a few of the smartest people i know

juanbenae · 06-02-2006, 07:42 PM

is who i need to ask, and query on my latest.

a career change in order??

got the offer today from a world wide home builder (a builder who is a major sponsor of the SJ grand prix). it is about 15-20% more than i am making now (salary, car allowance included, any year end bonuses not) good bennies, and a chance to learn residential site development from different angle than i am doing now. i am talking horizontal construction, the stuff before the homes are built,grading, water, sewer, storm systems, roadway construction, paving and concrete, and utilities.

this would not be as much field work as i do now, more of an office gig with some field stuff. i love the freedom of my current position. there will be more estimating, cost analysis, and forward planning. this would be an opportunity to learn a whole new end of development while being paid pretty well. i know my spelling here could not instill a lot of confidence, but really i am smart when it counts.

what’s the down side? i give up the job security i have now with a public agency, the great retirement and a cush deal.. what should i do?

thanks for you insight and experiences.

T$

DavidI · 06-02-2006, 08:17 PM

Take the chance and go for it! The more experience and education you have, the more marketable you are.

David

Moses · 06-02-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by k911sc
i.. what should i do?

It's a no brainer. Enjoy your new job!

juanbenae · 06-02-2006, 08:49 PM

i thought i'd have to wait longer for moses' take...

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

15-20% is a lot of crack and ho's...

Moses · 06-02-2006, 09:04 PM

Forward ever, backward never!

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

are you saying crack is forward and ho's are backward?

I suppose some of them bend over backwards...

911skb · 06-02-2006, 09:20 PM

Working for a company that has laid of about 20k people over the last 5 years, I would view you situation with some hesitancy.

Jumping to a residential site development company in the Bay Area, right at the beginning of a possible slow down in the RE market, may not be the safest bet going. I'm fairly bullish overall on the RE market and don't think there will be a huge drop across the entire US, but the Bay Area is one of those hyper inflated markets that have all the indicators of correction coming up (and that may be putting it mildly).

Find out some hard facts about their business plans, expansion efforts, what markets they are looking at, etc.

Every industry has their downturns, living through one can be rough. Especially if you are married, kids, mortgage, etc. If you are single, not a lot of bills, etc, then the learning and experience could offset the risks and you can absorb a potential risk more readily.

Staying with one job that you are feeling bored at, if you are young, that feeling will only grow.

My $0.02.

Good luck, just save enough to pay off any Porsche related loans. Keeping that in the garage will always keep a smile on your face!

Mulhollanddose · 06-03-2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
15-20% is a lot of crack and ho's...

They often come pre-packaged and sold as a single unit. Think "package deal."

tabs · 06-03-2006, 02:32 AM

U sound very positive about the job you have been offered, and are leaning very heavily towards taking it.

I would say anything that increases your knowledge and expands your experience in your proffession is a good thing. A world wide builder seems pretty immune to a domestic slowdown, and they might be seeing you have potential for further advancment.

Now here is the HOWEVER. Again how much time do you have to do before you are eligible to retire or at least vested. Secondly the Contract for 2 years is a good idea in that it protects you from layoffs. Exactly what has happened to the guy who is/was doing the job your going to be taking.

If they are hesitant to give you a contract beware...I wonder what their turnover rate is????

Look I am the fking worst speller on this Board, yet I have one of the higest IQs here, and am certainily the clearest thinker.

jester911 · jester911's Garage

Toby,
I work in the construction industry and have for most of my adult life.

I do field engineering for a concrete foundation co. I have about 20% office time and the rest field. I recently had the opportunity to move into a mostly office job similar to the one your being offered.

I thought it over long and hard and came to the conclusion that the field is where I belong. I really would be like a caged animal in an office all day.

I am not saying this will be case for you but it is something to consider. More money is always attractive but if you are like me being stuck inside=burnout in 6 months.

There are some other good opinions by others here.
Definitely check the turnover of this company. Talk to some people that have been there for a while.

Good luck,
and let us know after you have made your decision.

