Recently I’ve started getting more and more disappointed by the status quo of my work. But let me become a bit more specific.
I am a new IT pro (just over 3 years in the business) but with lots of personal experience and enthusiasm. I do not claim to know everything but I learn fast. My current job for the past 2+ years is as an Network and Systems Administrator supporting a native Windows 2000 domain.
Now I will be the first to admit that I didn’t know much about it when I first started working but I believe I now can support the whole domain on my own adequately.
Part of my work includes supporting software, hardware (even hardware that fall outside the scope of IT such as photocopiers and faxes) and helldesk and I can fix most problems that occur on my own, very fast (others’ thoughts, not mine).
Due to the nature of my work I often end up doing nothing specific for days. This “free” time I use for research and deployment of various projects I pick up myself (for example I recently set up a working Jabber2 server on a spare machine that worked flawlessly) or for lack of nothing better to do, idly surf sites (such as this).
In general I feel that I contribute enough.
My general pay for the last 2 years (which started from the base minimum) has risen by about 12% and things have started happening that are making me question my dedication to the company.
A few weeks ago we had a major problem on the AD and as a result I had to work quite a few hours overtime each day for a month or so. I never complained because these things happen. The problem however occured now that things have calmed down a bit. I asked my supervisor the dreaded question: “What about all those hours?” to which he replied that these things happen and are part of the work and also I have no right to ask for overtime becuase I always leave on schedule and I spend a lot of time idling in my desk.
Nevermind the fact that there is no reason to stay overtime on normal days or that I (seem to be)idle because there is nothing to do…
Needless to say that this upset me quite a bit, not only because I wouldn’t be paid but because in one sentence he downgraded all my work.
I’d like to hear what more experienced IT pros than me would react this situation.
Should I start looking for another work, something which pays adequately (because, frankly, 12% over the base minimum is lower than anyone I know) and I have true Admin rights (right now I’m treated more like a helper)?
Or should I stay where I am so I can have time to learn more stuff on my own and in a more relaxed enviroment (I can come in late, casual wear).
What should my threshold be?
Where would you draw the line?