Last Friday I found out that I landed a new job as a data analyst in Ohio. This comes with a significant increase in salary and the opportunity to finally move out of my parents house, both of which I’m excited for.
Here’s how I got here.
Five years ago I started college. I took a different approach to it than most of my peers. I chose to live at home and commute to and from campus 20 minutes from my house. I initially only planned to do this my first year to save money, but one year quickly turned into five.
Last summer, after finishing my Bachelor’s degree, I received a job offer from a company near campus. The offer came in at $52k per year. I did my best to counter offer
and asked for $56k. The company stuck with $52k. With no actual work experience, I had no leverage. This was my first job ever and I’m sure HR (Human Resources) was aware of this, so I had virtually no negotiating power. I accepted the offer, worked full time, and completed my Master’s degree this past semester.
Once I graduated, I was in a great position. I had no debt, a graduate degree, and a year of actual work experience under my belt. I had also started going out with a girl I worked with. Things were going well, I had no complaints, and I began to picture myself working with this company for the next few years.
Then one day I noticed there were several open positions in my department, so I started having one-on-one meetings with my manager about a potential promotion. He agreed that I was qualified, so he put in a promotion request with HR.
This is where things went downhill.
According to the company handbook, the position above mine required a minimum of 3 years experience and a Master’s degree. I had the degree, but not the experience. My manager agreed with me that this rule was ridiculous, but try as we might, we couldn’t get past HR. They insisted the position required three years of experience. This was my first time experiencing the idiocy of corporate policies firsthand.
Shortly following this, things with the girl didn’t work out and I was stuck at a job that looked to be a dead end road for the next two years. This was more than enough to convince me to look elsewhere.
I turned to LinkedIn. There is a feature in the Settings of LinkedIn that says “Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities.” A week after enabling this feature, a company from Ohio reached out to me and I began interviewing with them. Last Friday I received the phone call that I had landed the job so I signed a new contract and put in my two weeks at my current employer on the exact same day.
One of my closest friends is starting graduate school in the Fall, so he and I just found an apartment near his campus and my workplace that we’ll be sharing. I start my new job July 17th and I move into the apartment shortly after.
As a 23 year old, I realize I’m moving out later than most people I know, but at the same time it’s also unlikely that I’ll ever have to move back in with my parents because of financial struggles, which is common among 20-somethings. I know plenty of people my age who are moving back in with their parents to afford their student loan repayments. I would rather be moving out late, than moving back in due to financial problems.
So here I am, about to begin a new phase. I’m slightly nervous, slightly anxious, but mostly excited for this new chapter to start.
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Zach is the author behind Four Pillar Freedom, a blog that teaches you how to build wealth and gain freedom in life.
He quit his day job as a data scientist in 2019 because he was able to earn enough income from profitable websites to replace his salary. He now teaches people how to start and grow their own profitable websites from scratch in the Income Community.
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I’m sure you are going to rock it!
I was really freaked out moving across a state from my family and friends after college but once I got settled in it was amazing.
I’ve moved closer now and can see them every so often but I’m glad I had made that first move. It helped me figure out who I am and set my career on a great path.
We are all here rooting for you.
That’s encouraging to hear! It will definitely be a bit of a transition but I think once I get settled in everything will work out just fine. I appreciate the kind words 🙂
I am sooo so happy for you. 🙂 It sucks that the job and the relationship didn’t work out, but maybe that was life telling you it’s time to move on to the next phase? You really set yourself up for success and I can’t wait to see your new adventures. There are going to be tough times, but it’s worth it. 🙂
I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason so I think you’re right, thanks for the encouragement 🙂
When you are young, you have to find your success. We are constantly being shaped by our experiences and have to adapt to be successful. You are building up your life experience to share with your children if and when you have them. They will listen, just like you listened to your parents, but you still need to experience the trials of life yourself. Good luck and enjoy the experience.
FIRE@55, that’s exactly what my parents have been telling me, it’s nice to hear it from an outside source too! I’m definitely ready to experience some new trials and situations, all of which I’m also excited to blog about. Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Congratulations on the beginning of your new life. You are on solid ground. Time to soar! Love your common sense approach and views. Wishing you success and happiness.
Thanks so much, Lind! I really appreciate that 🙂
Can’t wait for the posts to come about your adventure in Ohio!!!
I’ll be sure to document every step of the way, thanks Steve!!
So glad you found a place! That is the hardest part about moving somewhere new…where to live?! Moving in with your friend sounds like an ideal situation. Especially being close to campus and work for you. Youll meet so many people that way. I’m so glad things are coming together for you!!
The living situation worked out really well unexpectedly, we didn’t even realize that we would be living so close to each other…so it only made sense to share a place and split the rent. I think it’ll be a great opportunity to meet tons of new people too, I’m looking forward to it! Thanks for the kind words as always Miss Mazuma 🙂
Congrats Zach,
I moved away for 9 hours for college from my family, but went to school with many friends I knew. Having someone that you know in Ohio will be a nice blessing, as you aren’t 100% ‘alone’.
I also went via LinkedIn to find my current job. I was at a complete dead end job unless I wanted to move across country. With a new baby that was a harder decision for us to make so I went to a different company locally.
The financial situation you are in with no debt and a nice job is huge! Enjoy the success and explore your new area! Congrats!
It’s definitely nice that I’ll know at least one person when I move, it makes the transition to a new place much easier. And LinkedIn is a great way to network and find new jobs, I’m glad I was able to use it myself. And I can imagine decisions become much harder with a new baby in the house, so it makes sense you stayed local.
I appreciate the encouragement Cameron!
Congrats on the new job, and hopefully more responsibility and better compensation! Having moved out from home at a very early age, due to attending a special sports oriented HS-equivalent, I’ve lived away from home since the ripe old age of 15. My biggest problem has, and always will be, food. I’ve never enjoyed preparing food, so I hope you find cooking and maintaining a decent diet easier than I’ve always done 🙂 Good luck!
It’s funny you mention that because that will likely be my biggest hurdle as well…I’m a terrible cook and I eat at chipotle probably far more often than I should. But it’s definitely a skill I want to pick up, so moving out might force me to get better at it. 15 is a very young age to move out at, I can imagine that has its pros and cons.
Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate it 🙂