: Enzyme Company
Starting Salary: 32K, 6% 401K Match, Full Dental, Full Health, Full Vision, 20 PTO days, 1 floating holiday with 9 carry over, 10 sick days, quarterly bonuses
Negotiate offer:nope
Location: RTP
Hours per week: 40-50

4/25/2014 10:58:19 AM

^^I was so tempted to go back for an MBA but then I stayed in software for a few years and discovered you get paid what you're worth. Sure you might make more if you've got an MBA coming into a new company but if you're with the same company for a while experience is what primarily matters. Obviously it's easier to get into management with an MBA but if you're good at you're job and excel you're invaluable to your company and they'll pay you what you deserve regardless of if you have an MBA or not.

4/25/2014 11:58:42 AM

2011:
Major: STS(Science, Technology and Society) - Math Concentration
Job/Employer: Network Control Center for Public Sector
Starting Salary: 38,900
Benefits: 10 days vacay, practically unlimited sick days, 5% company matching 401, insurance, etc.
Negotiate offer: No
Location: Raleigh, NC
Hours per week: 40

Now:
Same credentials
Job/Employer: Client Server Engineer - Messaging/Collaboration, Banking industry
Starting Salary: 104,000
Benefits: 15 days vacay, 10 sick days, 3% company matching 401k, pension, insurance, company provided cell service, etc.
Negotiate offer: No
Location: Raleigh, NC
Hours per week: 40

[Edited on April 25, 2014 at 3:45 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on April 25, 2014 at 3:46 PM. Reason : ]

4/25/2014 3:33:06 PM

^^this. also, you can't just be a programmer. people / management skills help to move up as well.


[Edited on April 25, 2014 at 3:34 PM. Reason : ^gg]

4/25/2014 3:33:35 PM

Major: MA in International Studies
Job/Employer: Peace Corps
Starting Salary: $3,000/yr
Benefits: Free medical care from a senile Ghanaian doctor, 24 vacations days a year
Negotiate offer: No
Location: Ikpinle, Benin
Hours per week: Technically 24/7

I made good choices.

4/25/2014 3:49:54 PM

Quote :

"^^this. also, you can't just be a programmer. people / management skills help to move up as well."

Yeah I was a business analyst for 2 years and then transitioned more into software. Now I'm moving into an Information Architecture role which combines a bunch of different aspects. Hoping to eventually move into platform/project management as I'll be directly working with our clients a lot more now.

4/25/2014 4:14:40 PM

Quote :

"So you actually think you're going to spend no more than 1.5 years at a 12 and a 13 and then they are just going to hand you a 14?"

my promotion goes into effect tomorrow, so I'll be a 13, and I was actually a little bit off on my estimation of going from 13 to 14...it'll actually be about 2 years +/- a month

6/13/2015 10:28:45 PM

Starting-

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Job/Employer: Design Engineer for an engine company
Starting Salary: high 40s
Benefits: year-end bonus for factory performance, 401k match, healthcare plan, 2 weeks vacation and sick leave combined plus holidays
Negotiate offer: no
Location: Rocky Mount, NC
Hours per week: 40-45

Now-

Job/Employer: Product Development Engineer for a hydraulics company
Salary: mid to high 60s
Benefits: 401k match, healthcare plan, 2 weeks vacation, 1 week sick leave plus holidays
Negotiate offer: no
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Hours per week: 40-45

6/15/2015 8:01:22 AM

If you do your job capably, everyone gets up to GS-12. GS-13 and above is where you fight for promotions at that point.

(/son of a Cherry Point NADEP lifer)

6/15/2015 8:04:43 AM

Major: BS in Biological Sciences, BS in Business (Finance), Minor in Spanish
Job/Employer: Self Employed - Commercial Real Estate Broker
Starting Salary: $0 --> 100% commission. Broke $100K in year 4, Broke $200K in year 6, Current year (7) already north of $170K this year.
Benefits: Mediocre benefits, so I enrolled on my wife's
Negotiate offer: No
Location: Raleigh
Hours per week: 40 during year, 30-35 during summer
Con: Only as good as last deal - no guaranteed base.

[Edited on June 15, 2015 at 8:43 AM. Reason : ]

6/15/2015 8:43:21 AM

There's no competition in my job until you try to get to GS-15

6/15/2015 8:46:08 AM

2011
Major: Spanish Language and Literature
Job/Employer: Non-profit - Drop-out prevention/Graduation Coach for Hispanic HS students
Starting Salary: 34,000 (one year contract)
Benefits: none
Negotiate offer: no
Location: Burlington
Hours per week: 40ish

2015
Major: Same
Job/Employer: NCSU
Starting Salary: 32,000 (yes, I went down)
Benefits: Full state employees benefits, plus tuition waivers while I work on my masters (worth about $5,000/year, which is why i'm doing it)
Negotiate offer: no
Location: Raleigh
Hours per week: 40

6/15/2015 9:31:21 AM

what is your current roll there?

6/15/2015 11:22:47 AM

Study Abroad Office

6/15/2015 12:51:38 PM

Quote :

"ITT no one with crappy starting jobs has posted."

6/30/2015 6:55:30 PM

Major: History (Social Studes Education)
Job/Employer: Public Schools of Robeson County, 7th Grade Social Studies
Starting Salary: 30,000
Benefits: State Employees Health Plan, 401K, Dental/Vision (Back in 2009)
Negotiate offer: Nope
Location: Lumberton
Hours per week: 50 plus

Results: Downsized/Non-Renewed due to budget cuts in 2009. Laid off for a year and half began first Masters in 2010;

Now:

Major: Elementary Education/Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Reading (Two Masters Degrees)
Job/Employer: Wayne County Public Schools, 2nd Grade Teacher
Hire Date: August 2010
Still Employed: Yep
Starting Salary: 30,000 (Before 2013 Raise and 1st Masters Pay) now: 41,000
Benefits: State Employees Health Care 80/20
Negotiate offer: I wish
Location: Goldsboro, NC
Hours per week: 60 plus


Future Goals:

I'm currently working on my Doctrate in Educational Organizational/Leadership K-12. God help me because this is going to be the Insanity Degree but I want to be able to train new teachers on the university level or outside of the state. NC does not value education nor will it ever value education.

7/2/2015 12:48:30 AM

2012
Major: Education
Job/Employer: Teacher/Wake County Public Schools
Starting Salary: 42,000
Benefits: State Health Plan, Dental, State Retirement Plan, 12 Annual Leave Days, 12 Sick Days
Negotiate offer: no
Location: Cary
Hours per week: 40ish

2015
Major: Same
Job/Employer: Same
Starting Salary: 49,000
Benefits: Same
Negotiate offer:
Location: Cary
Hours per week: 40

[Edited on July 2, 2015 at 8:17 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on July 2, 2015 at 8:42 AM. Reason : .]

7/2/2015 8:17:07 AM

^^As someone that grew up in Lumberton and went to the Jr. High you likely taught at....I'm sorry you had to work there, haha. Congrats on getting out!

7/2/2015 8:19:12 AM

this thread depresses me.

7/2/2015 9:05:19 AM

Yeah me too.

7/2/2015 10:43:43 AM