Hi, I am about to set up new development and staging environments, including an SQL Server, Biztalk, Sharepoint, Dynamics AX and more. The debate at the moment is whether or not we include a separate AD server for the dev environment. My thinking is that unless we are likely to be changing the structure (which I don't think we are) a development AD server is not necessary. Can any of you give any advice on this? What is your setup like? Thanks,

Leedrick

ha! Leedrick

I think 2-3 years would be a good amount of time to spend in your first job. I just think once you stay in a place for a while, you fit into a groove and stagnate your learning process. There is so much to learn after you start working in the industry, and moving around is a great way to experience different aspects of it. You will get used to working in a particular way with certain technologies, and changing your job will throw you into potentially different technologies, with different experiences and problems you need to solve. The wider the variety of expertise you have, the more marketable you are, and the more pay you can expect:) Don't take this as a hard and fast rule though. You may find your first job is giving you plenty of challenges, and you are happy with the development of your career. You need to use your judgement. I believe it is important particularly in the beginning to work with people who know a great deal more than you. If you think you know as much as anyone else in the place, first check your ego ;), then consider moving on. If you have stopped learning, you are wasting your time. This is just advice based on my own experience. I have found in the years I have left my first job I have moved around a bit and learned a great deal. I am interested in what others have to say on their experience! Leedrick

The majority seem to think you should take the small business job, and I agree. The most important thing when looking at a new job is whether you are going to enjoy the work. When you enjoy what you are doing, you will be far more motivated to work harder, try new things, and learn. Happiness > money when it comes to your job. My first job was with a small web dev company of about 10 employees consisting of 3 developers. We all were forced to become proficient at a range of skills, and all got a chance to learn new technology. The senior developer was able to dedicate a lot of time teaching me alot of invaluable skills. The downside was that the company didn't have alot of money to throw around on training courses, or wages:) The company you are looking at is probably big enough for this to not be a real problem. I worked with that company for five years on relatively low pay, but I gained a lot of experience, which should be your aim. I don't recommend that you stay in your first job this long, but at the time IT jobs were scarce and I had to hang on to what I could:) Right now I think I am in the ideal position. I work for a large manufacturing company, but in a small dev group. I am now the senior analyst/programmer. The large company means more capital to spend on wages and training, but the small dev team means you are valued more highly, instead of just being a faceless head in a crowd. Leedrick