WTF is my job headed downhill

Well, some background on my job. I am a Surveyor, I make 10 an hour (Way underpaid compared to my coworkers even ones with less experience make 13+) and im part time. They claim I can only work 3 days a week (27hrs max) because there is not enough work. but I look at how much work they have and they send 2 three man crews and one two man crew (when im not there) out daily, and they have plenty of work. so I showed up today, since I only have 21 hours this week, and they send me home.... My boss said "im sending you home because you feel like you should be here." so I was like, but im only at 21 hours. he replied "youll cut into the budget too much". Now I am the most excited and enthusiastic about my job, and im the only one in school to get my license as well. On the days I am at work, I get the trucks ready, cleaned and stocked. I also do the most work, and volunteer to do so quite happily. when I am not at work, the truck rarely gets stocked or clean. now one of my coworkers just got a raise, and ive been there just as long...but yesterday I was out in the sun running the equipment and he was in the truck for a good portion of the day. My question is, should I look for work elsewhere or get a 2nd job? to those of yall with job world experience, what is really going on? All I need is part time during school and full time summers. I have a lot of surveying experience that goes beyond field work due to school.

 

Where are you in Georgia and how old are you? To be honest I would start looking for a new/better paid position if they can't give you more hours

 

im 20 in gwinnett county. I could work in gwinnett dekalb fulton cobb or parts of Walton and barrow.

 

Look around. You will find what you feel good about.

 

Honestly, it sounds like you should be putting your name out there to other companies. Just curious with a couple questions: you said you are licensed, does that mean S.I.T.? Also, when you are there, are you a rodman or do you run the equipment too? How about office work, any research or CAD work?

$10/hr does sound underpaid. Not sure what the local economy is like for surveyors, but around here in MA anything less than $15 would warrant looking elsewhere.

Edit: Nevermind, just reread it and you are in school to get your license.

 

Welcome to the good ol' boy system. Don't worry, I'm in the military and its not much different. Hard work isn't what pays off anymore in a lot of places. You can either stick it out and hope to be accepted into the system or start looking for another job. Just don't burn any bridges.

 

I can do cad. I had a civil engineering class that taught us how to do CAD based on what jobs actually do. Most of the time I run the gun or GPS rover. the guys getting paid more don't care to run it like I do.

yeah, I don't want to burn the bridge, but I feel like for a company that said we want you after you graduate, they are not really investing in me. my next paycheck after tax will be less than $200 which is unacceptable.

 

Giving others hours and raises despite being same level of skill as you, sounds like they're trying to get rid of you without having to fire you to be honest.

 

that's what im afraid of. I mean i am so enthusiastic about my job, but its like they want someone who could care-less. i don't get that.

 

there should be plenty of work where you are and you could probably make $12 just by being an operator in manufacturing and get 40h each week!?

 

As a first step, I'd sit down with your boss and have a cordial/professional conversation about your situation and express how you perceive things to be. Open communication often goes a long way towards resolving things.

 

operator in manufacturing? whats that?

 

Surveying....Move to Texas. Blowin up around here

 

i tried to today, and all i got was how my underpaid self just kills into the budget. ( we had a 200,000 profit in 3 months...).....that and the whole "part timer speech". even though in the fall i worked 30+ hours weekly then...

 

$10/hr part time job is crap anyways.. I get that sometimes you gotta get your foot in the door, but in this economy, that kind of money wouldn't even pay my gas and groceries bill for a month. Start looking for a new job. You have some skill now, people like seeing that on the resume.

 

i wish i was in texas!

 

yeah... and i got 2 days a week off to interview....

 

like operating a machine of some sort

 

Is there another job around that you can do surveying? My opinion/advise is going to differ from most. It sounds like they are treating you like a kid. I don't believe your future is with them but I would stick it out until I get my degree, if I were you. Sounds like you are doing what you want to do and having another year or two experience doing that is going to be helpful in getting you your first grown man earnings job. Get another part time job for now to help you out during the summer.

Listing years of experience on a resume at one job is much better than listing a lot of jobs you had over the years on a resume.

 

they really do treat me like a kid. the only issue i have is the money. I missed out on getting a bonus or raise, and all i get is the Part time speech. its getting old. and yes, theres plenty of companies that have surveyors.