What should I say? Updated!

[DrVos]

I just got an email from the VP of the small company I work for. He wants to "chat" with me about my future plans (with the company I am assuming) over lunch. I've been been a P/T employee for the past 5 years as IT/helpdesk... essentially my entire college career. I'm assuming that he wants to know if I plan on joining with the company full time when i graduate at the end of the summer.

The thing is, i don't want to work there for much longer. There is no room for advancement for me in the company. Also, I'm graduating with a graphic design degree and would like to pursue a career in that field. I'd like to continue working at my current job until I find a design job, but that might be a little while.

So if he asks me what my plans are, what should I say? I could be forthright about my plans to leave, but I'm concerned that would reflect poorly on me. I could withhold that I plan to leave (essentially making them think that i intend to stay longer than i really do), but I really don't want to do that either. They've been good to me these past 5 years and I feel that I owe them an honest reply.

So, what should I say?


Update:

So I took your advice and went into the meeting with an open mind and my mouth shut. It turns out that they were in the middle of creating a full-time graphic design position and wanted to know if I'd be interested in filling it. I'll be involved in various aspects of marketing, promotions, architectural graphics, etc. I was offered nice pay raise to boot! It goes without saying that I am very pleased with how things worked out. Thanks for all the great advice guys!

 

[chusteczka]

You have not yet found a new position so do not mention you intend to leave.
The current job is still needed but it would be good to receive something to reflect your achievement and certification of skills.
It could help to mention you are considering your options and then continue with something positive concerning staying with the company but with a raise and possibly a new position.

 

[doze]

I would wait to see what he has to say first, maybe he is offering you a nice full time position with a fat salary for being there for 5 years. But remember that there are design positions available at any job even if you have to invent your own position. Maybe your company is outsourcing and can save money by bringing it inhouse. Does your company have a marketing department, if so maybe you could do sometype of layout work. Even if it's starting designing flyers, catalog layout etc... it's still graphic design.

If you guys don't so anything of the sort then be honest and tell the guy that you really want to pursue a career in graphic design and plan to really start looking hard once you graduate. Just tell them that you are happy with your job but you really want to do design. Also tell them that you plan to continue working at XYZ position and wont just leave them high and dry when you do find a job, wouldn't mind training your replacement etc....

 

[wasssup]

ehh it really depends on the boss...

scenario 1) you tell the boss you're looking for another job but are essentially just staying there till then, he might say "damn your'e a good worker, let me get you to the position you want" and you're set...

scenario 2) you tell the boss you're looking for another job but are essentially just staying there till then, he might say "you're wasting my time man...i was going to promote you to another crappy position but with more pay, but meh if you're not interested..."

scenario 3) you tell the boss you're looking for another job but are essentially just staying there till then, he might say " oh ok, that's cool, if you change your mind we'd love to keep you" or something

 

[DrVos]

Thanks for the replies!

The possibility of me staying as an in-house designer has been brought up before, but was dismissed because there wouldn't be enough work to justify creating that position. I've even considered a position with both design and IT duties...but my IT duties would always be a priority... making it difficult to reliably devote time and energy to design projects.

I'm leaning towards being honest about my plans to pursue a career in design. But I'll make sure to emphasize that I dont intend to abandon them once a job does come (I'll help find and train the replacement).

Thanks for the input, any other opinions are apprecated!

 

[chusteczka]

Originally posted by: DrVos
I'm leaning towards being honest about my plans to pursue a career in design. But I'll make sure to emphasize that I dont intend to abandon them once a job does come (I'll help find and train the replacement).

I do not think that being honest is the best idea. He knows you are weighing your options. See what he says first. At the most, mention you are considering your options. It is not good to state you are leaving and it is not good to state you are staying. If you are leaving then he does not need you anymore. If you are staying then he does not need to offer you a raise or promotion.

Play the middle ground and do not talk too much. Let him do the talking.

 

[bennylong]

Don't say anything. Let him do all the talking

 

[Kadarin]

You could always take the high road, and let the boss know that you're interested in a position that challenges you, that allows for personal growth and career advancement, and one that has corresponding rewards. Then let him run with that.

 

[SecretShadow]

Let him talk. Don't get all worked up over the conversation. "well if he says this then I'll say that" stuff worked into your head, the conversation ends up awkward. It all comes down to 1.) your VP's personality/how he perceives you/etc and 2.) what his intentions for the conversation are (his goals for the conversation may be completely off base from what you think they are....he may be offering you a position, scoping out whether he needs to get new IT help, or maybe he wants to stick it IDB....point being you don't really know). Ultimately, try to stay middle ground....you need to be keeping all your options WAY wide open towards graduation, not commiting to ANYTHING.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: bennylong
Don't say anything. Let him do all the talking

wise one.

 

[DrVos]

Update:

So I took your advice and went into the meeting with an open mind and my mouth shut. It turns out that they were in the middle of creating a full-time graphic design position and wanted to know if I'd be interested in filling it. I'll be involved in various aspects of marketing, promotions, architectural graphics, etc. I was offered nice pay raise to boot! It goes without saying that I am very pleased with how things worked out. Thanks for all the great advice guys!

 

[tikwanleap]

Originally posted by: DrVos
Update:

So I took your advice and went into the meeting with an open mind and my mouth shut. It turns out that they were in the middle of creating a full-time graphic design position and wanted to know if I'd be interested in filling it. I'll be involved in various aspects of marketing, promotions, architectural graphics, etc. I was offered nice pay raise to boot! It goes without saying that I am very pleased with how things worked out. Thanks for all the great advice guys!

Awesome. Congrats! :thumbsup:

 

[MechaSheeba]

Dude, you should've told him you were gunning for his job. Slowly stood up and walked out of the room backwards while keeping constant eye contact.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Nice. 'Grats man!

 

[chambersc]

gj, you handled it professionally and it worked out WELL for you.