So many folks are stuck at AT&T based on the fact that after many years on the job they are well paid at the company and lack the necessary skills or knowledge to earn the same income outside the organization. That is an organizational deficiency; not the employee's fault. AT&T University and eCorp courses just don't matter outside the AT&T realm. Actually, they don't matter inside AT&T either. If you are staying on with company, seek outside certifications. Pay for them with your own dime if need be. You will be happy that you did when the Grim Reaper comes knocking during one of these surplus cycles.
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You don't jump ship and start looking for another job when you have 25+ years with a company. Regardless of your certifications, companies prefer much younger workers whom they can pay far, FAR less ( because they don't know what they're worth ) and who are more agreeable to working 60-80 hour weeks.
If I was in my late twenties ? Sure. I would be looking for another job already. However, even though age discrimination is supposed to be illegal, it's still quite rampant in reality.
Even with my skillsets and certifications, ( Linux / Unix / Cisco ) I guarantee you I wouldn't get anywhere near the level of pay, vacation time and benefits somewhere else until I was there for many, many years.
Assuming I could get hired at all due to my age alone.
LOL. I agree with the OP. And for everyone that negatively commented that she/he is off-base but responded with the fact that you are "hanging-on" because of the pay or due to the fact that your current skills don't match the market; take a hard look in the mirror (or re-read the post). Your reasons for hanging out at AT&T until they kick you to the curb are an exact match to the point that was being made. Silly 'Wabbits...
26 years, 50 years old Mobility management. Not "stuck". Choose to stay for the generous PTO and very good salary. Other benefits are overrated. I like my job, and though the corporate culture is horrible, I can tolerate it. I have a relevant degree and professional certifications. My LinkedIn profile is current and I am contacted fairly regularly re: job opportunities, which is comforting as I know I'm unlikely to hang on much longer here. But hang on I will, until asked to leave with severance.
That’s somewhat a simplistic view. Being stuck has just as much to do with what skills you have and what the market is for those skills. Not everyone has IT skills and that kind of thing. Ridiculing ppl for understanding that if you’ve been with a company any number of years or are of a certain age, the job market shrinks along with what others are willing to pay. Not all people can magically find a new job with cost-effective benefits. Any CE is valuable if it supplements your existing skill set. If people are complacent, that’s on them. Demonizing it, however, just because you have an out doesn’t mean everyone has that luxury.
One more year to get 25 and 50 and I’m out. I have a second interview with a big pharma company today, and have been asked to apply for a job at a large construction company for a management position. There are jobs out there, but plan your exit strategy well and take what you can on your way out the door including the stapler.
NANODEGREES...will take you far outside of AT&T as others have mentioned in other posts.
Yes, I can attest to good money for essentially working only about 25 hours per week. I thought there might be RIF at some point, but it doesn’t look like that will happen. My team has too many techs to begin with and not enough work and it’s easy and very good money! I don’t understand how the bean counters can’t see this organization for what it really isn’t! Perhaps, there will be outsourcing down the road and we’ll be eliminated!
hotel california syndrom. That's rich
" i have people working for me that before covid wouldn't go into the office at all, even when mandated. didn't even have their badge updated, i mean you can't find that type of lazy anywhere....just amazing lazy, couldn't do anything with HR on that either"
This is what is called a lazy manager. Failing to document poor performance and attendance appropriately. Much "easier" to not make waves and give them a "meets expectations", rather than have difficult conversations and take corrective actions. Have seen WAY too much of this over 25 years.
Got to love that victim mentality.
These type of posts are dumb ... we are here because we get paid well and the job is good or we would have left. I am craft and make near $88,000 a year without overtime. I like the way people act like these sort of jobs are just magically everywhere and are 8 hour a day jobs for the same money.
It's clear that a lot of people here have never worked anywhere else.
Does AT&T do stupid stuff ??? ... yep ... everyday, but I have made a lot of money here for not really back breaking work.
you should have figured by now that year after year the first goal is to ensure a dividend above all else
true that. made up AT&T job titles and jobs, only found here. not all the employees fault in many cases, but they don't have skills necessary to compete outside the company and lets be honest, a lot are lazy as all get out. i have people working for me that before covid wouldn't go into the office at all, even when mandated. didn't even have their badge updated, i mean you can't find that type of lazy anywhere....just amazing lazy, couldn't do anything with HR on that either. not worth the hassle.
The worst is yet to come. TMobile now owns more spectrum than AT&T and Verizon combined. The wireless price war that is coming will leave AT$T no choice but to cut their precious dividend in order to service their mountain of debt, which in turn will cause investors to dump their stock. Expect Elliot henchmen to gut the company soon. Stanley will try to bail before.
Good advise never too old for certs and always learn something new. Was at att for 20 years but had enough of constant budget crisis and now with a forward looking company that has a work from home policy for all not just the chosen few and working on cutting edge stuff. Hey and I have been promoted twice and making more money than I was making after 20 years at att with a bigger bonus. Att is a dead end. Leaving was he best decision in my life. By I did what the op said paid myself for my continuing education and it has paid dividends and still do it to this day. I don’t understand att and how the manage it doesn’t make sense.
Look most folks with 20,25+ years aren't likely going anywhere else after T. There headed for early retirement. No need for any certifications, unless maybe it's how to be certified in making a cold piña colada to ward off this heat.
The employmemt landscape is going to be radically different coming out of this pandemic. There s loads of experienced developers and IT folks being displaced by this thing, from lots of places, especially in the Valley and other tech hubs. So unless your a 20 or 30 something with some amazing credentials and accomplishments, your not going to fall under the "talent" category that big corps are interested in hiring for, just listen to what all the T leadership is saying..