Decision on jobs

[FutureAmerican]

Hi all,

After just over a month of job-searching, I've been lucky enough to secure two job offers which both interest me.

The first is with Halliburton, in Colorado (where I presently live), starts off on about $50K a year ($56K with bonuses), and then after I complete the 9 month training program I get a raise to $57K a year and am also eligible for job-completion bonuses which can double or triple my salary depending on the workload (and having chatted to recent hires, I know this is true).

The second is with Schlumberger, in Mississipppi - starts off on $62K a year, similar 9 month training program with a raise at the end of it, but then the bonuses aren't as large (I was told about an additional $1-3K a month).

The reason the bonuses are so large is because it's Field Engineering work, with a 6 days on 3 days off schedule, and the 6 days on you can end up working a 100 hour week - but it's frequently outdoors work, running wirelining teams, so it seems to be a good mix of the leadership and technical experience I want to gain.

My aim with either is to eventually save up enough money to get my MBA, and either take a leave of absence from the company to do it, or move to a non-field position which would give me a lot more time to study (I can do that after 3-5 years). Post-MBA I'd either stick with the Oil&Gas industry or try to move over to the Defense sector (I'll have my US Citizenship by then so will be eligible for clearances).
In terms of location, the Colorado one would be a safer bet
(we'd be a few hours drive from my in-laws, and are familiar with the area), but the Mississippi one would be more of a gamble for better or worse. Halliburton also give 2 weeks vacation a year, and Schlum 3 weeks, but it evens out after a few years.

I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions about the above two possibilities? When I was at the Halliburton interview, I met a lot of people who had moved over from Schlumberger after 2-3 years, because they felt it gave them more opportunities.

Anyhow, all advice and opinions are welcome!

 

[JStephen]

Of the two, I'm much prefer living in Colorado. Being close to the inlaws is a big plus. Can't really say about the jobs themselves.

 

[ctopher]

Colorado is nicer. I like the climate, it is also more expensive to live than Mississippi.
If you can handle the climate in Mississippi, the pay you indicate possibly could allow you to purchase a house easily.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Jul 13, 2008)

 

[jistre]

For that kind of outdoors work, I think that the climate angle is immensely important when talking about the two locations.

For instance, most places in the country have a few days of really hot 90-95+ weather every summer. If you've never lived in the Deep South, though, don't think that kind of experience with heat prepares you for working outdoors down here during the summer. South Mississippi will likely hit 90 for the first time in April/May and will pretty much be there EVERY DAY until August/September, with high humidity the whole time. North Mississippi is slightly more tolerable, but it's still roughly 5 miles from the sun. You'd probably expect 90+ lasting from June to August or so.

Conversely, down here, we'll get down to 25-30 degrees maybe two or three times a year, but we have absolutely no clue what it really means to live and work in those temperatures for months at a time, much less do it at altitude if you're doing it in the parts of Colorado that are at altitude.

The climate thing is a big deal if you're going to be outside a lot. Even more so if you're going to be doing any type of physical labor. Dying due to heatstroke or exposure doesn't sound like fun.

Oh, and Mississippi is dirt cheap to live in. I was in the Hattiesburg area up until about 2 years ago, and a pretty nice one-bedroom apartment only cost me about 525 a month. I also had a townhouse while I was there that was 450 a month.

 

[djm883]

One word of caution about the raises these companies will give you. Make sure you get it in writing prior to starting. You don't want to get through your training and have them forget about the raise they promised. Having it on paper will give you proof.

Don

 

[Mr168]

You say this is field engineering work. I find it hard to believe that they will keep you busy in Colorado in the long run. Most field engineering type jobs relocate once a given job is completed. You have a wife, do you have any kids? It can put a serious strain on family life.

You say 100 hour work weeks. Make SURE they give you paid overtime. I know MANY companies that will NOT give you paid OT if you are on salary, including my own. The only reason people put up with it is that we are given the max per diem rates, project bonuses, and our department gets above-average raises routinely.

Remember, you're not going to get those bonuses during the early/training months, and if you're looking to go to an office job, you can kiss those bonuses/per diem goodbye. I know our project life for power jobs is 2-3 years. If yours are similar, expect one project bonus before you leave the field and return to the office. Going over budget, over time constraints, etc, will all diminish these bonuses as well.

Just be weary of false promises or skewed perspective when it comes to sales pitches for field engineering jobs.

