|
Hi fellow goons, I don't really know why I'm asking people here for advice, but SA has yet to fail me! My situation: - 24/M/Canada - Graduated from a top 10 (Canadian) university, with a BA/Political Science, with a few internships - No debt, ~$7.5k CAD in the bank - Living with my parents - Currently working part time, making about ~$2k per month The problem: I've been offered an entry-level internal communications job (52.5k with bonus, some health benefits, 2.5 weeks vacation after X months) in the city where I'm living with my parents. Since I'm currently living with my parents ($0 in any monthly costs), I'd have the ability to bank a decent amount of money for a year or two (negating taxes through RRSP contributions, I already don't spend a huge amount). I don't really know if there's a lot of room to move around with the organization, but I don't have much for professional experience. I need to get back with a reply on this job ASAP (close of business this Monday). I have no clue about career progression with communications (if you have advice this would be appreciated). I don't know wether to take this offer, or wait for the next two things. I've also been accepted into an engineering technology program at a local tech school. Because of the economy where I live, I could reasonably expect that after this 2-year program I could land a job paying 75-85k, with a lot more career development potential (within about 10 years 200k salaries are common enough if you're good at what you do). This would be a major change from my university education, but it's a field which I (think I) have reasonable interest in. For a third thing, I'm also looking at taking a one year position with an organization in Germany. I made it through a first-round process on this, although I by no means have an offer. I would really, really like to take this placement (if possible), although there is no guarantee for anything after it's complete, and even though I'd get a good salary (about 55k + health), I'd be living in an expensive place and probably wouldn't be able to save a lot. So I don't really know what to do. I'm looking at a job offer, a program which would launch me into a way higher earning bracket, or a go-on-a-holiday-and-work-fun-fun-fun placement. What would BFC recommend I do? Also, if I do take the first thing (communications job), is it possible to negotiate entry-level salaries much, especially when I don't have much for skills/experience?
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 08:45
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 4, 2024 15:57 |
|
|
Do you know that saying; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?
|
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 09:12
|
|
|
How easy was it to find the communications job? I'd say the ideal scenario here is that you take the first job immediately if you think a new job offer could be difficult & start working towards the engineering in your spare time if that is possible. It would probably take longer to finish I guess. The risk with fully committing to the engineering is that you're by no means guaranteed to like it or you might find it harder to master than you assume. I think it's obvious that the engineering is the best option here if your entire paragraph is correct, but there's a lot of built-in assumptions that may not come to fruition. Not sure where the third option fits in since it seems like you are only partway down that path. Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, etc.
|
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 09:23
|
|
|
Landsknecht posted:
Just to clarify because this phrasing kind of confuses me, is this grad school or some sort of vocational degree?
|
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 16:16
|
|
|
Take the offer, still go through the interview process for the Germany position, and look into doing the engineering technology program outside of working.
|
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 16:32
|
|
|
Take option one. Save as much money as you can. If you enjoy it and can move up, great. If not, you'll have a nice nest egg to get you through option 2 should you choose to go that route.
|
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 16:34
|
|
|
"Engineering technology" indicates a vocational degree. Unless you seriously luck out, you probably will not be making $75k-85k with no experience. Unless things are seriously different in Canada (I'm in the US), that'd be more in the $50-60k range. You say that the economy where you live causes that high starting value -- what's the justification behind that? Also, what's the cost of this school? That's a pretty crucial component to this whole thing. I'd say you're better off taking the offer you have now and doing the tech work part time if you REALLY want to do that. Don't put yourself into debt for a maybe.
|
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 17:52
|
|
|
I agree that the expected salary number sounds pretty high. Where did you get that from?
|
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 19:33
|
|
|
I'm in western Canada, where anything having to do with resource extraction or industrial construction is crazy right now (and has been crazy for the last 10 years). To put this into context, a skilled tradesman (electrician, welder, ironworker or pipefitter) gets about $45 + pension + benefits with a union, usually coming to over 100k per year, since it is so easy to get overtime which is paid at double time. My cousin did a similar vocational program (chemical engineering tech); he is the same age as me and last year he earned $110k with his bonus. With the eng tech program I'd have to lay out 4k for the first year (entrance scholarshops made it easier), but it's only a two year program and I've been told that the paid summer placement between the Twp years more than pays for the 2nd year.
|
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 20:00
|
|
|
If you are going to follow exactly in the footsteps of your cousin then that makes sense. Chemical engineering technicians are kind of useful when it comes to processing, especially oil. Similar jobs may be obtained with mechanical technician degrees. You need to specify what you want to specialise in and make sure you investigate the job prospects (mostly ignore what schools say given they make money from more students rather than if they get jobs). Although anything where you get experience in the oil or mineral extraction industries does give you access to a lot of potential jobs.
|
|
#
?
Nov 9, 2014 23:29
|
|
|
If you have any way of pursuing the engineering tech degree while also working, I would encourage you to do that. Actual work experience on your resume looks a hell of a lot better than "I got my BA but couldn't find a job I liked so I went back to school." You seem like a smart enough guy, but if for some reason you end up dropping out halfway through the program you're left with a big hole in your resume and nothing to show for it. Like one of the above posters said, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
|
|
#
?
Nov 10, 2014 15:39
|
|
|
The one thing I regret not doing when I was at the start of my career was travelling. If you haven't travelled much, I'd seriously consider pursuing the Germany job. There's always time to go to tech school in a year when your contract is up.
|
|
#
?
