fulfilling job question 7

[roboticsguy]

Hi
I have a conumdrum, and I hoping to hear some insight from others who might have faced a similar situation. I realize that I am very fortunate to have this decision, but it is not an easy one!

I my present job is almost exactly my dream job, except for the pay. I work at a very small company, designing custom vehicles and equipment. We have an in-house machine shop where we fab all of my parts. Because of the size of the company, I have the opportunity to work on a large variety of projects, from mechanisms, structural components and hydraulic design. Never the same thing twice.

I recently purchased a house with the wife and 2 kids. We barely have the income to stay afloat, have a very minimal retirement savings (income too low for regular savings), no 401k etc. My schedule is very flexable to allow me time with the young kids. My present company is struggling financially, but I think there is great promise for future projects. But at the end of the day, this company does not exist to make a profit, so wages will always be under industry standard. The company exists to make cool stuff. We have 4 engineers, and a total of about 10 people on staff.

I have been here since graduating school 7 years ago. I am not too familiar with "the outside world" regarding other engineering jobs.

I have an opportunity to make considerably more money (~40%) doing something more on the industrial side. The new company has maybe 10 engineers,and ~200 total. If I did not have my present job, this oppurtunity would be very good; not a dream job doing robotics, but relatively interesting, with good benefits and pay.

so here is the question: have you had to make this type of decision? what did you do, and are you happy with your decision? Is it time for me to grow up (I'm 36 years old...) and work a real job, or will I regret "selling out" for the cash?

cheers, all!

 

[ScottI2R]

Roboticsguy,

Just something that recently happened to my SB and I. She recently accepted a position with a company she had waited over a year to get in to. That was with help from the inside as well. It equated to a 45% increase in pay. That is something you notice right now. In her case it turned out to be her dream job as well. A win win for her/us. I like it when the SB is happy with her job. SB happy=Scott happy
Because of this, I have been able to max out my 401k deductions, and we are banking about one of my paychecks per month. (Paid every fortnight)

Just my two cents...

Good luck,
Scott

I really am a good egg, I'm just a little scrambled!

 

[moltenmetal]

OK, that clarifies things a bit. You're making maybe 10-20% less than market rate, and someone else is offering you 20% MORE than market rate for less interesting work.

The salary survey data you've relied upon has been called into question and I can't confirm or deny that- we do have good salary survey data where I work (though you have to pay a membership to get it). I've heard many people talk about how it's "skewed high" by participation of certain organizations, but that's usually a baseless ploy used by employers to get away with paying less.

Taking the salary survey data as gospel, here's two things for you to consider:

1) If you can't live on 10-20% less than market rate, you need a change in lifestyle or expectations, and

2) 20% beyond market rate as base pay rather than incentive/bonus pay won't last, unless your new employer has invented robotic chickens that lay golden eggs

This is purely a personal choice. If working for less than you can command elsewhere makes you feel cheated, get another job. If you get up every day looking forward to what you're going to accomplish that day, pay is secondary.

 

[vandal06]

This is purely a personal choice. If working for less than you can command elsewhere makes you feel cheated, get another job. If you get up every day looking forward to what you're going to accomplish that day, pay is secondary.

If he was a single guy only looking to support himself, sure. He has a family, and it sounds like he lives paycheck to paycheck. I don't think he should whore himself out for the biggest paycheck possible, but some compromises are appropriate in order to ensure his family's financial well-being. Just my $0.02.

 

[Twoballcane]

When opportunity knocks, you open the door. Work is work and if you have a family, it is your responsibility to make sure they are taking care of finically as far as your physical and mental well being can manage. Change is always scary, but if you want to advance your career, you have to move to things that you are not comfortable with and learn how to cope with the pressures. Money and benefits won’t come to you just because you’re a nice person. You have to go after what you want your career to be. In 15 years of my career, I’ve jumped three companies and eight departments to get to what I wanted in my career and pay check and I’ve never looked back. Sure, there will be growing pains and maybe a good case of self doubt, but to be born out of fire is the best way to learn. So get out of your comfort zone and move forward.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
“Luck is where preparation meets opportunity”