Different types of enginnering industries 3

[Engineerski24]

Hey all,
I currently work in a firm where we design residential, commercial, and industrial warehouses. from one story to high rise. I am interested in getting licensed. I have learned a lot here, but have a job offer from a company that is in the heavy structures industrial industry (power plants). they are offering me more money (much more) and am thinking about taking it. Anyways, I may not get as much practical engineering experience, and plan to study on my own and read up on all the building codes, etc. to study for the SE exam. I have 2 years experience where I am at now. What are people's thoughts on this? I know it's not easy, but I'm willing to do it.
Thanks

 

[Lion06]

I'm of the mindset that you have to enjoy what you do rather than chase the dollar, but to each his own.
can I ask what you are making now (just ballpark) and how much more you're being offered? Also, where are you located? I have 2 years of experience as well.

 

[Engineerski24]

I believe in like what you do, but my wife lost her job and my child is 2 months old. I make 55k now and am being offered 76 k in Chicago

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Do you want to live in Chicago --- cost of living may be much higher than where you are now!! Commute might be a killer....

Weigh all your options - only you can decide...

Good Luck!!

 

[Lion06]

Well, that certainly makes a difference. Where are you at now? I expect to be around 56k-57k after my upcoming 2-year review and I am in the Philadelphia area. 76k looks like a nice jump from 55k, but definitely compare the cost of housing.

 

[cvg]

you need to look at the total package plus other costs to do a true comparison
salary
bonuses
medical insurance
vacation time
sick days
other employer incentives
Cost of living adjustments
commuting cost and time
cost to buy/sell your house

you can try the following online calculators which might help with cost of living changes:

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html

http://www.bestplaces.net/col/

 

[csd72]

Heavy structures is a very specificial field (bordering on specialisation), once you are in that industry for a long time it is hard to move back to general structures this is part of the reason why you get paid more in these industries.

Where you are, it souds like you will get a good general foundation that will give you a lot more flexibility in the future.

Not trying to turn you against the idea, but it is best to understand the implications.

 

[edpaq]

Just to chime in. Are they offering a relocation package? Paying for moving expenses etc. If they are then just be carefull around tax time. This will all come under "Wages, Tips, and other compensation". Any moving expenses that you incur are tax deductible. So save every receipt including air fares.

I recommend that one, you talk to an accountant on any packges you are presented with, and two, do some research on the areas you have to choose from to live in. If you have freinds or family in the area, great. If not be carefull with Realtors or Websites. It's amazing how great the pictures look and the places sound. After you move in you find the crack house is just two blocks away. This can be especially true in the larger cities where a set of railroad tracks is the divider between a slum and million dollar homes.

Not trying to scare you off. You will be fine as long as you do the research.

Eddie

 

[Engineerski24]

I currently live in Chicago. The job is 10 minutes away from my current office. Another reason I was looking to move was because of insurance. I have to pay for the majority of family insurance each month now. Over there, it's much much less (25% of what it is now). There are many more incentives and more vacation including payed overtime. LIke EIT said, you have to like what you do (as I do now), but at some point I have to look at my family situation. I definitely don't want to do heavy structures permanently, maybe just to get my feet wet. Ultimately, I like what I do now. But how can I say that without having done heavy structures?

 

[csd72]

Nothing is irreversible, give it a go for a few years if you are really interested in it.

Just dont be in it for 10 years then decide to change back.

 

[GregLocock]

If you've only got two years experience since graduation there is no need to think that is where you'll be the rest of your life. Personally I'd say that a 30% increase in wages is a fair old carrot, and the rest of it seems painless.



Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[hokie66]

Take the job. Experience in heavy industrial structures is desirable even if you decide to go back to the commercial stuff at some stage. You will have to decide on your future career path, but I for one think industrial structural work is very satisfying. It is not as different as some others have suggested.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Go for it... As already said - you can change again if it does not work out

 

[plasgears]

Take the new offer; accepting lower wages for extended periods may be detrimental for your reputation. I got trapped in the wrong company for over ten years, and it had a bad effect on my future earning power. Never work in a small or medium size co. Your boss may be an unqualified oaf.

 

[Krautso]

At only 2 years experience go for the job that offers the best training opportunity. $76k is nice but what will your progression be like? As a professional you have the ability to be strategic in building your career. $20k now is great if it puts you in a good position to continue to learn and develop. $20k to pigeon hole yourself and possibly detract from your future earning power is not enough. Be sure you study the other aspects of the job and the chance for mentoring and progression. If its the same or better than where you are now, there really shouldn't be too much debate on it.

The missing element is if you are enjoying your job now and if you can envision a future in that field. Chasing the closest dollar can hurt you in the long run.

 

[KENAT]

$76k after only 2 years experience.

That's pretty tempting.

Heck that's close to what I make with several times as much experience and in Santa Barbara (different industry though).

Obviously if you're going to hate it etc then maybe it's not worth it but it's amazing what you can put up with, at least for a while, for that kind of money.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...