Nov 10, 2014 18:27
|
|
|
I would caution against hitching your wagon too strongly to the oil boom. You're probably not old enough to remember what happened in North Alberta around '97, but it was a very informative period for me. Oil price was up, if you could say "What are ya at by?" you were hired. Then the oil price dropped and nobody could even buy a job. This last boom has been going very strong for quite a long time. It could crash very hard. If this recent slide in price doesn't turn around, the layoffs will be coming, and a lot of people are going to be hosed. A job that isn't entirely dependent on high oil prices, and which also allows you to save a decent sized buffer might be a smart move. Rather than spending a bunch of time and money going to school for qualifications that may or may not be in high demand when you get out. As others have suggested, some sort of part time or distance ed program while you're working at your comms job could be a smart move.
|
|
#
?
Nov 10, 2014 20:05
|
|
|
If I was back in your shoes again I would try get the German job. Once you settle into your career it becomes a lot more difficult to do something like that, especially once you get into a relationship, have financial commitments, children (or even just pets). Yes, its possible and some people will do it, but its never going to be easier than where you are in your life now.
|
|
#
?
Nov 10, 2014 20:22
|
|
|
GanjamonII posted:If I was back in your shoes again I would try get the German job. Once you settle into your career it becomes a lot more difficult to do something like that, especially once you get into a relationship, have financial commitments, children (or even just pets). How much of an rear end in a top hat would I be if I were to take the communications job, and quit a week into it if I get the Germany position? This is probably my biggest hangup; I don't want to seem super inconsiderate by taking a position and then immediately leaving.
|
|
#
?
Nov 10, 2014 20:54
|
|
|
B33rChiller posted:I would caution against hitching your wagon too strongly to the oil boom. You're probably not old enough to remember what happened in North Alberta around '97, but it was a very informative period for me. Oil price was up, if you could say "What are ya at by?" you were hired. Then the oil price dropped and nobody could even buy a job. This last boom has been going very strong for quite a long time. It could crash very hard. If this recent slide in price doesn't turn around, the layoffs will be coming, and a lot of people are going to be hosed. I'm not looking to go into petroleum/petro-chemicals, as oil is hosed, but civil eng. tech, since everyone in Canada is building everything like bonkers. Grad school plans were actually cancelled, because I never really saw the benefit of an MA in poli sci (lol), especially when I don't want to be an academic. Generally I figured that with an eng. tech degree and some project management courses, as well as a multi-lingual skillset (English, French, German), I could really work anywhere I wanted to in the world while pulling a decent salary (obviously after getting the 5-7 yrs experience).
|
|
#
?
Nov 10, 2014 20:57
|
|
|
It's an rear end in a top hat thing to do, but that's business. If you really think that's best for you, you'll burn a few bridges but life will go on for everyone. As another person mentioned, if you can swing option 1 and 2, consider that. School and full-time employment can be seriously rough, but the payoff is great. As mentioned, you'll have experience on your resume, which will help set you apart from someone else just coming out of school, you'll have professional references to distinguish you, and lastly, you won't be in a rush for a job. Since you'll already be in a well-paying position, you can take your time to be choosy about your next step, and once you've found it, can go into salary negotations strong, since you won't be in a position to settle just so you can make rent.
|
|
#
?
Nov 10, 2014 21:02
|
|
|
Landsknecht posted:I'm not looking to go into petroleum/petro-chemicals, as oil is hosed, but civil eng. tech, since everyone in Canada is building everything like bonkers. Grad school plans were actually cancelled, because I never really saw the benefit of an MA in poli sci (lol), especially when I don't want to be an academic. You will not make near as much money as a civil tech. Full engineers only are looking at 50-60K starting out and making over 100K is only after 7-10 years plus getting a PE/P.Eng. If you work for a construction company you will be on salary and make between 40-60K but work 60+ hours a week (ask my wife she works for PCL, loves her job and working there though). I agree on go to Germany. It is something we wished we had done.
|
|
#
?
Nov 11, 2014 01:55
|
|
|
spwrozek posted:You will not make near as much money as a civil tech. Full engineers only are looking at 50-60K starting out and making over 100K is only after 7-10 years plus getting a PE/P.Eng. It's kind of strange that salaries are that low, especially with 60+ hrs a week. For craft, if you worked 60 hour weeks all year (with 4 weeks off) you could probably expect something in the range of about 175k. Yeah. With my current position I have a fair amount of ~connections~ in the construction industry, so we'll see what happens. But I'll probably try and Europe I guess, as most people here either seem to be cautious or recommending fun.
|
|
#
?
Nov 11, 2014 04:00
|
|
|
Construction management is basically always salary so no overtime. If you end up as a tester of concrete or something you can get hourly but the pay is not going to be great at all. Civil engineering is awesome but you don't really do it for super awesome amazing pay. It is for good pay and doing something you love that helps make the world a better place. But I am a crazy Civil Engineer. A journeyman can make a ton of money like you said though because they are paid well and get overtime. The lineman who build what I design usually make more money than me on a normal year.
|
|
#
?
Nov 11, 2014 04:22
|
|
|
spwrozek posted:Construction management is basically always salary so no overtime.
|
|
#
?
Nov 11, 2014 05:34
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 4, 2024 15:57 |
|
|
I would take the communications job and see how the Germany thing pans out. Employers deal with employees quitting all the time-- that's what HR and talent departments are for. It's not like they know you're already progressing through the application process. If it really is a once in a lifetime type opportunity, I'm sure they'll understand anyway. If you don't get into the Germany placement, and you don't feel like you're progressing in the communications field after a decent amount of time, then you could always explore the tech option. The construction industry isn't going anywhere.
|
|
#
?
Nov 11, 2014 06:32
|
|