Just starting out in the workplace, full of life’s uncertainties! I seek advice from those who are more experienced!
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Stay! ? I am a graduate in Chemical Engineering and Technology, and I currently work at a small design firm. I’m quite lost about the path ahead; I would appreciate some advice from those who are more experienced than me :( After graduating, I went straight to a design firm, so I didn’t really know much about this industry. After half a year of training, I finally became a full-time employee there. But ever since I started working at the design firm, I’ve often heard my colleagues say that it’s difficult to work in design these days, and that bonuses haven’t been paid for almost two years. At first, I didn’t really care about my monthly salary of 2k, thinking that working in design was a prestigious job with good career prospects, even though it had a difficult starting point. But as the days passed, one after another of my colleagues resigned and left. I had nothing to do all day long; the only things I did were draw diagrams and chat with other graduates and friends. Whenever the topic of salary came up, it was extremely painful for me. My classmates who graduated together, those who used to share a dorm room with me – although they worked in factories where the environment wasn’t as bustling as that in the city center – almost all of them managed to earn 4k per month, with accommodation and meals provided. The most ridiculous thing is that even the people who clean offices and elevators in our company earn 3k; it seems like the design industry has fallen far behind even the level of those who beg for money. Counting on Nima’s monthly salary of 2k, after paying for rent and utilities, there isn’t even enough money left, after covering food costs, to buy a train ticket to go home for the New Year. Some people might think that a university graduate should learn to be patient. I’m not sure if I possess that quality, but when I first started working, looking at the few hundred yuan I had, I refrained from buying a blanket or clothes to sleep in in order to save money; for meals, I would just eat some staple foods. I managed to get through that first month until my salary was paid – it was over 800 yuan. . . . . . . . . . Who doesn’t believe it? I can show you the details of my salary card. A month passed in this way. One of my friends graduated but still hadn’t found a job, so he came to stay at my place. All I could do was invite him to have a meal that cost less than 100 yuan. Four years of friendship, and yet I couldn’t even treat him properly. He came all this way just to be with me, and I couldn’t even offer him a decent reception. After saying so much nonsense, perhaps one becomes numb to it over time. The point I wanted to convey after all this talk isn’t dissatisfaction with the company; on the contrary, I want to thank the company for giving me the opportunity. Although I haven’t made any money after working there for over half a year, I have indeed gained a lot of experience. I’ve gone on several business trips abroad and seen various things. I may not be an expert in my field, but I can at least explain basic concepts to those who are less familiar with it. I am grateful to the managers who hired me and to my colleagues and seniors who took me on these trips. I don’t have the right to comment on the company’s operations – it’s not my place to interfere; I just do my own job diligently. The company’s gradual decline, the disheartened morale of its employees, and the dilemma of whether to stay or leave. Faced with this situation, the only thing I’m glad about is that I’m single and have nothing; wherever I go in the future, I can just pack my bags and leave After talking for so long, I would like to ask the seniors who are here: should I leave or stay? Leaving: I’m sorry for taking up the leadership’s kindness when they hired me; I’m reluctant to part with my familiar colleagues. Perhaps I won’t be able to find a comfortable job like one in a design firm, and maybe I’ll have to work shifts in a factory. Stay: Suppressing the depression in one’s heart, not knowing what path to take? Can the company get through this tough time? I would appreciate guidance from the seniors in the design institute and the factory!
Only by enduring the greatest hardships can one become a true master! Money isn’t important.
I’m not afraid of hard work; what I fear is working hard for nothing, wasting time uselessly. The company’s financial situation is poor, and the management doesn’t take any measures to boost morale – it’s just a waste of time.
Three years after graduating, what matters isn’t how much money you earn, but rather what knowledge and skills you have acquired by then, and how much value you will hold at that point.
The overall situation is poor these days; design institutes and chemical plants are both having a hard time. Right after graduating, one needs to be able to calm down and study hard. People strive to rise to higher levels; if there’s a better place to be, they will certainly go there. Look ahead, look at the money.
If you can walk, don’t stay; the outside world is wonderful, but it also has pitfalls
I’m worried that in 3 years, one will only know how to use CAD for drawing and be familiar with some standards. Some of my colleagues have also been working for a few years now; moving from factory work to design work doesn’t bring any increase in salary, aside from a better working environment
It’s really all about money; 2k per month isn’t enough to cover food and accommodation, it’s really tough
The overall situation is tough right now, but keep going! It will get better. Don’t focus too much on money for now; the priority is to gain experience and learn new things. The more senior employees leave the company, the more opportunities you’ll have to rise to a higher position. Work hard to improve yourself and keep going! ~
The overall environment is indeed poor. . You can use this time to read books or get some certificates. . If you really feel bad. . Consider changing careers. . . After all, one is young~~
For high-level design, there’s a lot you need to learn – it’s not enough to just know how to use CAD for drawing; you also need to be proficient in other software. Most importantly, your familiarity with a large number of **standards. Learn while working* – perhaps your job is monotonous and the future seems uncertain, but at work you will encounter many things that you don’t understand or that you have never dealt with before; these are the areas where you need to learn*.