This post will probably be long, so i warn you now..
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I need some advice and would appreciate any input on this. This is probably one of the most important life decisions i have made ever.. everything else in comparison has been the equivalent of do i get the quarter pounder, chicken nuggets or big mac.
About a month ago i graduated from a Maritime Academy and have been on the prowl for work. As it stands right now, i have a few options and a few potential options i am waiting on. Work is available, but not nearly in the quantity that it used to be with the economy.
Most will say in this job market, take whatever i can get and i 100% agree with that. But what has me hanging on this decision is option 1 and option 4 would be career choices.. i would stay with these companies a long time. Option 2 is more of a 'temporary hold me over' kind of deal.
Option 1 : A good friend of mine hooked me up with the HR admins info and i interviewed with him..etc. Everything went well, but he cannot hire me due to some things going on within the company right now. This company ordered a fleet of new ships but all of them are delayed in the shipyards..these ships were supposed to be done by now but are now due out around winter time. So they have suspended hiring until the new ships are delivered. As a result, they are a little over staffed, so hiring was frozen until the new ships are delivered. Would love to get picked up for a career here, pay is fantastic, rotations are good (28 days on / off). So basically i am trying to find something right now that will hold me over for 4 months at the minimum and hopefully 6 months at the longest.
Option 2 : Move to Corpus Christi, TX and work as engineer with marine towing company. I was essentially 'hired', i just need to say yes or no still. There is one spot left open here at this company and i hate to lose it while i am waiting on option 4. Decent pay here, but not as good as my 'top' option. Rotations here are too short for my liking 4 days on /off.
Pros: Get out of NY for a while will be nice, a good test to see if i am 'handle' it completley on my own, guaranteed job for as long as i decide to stay.
Cons: Will need to move down to Corpus Christi (find apartment, buy another car), something i was hoping not to have to do... its hot as balls down there and humid as heck. And mind you this isnt a big deal normally, but when your working in an engine room that is usually 25+*F higher than ambient..yea it sucks
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Option 3 : Join marine engineer union and pick up day work with them. This is something a friend of mine is doing right now.. i was hoping to avoid going union but its an option i can maybe do until something else opens up. Pay varies, but is not bad usually
Pros: Does not require moving, i can essentially work when i want.
Cons: Requires driving into NJ from NY whenever i want to work (40 mile one way and involves having to cut through NYC..so likely lots of traffic). Will most def. require buying another car for the commute (only have the 951 at the moment)... work is spread over Tristate area, NJ coast line and in Delaware at the farthest. No guaranteed work, but usually something every week.
Option 4 : A friend told me of a company similar to my top option that is hiring for sure. I contacted them and they are indeed looking for people... 3 spots open for engineers. 1 spot taken, 2 other people were extended offers. The guy told me they have not heard back from the 2 other people yet, but would eventually move on to the next person on the list soon. I am currently #2 on that list (one person ahead of me). So i have been sort of stalling option 1 hoping to hear back from these people. He told me if i do not hear back from him in two weeks, to give him a call either way. If i could get picked up by this company, it would be like getting my 'top option' choice... same pay, same rotation..etc.
So there lies my dilemma. Hold out another 1.5 weeks and hope i am hired by option 4? Just take option 2 and hope option 1 opens up in the winter? If i loose option 2, i can always take up option 3. Im really just not sure what to do right now. Its all a big gamble i feel like, sometimes you just gotta roll that hard 6.