Help with a decision

A

ArmySon

Staff Alumnus
I need help with a major decision. I'm 26 and at the cross roads once again with my career. Currently, I work as an Applications & Systems Engineer (specializing in physics engineering). Salary is well over $100,000. The work enviroment is excellent. My co-workers are extremely nice and knowledgable. However, the average age is 50+. I get 40 personal days and sick days a year plus 4 weeks vacation.

However, I'm contemplating a career switch from engineering to software engineering. I've been offered a position with a new company in my area. The future looks bright for anyone starting from the beginning. By making the switch, I would lose 2 weeks vacation, 35 sick and personal days and $35,000.

I am considering the switch because software and web developement has always been a passion for me. Right now, with the average age of my company being so high, I do not relate to 90% of my co-workers. I enjoy the work but it's no longer challenging.

What would you do?

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Son
1911 Addiction
"No man is so poor as to have nothing worth giving."
 
Single? Jump for the new position and pursue it with passion.

Married? *Maybe* stay with your current job, especially if the salary for the new job won't reach the old one within a few years.

Most of all, make sure you understand the day to day routine of what your new job would be, then go with your gut.

Hope my $.02 helps,

Kiffster
 
ArmySon

I have had to make similar decsions several times during my engineering career, I always decided to do what I liked to do. Now, I will never be a Vice President, but Ihave enjoyed my work a great deal more and liking what you do is very important,
So, if software and wewb development are your passions, I say you should go for it!

Lots of kuck, Hard Ball
 
You are young. Do what you love now. If you're changing because of your coworkers remember, though, that the grass is always greener. I'm 44; always seemed to find my friends outside of the workplace. Best wishes.
 
ArmySon - What do you value more? More money and vacation days, or personal fulfillment?

If you can't 'relate' to 90% of your co-workers, there my be deeper issues here.

If the work is no longer challenging, by all means seek a more stimulating environment. Just remember that most of us tend to pack our emotional gear from one venue to the next.

:)

Cliff
 
New company? Make them give you part of your salary in stock options. That will show them you have your heart in the right place and you might make up that $35K loss in a few years.
 
New company? Or new in the area? I think we are past the garage and dining room table startups. Suggest you check out financial strength and spending attitudes. Are they stable? Or high-flying? Nothing like jumping in and getting burned by somebody's management methodology. And you have to eat so you can only take so much stock - common stock! (Might want to pick up a copy of Business 2.0 - solid business mag - much to say about todays new business styles.)

Like your Les Baer - if it looks good and feels good, your $$$ loss after tax is not 35k (unless you've already factored that in).

I guess it always comes to "Puts your money down and takes your chances."

Good luck.
 
There are a couple of ways to look at it. With the average age of your current co-workers chances are you will see many retire in the next few years giving you a lot seniority. The new workers coming in will then look at you as the old man and chances are you will then not be able to relate to them because they are too young.
A person, any of us, spend one third of our lives at work. If we are not happy in our work we can not, in my opinion, be completely happy in the other areas of our lives.
Can you take a leave of absence and try the new job?
What ever you decide I wish you well. :)

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Gunslinger
 
Two thoughts.

1. Go with your heart and do what you want.

or

2. Do like me. Stay where you are. With hard work, once the old 'uns retire, the Boss will call on you to carry the ball.

JCH

P.S. I'm not a sell out. Don't tell anyone but I got number 1 and 2. Oh yeah, best of luck to you.

[This message has been edited by JCH (edited June 24, 2000).]
 
The first consideration is: can you afford to loose $35,000/year?

If yes, then the move has possibilities. I don't know about the area you're in, but the software engineer salary in my area tops out at $85K. After that, there's plenty of room over $100K in software management. So, if you're willing to move into management, your salary could return to current levels.

I once worked at a small company where everyone was within 6 years of each other. It was a blast. It was also a PITA. Small companies do a lot of stuff that will make you want to scream to make customers happy. The other downside to a small company is that you know everything that is going on: how close the budget is, the exact mood of every client, etc. It gets nerve wracking. Of course, you lose the big company politics. The other down side is that since you are a small company, the whole company is riding on every major project, so long hours become the norm. It's likely that you'll take a $35,000 pay cut and be working 60-80 hours per week for it. That depends purely on the quality of the project managers.

Working with people much older than yourself stinks because work is where most people meet their friends. My first job out of college was at a company with similar demographics. It was obvious that the reason the employees were still there was because of the retirement plan. These guys were nuts. The guy closest to retirement had managed to squirrel away 11 months of sick days. That means he hasn't taken a sick day in AT LEAST 22 years. WHY?
 
