Job Title...

[mBox]

I need everyones input on this.
Currently and for the past 12 years my job title has been:

Animation and Computer Graphics Specialist

Well its technically that but I wear more hats than most.
Not bragging but I can list over 20 other things Im actually proficient at and don't get paid for but expected to do 😛
Recent changes in our company almost had me move to another dept with less stress/work.
However Im not ready to give up on doing alot, its just my nature to be doing something all the time 🙂
The new title is called "Digital Production Specialist".
Yea sounds weird and vague but thats where I need others to step in.
The job requirements has changed from the basic of doing just animation and graphics but has now grown to added words such as "high-end" "complex".
Here's the catch. They are now adding the other 20 things Ive been doing.
I havent gone as far as meeting with HR on this yet so hopefully the can explain where that leaves me in the pay structure.
I came into this job at top dollar. Basically did not get a raise for the last 10 years. I did get a raise technically due to cost of living but no actual big bumps. Like I said they gave me top dollar so Im not complaining 🙂
Maybe there is room for a raise but Ill let this forum throw in their insights before I bark 🙂

Just to add...
Ive been searching on the internet and this new job title salary isnt making me any comfortable at all 🙁
Its way lower than what you would find for my current job title.

 

[MattSepeta]

Nice work man! congrats!

-Digital Media Director
-Creative Media Director

 

[mBox]

Nice work man! congrats!

-Digital Media Director
-Creative Media Director

Hey thanks but not out of the woods yet 🙂

 

[vizfxman]

I don't know what part of the computer graphics industry you're in, but in the VFX and animation industry those individuals that wear many hats are now usually called Generalists.

 

[mBox]

I don't know what part of the computer graphics industry you're in, but in the VFX and animation industry those individuals that wear many hats are now usually called Generalists.

My company doesnt fall into any of them (I wish). However I do work mostly in Motion Design and 3D Animation. My day is taken up by Maya and After Effects to be precise.
Then broken up by Avid, Protools and the occasional Photoshop. Id like to be called a Digital Production General 😉

 

[THX1139]

Id like to be called a Digital Production General 😉

Way better than being called Unemployed.

Seriously though... soon as the economy stabilizes, it might be in your best interest to go elsewhere. 10 years is a long time to be at one place if they aren't rewarding you. Sounds like they are actually taking advantage because you don't know how to say no. Want a raise with less work? Move to another company and take your skills with you. Wait 6 months to a year and reevaluate.

 

[vizfxman]

Move to another company and take your skills with you. Wait 6 months to a year and reevaluate.

There's a lot of truth in that. Sometimes moving on is the only way to get what you want out of the work you're doing. Job security sometimes has a downside.

 

[design-is]

Indeed - can't remember who, but someone once said "It's better to be employable rather than employed."

If you're happy, by all means enjoy your work 🙂

If you're getting bored or feel unappreciated, bring it up with those who can help or jump ship into greener pastures (I love mixing metaphors).

Remember though, money isn't everything.

/Doug

 

[mBox]

If you're happy, by all means enjoy your work...If you're getting bored or feel unappreciated....Remember though, money isn't everything...

Thanks folks for your input. I am happy just not challenged enough. However the little things that do come up as part of my job status does throw some challenges that make up a dull day.
Reason for my post is to get some input as to the differences in the job title.
Im not going to lose money but certainly not going to gain alot more from this company. Yes over 10 years here seems long but do feel Ive been treated as well as they can.
If it was a typical post-house/game design factory (I have close friends working within these types of companies) then no I dont think I would have stayed at this level in both pay and job structure. Those places have sideways/forward/backward to move.
Just need insight as to how important that title really is.
Im ready to just agree to the Digital Production Specialist.
I like the acronym...DPS..catchy.
Well not catchy like an STD...LOL!

 

[THX1139]

Thanks folks for your input. I am happy just not challenged enough. However the little things that do come up as part of my job status does throw some challenges that make up a dull day.
Reason for my post is to get some input as to the differences in the job title.
Im not going to lose money but certainly not going to gain alot more from this company. Yes over 10 years here seems long but do feel Ive been treated as well as they can.
If it was a typical post-house/game design factory (I have close friends working within these types of companies) then no I dont think I would have stayed at this level in both pay and job structure. Those places have sideways/forward/backward to move.
Just need insight as to how important that title really is.
Im ready to just agree to the Digital Production Specialist.
I like the acronym...DPS..catchy.
Well not catchy like an STD...LOL!

I find it interesting that you are more concerning about your job title than the more important aspects that the job requires, whether you are receiving equitable compensation for all the things you do, or what the long-term growth prospects are. It's easy to get caught up in a job that's paying you a decent salary, but after 10 years you should be asking yourself what is next and where the job is taking you. But none of that seems to matter to you as long as you are a happy DSP. Good luck with that.

