better to work for a small or big company? 3

[ngedm]

Hello,
what would be the advantages and disadvantages of working for a small and for a big company?
Thank you once more
ngedm

 

[JAE]

WOW! what a discussion! Here's my stuff:

1. Big or small firm - doesn't matter in terms of benefit to developing your skills as an engineer. What matters is the engineer you are working under - does he mentor you? does he teach? does he offer you a vast array of experience and talent to learn from? Both sized firms offer excellent experience. I've worked on residential houses as well as domed stadiums. Both required the application of engineering principles....the size was the only difference.

2. I'll burn in hell before I ever accept overtime pay. I'm a professional. Professionals get paid X to get the job done right. As a professional, I'm paid for my skills, my talents, and my services, NOT my time. I should negotiate the proper salary and expect other compensation as the market allows. Also: good firms also provide bonuses and other benefits that far outweigh the stupid time-and-a-half pay.

 

[JSA]

JAE, I like you attitude. I hope you never burn in hell over payment for services!

I agree that "quality of mentor" is probably the most important aspect, but you can't choose who this is most of the time. Let me suggest some simultaneous equations.

Large firms = more experinced engineers + more project type variety.

Engineering success = Engineering knowledge + ability to deliver.

 

[DaveVikingPE]

Here's the deal on overtime:

1. It is "professional" to eat any extra time it takes to do a job when it's your fault. On that note, it is unprofessional to promise completion with an unreasonable schedule. The result may be your people up and quitting and you being left with explaining to your boss why the work isn't finished.

2. It is "professional" to help people at no extra cost, even if it means you have to stay in the office an extra hour or two. I should note that if you're asked for help, make it clear to the asker what your time constraints are, etc. Having the reputation of helping people is an excellent way to convey your own dedication to the profession, too. I will add, however, that it is unprofessional for someone to refuse to learn and to expect that the "nice guy" who helps everyone will do your work for you. It's also REALLY unprofessional to blame your failure to complete work on someone who couldn't help you.

3. All that being said, it is unprofessional for a manager to ask/tell his people to work longer hours without compensating them. People have lives outside of work. They have families. If the customer wants a schedule accelerated and it means that the workers have to cancel holiday plans or whatever, you'd better make it worth their while rather than rely on their "professionalism." After all, they're putting more money in the manager's pocket through the extra hours.

4. Consider this: do you work for a company or are you an independent contractor? Are you part of a team or are you a mercenary? Managers, owners and engineers - everyone - should ask themselves this. If a job needs to be done, and there's not enough time during regular hours to finsih the job, the engineers are not slaves who work for free! Hire more engineers to get the job done!

 

[Togel]

When it comes down to it, you are responsible to ensure that you are not being taken for a ride by any company, big or small. Make sure your deal is right from the beginning as best as you can. Be happy with the salary, the working hours, the temperment of the office, the level experience in the office, the diversity of the projects, and the family atmosphere where you work. If things are not as you were promised, find out why and don't cast blame on anyone but yourself. You may need to strike an new deal with your new found knowledge. No one will make this deal for you and no one can strike the deal you really want better than you can. Manage what it is that you produce as a professional and as a businessman. Both your integrity and financial well being depend on it.

Whether the firm for you should be big or small is not the real issue. Take in all the information you can, go with your gut feeling and choose and be responsible for your choice. Someday, when you get good at making these choices, people will want you as their source of information. Good luck in your future.