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03-29-24 11:56 AM
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Xeogaming Forums - General Chat - So, I've got a dilemma. | |
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Stitch

Roy Koopa
Holy crap, it is the RoboCoonie!








Since: 08-20-04
From: California

Since last post: 696 days
Last activity: 696 days
Posted on 07-29-05 05:59 PM Link | Quote
Feel free to move this if needed...

I currently work for Activision doing videogame testing and such.

I just got a better paying job offer from the Los Angeles Police Department to be a 911 Dispatcher.

Which would you choose? I'd make this a poll, but it wouldn't help me much.


Game Tester:
Videogaming, and getting paid.
Free food on weekends.
Free games after 90 days.
Discounted Activision games after 30 days.

911 Dispatcher:
County Government Employee
Benefits (Health and such)
Better pay
Can afford stuff again.
Can continue school without much stress.


What would you do?

And, just for reference. Gaming: $15,000 to $20,000 per year. Dispatcher: $46,000 to $55,000 per year.
Shuyin

Baron of Radical








Since: 08-19-04

Since last post: 3727 days
Last activity: 3633 days
Posted on 07-29-05 06:16 PM Link | Quote
Dispatcher. Definately.

There's way more pros than cons......especially more money. Plus you get benefits, less stress, definately the better of the two.

Would it be at all possible to do both? Is game testing that demanding?
Jity Horo

Beast








Since: 01-01-05

Since last post: 6439 days
Last activity: 5654 days
Posted on 07-29-05 06:32 PM Link | Quote
Well being a dispatcher is somewhat dangerous isn't it.
Black Lord

Koopa








Since: 12-12-04

Since last post: 5385 days
Last activity: 5385 days
Posted on 07-29-05 08:13 PM Link | Quote
Originally posted by Jity Horo
Well being a dispatcher is somewhat dangerous isn't it.


Talking on a radio dangerous...????

I'd definately go with the dispatcher, yeah you don't get the games and stuff, but think of the games you can buy with all the extra money you'll be getting.
Savedox

Berserker
You put a bullet in my head, Till black turns to red! This could all end in tragedy!








Since: 08-20-04
From: Read \"Real Name\"

Since last post: 4306 days
Last activity: 1395 days
Posted on 07-29-05 10:14 PM Link | Quote
I say go for the dispatcher because if you can get better benifit's and such then that would be better by far. Playing video game's and stuff is fun and everything but you could make the 911 dispatcher into a good carreer
Jity Horo

Beast








Since: 01-01-05

Since last post: 6439 days
Last activity: 5654 days
Posted on 07-29-05 10:43 PM Link | Quote
You would think that playing video games would reduce stress. And isn't being a dispatcher a nearly round the clock job.
True Flight

The One








Since: 08-21-04

Since last post: 2664 days
Last activity: 2649 days
Posted on 07-29-05 11:07 PM Link | Quote
Honestly I'd go for whatever you believe is where you belong. If it was me I'd go for the dispatcher only because I can save people's lives by talking on a radio. XD
Makura









Since: 01-22-05
From: The restaurant at the end of the universe....

Since last post: 5649 days
Last activity: 4914 days
Posted on 07-29-05 11:19 PM Link | Quote
I'd go for the dispatching job. It seems like a better 'long term' job. Better pay and benefits. As fun as videogame testing may be it might be better to think about the future.
Stitch

Roy Koopa
Holy crap, it is the RoboCoonie!








Since: 08-20-04
From: California

Since last post: 696 days
Last activity: 696 days
Posted on 07-30-05 04:39 PM Link | Quote
There is a larger stress level in being a dispatcher, and its not as easy as just talking on a radio. You're basically an instant counselor to people in need, an accessor of the severity of the situation, and a dispatcher of what you think should be appropriate for each situation. In my area, they told us the dispatcher themselves have a larger suicide rate, and they have a higher turn-around (length of time before they quit) rate as well (something like four months). Training last for a year. The operators are there round the clock, but we were told that our shifts would probably last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours. Which is exactly what I'm doing at Activision.

Activision isn't so much stressful at work as it is just sleep depriving. I get done what I have to get done while I'm there, and then I come home and sleep. The job isn't really all that secure in that we are still temporary employees and placement into new projects depends on our previous performance. While I'm still more likely to be placed on another assignment, we were told that the coming months are the slower months, and we may be laid off for about 2 to 3 months...no pay.

