I see posts on here from people who have left the industry and say that they are happier and better compensated in their new jobs.
If you don't mind sharing, I am wondering which industries you have entered. Places where your skills are valued and you are treated decently.
TBH I feel trapped but I know there is something else out there. I am not in tech which would make a change easier.
Not interested in MGH and Pearson has been done.
Thank you for any input.
11 replies (most recent on top)
@bces+1dhcwKbp I was the one who described Cengage/ed publishing as provincial. It wasn't meant as a put down, but is the only way I can describe my experience in retrospect. Everything I did at Cengage was small time....and we were a pretty prominent department within the company. In my profession the projects I worked on at Cengage were piddling compared to what goes on in average to large sized industries. The scope, the budgets, the suppliers we used....everything was like playing on the Freshman squad. Many of the publishing industry specific suppliers we used would be considered hacks in any other industry setting. But they were all very well respected among the Big 3 publishers. Their work would been laughed at outside of ed publishing. But I didn't realize any of that until I got out of Cengage and had a chance to flex my muscles a bit.
Thank you to all who responded. A very powerful statement below is that you don't realize how provincial education publishing is until you leave it. I'm paraphrasing but that thought has sat with me since I read it.
@8bwg+1dhcwKbp. Oh for the good ol days when having a sales goal actually meant something. When pocketing an $80K bonus was awesome. The January NSM's were the best. All the married women, exhausted of their husbands from the holidays would descend on Palm Springs or Fort Lauderale, flushed with the thrill of making goal. 7 days of partying, indulgence and hooking up were sure to ensue. Those truly were the days.
Greetings,
I am very happy to hear that many of you have found companies more suitable to your skill set. As I have emphasized many times, not everyone is suited for the rapid pace of disruption at Cengage. Employees here must learn to innovate rapidly and come up with original ideas such as "Netflix for Textbooks." Cengage and EdTech are not for everyone, and for those who are unable to cope with change and disruption, slower paced industries such as Finance or Automotive are more suitable with their lack of innovation.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Cengage is a mission based company, and the mission is not to make as much money as possible. Our employees are motivated by more intrinsic values such as saving the student money by innovating a "Netflix for Textbooks" solution. This is far more rewarding for our employees than, for example, earning a commission on a stock trade. I would also like to remind everyone about some of the unique benefits our company provides. For example, did you know that Cengage now offers 6 months of paternity leave?
Left Cengage to work in the auto industry as a project manager. I’ve laddered up a couple jobs since then, but got about a 35% increase going from Cengage to the new job. I now make close to double what I did at Cengage not counting my bonus, which is about 10-15% of my salary depending on the year. Vacation is the same but more holidays. Benefits are better. I have about the same workload that I did at Cengage. Work is much more interesting and fulfilling. You don’t realize how provincial Ed publishing is until you leave it.
Not a troll or a software developer. I recently moved into a significantly better paying role (30% increase) in FinTech with far less dysfunction and a reasonable workload. Fully remote.
After my last miscarriage I had spiraled out of control got into pills, street dr-gs, booze and clubbing all hours of the night and day. I informed HR about my issues and tried to use my insurance for rehab and recovery, As you can imagine the manager wasn't having it so I was forced out because of a 'productivity clause'. I didn't know what to do for income since the mortgage, car payment, etc were due so I started advertising on seeking arrange ments where I played a sugar baby. Within weeks I was traveling the country visiting golf resorts with a much older gentleman. Of course my bills are paid and I can still party but I don't miss the grind at Cengage.
I've accepted my lot in life. My career sucks and I'm happy being the tallest mid-et at Cengage.
After my divorce I fell into a deep depression because I was worried for my daughters future and got caught up in a mixed relationship. Needless to say I was too overweight to walk campus after the birth of my mixed race son and the father wasn't around to help me so I started teaching kindergarten. Sure it's less money but I have time to be a mom to my babies.
I got certified at the CC and started yoga instruction, plus paid companionship roles and doubled my income in three months.
Greetings,
The concern I’m part of is currently on the bleeding edge of the edTech space. Not only have we been an unmitigated success but our “competition” are still fumbling as to how to enter our industry.