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  1. EngineerDave

    How often do you read or work on side projects to advance your learning outside of work?

    It's December so I'm taking my courses for PE credits to maintain it. I also maintain another certification that requires alot of credits, and a maintenance of certification exam.
  2. EngineerDave

    How often do you read or work on side projects to advance your learning outside of work?

    In my current field, as in previous ones I work pretty long hours. The work sometimes involves weekends, and late nights during the week. I'd like to keep current by reading in my field, but when I go home, I feel like the family is being neglected already from my long hours. How do you keep...
  3. EngineerDave

    The danger of comparing oneself to other co-workers

    Sorry i was so negative in my thread. I was just a little down over some things that happen the last few weeks. I was kind of suffering from "the grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. Sometimes I do bring on more problems for myself than my co-workers because I have never been assertive...
  4. EngineerDave

    The danger of comparing oneself to other co-workers

    Yeah I need to look at the positives. Fortunately I only complain to my friends, family and wife. I do travel alot, driving alot with my own vehicle. I get mileage for some but not all of my clients. Most importantly I am thankful that when a position was cut recently it wasn't mine! This week...
  5. EngineerDave

    The danger of comparing oneself to other co-workers

    Quite often in my career at various companies, I start comparing myself to other co-workers. It typically starts with comparing project loads, or other factors like travel, etc. I find myself thinking that their circumstances are better, maybe they are less overloaded, have to travel less etc...
  6. EngineerDave

    Measuring the effects an office environment has on productivity etc.

    I always thought these open offices were designed by the Japanese to create more conversations between employees. They seem to be backfire for Americans who tend to be more social culturally on average. It is distracting and can be a difficult place to concentrate. In the 90's I had the worst...
  7. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering question

    My particular current line of engineering surely has been commoditized, in part by various consulting groups, not unlike the one i work with. Then it becomes a scramble, a fight for scraps amongst all the fish. It's particularly frustrating in my case because i have zero control over my...
  8. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering question

    I agree with everyone. Hopefully they have been happy with the work as i have been the one doing it. At one point they looked into hiring me directly as an employee instead of a contract engineer. Apparently for various reasons such as my noncompete etc, hospital management wouldn't allow this...
  9. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering question

    I am not sure if they asked the boss last time for a concession in contract price. But they did ask to review the contract at the end of the year and instead of a two year contract they made it one. That boss is no longer with the company. I don't expect things to turn out our way. Our company...
  10. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering question

    I just noticed the engineer business practices and issues, perhaps this thread would be more appropriately transferred there.
  11. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering question

    I work as a contract engineer with multiple customers. This year has been tough as we've lost some work from several clients the area I work in. I was notified today that one of my contracts will not be renewed, with the chief issue being price. I have no control over price. If you have a...
  12. EngineerDave

    we are doing engineering for greed

    I went into engineering because of a family history of it and I wanted to go into the most challenging undergraduate major. I considered all other options, but knew that if I wanted to go to medical school or other things, I still had a pathway going through engineering school first. Never...
  13. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering firms: What is a fair price of business.

    I am enjoying this thread. I am in a specialty and wish I could post exactly what I do, but it's too much of a small world, and I often post things that are critical of the situations I am in. I am not sure that I truly want to start my own company or that I will not violate my noncompete, but...
  14. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering firms: What is a fair price of business.

    I dont mind the thread being hijacked. I hope lacajun doesn't take zdas04 criticiscm to harshly, I think it was very constructive. I too looked at your website and I think it is nice but just needs more content. It would be interesting to see you write an article about your experiences, and also...
  15. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering firms: What is a fair price of business.

    Lacajun, have you considered taking your work international? I have a friend that is gaining alot of customers in Brazil and elsewhere. I am sure it is tough to navigate the system, but it seems like more and more that is the way to go. Diversifying the customer base.
  16. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering firms: What is a fair price of business.

    I wish I could help you lacajun. It sounds like you've had a rough go of it lately. I've had a few ups and downs, certainly wishing you the best. Maybe you can take another job at a company and work with your consulting group on the side. That is always tough to do but I hate to see anyone give...
  17. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering firms: What is a fair price of business.

    Lacajun, I'd be interested how long you've been consulting. Was it something you did after leaving a corporate job? There is still alot of security in being with a big company in my case, but the likelihood of my need to move geographically for them increases greatly with each contract we lose...
  18. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering firms: What is a fair price of business.

    Lacajun, Could it be that there is alot of competition out there, and the people choose someone they are familiar with already? In my case, I am not from the area I work in originally, and while I"ve been making contacts, one of my fears is that I am just not well connected enough to win some...
  19. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering firms: What is a fair price of business.

    Thanks for the replies, the insurance and social security and unemployment taxes are wildcards. I might also have to carry some liability insurance related to the nature of my work. They dont contribute to the 401k. The only reason I'm considering this at the moment is that my company is losing...
  20. EngineerDave

    Contract engineering firms: What is a fair price of business.

    I am not sure if there are alot of contract engineering firms out there nowadays. By that I mean firms that hire engineers and then supply them to a company that might need someone for a few years, but aren't sure if they are in a position to hire fulltime direct. In the 90's I worked for such...

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