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

Tabs & Jerry are correct IMHO. If you can stand the office gig, by all means take it with a wary eye towards the future. Even if it lasts all of 1-3 years, you've gained experience from a different perspective than what you have now, which is never a bad thing.

At least in my field, the more well rounded and diverse you are --> the more you bring to the table --> the more marketable/desirable/valuable you are to not only your current employer but others potential employers as well = more money and job potential.

Go with your gut, if it says it's time for a change and your head agrees after a factual, informed analysis, don't think twice or look back.

scottmandue · 06-03-2006, 07:06 AM

Being a state worker I would reiterate what others have said about pension/retirement, if you have less that ten years into the system then it may not be a big reason to stay. On the other hand if you have more than ten years you may be walking away from a good deal.
Some jobs they have to hold open for a year under certain circumstances and you can return and claim you job back, don't know if you are in that situation.

I love field work but I am a blond/blue eye guy, the doctors kept telling me "you have to get out of the sun" so going to an inside job was a good thing for me (my skin was starting to look pretty bad). If you are young moving to a job with more money and a chance to learn more might be a good thing. Are you sure you would be happy in the new job? Making more money but being miserable working for arsh-holes is a bad place to be.

Vipergrün · 06-03-2006, 07:36 AM

If you are vested in your current retirement system, and you have a decent chance of getting back in, then go for it. I have 10 years in with the University of California and am vested. I have a feeling I'll go back some day. It's nice out here in the private sector, but it's nice to have the security to go back if you want/need to.

scottmandue · 06-03-2006, 07:42 AM

BTW I am definitely NOT one of the smartest people you know!

cantdrv55 · 06-03-2006, 07:55 AM

Money's not everything (it's the ONLY thing). Just kidding. If you're not happy where you are, then go. Retirement is too far away to be stuck in a job you dislike. You're going to give up your pension but hopefully you've been maxing out your 403b or whatever they call it for the state. My wife is a CA state employee, I am not and my bennies are far better than hers. She's considering going into the private sector now as well.

If the new job doesn't pan out, go back to the state or look for another private sector job. You'll have become more valuable by then with the new skills you've acquired.

vash · vash's Garage

remember most of the guys telling you to jump ship and chase the 20% dream will also tell you of the impending housing bubble. this new gig builds homes right? when it pops, like they say, you dont want to get bitten in TWO places.

scottmandue · 06-03-2006, 03:58 PM

Oh and I said sometimes under certain circumstances they will hold your state job for you.

Check with your HR if you are thinking along those lines, do not take advice as golden from some dunderhead on a BBS.

Evans, Marv · 06-03-2006, 09:45 PM

Why don't you try talking to them about working on less than a full time basis as an outside contractor. Maybe take jobs over weekends & evenings. You could probable learn the ropes pretty quickly and if the bubble bursts, you still have your day job and have learned something new. You could probably continue to contract since companies will still be doing some business and will still have some need even if the bubble bursts. Maybe contracting with independents would be attractive to them - you know - no benefits, retirement, sick leave, etc. Could be a winner for both involved. Plus you could command a pretty high fee especially as time goes on and you get better at it. Xtra income might make up for more than the 20% difference & you would still have your original benefits. Maybe it would be a good gig for after you retire too.

cbeers · 06-04-2006, 06:22 PM

i am sorry i have not checked in earlier, great info. i am currently at a pre-track day bbq with cbeers, pops, dirk diggly, and aggie daggie at beers' casa in petaluma. gettting our beer on and about to have some dinner.

some great points. here are some questions answered. 10 years in, 40 years old, single, no x or kids, and pops carries my mortage. will look into the job being held at the public agency, thats a good tid-bit. they, the new company will not give a year contract even, i asked. do you think i out to call their bluff and require the year deal? i will check back tonite, i need to call from the paddock at sears point tomorrow to get the ball rollin'...

thanks again, and you guys are some of the smartest people i know. do not know what that says about the people i actually frequent.

T$