Two jobs on the same project 3

[fmara]

Today I recieved two job offers on the same contract.The first is with the contactor who has been awarded the job and the other is with the client as a resident engineer.
My problem is which one do i pick? As an engineer for the contractor I'd be doing what I like best (bridge construction)but my pay would be less, long hours with losts of stress and hassle.
Where if I went with the RE's post I'd have more pay, set hours and less stress, but I kind of feel I would not have the same worth being an inspector of works rather than doing the work, or am I just being childish in my approach?Is it time to move on?
The ironic thing is that I did not apply for the RE's post, my name was taken from a panel that I had done an interview for over a year ago for a similar postion.
Is there any body out there that was ever faced with this conundrum, I'd like to read your views.

Thanks.
Fmara

 

[MintJulep]

What is the duration of the project, and what are your options with both at the end?

 

[vpl]

As a current engineering inspector and former designer, I find that there can be a lot of satisfaction in checking that the work is done properly. In some ways, you have to know more when you're an inspector. As one of my coworkers has told me "it's not just a case of checking what they do; it's knowing enough to check what they didn't do."

Whatever decision you make, feel honored that both companies have sought you out!

Patricia Lougheed

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

 

[EngJW]

If you spend your life on the job and the stress ruins your health, how much is the extra pay worth?

John Woodward

 

[QCE]

But he gets more pay and less stress. I think he has his answer.

 

[EngJW]

Yes, after I read his post more carefully, lower pay, long hours, and high stress does not sound like a good choice. I went to an interview once where they actually used long hours and high stress as a selling point. Must appeal to someone, I guess.

John Woodward

 

[Beggar]

I kind of feel I would not have the same worth being an inspector of works rather than doing the work

That's your pride speaking and my pride is usually a fickle guide.

For me, the big questions would be:

[ol]
[li]Which is more likely to offer long-term stability?[/li]
[li]Which would have me home with my family more often?[/li]
[li]In each position, what other avenues might develop for me in the next 5 years?[/li]
[li]In which will I develop the more marketable skills?[/li]
[li]In which organization would I be more likely to develop a niche that would make me harder to replace?[/li]
[li]Would I enjoy the day-to-day activities in each position?[/li]
[li]In which organizational culture am I likely to be most comfortable working?[/li]
[li]Which opportunity maximizes my chances of staying in my current location?[/li]
[li]In which organization do the employees seem happier?[/li]
[li]In which do they seem to have the better facilities, equipment, and resources?[/li]
[/ol]

Personally, other things beings more-or-less equal, the "more pay, set hours and less stress" would win out every time - especially if it were basically a matter of my assessment of the relative prestige of each.

Working for a contractor doesn't appeal to me because it's all about winning the next job which sounds very, very stressful to me. Perhaps in a huge contractor it's not so bad because the size of the organization buffers the individual somewhat.

As Patricia said, be honored that you've been offered jobs by each and particularly one that you didn't even seek out.

 

[HVAC68]

Well, a few things to ponder about before taking a decision.

1. Which job do you like ?
2. Is money more important ? When I started my career, money was important to me (strange, but true, since I needed money very badly for various reasons). As I moved on, job satisfaction, position, power, recognition, stability, etc., etc., became priorities at different points of time and got a nod ahead of money.
3. What are your long term objectives ? and which job will be able to fulfil that ?
4. What are your growth potential in each of these jobs ?
5. Are you liable to be moved out of the city after the project is over ? This could be a problem for some guys. If it's a local contractor and keeps doing local projects, then you could probably move on. If it's an international contractor who doesn't have major local projects, then it's a different ball scenario. The same applies to the other prospective employer too.
6. Stress and long hours of work - I used to enjoy that when I was young. Not any more !!!
7. If this is a short term employment (in both cases), then, which job will be able to give you a more marketable write-up in your Resume ?
8. Where do you think you will fit in ? I've always worked for a contracting company, though I tried my hand at consulting for a brief period and failed miserably and went back to contracting. It's a matter of personal choice and preferences.

These are just a few things to be thought of before you take a decision.

fmara - All the very best to you in your new assignment and good luck

HVAC68

 

[crossframe]

Years ago I was an assistant Resident Engineer for bridge construction projects with a certain large west-coast department of transporation. I felt similar to fmara in that somebody else did all the "real" engineering to design the bridges, the contractor is the one who's actually building the bridges, and there I was - not doing either.

Since I've moved into full-time design work, I frequently use my construction experience to evaluate the "buildability" of my designs. I've also come to appreciate (and miss!) the inspector's role much more. VPL is absolutely right about the stisfaction of ensuring the work is properly executed. This is one role that truly is what you make of it.

With a family and a home life, more pay, set hours, and less stress are things I could certainly use!

 

[PEinc]

If, as an inspector, you work with the contractor in a partnering atmosphere, you will be and will feel like a satisfied member of the team building the bridge rather than just watching someone else accomplish something. A good and fair inspector is invaluable to the contractor. Being a bad, unreasonable, nitpicking inspector would be, in my opinion, a less rewarding job.

Be a good inspector, earn more money, have less stress, and get home sooner. However, I am surprised that the inspector position pays more than the contractor position. People usually get paid more for more hours and stress. The lower contractor pay should tell you something about this particular contractor.

 

[JPatten]

I would look at each company and see what they have to offer in the future after this project. With the Contractor you will most likely be traveling from project to project and depending on the size of the company that can range from state to state.

I worked for 12 years for a very large Contractor and lived and worked in 7 different states. Wasn't bad until I got married and had kids.