That, and I spend about $2000 per month just on my expenses alone. I need something with a better salary. With the dispatching position, I'd have at least an extra $1000 at the end of the month. Not negative money like I do with Activision.

Activision is great, and I would love to have a career in the videogaming industry, but I need money right now to pay for school and other things so that I can earn my degree and continue in videogaming. Till then, I'll be working for the government again...I guess. I mean, I love government, and I really like helping people...even if you're occasionally placed on hold when calling 911.
Savedox

Berserker
You put a bullet in my head, Till black turns to red! This could all end in tragedy!








Since: 08-20-04
From: Read \"Real Name\"

Since last post: 4306 days
Last activity: 1395 days
Posted on 07-30-05 06:09 PM Link | Quote
Just like True said it's your choice and your decision wether you want to take the job or not. If you know that your probobly going to be layed off soon from your other job it would probobly be a good idea to take it. Maybe you could make a deal with Activision to let you test on your spare time or something.
Xeoman

Ball and Chain Trooper
Administrator








Since: 08-14-04
From: 255

Since last post: 19 days
Last activity: 1 day
Posted on 07-30-05 08:17 PM Link | Quote
Judging by your current situations, I'd say this is a hard choice ...

It's obvious you seem to like working with Activision more, and so there goes my "I'd say do what you enjoy doing the most" idea. Then, you've got dispatching for pulling in a lot more money.

I don't know, I mean I've heard a lot of stories that basically anyone in the working videogame industry starts off as a videogame tester. So this means in time, I'd be more than willing to bet you'd move up to new positions, and so on. But, again, that probably needs time, and time doesn't seem to be your greatest friend right now.

So there's dispatching, which, obviously you'd be pulling in a lot more money, and you'd be a lot more financially set for school.

I don't know what to say, if you think you can suffer financially for awhile but still make it and have fun, go with videogame testing. If not, and you need the money, even though you'd be doing something that doesn't sound so fun, go with dispatching.

I'd say just put a lot of thought into this, sounds like something that could really effect your future.
True Flight

The One








Since: 08-21-04

Since last post: 2664 days
Last activity: 2649 days
Posted on 07-31-05 02:05 AM Link | Quote
Originally posted by Zabuza
There is a larger stress level in being a dispatcher, and its not as easy as just talking on a radio. You're basically an instant counselor to people in need, an accessor of the severity of the situation, and a dispatcher of what you think should be appropriate for each situation. In my area, they told us the dispatcher themselves have a larger suicide rate, and they have a higher turn-around (length of time before they quit) rate as well (something like four months). Training last for a year. The operators are there round the clock, but we were told that our shifts would probably last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours. Which is exactly what I'm doing at Activision.



Look you're out there saving people's lives, being a dispatcher is a cool job to me. =P And being a counselor them also gets you on Opra Winfrey. XD

And I'm sure by the since of you having to kill yourself is really low. I think you have enough sense to know what is right and wrong. =P Plus you deffinetely have a ton to live for.


(Last edited by True Flight on 07-31-05 05:07 AM)
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 74 days
Last activity: 74 days
Posted on 07-31-05 04:32 AM Link | Quote
Hmn...

Well, I know that you wouldn't kill yourself since you tend to not care really. However, I really think that it would be better for you to take the dispatcher job. Not just because of the money (though that is a major boost for you), but also because it gives you the health benefits and it is a more secure job. As much as you don't like dealing with people's drama, you are a very good counselor to people in times of trouble, and you always manage to remain calm so I honestly think that you would do very well as a dispatcher. Sure, it's not videogames, but like you said, if you take the job then you will have the money to finish school so you can return to the videogame world; and I think that is a better thing for you right now.
Stitch

Roy Koopa
Holy crap, it is the RoboCoonie!








Since: 08-20-04
From: California

Since last post: 696 days
Last activity: 696 days
Posted on 07-31-05 06:22 PM Link | Quote
Thanks. It helps to have a multiple perspective on things. And like I said, and was reinforced, I can always return to the videogaming world. I need the job security now. I'm not 16. I'm not 18. I'm well into hitting a quarter of a century soon, and I need something more secure now. I need to be out of debt, and on my way. Mom isn't going to always be around to bail me out.

I'll definitely know within the next few days.
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