Career and Pay

[2002 Maxima SE]

Greetings. The recent post on corporations got me thinking...so I thought maybe you guys can help me with a decision.

I left my FTE corporate job a few months ago for a contract position. The contract pays very, very good but the job is turning out to be not what I expected. I'm in IT and was supposed to be working on a large project. Due to some poor infrastructure and resource, the project hasn't even started. Now, here is where it gets interesting. I'm told every week that we'll be starting up next week. Again, the pay is great, but I feel under utilized. This is the reason I left my FTE job to go back into contracting.

Another job has presented itself. The new job is a consulting company that works with several companies in and around my home (SC, Ga, NC, Va).

Pros:
More experience in various projects in various industries
Training in newer technologies
Full time (benefits, 401k, bonus plan, etc)

Cons:
Less pay (a bit more than I was making in my FTE gig but less than this contract)
More travel, possibly up to 4-6 weeks at a time

The bite is that my wife and I want to start a family this year. I really don't want to be traveling that much (at all if I can) but realize I have to keep my skills up to date which keeps me marketable. The guy at the new job told me they try to utilize the younger kids (unmarried) for travel whenever possible, but with anything there are no promises. My wife supports me and knows that I'd rather be challenged and growing in my career.

I haven't spoken to my current manager. This is temporary work though with the way things are going, this project could drag on forever.

So, sit in one place and collect dough or seek out new/challenging projects?

 

[JHZR2]

remember, making more $$$$ while not collecting benefits, retirement, etc, really equals less money.

A fully burdened rate for a middle-class $50-100k net type job can often be $200k per man-year of 2000 hours.

The rest goes to overhead, benefits, retirement, etc.

So the job that gives less money on the surface, but gives a 401k match, benefits, etc. may be a far better choice.

JMH

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
remember, making more $$$$ while not collecting benefits, retirement, etc, really equals less money.

A fully burdened rate for a middle-class $50-100k net type job can often be $200k per man-year of 2000 hours.

The rest goes to overhead, benefits, retirement, etc.

So the job that gives less money on the surface, but gives a 401k match, benefits, etc. may be a far better choice.

JMH


Couldn't agree more! Right now, my wife is carrying our benefits but the 401k tax shelter is not available to me (and it's hurting). At some point in the future, we both want my wife to stop working to be at home with our child, so a FTE opportunity allowing me to carry the benefits is needed...just not so soon.

I'd estimate that I could continue to contract for 6 - 12 months before NEEDING to find an FTE job, however the opportunity I'm currently looking at may not be available.

 

[VeeDubb]

The new job sounds like the better option all else equal. But the real kicker is the possible travel while you're starting a new family. Having a newborn while her husband is in another city will be [censored] for your wife, especially if this is your first. So I'd have another conversation with her, a real candid one at that and point out the worse case scenario. If her expectations are not squared away, then you will pay with your family life. No job is worth your family.