Kevster

Ok folks here's the situation:

I have two offers coming. Both positions are interesting challenges, for about the same amount of money, same excellent benefits & vacation, but are very different in scope and defined responsibilities.

The first job is with the local power company, working as a senior communications engineer covering a 50,000 square mile territory with the communications engineering group. This job is very interesting in that I'd be engineering systems with many different communications technologies, from DWDM/SONET rings to wi-fi/wimax to point-to-point microwave. I'd have a longer commute, but I'd be home just about every night.

The one I just interviewed for today is with a major telecommunications company. This position is an engineering development position looking at emerging technologies such as GPON/EPON, IMS, GMPLS, IPTV, Metro wimax, large-scale metro ethernet, and much more. I would be part of a team looking at new technologies and looking to see if it is something that my (new) company should seriously consider. It is much more open-ended, and I'd be dealing with management and marketing often. I would also be away about 50% of the time at conferences and vendor labs checking out new stuff and talking to their engineers. This is a step up for me, but it would mean being away from home a lot. Plus, I would have to relocate Mrs. Kevster & my wiener to No. California and that means selling our house here in So. Cal and renting/buying in the Sacto area.

The fact that we'd like to start the whole family thing probably wouldn't be helped much by me being away so much. Any thoughts?

__________________
I think over again
My small adventures, my fears.
The small ones that seemed so big,
For all the vital things I had to get and to reach.

And yet there is only one great thing, the only thing:

To live to see the great day that dawns,
And the light that fills the world.

-old Inuit song

IrishSS

Sounds pretty straightforward to me... either you choose the job that fits your home life better or the job that gives you the most opportunities for the future... which one is more important in this stage of your life?

The emerging technologies job looks like it will offer you more marketable skills should you choose to leave at any time in the future. Yet, it will put a strain on your home life... is that something you can/are willing to deal with?

On the flip side, the local job is just that... local. No moving, no home life issues to deal with, but it sounds as if it's not quite as cutting edge as the other position.

__________________
Spigs, you MFR#1N!

Merlin

You are almost always better off going with the firm that does what you do. You are a communications guy so working for a utility will have a definite limit on how high you can go. Yeah it is a more cush gig but that is for folks at the end of their careers. On the other hand the telecom company will provide more upside.

Dude you still have an expanding future don't put yourself in a limited box. It may seem nice and relaxing at first but the walls will be closing in before you know it.

__________________

Itsme

Your family's thoughts are important to consider as well.

For me, a few times I made the move as required to move up in the organization...so that I could eventually get to VP. Then, I was able to retire and "live hapilly ever after" with a good pension.

For me, I'd coose the second one (assuming it didn't really upset your family).

Kevster

I have yet another interview now with the VP of Technology. When I flew up I met with the director of technology and he passed on his recommendations to his boss, the VP. It looks like I'll either be flying up to Washington State next week or talking with him over a confernece call. I talked about this position with one of my collegues who does this sort of thing already for my current company. He thought I would be great for that position and gave me some good advice on how to approach it. The more I have thought about it, the more I will probably go for the position up north if I get a good offer.

I'm still following up on my other interviews with other companies since I have to assume that I must keep looking until I have a real offer in hand.

Kevster

Well to follow up, I had a 45-minute phone conversation with the VP of Engineering and apparently he was impressed with me. Hopefully I will hear back early next week. I just hope that I can hear from Edison just to be sure, but depending on the offer I will probably go for the job up north. Hopefully the offer will be good enough, but we'll have to see. I hate this anxious/anticipation feeling...

Itsme

I guess you'll have to get used to the anxious/anticipation thing....you'll probably go through this a few more times in your career.

ray

Whenever I am looking for jobs, I always look for the following:

1) Will I be learning something new that I will be able to apply to future jobs and real life?

2) Will I get exposure to various departments, outside clients, and upper management?

3) Would I be happy with that company for more than 3-5 years if circumstances required me to have a full-time job and a steady income (ie: mortgage, emergency expenses that may put you in the hole, stock market tanks, earthquakes etc)?

4) If for some reason the commute becomes unbearable, are there areas near that company where I could relocate? If so, is it an area where I may stay long term?

5) Can I see myself happy there?

We all have our personal reasons for looking for new jobs. Sometimes it's money, sometimes it's for a better work/life balance, and sometimes it may be for a new challenge in life. Regardless of what it is, make sure you've explored all the possible scenarios and make the decision that would make you the happiest in the long run.