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Message
Big fish in a small pond or wade into deeper waters? TL/DR
Posted on 7/5/14 at 9:00 am
Posted on 7/5/14 at 9:00 am
So I've been deliberating on this for a while now and would appreciate some advice.
I work for an oil major and was hired to work within their major projects group 5+ years ago. About 3 years ago I was loaned to help a smaller niche organization within corporate. First I was seen as an outsider as engineers are a minority within the group, but I've grown on them and especially in the past year I've led most of their policy decisions and process changes. It's to the point there is almost nothing I ask for that they don't support me. They've asked me repeatedly over the past year to join their group permanently.
As i'm on loan, the project group still evaluates my job performance and provides my pay increases. This is by far my biggest concern. The group I'm loaned to provides very little pay increases from the anecdotal statements of others. My % pay increases have at least doubled those i talk to within the new group. I've been rated highly so this could just be a function of performance, but it is an unknown.
Second concern is that this is truly a niche within the company. A niche I honestly think could be contracted out more than we do as most of the jobs aren't part of the core business of getting oil out of the ground, processed and distributed. I could envision a time when the corporation farms this service out. Not likely but still worth considering.
Lastly I'll be limited on job opportunities. This group has about ~60 people globally while the project group is in the thousands. There are probably 5 different jobs total within this niche group that I could be in while the project group has dozens of different types. Also many of the project groups roles could transfer to other business lines within the organization. The opportunities are almost limitless for the length of my career.
The difficult part is I haven't been able to discuss with someone who can give a more full evaluation of my optional career paths. If the projects groups didn't want me, they certainly wouldn't be ranking me over the majority in their organization. Although I would likely be able to return to this niche organization after a few years if it doesn't work out, I think it would lose some of the vision and direction I've been providing and I would likely miss out on being placed in a manager position that will likely be available in the next few years.
Thoughts?
I work for an oil major and was hired to work within their major projects group 5+ years ago. About 3 years ago I was loaned to help a smaller niche organization within corporate. First I was seen as an outsider as engineers are a minority within the group, but I've grown on them and especially in the past year I've led most of their policy decisions and process changes. It's to the point there is almost nothing I ask for that they don't support me. They've asked me repeatedly over the past year to join their group permanently.
As i'm on loan, the project group still evaluates my job performance and provides my pay increases. This is by far my biggest concern. The group I'm loaned to provides very little pay increases from the anecdotal statements of others. My % pay increases have at least doubled those i talk to within the new group. I've been rated highly so this could just be a function of performance, but it is an unknown.
Second concern is that this is truly a niche within the company. A niche I honestly think could be contracted out more than we do as most of the jobs aren't part of the core business of getting oil out of the ground, processed and distributed. I could envision a time when the corporation farms this service out. Not likely but still worth considering.
Lastly I'll be limited on job opportunities. This group has about ~60 people globally while the project group is in the thousands. There are probably 5 different jobs total within this niche group that I could be in while the project group has dozens of different types. Also many of the project groups roles could transfer to other business lines within the organization. The opportunities are almost limitless for the length of my career.
The difficult part is I haven't been able to discuss with someone who can give a more full evaluation of my optional career paths. If the projects groups didn't want me, they certainly wouldn't be ranking me over the majority in their organization. Although I would likely be able to return to this niche organization after a few years if it doesn't work out, I think it would lose some of the vision and direction I've been providing and I would likely miss out on being placed in a manager position that will likely be available in the next few years.
Thoughts?
This post was edited on 7/5/14 at 9:05 am
3
Posted on 7/5/14 at 9:34 am to C
When is the project ending?
Seems like you are semi in a best of both worlds position.
You get to work in that environment and enjoy the pay and raises of the larger company.
How long till your true employers attempt to reassign you? Thats when you have a decision, not now.
Seems like you are semi in a best of both worlds position.
You get to work in that environment and enjoy the pay and raises of the larger company.
How long till your true employers attempt to reassign you? Thats when you have a decision, not now.
Posted on 7/5/14 at 12:08 pm to Mr.Perfect
quote:
When is the project ending?
I was assigned for a 2-3 year stint. Major projects have been in a bit of a lull for the past year or so. I see things picking up come in early 2015.
quote:Agreed but that's not going to last. I'm guessing by the end of this year they will come calling.
ou get to work in that environment and enjoy the pay and raises of the larger company.
Posted on 7/5/14 at 12:37 pm to C
"I work for an oil major and was hired to work within their major projects group 5+ years ago."
Are you upstream or downstream? In general the upstream tends to be much more boom or bust and niche markets might be worth below average from an engineer pay in a downturn. Having the broader options would be a plus in upstream.
Downstream would be more robust and you could go from chemicals to refining or the other way around.
Are you upstream or downstream? In general the upstream tends to be much more boom or bust and niche markets might be worth below average from an engineer pay in a downturn. Having the broader options would be a plus in upstream.
Downstream would be more robust and you could go from chemicals to refining or the other way around.
This post was edited on 7/5/14 at 12:41 pm
Posted on 7/5/14 at 12:51 pm to C
At this point it sounds like you have more experience in the niche group (3 yrs) than the major projects group (hired 5 years ago).
The niche group is limited in the pay and the career opportunities, and with only 2 years in the major projects group you have not really proven your skills there either (from a resume perspective). Yet you are still reaping the benefits from being hired into the major projects group from the standpoint of salary and future opportunities.
If I were in your shoes, I would already be planning my move back into the major projects group. In your specialized role you may have been able to meet a number of contacts that can help you learn more about and get into those jobs, especially if you have made a great reputation in this niche role.
Take this role for what it has been - a broadening opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and gain additional perspective on the company and the business cycle. But if major projects has more stroke and is providing better raises, then you need to get back into that role to build your career for now.
Caveats: I have no idea what you do or which company you work for. But at one point I worked for a major and dipped my toe into some niche opportunities and special projects roles.
The niche group is limited in the pay and the career opportunities, and with only 2 years in the major projects group you have not really proven your skills there either (from a resume perspective). Yet you are still reaping the benefits from being hired into the major projects group from the standpoint of salary and future opportunities.
If I were in your shoes, I would already be planning my move back into the major projects group. In your specialized role you may have been able to meet a number of contacts that can help you learn more about and get into those jobs, especially if you have made a great reputation in this niche role.
Take this role for what it has been - a broadening opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and gain additional perspective on the company and the business cycle. But if major projects has more stroke and is providing better raises, then you need to get back into that role to build your career for now.
Caveats: I have no idea what you do or which company you work for. But at one point I worked for a major and dipped my toe into some niche opportunities and special projects roles.
Posted on 7/5/14 at 3:40 pm to Bayou Tiger
quote:
Take this role for what it has been - a broadening opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and gain additional perspective on the company and the business cycle.
Main reason I took this role. It's been a great learning opportunity to see how the other business lines operate and what affects their business.
quote:
But at one point I worked for a major and dipped my toe into some niche opportunities and special projects roles.
Yeah a year ago I was ready to move on because a lot of the things I was advocating weren't going anywhere. Then I had a couple of breakthroughs on some smaller pieces and they started to see the major benefits. They started having me travel to train everyone else globally and then last week the head of the group basically asks me to rewrite their entire program.
Posted on 7/5/14 at 3:41 pm to LSU0358
quote:
upstream
chemical engineer if it matters.
This post was edited on 7/5/14 at 3:43 pm
Posted on 7/6/14 at 12:22 am to C
Time to leave the major and go work for a lean, aggressive independent. You can't hide in your gopher hole avoiding difficult decisions at and indie.
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