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Go for it
and good luck... :)

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...defend the 2nd., it protects us all.
No fate but what we make...
 
What ever you do, make sure the company you work for has a 401(k) and contribute the maximum allowed. It is so much easier to get in the habit of saving now than it will be in a few years. At 26 if you have it taken out now, you won't miss it. The same as you don't miss the income taxes withheld. If you wait, it becomes harder to save as you have the income committed for house payments, car etc.

At your age making that kind of money, you could retire in about 15-20 years. Sounds like a long time in the future, but I assure you it will fly by.



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Richard

The debate is not about guns,
but rather who has the ultimate power to rule,
the People or Government.
RKBA!
 
A little perspective:

I'm 22, just graduated from college. Same for my wife. I'm getting a yea or nay on Monday from the local school district, but I expect my wife to be hired by the local Special Ed District 'cause they love her. We'll each make around $24,000/year after our retirement plan is deducted.

Now, this is a VERY cheap area to live, but still, the point is that to some of us, the difference between $100,000 and $85,000 sounds negligible. We think we can live pretty well on that salary--she can finally have a nice car, we can have a house, etc. Obviously our lifestyle isn't like yours, ArmySon, (I've seen your mustang!) but if you're not in a lot of debt then a pay cut ain't going to hurt much in the range you're talking about. One of the great advantages of being as valuable as you are in the current market is not worrying overmuch about small points of salary.

So my advice is to worry less about the salary, especially since it's bound to increase if you do well or if you get into management. Pay more attention to the kind of work-environment stuff laid out by posters above who seem to have been there. I could have gone to school to be an engineer, but just like you I wouldn't be happy making $100,000/year as an engineer 'cause I'm a teacher for now.

Of course, if someone offered $100,000/year to be a teacher. . . . . . :D
 
Do your regular job, and start up a web business on the side. Once you get established quit your first job. I'm sort in a similar boat, although my salary is a lot less than yours :).
 
From experience don't give up that wonderful time off and the money to enjoy it. You can always pursue your passion but the first two are too important.
Been there and screwed it up! :(

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"Keep shootin till they quit floppin"
The Wife 2/2000
 
Follow your heart. If you can do what you love, and love what you do, that's way more than half the battle...

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"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
"Power corrupts. Absolute power - is kinda cool!"
Fred Reed
 
Son,
The kind of money you're making, few of us are qualified to give you advice!

Seems to me you're doin' pretty good on your own.

To help take advantage of your own best judgment, you might try this:

Take a plain ole yellow tablet and draw a verticle line down the middle of the page. Label the left column "here" and the right column "there".

Write down your opinions of the advantages and disadvantages of "here" and "there". Compare your lists, putting your values on each item.

Might help. Hope so. Good luck, sir. ;)
 
Money is not really an issue. I have been blessed with lots of quality education and experienced elders. I firmly believe that if you put your heart to it and make career out of what you enjoy, money will always come along for the ride. In addition, I did good enough in the stock market that I could retire now.

There are a few things that are truly important to me:
1. My family
2. How will people remember me when I pass away.
3. Did I do everything possible to help others?

I am not married so the decision is a bit easier.

What I am more concerned about are:
1. New company
2. Age of the President is 34
3. Working 60-80 hours a week

Flipside:
1. Great opportunity to do what I enjoy
2. Possibilities of $150-250,000 salary down the road.
3. Young work force
4. Closer to home

Working 60-80 hours a week is nothing new to me. I would not mind doing it until the company gets off the ground. However, I am concerned about doing it for the rest of my career.

Current company:
1. Old work force
2. Young manager (old people do not take orders from me very well).
3. Same routine repeatedly. We do not do a lot of R&D now a day.
4. Way too much travel

Flipside:
1. Great salary and benefits
2. Possibility of making over $200,000 in 3-4 years.
3. Lots of knowledge inside the heads of the old work force
4. Easy work


One other variable, the vice president of the new company is one of my best friends.

Thanks everybody so far for your valuable information. I look forward to reading more. I told the company that I will need at least one week to weigh my options.

[This message has been edited by ArmySon (edited June 25, 2000).]
 
Son, I would be GLAD to take your old job should you take the other one. ;)

Im not sure what to tell you, you have to do what you think will make you happy. Best of luck whichever road you chose to take.

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Sandys' Homepage
RKBA forums
We are as one as we all are the same fighting for one cause -Metallica
 
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