To switch or not to switch?

[MusicEngineer]

Hello Eng-Tips! Every time I am faced with a challenging situation/decision in my career, I'm so glad I have access to this forum.

I know several of you are employees who have been in this situation and some of you are employers who have had to deal with employees in this situation. Any opinions, guidance and insight based on your personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I currently work for Company A and thinking about switching over to Company B. I started at A fresh out of my Masters degree as an entry level structural engineer slightly over 2.5 years ago. I recently came across an opening in Company B and applied. After several months of interviewing and talking with HR, I have finally received a very tempting offer from Company B.

Company A
Small, privately owned company (50+ employees) with a focus in mining and minerals.
Less money in company, dwindling jobs, but I have high level of responsibility.
Smaller projects, varied responsibility (I get to do structural, civil, some mechanical eng.).
I work directly with project managers and VPs. I know the CEO and upper management personally.
Lots of potential to move up and get more responsibility.
Willing to fund my MBA.

Company B
Large, reputed, international, award winning company (4,300+ employees nationwide and 130+ employees in regional office) involved in almost all industries.
Lots of money in company (much higher paying salary, better benefits, stock options), constant job flow, less responsibility.
Larger, higher profile jobs, only structural eng. responsibility.
No contact with upper management. Several levels of bosses separate me from top of the food chain.
Need several years of experience and need to prove myself before I would even be considered for any type of promotion.
Waiting for an answer from HR about education reimbursement for an MBA degree.

Complications: Company A had two rounds of lay-offs and I survived both rounds. Approximately 40% of employees were let go.
Company A did not fund my PE but they allowed me to study during working hours and I got to bill that to company overhead. They did not help me with any books or the review class that I took. They only paid a small amount of the overall fees (NCEES and state fees) for the exam.

-Is 2.5 years too short of a stay at a company? I don't want future employers to think I am one of those engineers that would immediately jump ship. How does this look on the resume?
-Will I be burning bridges with Company A because they kept me through two rounds of lay-offs and now I may decide to leave them? I feel like maybe I owe them my time because they kept me around during hard times.
-This is an extremely difficult decision as Company A is like a family to me. Is this a flawed mentality to have in this cut-throat engineering world?

 

[oldestguy]

In asking the forum for advice, how do you then evaluate it? A variety of backgrounds and experiences are the bases for our comments. A glimpse of the extent of these can be gained from reviewing the resume of each of us. Some may be in your field and others not. Just one more thought.

 

[steellion]

Rotaryw, Company B offering more money is a bad sign to you? I don't see how improving the offer could possibly be a bad thing for MusicEngineer.

MusicEngineer, first, congrats on the P.E. It wasn't clear to me in your OP that you already had the P.E. This far along, you're going to disappoint someone: either Company A by leaving or Company B by getting this far in the hiring process and then backing out. Therefore, that shouldn't factor in your decision. I know Company A loves you, but if they're hemorrhaging money and have had two rounds of layoffs, you may actually be doing them a favor by leaving if you're not 100% committed. If you jump ship, that would be one less employee they would have to layoff when/if there's a Round 3 of layoffs. It's always hard to leave your first job, but as long as you do it in a reasonable and respectful manner, I wouldn't necessarily call that bridge burned. It's just the nature of the business.

If you're still interested in continuing education, get it IN WRITING in your offer from Company B. I'm sure at a large company like that, they already have their continuing education reimbursement policy hashed out. Like I mentioned previously, don't be surprised if they make you sign an agreement to stay X years after obtaining your degree to cover themselves.

 

[steellion]

As a matter of fact, I have a friend that was in almost the exact same situation as you a few years ago. He survived a few rounds of layoffs, was well-liked in a small office especially by the owner... but when he accepted another job, he said he could tell the owner was relieved. A few years later, the original company has turned the corner and is making money again, and I'm confident that they would re-hire my friend if he were interested. The bridge was not burned in that case.

 

[rotw]

Steelion,
statement like "...not obviously a good sign" does not equal "bad sign".
If by switching job I end up later feeling insecure, then such extra money would turn out to be the trap that I should have avoided.

 

[Ron]

An MBA ... might be advantageous ...

SNORGY!! Say it ain't so, brother! A moment of weakness??

The big decision is small company vs. large company. Advantages to both, with the exception that in the past 20 to 25 years, the large companies in traditional engineering services have been run by non-technical people who don't understand what you do and don't give $hit about what you do, just how much you produce for the company. For a creative technical person that is an unworkable situation. You will find that they value a person with 3 to 6 years of experience over one with 20 years of experience because they are cheaper and their PERCEIVED benefit to cost ratio is higher. They view engineering as a commodity. It is not.

It sounds like you have a good job where you are; and a chance for advancement. Apparently you've caught the eye of the higher ups. That's good. Have a frank discussion with them about your future. If they waffle, move on. If they are clear and the path is reasonable, stick it out and see.

 

[SNORGY]

Ron...

I did not want to make my alliteration too obvious, so I avoided the caps.

I promised Eng-Tips that I would...behave...

 

[Ron]

...and they believed you?!

 

[TomDOT]

You're young. Make the switch, get more money, get more experience and more varied experience. In a few more years you are an "experienced" PE and have established yourself at a higher pay rate.

Then you can see if you are still being well compensated and happy, or see if you want to try somewhere else. Even small companies should be willing to pay you PE wages. With your current company, you are likely to be stuck at EIT wages for awhile (perhaps years)

It is VERY rare for a company to bump up your pay commensurate with reaching the PE. If they do, it will likely take years to reach it. A new company will typically pay you PE wages immediately - and then a few years of raises.

There is simply something broken in HR. They will pay a new PE appropriate wages, but not an EIT who just achieved their PE in-house. You are already working for 30% less (or whatever) - HR thinks you should feel lucky with a 5-10% raise.

 

[strucguy]

In my previous company I survived two rounds of layoffs. The third one, I wasn't so lucky. Go figure.

Personally, getting laid-off was a valuable experience for me. If opened up a whole new wave of opportunities. Sometimes change is good, no matter how bitter it may be.

Congratulations on your PE and good luck with whatever route your choose.

 

[MusicEngineer]

Just thought I would give an update. I decided to go with my gut and make the switch. Thank you all for your valuable input. I appreciate every second that you guys took to read and reply to my question.

 

[77JQX]

Do us a favor and check back in in a year to let us know how it's working out.

 

[MusicEngineer]

77JQX, I do hope it goes well. Company B is listed in Fortune 100's Best Places to Work For. I'm not sure if that means anything but I shall find out. I couldn't continue to stay at Company A and worry every day about whether I would have a job tomorrow or not. Projects do not seem to be coming in and sometimes I wish upper management would keep us in the loop. One of the best things to come out of this switch is that I will get varied structural experience and finally get a chance to work on higher profile projects and more complex tasks.