[MotoSook]

General advice:

Don't assume you will be with any one company for more than a few years when you first start your career. Don't assume any one company will go out of their way to retain you when you have just a few years of experience.

This isn't always true, but there are chances that you won't like your job as good as it may sound when you accept the offer. You may soon start looking elsewhere, and if you move too soon, you may be labeled unreliable and a high risk...esp. if there is a lot of training involved. No company will hire you and train you if they think you will leave.

A couple or few years here and there may do a young guy some good as it gives you the opportunity to acquire new skills or hone the skills you have in a new environment. Same skills in a different industry can be helpful in that it allows you to be marketable in more than one industry.

Once you find what you are really good at and in a place you really like, then you start planning for the 5 yrs or 10 yrs ahead.

Take what you can get if it will alllow for growth and learning. A lot of companies don't spend enough money training young employees. So be on the lookout for a company that is willing to invest in you.

Now for your options, be honest with option 2's representative and tell him/her that you are weighing your options between this company and another (Option 4). Give them a timeframe. Ask politely and let them know that you want to make sure you are making a good career decision for your sake and their's.

Option 2 may even sweeten the deal, and a couple of years sweating in Texas may open up other options.

Don't wait 2 weeks to call option 4...do it in a week and let them know you are waiting to decide between them and another offer. Polite and complimentary remarks about how you want to make the best decision as you've found a company (the one you are talking to at the timne) that may fit your career goals well. They may move you up the list or make room for you.