 

[cvg]

also, unless they will be providing housing - your costs will include finding an affordable rental somewhere out in the boonies or more likely you will be living in a trailer near the job site. this is more likely an issue in Colorado than Mississippi where you might be able to live in a nearby town.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Stay in CO -

 

[jpankask]

Do not factor bonuses into your decision. Yes, you might have talked to people who have received a bonus every year and maybe the bonus last year was a very large one...but that is no guarantee you will receive a bonus or that it will be as large as the recruiter said. Compare your salary and benefits for each job, factoring in the job location and cost of living. Involve your spouse in your decision because that will be the overriding factor in your happiness. When you start having kids, do you want to be away from home days at a time...more importantly how will your spouse handle that. Both companies are well-known and obviously each can have positive factors for different people.

 

[ctopher]

I agree, don't rely on bonuses. Like working as a waiter...don't expect tips, but are nice when you get them.

I have worked at companies that promise a bonus, only to change their minds at the last moment. I aslo agree with djm883, get everything in writing.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Jul 13, 2008)

 

[salmon2]

I happen to work for one of them, not field engineer though.

Can't really speak much about two offers, but I will just share what I think I know, hopefully helpful for your decision.

Housing is usually company paid;
Bonus is a big deal for field engineer, not like office; should be considered;
Getting promises in writting is a good idea, maybe not practical;
Field engineer is only good for young and single pals, even though I have seen some senior guys;
Usually no over time pay, it is reflected by bonus;
Somehow, different operations/jobs have totally different bonus percentages - varied a lot, that is probably why two offers have different bonus potential;
If you are really young, ask if there is international opportunities; you will have a salary cofficient ( > 1.0 depending on the area you will go to) and air tickets back to US, basically every penny after tax can go to your saving account - your money will accumulate very fast.

 

[Hoagie]

Congrats on finding something in this weak and weird economy.

My advice is that you first forget about the money. Let's face it, there really isn't much of a differnce between $57K and $62K...Unless you are supporting a spouse or kids.

I would choose the job that will allow you to learn the most over the next 5 years. REGISTRATION should be the first thing you seek, and with the right mentoring, you just may become a USEFUL PE before you're 30. MBA for engineers? I never understood why, save doing it for the ego.

If you work hard, listen/learn how it's really done, get registered---then you will be entitled to the bigger bucks. Don't rely on the 'earn while you learn' notion---it's a good way to get fired.

Again, congrats and good luck with whatever you decide.

H.

 

[csd72]

Bonuses dont mean anything when applying for a home loan.

 

[salmon2]

The bonus for field engineer can be 100% or more to the base salary. On the other hand, for engineers in office, bonus is never great. You should feel grateful if you get 10%. There was a thread about bonus discussion not long ago, somehow I can't find it any more.

 

[cedarbluffranch]

I wouldn't worry about saving up money for a MBA. If you take two years off, you'll lose out on 120k in earnings. Is a MBA really worth that? Not in my book.

Do the companies pay for education? If your interested in continuing education (I recommend it), paid education can be a really fun benefit. I have it at my employer (Boeing) and I think it's worth a lot more than the dollar value of the education. I think Boeing will be paying about $7k this year for my education.

 

[FreddyNurk]

Having worked for a smaller competitor of those two companies for a couple of years, I have the following comments for you:

Its effectively all about the money, or at least it was for us when I worked for them, as there was very little in the way of career prospects. We didn't do the same shifts as that sector, ours were 10 hour days, daylight only, with a bonus scheme reflecting that. I don't expect that you'd be home at any sort of regular hours whilst on shift, so you can forget about quality time with the wife.

Bonus is generally expected, its the company's way of managing risk versus workload, as when the work dies off, so do the pay levels. When the work is on, everyone is in on the bonus scheme. We, however, got flat rate bonuses rather than completions. Having said that, you can't plan for it or expect it, for our location as an example, wet weather meant no access to sites, and what should have been a decent month for take home pay turned sour quickly.

Its a good way to travel, a good way to see places and things that you may not get to otherwise, and a surefire way of destroying relationships.

For what its worth, I hated it, but it certainly served a purpose. My company's treatment of staff (and clients) at the time was deplorable (though they DID pay bonus) and this has probably tainted my view.

Keep in mind the weather as stated, as depending on the location and time, the weather can be quite unpleasant to work in.

Good luck if you decide to go ahead with it, some people really enjoy it, I just wasn't one of them.

 

[metalstamper]

I am not sure if you accept the position or not yet. But down south the cost of living is usually less expenisive. Therefore, you may be able to reach your goal of obtaining your MBA sooner as you would have more money to put towards it. Hopes this helps you make your decision.

John Smith