Confused about salary/role

mclarke1987_2

Good evening,

Sorry that my first post is asking for help but I'm lost and the internet refuses to assist. I am 30 later this month and as of next month I will have completed my bsc (hons) computing and it.

I currently work in a contact centre, I spent a year on the phones before being promoted to senior agent, after 6months I was promoted to team leader, 3 months later during a restructure I was moved into a resource planner role which ive been doing for 6months. Prior to this job I was self employed as a web developer for 3-4years. Before that I worked in a warehouse for 3 months as an operative before being promoted to the role of transport coordinator, I did that for 8months before relocating.

I don't have much other work experience to talk off, I worked in a call centre for a year about a decade ago but primarily I raised my 3 children as my wife had more earning power.

Anyway now you have some history on my experience, qualifications etc my current job is stable and I enjoy the work (for the most part) but the salary is 18k a year, my wife just got a job at 15k a year (long time unemployed first job that popped up). The result is out child tax has reduced to my wife's salary being worth £5-6k (she previously got carers allowance for my eldest who has learning difficulties).

I need to step up my income where possible; am I at the high range of salary I can expect or does my experience/qualifications put me in potential for a higher salary.

Ideally I would like a management role in an office environment; I am intending to begin my MBA later this year but at a cost of £13500 (distance learning) I feel it needs to be justified.

Any advise/guidance recommended, I live up near Dundee but if I was to commute my wife would have to stop working due to childcare issues

agrinnall

I'd say £18K is low for your experience and the job that you do, but to get more I suspect you'll need to move to another employer as your current one seems to think you'll do whatever they ask and accept whatever money they give you.

mclarke1987_2

I'm aware salary depends on location and my current employer is looking to improve salarys but likely result of that is a boost of 1k per year.

Am I qualified to be a manager though or would I need further experience. My primary reason for moving up within the company was experience as the salary increase from when I started is about 80p per hour

LilElvis

If you are graduating why aren't you seeking a new job utilising your qualification? What is the point in gaining a degree if you're not going to use it to progress a career. Sorry if this sounds harsh but I'm genuinely at a loss to understand why you have strived so hard but don't seem to be using it as a way forward. A new employer might also fund some of your MBA costs, or at least allow you paid study time, if they can see that they will gain from you enhancing your qualifications - something it sounds as though your current employer is unlikely to do.

mclarke1987_2

My degree focus is on project management within an IT setting, my dissertation itself is on how to improve agent efficiency within a contact centre. So it is somewhat relevant; my dream is to work as a business consultant/investor but that is in the distant post mba/experience etc This is why I'm looking into the management aspect.

getmore4less

I think part of the problem is you are in the runt end of the sectors for earning potential, on paper looks like progression but the income has drifted up very slowly.

You either need to get into the part of the sector that pays well(which will be the bit that makes sure everyone else is productive for a little money as possible) or get out.

thing is at 30 you should be on grad+6y rates you are on grad rates no experience.

I also think you may be too focused on get the bit of paper it will be alright MBA will not be a ticket to success, you should already be on that path and use the MBA to accelerate it.

google contact centre resource planner jobs and see what salary they are offering.

I am seeing(outside London) £25k+ and managers £35k+

mcpitman

getmore4less wrote: »

google contact centre resource planner jobs and see what salary they are offering.

I am seeing(outside London) £25k+ and managers £35k+

For typical resource planners I agree that you would be earning the above rates, the key is to get to a senior manager in Resource Planning/MI role where you could earn upto £75k per year, a "Head of" RPMI tends to attract £75-125k.

Although for these senior roles you will need to be proficient in Finance, HR, IT and continuous improvement methodology and application, so your MBA would support moving towards that level.

I've been in these sort of roles for about 10 years, and have reached the senior end of the scale, you are massively underpaid against current market rates.

Start marketing yourself, do you use linkedin etc?

Ozzuk

I'd be looking to change jobs asap, I pay my apprentice nearly 12k a year in IT in Wales for his first year! In his third year he'll be on 24k doing basic support.

You've good quals and building up experience, I'd be looking to change skill paths or a similar but better role with another company. In my early career I had to move every 2-3 years to keep building the salary - it isn't frowned upon in IT (IMO) as it gives you a lot of experience.

mclarke1987_2

I have linked in, recently updated my experience but not overly comfortable on best practices I this is something I'll be exploring so I can make the most of it. One of my main challenges is definitely looking for new opportunities; I was tempted to apply for manager of a supermarket nearby but am concerned about pushing further from the IT side of things as I would like to build up some industry knowledge which at present is IT/Transport given the emergence of new transport tech I feel it could be valuable in the future.

Appreciate all the feedback it's definitely opening my eyes wider to the possibilities