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Indecision

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by avy

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Ok, here's the deal.

I have been offered a position by a contract company (expected to complete their project in 2 years) paying more than twice my salary at my current 'permanent' job. They offer yearly contracts that can be (are) renewed for a further year.

I did not expect to be offered the position since it appeared that my career objectives and the company's did not really mesh too well. I guess I was wrong.

At the time of sending the application I was involved in networking, PBX administration, Report Generation, Web Development, some database administration, etc. Since then my company has moved me into a DBA position (bearing in mind that I wanted to be involed in more database administration and application development) and have committed to enroll and have even enrolled me in some database admin training. I still am involved in the other areas but to a lesser extent since we have hired another person to deal with those areas. My company is cool (they just don't pay very well). I have autonomy in my job and plan and schedule my tasks. I work 8hrs, have benefits, get time off for exams etc. and most importantly I can get to evening classes on time.

In the contract job, I ofcourse get more money, am closer to home (I can walk to work & and will save on trasportation costs since I currently have to travel to my job) but I will work 10hrs per day and due to that fact I will arrive late to 2 out of my 3 evening classes which I would have to travel to. In the interview at the contract company I did mention that 2 of my classes start when work lets out and I woud then have to travel to class. I am a little concerned that a girl in my class (who works there as well) is always late for class and for the past two weeks was unable to attend class since she had to work late. Also I would not be able to focus on my database administration and application since I would be the only IT person apart from the manager and would have to support everything from the phone systems to the computer systems. Infact the mgr indicated in the interview that the job would not focus on any one area.

Some of my friends think I should take the offer for the money (ofcourse) and because it would make me a more complete IT professional (in their opinion) since I would be involved in all the areas of IT rather than just focussing on one or two areas.

Others say that I should stay at my current company, complete my studies, benefit from the training being provided and develop myself further in database administration and application development since that is the area I wanted to focus on. Bear in mind that I did also outline my goals/objectives in the interview.

I am tempted to accept the second piece of advice but can I/should I REALLY pass up all that money???

Oh when I think of the investments I could make...........

6 replies

by mmbarreca

This is MHO but I would stay where you are. It is rare these days to find a company that not only treats you well with a nice benefit package including paying for classes but that also listens to the direction you want to go into and helps you achieve it. I realize that it's hard to say no to a lot of money (not that I've ever been offered it!) and yes, you may end up learning a variety of applications as opposed to the DBA course that you have chosen.

But what happens if the contract doesn't renew in a year as expected? What happens if you are exposed to a variety of applications but not enough to have a mastery of it? It sounds like your current employer, even if they pay for your DBA classes would help you in that direction as well.

by jimhm

How are they going to pay you -

1) As an employee of the Contractor

2) As an independent consultant to the Contractor.

In pay 1 - they will pay the Business side of your SSN - you will have sick and vacation days.

In pay 2 - you pay the business side of SSN which will increase your SSN tax to 14%, you will have to allocate dollars to cover sick days, and vacation days from your salary. You will have to find and pay your own healthcare benefits. (could be as high as $1,200 a month) ...

Walk in with both eyes open - that double salary may really come out to 2/3 salary ... after all the deductions... Find out if you will be an employee or indepent contractor.

Also - it doesn't sound like they care to much about your career - just the current job at hand. So do you put your education on hold for 2 years - or wait to move for 2 years.

Anyway - just go in with all the facts - and eyes wide open... I suspect you will be an indepent contractor to the firm - and will be paying for your own SSN, Healthcare, Dental and Eye care. Which could be as much as Half your check..

Best of luck,...

by avy

I will be an employee to the contractor. The contractor stated there is a medical plan. However in the draft contract that was faxed to me, I saw no details of the medical plan, only that I was entitled to 12 sick days which were accessible after being employeed for six months. I assume that you would not get paid if you fall sick and take a day or two sick leave before the 6 mth period.

I am also entitled to 15 days vacation, however the company closes for two weeks during December and you have a choice to take 2 weeks vacation then or not be paid for the 2 week period when the company is closed.

by jimhm

With that info - that would be a hard choice....

But I would run that contract past a lawyer that specializes in Employement contracts and see what he has to say about it... it may cost a few dollars but he can advise you to your rights..

Best of luck on which ever why you go.

by worker bee

You say they are offering a yearly contract, but how binding is it? At many contract companies they will say the contract is for a set period of time but if you look at the fine print they can cut you loose at any time without any notice. Even if the contract is binding you will have a hard time collecting if they run out of money and go bankrupt.

Before you jump into the deep end of the pool you need to be prepared with a plan of what you are going to do if things turn bad. Taking risks can be a good thing but never gamble more than you can afford to lose.

by avy

Based on the draft contract that was faxed to me, they are required to give me 30 days notice if they have to let me go (except if I am terminated for cause) or pay me 1 mths salary in lieu of notice. I am also required to give them 30 days notice if I wish to leave.

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