Job Hop? Job Hop!

There’s so much to say, but I don’t even know where to start.

My advisor asked me to work at his friend’s company, doing embedded development. I thought it would be coding all day, struggling with drivers, sweating over boot loaders, fighting with BSPs… I had mentally prepared myself for that life. But somehow, after messing around for a few days, they want me to be the “project manager.” I’m only 23, just graduated from undergrad, and have zero practical experience. My coding probably isn’t even as good as the other people in the company. What the hell do I know about management?

They keep pushing me to take the “PMP” exam. I don’t get it. Why would they want me to be a project manager? Is it because they think I’ll quit if they don’t promote me? Or is it because I’m good at bullshitting?

After thinking about it, I’ve decided to say no and just write code. Otherwise I won’t be able to survive when I look for a real job later. My advisor’s company’s products — the market isn’t great, and the prospects don’t look good. On top of that, the pay is low and the location is far. I think I need to find a way out.

I’m a third-year grad student working with an academic advisor who wants to keep me in his company to be a cheap laborer. To make things worse, he wants me to be the foreman of the labor camp… Oh heavens.

Today my friend told me he joined a new company with a monthly salary of over 10K. They paid off his违约金 (contract breach fee) from his previous company, gave him stock options, and everything. I’m both happy for him and jealous of him.

I feel like I’m heading toward a dead end.

God, give me a way out!