I'm going through something similar. I got an excellent rating for my year-end and it amounted to a 4% raise (less than current inflation rates). I then found out I was paid near bottom of my pay range and my boss claimed he couldn't control it when I asked for an improvement. I'm looking to expand my skill set and job hunt soon.
Four years ago, my days consisted of doing the same refactoring over and over in a huge codebase without learning anything new. I was paid well. I had plenty of time, cognitive energy, and a great gym session, and I also bought a PlayStation. I was super comfortable making good money.
Then one day, I started to think about how strange it is that while I'm a software engineer, I couldn't care less about software. So I decided I'll learn something new.
One thing led to another: I contacted my first-ever freelancing client (we have worked together for seven years now!) and landed a part-time job.
I kept expanding my knowledge with new stuff, and after two years, when I was ready to increase my hours outside of my day job (and my company knew it), they offered me almost a 100% raise. I accepted the raise but also kept the client. This way, I worked 50h/w, but I also hired someone to cover my client full-time.
I'm constantly going through these ups and downs in motivation to learn something new, but I always find new ways to convince myself that it's worth it.
Besides financial gains, teaching others is a big motivation.
Great story, Louie! It's of particular relevance given the current environment in tech. But even more so, striving to improve yourself everyday is an attitude you should always have.
You really have some of the best stories and tweets, Louie.
I'm going through something similar. I got an excellent rating for my year-end and it amounted to a 4% raise (less than current inflation rates). I then found out I was paid near bottom of my pay range and my boss claimed he couldn't control it when I asked for an improvement. I'm looking to expand my skill set and job hunt soon.
Four years ago, my days consisted of doing the same refactoring over and over in a huge codebase without learning anything new. I was paid well. I had plenty of time, cognitive energy, and a great gym session, and I also bought a PlayStation. I was super comfortable making good money.
Then one day, I started to think about how strange it is that while I'm a software engineer, I couldn't care less about software. So I decided I'll learn something new.
One thing led to another: I contacted my first-ever freelancing client (we have worked together for seven years now!) and landed a part-time job.
I kept expanding my knowledge with new stuff, and after two years, when I was ready to increase my hours outside of my day job (and my company knew it), they offered me almost a 100% raise. I accepted the raise but also kept the client. This way, I worked 50h/w, but I also hired someone to cover my client full-time.
I'm constantly going through these ups and downs in motivation to learn something new, but I always find new ways to convince myself that it's worth it.
Besides financial gains, teaching others is a big motivation.
Great story, Louie! It's of particular relevance given the current environment in tech. But even more so, striving to improve yourself everyday is an attitude you should always have.