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Contract opportunities

Contract opportunities

(OP)
I wanted to receive advice on niche markets for part-time contract work. I have a small practice of my own, basically it is just me. I have a subconsultant agreement with my friend's engineering company where I work 3-4 days per week. I had filled the other two days with insurance inspection and other work but I am nearing the end of my contract. I am searching for niche markets where I could possibly work 10-20 hours per week, 100 hours per month, or seasonally work full-time. I don't need much, I do need to fill the gap. Thank you.

RE: Contract opportunities

Most reliable "contract work" is conducted on a faster track than what you seem to want. The reason they hire contractors is that they do not have the personnel to do the work themselves and as a consequence they don't want to keep contractors around for any longer than required. Thus work schedules are fast-tracked and you usually wind up working 60-70 hrs/wk until it's finished and then, you're out of a job again. In more than 30 years, I've not seen any real need for a part time "job shop" type contractor.

Just look for part-time engineering work with another company like your friend's got.

"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek

RE: Contract opportunities

Can you prepare CAD drawings? Are you willing to accept a CAD hourly rate rather than a PE hourly rate? If so, try smaller firms that do not have a CAD tech in house. We have someone in once a week to do our drawings. We're an EHS firm, so we don't have many drawings needed, and they are basically site plans.

RE: Contract opportunities

Unless you have a special niche field of work that you are trained and have an impressive resume, then you are basically looking for part-time work. Most engineering companies do not like people who are here today, gone tomorrow.

I tried to do that as former Public Works Director. I has lots of friends in the same field - and City Engineering Departments are always needing help. But hiring someone to pick up the overload work just did not fit into any organization chart -so after a year I gave up pounding the pavement looking for work. Square peg in a round hole issue.

I did engineering calcs for architects who had a complicated projects. That worked until I decided the work was boring (it is, I never liked structural).

Companies that do work in undeveloped countries will hire people to work a one or two year contract in some foreign country. That really good money but you work full-time during the contract period. I've met men who lived their whole life jumping from one contract job after then next - they retire early in luxury in some south sea island with a young wife.

If you want to work in your home town or same general area, I fairly certain it will be constant searching for work, and at low pay when you get a job.

RE: Contract opportunities

What are your strength areas? And approx location?

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com

RE: Contract opportunities

(OP)
Background. Stormwater, Roadway, Inspection, and Project Management.

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