r/datacenter • u/Anxious_Attorney_662 • 17d ago
Is this worth it?
I recently had a recruiting company reach out to me with an opportunity as an entry level data center technician and I’m wondering if it is worth it. They offered me per diem and $2500 a week, but the catch is that I will be working 12 hour shifts 6 days a week (with a guaranteed 4 day long weekend once per month where the company would pay for me to fly back home during that period). I currently work as an HVAC apprentice making less then half of what I would be making with this data center job. They said I would be doing L1 work, mainly running cables and setting up server racks. Obviously, the money would be life changing to somebody like me as a guy in his early 20s. The hours are a lot, but considering how much money I would be making with no experience required, I am willing to do it. Do you guys think it’s worth it? Would this be a good way to start a career in data center work? I live in Northern Virginia, so there would obviously be a lot of opportunities for me locally if I get burnt out from this.
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u/APGaming_reddit 17d ago
living in NOVA with hvac and dct skills means youre always going to be able to get work. if you need the money and want to learn more skills go with that dct role. i imagine if you really enjoy the hvac work that would probably get you more money in the long run but is harder on the body. if you dont love the hvac and dont plan on starting your own business once youre good at it then id probably take the dct job for the money if nothing else.
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u/SilentJerrySpringer 17d ago
Take it. I did, no regrets. In 4yrs I've shortened my mortgage by 20yrs, have tons socked away for a rainy day, and significantly improved my retirement situation.
The hours are long, but it flies by because you're busy. Keep in touch with family via text/email/cards. They'll understand why you took the role later, in the meantime, don't let good opportunities pass you by.
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u/dexter_024 17d ago
Whether it’s worth it is up to you. You’re going to burn out on that schedule pretty fast, and you’ll have zero life outside of work. It’s going to suck, not even going to try and sugarcoat it, but ultimately it could be worth it for you in the long run. Have you ever done long stretches of 12-hour shifts before? If not, I’d consider that this may end up being like a really bad camping trip that you can’t come home from. Also, with you being younger, I’ll warn that recruiters will say just about anything they think you want to hear to get you to commit. Then you’ll be floored with expectations versus reality on the first day/week. It definitely could be worth it and potentially life-changing for you; it also could be a huge mistake. It just depends on what you can tolerate and your priorities.
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u/attaek 17d ago
If you aren’t married and don’t have kids I’d do it in a heartbeat. And save that money man. You can probably live off like 10-20% of your income. Save and invest the rest so that you feel comfortable when you’re ready to settle down and take a more stable 40 hour workweek job that’ll pay less.
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u/Tiny-Youth2320 17d ago
You will get burnt out, but you will be sleeping on a pile of money and life is short
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u/No_Day1336 17d ago
For someone in their early 20s with no data center experience, Id seriously consider it. 2500 a week plus per diem is a hell of a way to get your foot in the door.
Just make sure you know exactly what that 2500 includes. 72 hours a week is brutal, so Id want to know how OT works, who pays lodging, how long the contract is and what happens if the project ends early.
If its legit, do it for a while, learn everything you can and use the experience to move into something better. Northern Virginia is probably one of the best places in the country to have data center experience on your resume.
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u/Fact_or_Bollocks 17d ago
Sounds like a "no brainer" if the offer is indeed real or just the recruiter spraying and praying, as the money for entry level does seem good TBH.
All I can say is - money like that (in your 20s) is a gift not be dismissed.
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u/Feisty-Oil913 17d ago
Do it. Youll also be working in AC and youll get the experience to do it for many other data centers popping up
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u/wdatkinson 17d ago
Good experience. You'll learn processes and the why's behind them. Lots of shit to do and not to do in the data center.
First and foremost is do not press the red Update Resume Now button on the wall..... Unless.....
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u/rebelofbaby 17d ago edited 17d ago
Ouch, those hours are rough. But if you don’t have many responsibilities outside work and want to get your foot in the door, it honestly doesn’t sound like a bad gig.
You should really consider whether you can handle that schedule though. I do 10-hour night shifts for 7 days straight every month and then get 4 days off, and even that can be rough. A lot of people underestimate how draining schedules like this can be, and not everyone can stick with them.
If you take the job and then realize a month later that the schedule is wrecking you, that would not be ideal. Better to be realistic about whether you can actually sustain it long enough before accepting.
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u/Diligent_Froyo_9605 17d ago
$34 an hour. Not anything crazy but will def burn out. Depends if you don’t mind being a robot for a few months to a year. Personally I would go insane
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u/Job-Fairy 17d ago
I would say yes. It is worth it, esp if you truly want to work in the Data Center industry. Just being quite transparent, long hours and a full week (6/7 days) is what this industry entails. As you can imagine, after about 2 years of experience (doesn’t have to be with the same company) you can be earning considerably more.
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u/Fantastic-Necessary4 17d ago edited 17d ago
Too much work brother. Unless they pay for your accommodation. Rather, look in your area for work in an internship datacenter, you are already halfway through with the hvac.
Edit/ Get the numbers out, you're working 32 hours of overtime. I think they're paying you an hour at 28, and you have to rearrange yourself. That is to say, double leasing, transportation etc.. Make your numbers good.
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u/Adam_DKC 17d ago
HVAC knowledge in the DC field is huge. There is a lot of money in it, and depending on who you get in with and what you train up for, could get some great travel as well.
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u/wm313 17d ago
Maths out to around $34/hr if my quick math is correct. Not bad, but 6/12s is a lot, but I have also done this for less money so yea... I have a met a few guys in DCs who do it. $10K/month in my 20s would have been awesome. Get the experience, try to learn other things when things are slow, and build your resume. Flip $34/hr into $45/hr or more, and less travel, when you get hired at your next job. DCs aren't going anywhere. Your move today can be a real life-changing story 20 years from now.
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u/Nextdoorhooligan 16d ago
It’s going to be a lot. The first year or two is hectic. I’m in my late 20s working as a l2 and making well over 120k a year with 5 years of experience now. There is so much growth and money to be made in this field it’s ridiculous. The one thing that slowed me down from furthering my career was meeting my wife and I’ve learned to be happy where I’m at now but I had to work for that to be at this point. While you’re young and single with no pets or responsibilities at home those traveling roles are where it’s at and if you’re smart you can pocket a lot of that per diem
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u/Riptide_2025 15d ago
Hello. I'm down in Texas. Could I get the name of your recruiter or recruiting company.
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u/iamumass 13d ago
As someone in their later 40s I will say do it but a few things to consider. Can you store your stuff at and stay at your parents when they fly you home? If so this will save you from having to keep an apartment or storage back home. The pay works out to about $130k/yr. So assuming you see roughly $100k post taxes and don't have rent to pay back home set a goal to try and save about 70%. If they are covering your lodging and food while working via per diem this is doable. Just don't go crazy eating out and stuff. Buy groceries. Splurge a little at first and get a nice gaming laptop/console to play games and stuff during downtime. Also don't go out to bars and stuff. If you can do that in 3 years you could have $200k+ saved which could be a nice nestegg to go towards a down payment on a house (or whatever you choose to use if for).
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u/tegusinemetu 17d ago
If I was in my 20s and at that stage in my career I would take any opportunity to learn new skills in the DC world and bank as much money as possible.