Career change offer - do I take it?

[dgorila1]

I am taking classes in computers (A+. MCSA/MCSE) to possibly change careers into the IT industry. I am currently in medical device manufacturing/repair. I just moved from a supervisory job in the company back to my old job in equipment repair for less stress. Today I was approached by our IT manager about filling and entry level opening they have since I spoke with him several months ago to inquire about a potential move to his dept when he had openings to get started in the IT field. I am meeting with him tomorrow to discuss it more. Do I stay in my new (old) job I just moved back into several weeks ago or go ahead and make the jump into the IT job to gain experience and potentially and larger income than my current dept pays? My biggest obstacle will be if my current bosses would let me transfer because we are going through major restructuring in the dept, have lost several "vital" people, and I would be considered another of these vital people since I know about all aspects of the dept and hold many roles/responsibilities. How do I convince my bosses to let me move into the new job in a "politically correct" way that will work?

[rene_stpierre]

If IT is what you are passionate about and what you want to do long term, you should at least meet with the person.

You need to explore all opprtunities (does not mean you must accept them all).

Once you know all the conditions, you have the possibility to accept or decline.

René

[ninesuns]

I agree with Rene. I personally have worked in jobs I didn't like for too long before moving on to better things. Also, I guess if you're vital and you decide to move they may even offer you better conditions or pay to stay on.

[aabukar]

If you like IT and you are passionate about it (because of it not because of the extra money you may take) then you can confenss your direct manager to allow you to move by stating your point of view and telling him it is not because of team or work conditions but because this is not my passion and i prefer to be in IT field which best suits me ....etc. hopefully he will understand your motives and let you move

however, If you want to move only because of a better salary then please take in consideration that IT can be very stressfull and needs alot of hard work and committment either way ... i hope you get the best

[RT Wolf]

Tell them that a new opportunity has come and you're going to be leaving. Listen, you do have bargaining power. They cna't afford to have an unhappy employee, and you just walk out. But this isn't a "power" play. Just tell that that a new opportunity has come up and you're going to take advantage of it. Don't "ask". Your career is your business and your choice. However, make every reasonable offer you can to help them out. Like, see if you can find a replacement for yourslef. Or offer to train other members of the department or someone they've found. Or offer to be available occasionally (not too much) after moving into your new position for a little while (like say a month or something) in case something comes up.

If they don't budge, you could quit and then get rehired in the other department, or just quit and find another job somewhere else. I'm not saying DO those things, but that you have options. So don't feel like you're at the mercy of your bosses, very disempowering position to be in.

How to say stuff like that can be difficult, so follow the 7 habits:

Think Win/Win
Seek First to Understand and then To be Understood
Synergize

You might also consider picking up a few good books on communication. Messages:the communication skills book is about general stuff, including this. Difficult Conversations might be what you're looking for in this particular situation.

Good luck! Please let us know what you decide!