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Should I Accept the Job Offer?

Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:10 am
Posted by CivilEngr89
Member since Apr 2020
15 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:10 am
I am having a very hard time deciding what to do with my career as I have a new job offer on the table. Let me start with a little background about myself.

I'm a 30 year old male, civil engineer, divorced but in new relationship, oh and have a dog.

I have been with the same company for my entire career (7 years) my boss has been extremely good to me and I truly loved what I do, and the people that I work with. There is a very good social aspect with the group as a large portion are around my age. I have put a lot of effort into trying to build this group up, and have hired a good group of younger engineers on my project team, it has been a whole lot of fun to watch them grow. All of that being said, I am starting to doubt our corporate executives and I don't see much more room for upward mobility in this company, I think my ceiling is not much higher.

Tee up a few weeks ago and I am approached by a new company looking for someone to fill a roll on their construction site that would be a lot of responsibility. This company is the owner of the site and has plans for many more future facilities. After a few discussions and actually meeting with the CEOs of the company, they have extended me an offer that I'm not sure I ever thought I would receive in my lifetime.

Pay increase - 60% (105k->165k)

All health and life insurance - 100% covered by company

Much better 401k match & Equal bonus opportunity

I specialize in industrial/chemical/petrochemical facility design and work with multi-disciplines. This would be a change in career trajectory because I would go from a design/engineering roll to a construction/quality control roll. But this company has much more upward growth potential as it is a large corporation. So pros/cons!

Pros:

Major pay increase

Upward mobility

Better benefits

Good resume builder

Expand my construction knowledge (improves future marketability)

Cons:

Relocation (2 hrs away from current residence)

Long commute even after relocation (1 hr. Drive each way)

Change in career trajectory

I know no one and very little about the company.

Less work/life balance and social life.

Impact on current relationship (even though she is being super supportive and saying she will be there no matter the decision)

I have a lot of emotional ties to the group I work with currently as my boss has been probably the best boss a person could ask for. He has treated me extremely well and given me every opportunity to grow as fast as I could handle. I have thoroughly enjoyed working for him.

I believe this job opportunity would not only grow my career but I believe it would also help me grow as an individual and it would be a new difficult challenge to try and undertake. Any advice/stories or thought angles or aspects would be greatly appreciated! TIA
Posted by LNCHBOX
70448
Member since Jun 2009
84120 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:12 am to
quote:

I believe this job opportunity would not only grow my career but I believe it would also help me grow as an individual and it would be a new difficult challenge to try and undertake


It sounds like you already know the answer.
Posted by WPBTiger
Parts Unknown
Member since Nov 2011
31063 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:14 am to
To me the pros outweigh the cons. See if you can maybe get a raise out of it if you do not want to leave.
Posted by PerceivedReality
South Cakkalakki
Member since Apr 2013
1057 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:21 am to
pros outweigh the cons. make the move now while kids aren't an issue. offers like this don't come around often. especially with current conditions. congrats btw. take the leap of faith and don't look back.

where are you located now? and where will the move put you?
This post was edited on 4/17/20 at 10:22 am
Posted by MAUCKjersey1
Houston Oil and Gas
Member since Aug 2005
3531 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:26 am to
I would ensure they are not going to slow or even shut down the construction site due to the current economy. My company has halted and delayed most projects in the field now. Also, in large owner companies you are just a number no matter what they tell you.
Posted by 3rd Try Tiger
Member since Nov 2018
456 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:27 am to
You may need a new opportunity. This may not be the only one coming your way. Be patient and find the right place to be.
Posted by TheWalrus
Member since Dec 2012
40544 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:31 am to
Why would there be a long commute after relocation? Why wouldn’t you just move closer to the location?
Posted by CivilEngr89
Member since Apr 2020
15 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:32 am to
Project is on the gulf, I would be relocating to lake charles from BR. Dont really want to live in a camper trailer in a gravel parking lot.
Posted by CivilEngr89
Member since Apr 2020
15 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:33 am to
Located in BR, move to LC.
Posted by SuddenJerk
Member since Oct 2017
728 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:34 am to
I’ll play devil’s advocate here. Money isn’t everything and it sounds like you have a good life and pay now so why change it? It does sound like you want a challenge and if so then go for it.

Either way good luck on your decision. Sometimes making that first step is the hardest decision.
Posted by Ruxins Rascals
Middle of Da Bayou
Member since Nov 2018
537 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:35 am to
To add a con, less job security. Construction as a whole has less job security than engineering.
Posted by hiltacular
NYC
Member since Jan 2011
19677 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:37 am to
I would jump at that opportunity.
Posted by Ric Flair
Charlotte
Member since Oct 2005
13657 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:43 am to
Could you buy a house on a canal in Hackberry? Get a boat and fish Big Lake. A daily one hour commute could be a lot longer if you live in Lake Charles and are commuting to Cameron Parish (considering the Calcasieu bridge issues). Assuming you’re going to one of the LNG plants.

Would cut down on daily commute, have boat access directly to Big Lake, and not as bad of a drive on the weekends to Lake Charles.

Would buy something like this: LINK
This post was edited on 4/17/20 at 10:51 am
Posted by Boudinbaw
Member since Jan 2020
84 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:46 am to
quote:

Long commute even after relocation (1 hr. Drive each way)

Don't understand this, are you moving to Lafayette in this scenario?
Posted by CivilEngr89
Member since Apr 2020
15 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:47 am to
LNG plant is in Cameron, only choice of really living is in a trailer park and RV. Would be relocating to Lake Charles and driving south every day to the coast essentially.
Posted by Boudinbaw
Member since Jan 2020
84 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:51 am to
Ah gotcha, didn't think lake Charles to hackberry is that far.
60% more is alot more though, I think everyone else has outlined what to consider. best of luck in your decision

Edit:Oh you meant Cameron sorry, ya that's pretty far haha. I guess that's venture global? Interesting company, I'd look into who's backing that
This post was edited on 4/17/20 at 10:53 am
Posted by CivilEngr89
Member since Apr 2020
15 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:53 am to
I have a great life and love my job and the people I do it with, I was not job hunting, these people reached out to me and made me this offer.
Posted by Upperdecker
St. George, LA
Member since Nov 2014
30578 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:55 am to
I can see why you’re on the fence. 60% pay bump and better career outlook is huge. But I gotta say commuting 2 hours a day is gonna be soul sucking man. You’re gonna wear down your car a lot faster, you’re gonna feel like you’re working a lot more bc you’re adding so much time to your day. Why do you have a definite 2 hours commuting every day after relocating? Job site in the middle of nowhere?

Edit: saw you answered that. Since you’re single it’s probably the only time you’d want to consider doing 2 hour commutes

Can you take calls in your car during the commute to reduce your work day? Can you get a company vehicle? Any chance to work from home partially (probably not since construction)? That commute is gonna be the big issue. But I work with guys who do Lafayette to BR everyday for a decade or longer so it’s not impossible, I just couldn’t do it
This post was edited on 4/17/20 at 11:00 am
Posted by CivilEngr89
Member since Apr 2020
15 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:55 am to
Yeah thats them, i would hire direct for them, and oversee the installation of their modular concepts. THe cameron facility is fully funded, so i would have job security for a few years, barring i perform well.
Posted by Ric Flair
Charlotte
Member since Oct 2005
13657 posts
Posted on 4/17/20 at 10:55 am to
The furthest away I would live if working down there would be Carlyss. Commuting all the way from Lake Charles would suck.
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