Career direction and overlap with existing position 2

[MedMan123]

Good afternoon,

My situation:
I am currently working in an automotive testing facility as a software engineer. When I started 2 years ago there was promise of career advancement, pay advancement, .. etc. I started at 45K, was promised 55K (should have got it in writing), and then we all got a pay chop, I'm at 39K now. This is based on a salaried position where you pretty much are expected to work 50 hrs a week.

Background:
I have an undergrad in EE, a Master's in control systems, and 4 years engineering work experience (in manufacturing, energy, and software development).

Anyway, 4 of my good study group friends from University have moved 4 hrs North of me to work at Bruce Power in Ontario. They've been trying to get me to move up there for over a year now. Up until our paycut I had been reluctant because I'd like to stay in my hometown and enjoy my current job. Now I'm interested in moving, because I can barely make the bills. I'm just renting and don't yet own a house so there's nothing really tying me to my current location.

The positions I am applying for at Bruce involve nuclear simulator modeling, which is a good overlap to my master's degree (which involved modeling and hardware-in-the-loop simulation) and current work experience.

This position would pay 70-80K based on 35 hrs / week plus overtime, with benefits (I currently have no benefits). Certainly a no brainer in what decision to make here if I'm offered that or a similar position in the near future.

Anyway, my real question is in regards to how I should deal with overlap at my current job.

At my current job, I'm the only one who does what I do, and I have become fairly critical in many facets of the company (I have good job security).

Since my position is software and I could technically work from home ( I sometimes do) I'm wondering if it might be worth investigating to see if they might consider keeping me on as part-time/contract work long distance (they currently do this with another software engineer in another division of the company.)

Thanks for any thoughts on the matter.

 

[Crompto29]

If the pay that they have offered is sligtly higher then the minimum you mentioned then this is bad news.

This means they were prepared to offer you more. But instead you gave them all the cards by specifying your pay expectations and in turn they have made you feel all good inside with "a little bit more" then your MINIMUM.

Always put them in a position where they have to make a blind offer. This blind offer will be around the going rate for your expertise, position etc.

 

[Crompto29]

You got a job for 45k, was promised 55k but end up earning 39k? (And you are the only one that does what you do.) How is this possible?

In my kindest advise giving opinion:

OPEN YOUR EYES! THEY HAVE BEEN WALKING ALL OVER YOU!!!!!

 

[CanuckMiner]

MedMan,

You're making 39k/yr, working 50 hrs/wk. That's about $15/hr. We pay our engineering STUDENTS more than that, and our EITs even more. Have a look at salary surveys from OSPE and you'll realize how underpaid you really are. 65k sounds reasonable, say "about right", for 4 years post grad.

From your description of the geography and the type of work you are doing, I'm guessing you're in the Windsor area. While I don't know the job market for that area, you might want to seriously consider moving.

Obviously I don't know your exact situation, but you should be aggressively looking elsewhere, and don't give a second thought to working for your employer that has been taking you for a ride.

Cheers,
CanuckMiner

 

[KENAT]

Seriously, are all the new posters just jumping in after reading the OP without paying any attention to the OP's latest updates? He's clearly determined that moving on is the right thing and is doing it. Telling him what an idiot he has been for sticking it out this long etc. not particularly helpfull.

As to the OP's follow up which to pick question. You have a lot to consider. Maybe do the classic pros & cons list. While there's not really such a thing as a 'job for life' I'd suspect the OPG one might be more stable, which may be important to someone planning a family.

I sometimes wonder if people are a bit too much emphasis on enjoying/loving your job. Obviously this is better than the alternative but surely takes second place to providing for your family. Obviously if you're so miserable at home because of your job that your marriage falls apart then you've gone to far the other way but generally it seems a bit 'spoiled' to me to demand that you love your job. Throughout history and even today I wonder how many people really do their job because the inherently love it compared to those that do it to get by.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[kepharda]

Engineers need to figure out if they want love or respect from their employers.

We say we want respect, but I find all too often we do things to make them love us. And then bitch when we don't get paid "enought" this realization usually occurs right about the time we find out how much the DBAG saleman is "earning".

this message has been approved for citizen to elect kepharda 2008

 

[Crompto29]

Yes, all negative KENAT,

If you really enjoy your current job and life style etc then maybe print off a copy of a salary survey and give it to your boss.

Don't say anything about leaving or finding another job. Just say that you are unhappy with your income and would like to bring the survey to your bosses attention. Point out what your company position is and point out a typical position that someone earning 39k would be. And leave it at that.

If your company is fair then they will come back with a reasonable pay rise. If not then you have given them every oportunity to be fair and it would therefore be time to move on. Or as I would put it: They can get !£$%ed.

I have 5 years experience. I really enjoy my job and am payed about average. However if I had made a few Interview101 errors or didn't play the politics correctly then they would have me on a much lower wage.

My trick is to keep job satisfaction and salary as two seperate entities. Never give away income in exchange for job satisfaction (or praise from your boss). I put it in my mind that they have nothing to do with each other.