My first job out of college - done.

Monday, I start work with a new company in town developing a clerk of court application. For just under a year (15 days or so I think), I've been working for a company in Shreveport developing administrative software for school boards in Louisiana.

My last job provided me with a great opportunity right out of college. It was in my home town, the company used Java as it's programming language (which I picked up through my job in college), and the pay was much, much better than what I was getting working as a research associate at Louisiana Tech.

However, a few months after beginning work there I realized that the business would better serve me if it were more of a stepping stone. I was providing phone support, programming and providing instruction to users on how to use the software. While all this is valuable experience, it's extremely stressful to be under development deadlines and have to support all kinds of questions from users in the same timeline (with a lack of understanding in moving those deadlines back).

I also saw 5 programmers and 2 secretaries leave, while we gained 4 programmers and 3 secretaries (at different times of course). In a company of 15 people this turnover tooks its toll on all the employees. It was an extreme turnover that wasn't explained in detail (read: skirted) when I asked about the turnover in my interview.

While the turnover was bothersome, the real issue that caused my realization that I needed to get out was the career opportunity provided there. Of the few employees that were around for over 5 year, all of them were doing the exact same thing as they were 5-10 years ago. Answering calls, programming and going to user meetings periodically, with pay that I was close to making after only a year. That's something that I can't understand.

Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful to have had the opportunity that I did. It was a very good first job and I think I've improved myself and learned a good deal about programming and about life in general (i.e. the business, financial, and personal side of being an adult). I'm just glad to be moving on with a new opportunity that sounds like a dream compared to my previous job.

I don't like that I left all my co-workers behind. They all seemed happy for me though. A few of my friends from work went out with Katie and I last night to celebrate and we had a great time... We ate at Macaroni Grill, talked about jobs and such, went to play some pool, then ended up back at Katie's apartment to play some Xbox 360.

...I'm getting off topic though. I'm extremely excited about starting a new job, glad that everyone was good to me at my last job, and I hope that everything works out for my old workmates.