Job organizational preference: Fishes and ponds

[CountDeMoney]

What position within an organization suits you more? 
Do you prefer to the high-end visibility and responsibilities that come with a greater position within a smaller organization, or do you prefer the quiet life within a large organization, one with limited responsibilities but with perhaps a greater sense of security?

Which one are you now?  Do you enjoy it, or would you prefer it the other way around?  Master of the Universe, or Johnny Mono Punch Clock?

[Tonitrus]

Small fish, but not a Mono-cog. 

If I manage to get as far as military retirement, I could easily be happy working retail somewhere (that I like, not a crap place), teaching english overseas, or some other humble role. 

Now...if I could go back and do things over, I'd have pursued being a National Park ranger...and work hiking trails somewhere, telling kids not to touch the bear scat, or even tasing drunk camper-tards.  But still a small fish...wouldn't want to be the head ranger or some crap like that. 

[11B4V]

#1

[katmai]

I work with  small groups (usually less than 10, at most on biggest shows/productions 50-75) so never in a Big pond.

[Martinus]

I work with  small groups (usually less than 10, at most on biggest shows/productions 50-75) so never in a Big pond.

I don't think the question was about you being physically the biggest, though.

[Martinus]

As for me, I guess small fish in a big pond, at least as far as job is concerned. But if it comes to e.g. living in Poland and being in the top 1% of earners, or living in the UK and being in the top 10%, I prefer the former.

[Josquius]

Big companies offer more respect and usually higher wages. Plus being able to keep your head down and not absolutey everyone relying on you pulling through or else...its good. Leads to better work.

[MadImmortalMan]

I am comfortable with responsibility. I'm also that guy who everybody puts on their resume as a reference for some reason. I get a couple calls a week from that. I'm a professional mentor/therapist. Most people in my field need a therapist.

[Monoriu]

I prefer to be plankton in an ocean 

[Eddie Teach]

I'll take my own puddle and scare all the other fish away.

[Brazen]

I went for option 1, but it doesn't half limit your promotion potential.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Other.....hate working to a boss.

[Octavian]

Other.....hate working to a boss.

Aren't you married?

[CountDeMoney]

Now...if I could go back and do things over, I'd have pursued being a National Park ranger...and work hiking trails somewhere, telling kids not to touch the bear scat, or even tasing drunk camper-tards.

A guy my Dad used to clerk with at the FBI in the 60's became a ranger after college; Park Service gave him a pick-up truck, a horse trailer, a horse, a rifle and sent him the fuck out west on LRRPs.  Dad said he was one of the few guys he ever knew that got the job he truly wanted.

[Barrister]

Now...if I could go back and do things over, I'd have pursued being a National Park ranger...and work hiking trails somewhere, telling kids not to touch the bear scat, or even tasing drunk camper-tards.

A guy my Dad used to clerk with at the FBI in the 60's became a ranger after college; Park Service gave him a pick-up truck, a horse trailer, a horse, a rifle and sent him the fuck out west on LRRPs.  Dad said he was one of the few guys he ever knew that got the job he truly wanted.

I dunno man - the conservation officers I've known didn't seem like they loved their job all that much.

In typical languish style, when asked a direct question, I'm going to try and split the difference.  I want to be a big fish in a small inlet, but one that is still connected to the ocean.  That is, my ideal has been to work in a small regional office of a large organization.  You get all of the back-end support and stability (think training, benefits and stability) but day to day you're really left alone to do your own thing.

That of course was my last couple of jobs.

A year ago I jumped into the big ocean.  It has been better than I thought it would be, but I still don't prefer it.  I had a conversation with a fellow lawyer in the elevator - I had to look at his name badge to remember what his name was.