u/rlynnfish

Mostly just need to vent to people who might actually understand why this is bothering me so much lol.

I recently started a new job, and my office team has a literal hot dog roller running rn about 10 feet away from where I sit (like the gas-station kind), so I’m sitting at my desk smelling flesh cooking while trying to work.

This is like some team-building something (not every day thank god) but they've done this twice since I started and offered to get me veggie dogs but just...thanks I guess?

And because I’m new, I really don’t want to immediately become “the vegan coworker who complained about the hot dogs.” So instead I’m just sitting there trying to work while this thing slowly rotates meat ten feet away from me 😭

Has anyone else dealt with something like this in a work environment or is this actually super weird and bizarre like it feels.

Very frequently when I bring up subs or alternatives (especially dairy such as vegan ice cream/butter/etc) as a way to cut out animal products, they say they don't want to eat things that are unhealthy or have ingredients they can't name.

Obviously eating oreos only all day would not be healthy, but I don't see anything wrong with store bought vegan butter or yogurt every now and then. Plus you can make these things on your own if you really want!

Not a good reason to be eating dairy imo. Any good rebuttal?

Long-time lurker, but I have a major career decision coming up and could really use some advice!!

I currently work in an IT systems/automation role after starting my career on the help desk. I love IT, but my company is in the process of being sold so might be out of a job soon. Plus, most of the projects I'm working on are built around our company's own software, so I'm not gaining transferable skills even if I end up staying.

Right now I have two very different opportunities:

Option 1) I've officially been offered a county gov help desk position. It would be a pretty big pay cut, but it comes with great benefits, work-life balance, strong job security, and opportunities to move into other IT specialties since the department is huge. It's also a lot closer to where I live and has some WFH days. This is super appealing because the corporate business world is really wearing on me where everything is a massive rush/emergency.

Option 2) Is a Business Systems Analyst role. It would be a slight pay increase and would expose me to more widely used tools and skills such as Salesforce administration and some project management. It also seems like it would be more challenging and more stressful, with 0 WFH and a high pressure environment. I'd also be the only person with that job on the team so I worry about no having support as I learn.

If you were in my position what would you do and why?

My biggest concern is long-term career growth but also work/life balance. Option 1 keeps me on a traditional IT infrastructure path, while Option 2 moves me toward business systems and enterprise applications. I'm not sure which will provide better opportunities 5–10 years from now, and either direction feels like a permanent decision solidly into IT or moving away from it.