Career decision
Career decision
(OP)
I am mid to senior level project manager and have two job opportunites in environmental engineering/consulting.
Job #1 - OK pay, decent projects, ability to chart my own course and career direction. Three weeks paid vacation, with ability to buy up to two additional weeks through nominal paycheck deductions. Flex time - as long as you put in 80 hrs in two weeks, the hours are up to you (within reason and subject to client limitations, of course). Company supports unpaid leaves of absence, etc.
Job #2 - Better pay with significantly better future pay potential, better/more technical projects and coworkers, and hence better potential for self-improvement and technical development. Slightly less ability to chart own course and decide which projects to work on. Standard (2 weeks to start) vacation and work hours.
To me it seems to be an issue of quality of life (Job #1) versus quality of career and career development(Job #2).
I realize I am very fortunate to have this "problem", but hope to stay in my new position a LONG time and appreciate any advice, especially from those that have faced a similar choice in the past.
Job #1 - OK pay, decent projects, ability to chart my own course and career direction. Three weeks paid vacation, with ability to buy up to two additional weeks through nominal paycheck deductions. Flex time - as long as you put in 80 hrs in two weeks, the hours are up to you (within reason and subject to client limitations, of course). Company supports unpaid leaves of absence, etc.
Job #2 - Better pay with significantly better future pay potential, better/more technical projects and coworkers, and hence better potential for self-improvement and technical development. Slightly less ability to chart own course and decide which projects to work on. Standard (2 weeks to start) vacation and work hours.
To me it seems to be an issue of quality of life (Job #1) versus quality of career and career development(Job #2).
I realize I am very fortunate to have this "problem", but hope to stay in my new position a LONG time and appreciate any advice, especially from those that have faced a similar choice in the past.





RE: Career decision
RE: Career decision
The question is whether the career is as, or more, important.
Only you can decide that. When you are at the end of your life, will you regret not spending more time on the job?
TTFN
RE: Career decision
Ahem. That's worth a lot in my book, and the rest looks very nice, if a bit odd for the USA.
Either way it is a nice choice to have!
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Career decision
Regards,
RE: Career decision
Aaron Spearin, EIT
ChemE, M.E.
"The only constant in life is change." -Dan Andia; 1999, Chemical Engineering Progress
RE: Career decision
corus
RE: Career decision
RE: Career decision
You may also earn more money in the long run. Having a technical job is not very well paid if you are ambitious. How many company Directors have good technical skills?