 

[mBox]

I find it interesting that you are more concerning about your job title than the more important aspects that the job requires, whether you are receiving equitable compensation for all the things you do, or what the long-term growth prospects are. It's easy to get caught up in a job that's paying you a decent salary, but after 10 years you should be asking yourself what is next and where the job is taking you. But none of that seems to matter to you as long as you are a happy DSP. Good luck with that.

Thanks for your concerns. That has been on the back of my mind since the beginning. However, Im at a Market (Midwest Canada) that is brutal and hasnt changed much since 1998.
My experience as a instructor at a local college (evening classes) keeps me on the up and up with the local market so Im actually sitting pretty and comfortable.
Yes I would love be on the West coast with my buds (EA, Rainmaker, etc...) but I chose to stay due to family and love of the city.
At this point of my career, the title is all I can fight for.
Once I get that out of the way, I can deal with the other things like job requirements and salary. I still have to deal with HR on all of this before signing my name on anything.

Thanks again to everyone for your input.

 

[vizfxman]

Unless the job title is going to get you more exciting responsibilities and/or money, I'm not sure what would be the point of obsessing over it.

I would think you'd talk to your company about the more important issues, not going back and forth over something like the title which sounds like its a distraction from what it is you're really after from them.

 

[mBox]

Unless the job title is going to get you more exciting responsibilities and/or money, I'm not sure what would be the point of obsessing over it...

true I might have obsessed over the title for a day or two but honestly havent cared after that. Its out of my hands and life goes on. At the beginning I only researched the title to see if I have any room for a change in salary and also if Im setting myself up to a bad situation.
After meeting with HR, its all moot. Not much will change just the title.
Were under union so they really cant force me into anything that I dont agree with.
As I said before, thanks to all with their input.
I would now like to move over to a new problem, well actually old since Ive added to a few threads about this.
Where are the new Mac Pros?

 

[THX1139]

Where are the new Mac Pros?

Well, Mr. DSP... I'm pretty certain that Apple is getting out of the pro business. Not enough money compared to their new "i" orientated business model. When was the last time you saw thousands of people camping out for a new Mac Pro?

Pretty much everything in their professional lineup (hardware and software) is out of date compared to their other shipping products and the rest of the industry. It's been said that developing the new iPhone/iPad etc... has taken most of their resources, so the other lines are suffering. I don't see any of that letting up any time soon. Actually, if they want to stay on top, they have to throw even more resources at the consumer line so that they can stay competitive. Apple is a big company, but I don't see how they can justify continuing with the professional line. The money is in producing products to watch/use content, not in making the machines that create it.

 

[design-is]

The money is in producing products to watch/use content, not in making the machines that create it.

Indeed...

Though I don't think they will stop producing their pro products. Just ramp it down, which I guess they are already doing.

At the end of the day, what difference does having the 'latest and greatest' tech make? Shaves 10 mins off of video encoding... an hour or two off of a render... halve the time of compiling code...? Apple don't mind. People can choose to use a stable, lovely, though outdated mac, or a super fast, ugly and unstable windows PC.

But I think this is all a little out of the Design and Graphics forum's remit.

(These are just my thoughts... I know nout about their plans other than what I read on MacRumors 🙂 )

 

[mBox]

But I think this is all a little out of the Design and Graphics forum's remit...

my bad for bringing that up. Ive dropped a few thoughts on other threads and cant help talk about it.
Lets end this on a good note.
Ill say something positive about Apple then we can just be at peace 🙂
Thanks to Apple Computers, my travels and experiences in this medium have been fun and exciting. I started doing 3D on a Powermac 6100/60AV (still in a box downstairs basement) and even though I dont do much 3D on it, it has led me to my other love, Motion Design (AE) 😉

 

[vizfxman]

I love my Mac Pro (1,1), though the more I hear about the news, or lack thereof, regarding a new Mac Pro, and see how updating the hardware is lacking, the more I'm inclined to buy a PC for my high end tasks.

 

[mBox]

I love my Mac Pro (1,1), though the more I hear about the news, or lack thereof, regarding a new Mac Pro, and see how updating the hardware is lacking, the more I'm inclined to buy a PC for my high end tasks.

see thats the thing, I have a Boxx 8400s and a Dell D380 that does all our Renderman/MR grunt work.
When I did the budget last year, I specifically wrote down New Mac Pro's.
Big mistake cause I cant switch that with anything.
we have a dozen MP (mixed 1,1 to 4, 1) already.
I dont want to lose this budget due to this lack of upgrade 🙁

 

[ezekielrage_99]

Easy, had the same issue about a year ago 🙂

1) Find out how much you are physically making for the company, rule of thumb your wage is 1/3 of the expected business you create/produce for the company.

2) List out how much you earn and the top 7 tasks you do in order of time spent on them.

3) Go to a recruiting service or the competition, and show them what you do and your wage with a 20% increase.

4) See how much they comeback with.

5) Take it back to your bosses and show them how much the competition/industry standard is ready to pay you.

6) If you are needed then happy days you'll get a shiny new Mac and handsome payrise, if not then go to the competition 🙂