I'm not That good.

[Horse]

OK, so I just graduated with a BS in industrial design in May. I've been working as an intern at a small design shop since January.

 

I thought I was going to get laid off last week, but instead I was promoted to project manager. It usually takes years to get to this position and I jumped there straight from intern.

 

Project mangers usually make 2x as much as designers, although I doubt I will (we haven't discussed that yet).

 

I don't know if this is good or not. In a normal company it would be an honor to be offered this position, but this company doesn't do much product design and has some serious problems. The old project manager quit. I'm 31 and I have management experience in other fields, so I'm sure I can handle it, but it still seems like an odd move by my boss.

 

So what do you think. Is this a good opportunity to learn and grow, or did I just get promoted to first mate on a sinking ship?

 

If the ship sinks in six months or less, do I still put project manager on my resume?

 

Honestly, I would rather be designing, but the market in this city is kind of tight right now.

[moimeme]

did I just get promoted to first mate on a sinking ship?

 

This would be my guess. I suspect you're cannon fodder. But maybe you can work a miracle - and if you do, your career will be made. This could be a great opportunity but it will be extremely difficult to pull off.

[katie79]

I say give it a shot!

 

at worst, you fail, the company doesn't do well, etc./..etc, and you find another job.

and this job you can put on your resume.

[Horse]

Yeah, I have a better attitude about it now. I really have nothing to lose besides a few months. I also want to start my own business in the next couple years, so this experience could be very valuable.

 

I think I may have been offered the job because the boss had short notice and he doesn't want to pay the going rate for a project manager 50-60K when he knows I will probably do it for mid 30's.

 

The only challenging part is that my turn over is short. I have only a few days to get up to speed on about a dozen projects and an industry that I have only been in for a few months.

 

Fortunately I'm good at asking questions.

 

So, I'm going for it, but I'm also going to keep my resume and portfolio up to date.

[corythosaurus]

Always keep your resume up to date. Always. Even the most valuable and seasoned professionals get "surprised."

 

I have always applied the philosophy of never turn down an opportunity to advance. Whether it is short term or not, whether it means more salary or not. What you can gain in experience is only going to improve your worth and future earning potential.

 

Good luck.

[Horse]

Update.

 

So the day that the offer was formally presented two other designers were laid off. We started with seven people. The old Project manager quit. Then a few days later the marketing/sales girl gave notice. I have to pretend like I don't know, but there are only three people left. So when she leaves, there will be three of us, including the boss. I don't think there are any plans to replace her either.

 

The boss has also been turning down jobs and raping our clients on our current jobs. That's not really something I would expect a businessman to do if he is worried about his reputation and repeat business.

 

It seems like he is trying to squeeze as much cash as he can out of this business before he runs it into the ground.

 

So I went from a sinking ship to a crashing airplane. We are supposed to find out that the marketing girl is quiting tomorrow. The bosses plans from then forward should let me know what is up. If he really doesn't replace her, then the company won't last long.

 

But the new job has been pretty easy. Our subcontractors and clients are cool, so it is easy to work with them.

 

I have also been picking up some freelance design and 3d modelling work for extra $$ and just in case I suddenly have a lot of free time.

[mizraim]

Originally posted by Horse

I have also been picking up some freelance design and 3d modelling work for extra $$ and just in case I suddenly have a lot of free time.

give your best shot! working is a continuing process, we learned new things everyday and our mistakes will be our building blocks inorder for us to be successful..that's a good idea you've made, dont let your time be idle...good luck!

[greenhorn]

This is an excellent opportunity for turnaround management. Give a shot at it, you have nothing to lose.

[lindya]

It seems like he is trying to squeeze as much cash as he can out of this business before he runs it into the ground.

 

Is the company floated on the stockmarket? Don't know what the situation's like in the US, but over here it's not unheard of for businessment to float their companies on the stock exchange, pocket millions, accept a fat director's salary each year - then run the company into liquidation (on the basis that they can then pick the assets up for next to nothing).

[Horse]

No we're not talking that kind of money. This is all in the tens of thousands range. It's a small design company.

 

We had a long talk, but I don't trust him. He is either planning on shutting down with as much cash as possible or he is trying to get the company to a point where it is small and flexible to change directions until he finds one that he likes.

 

A week after he laid two guys off he bought a 40K car and he is going on at least a 10K vacation next month. We could have used the guys if we were focussed on growth and developing new opportunties.