Two job offers; could use a little advice.

Well after being unemployed for two weeks (I was just as surprised) I got two solid job offers that I'm looking at.

Job A.
Tier III network support - Major ISP

Pros:
Pay around 70k with bonus.
Big complex network.
Warm climate.
Great technical career advancement.
Cons:
Away from family and friends.
Not really sure what the job might be like.

Job B.
Networking support (on a team of 7 total) - Hospital

Pros:
Solid network size.
Can go to school for cheap.
Really close to friends family.
Good project management experience.
Cons:
Less pay, around 50k.
Less complex network, more user work.
Colder climate (less time to fly r/c aircraft

)

I was leaning towards Job A, but I would enjoy Job B as well and it's so close.

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Comments

meadIT

Are the two jobs far enough apart that cost of living differences could come into play?

Edit: Judging by the climate comments, I would assume this is true. Did you check any COL calulators?

undomiel

When you say away from family do you mean away from wife or just away from parents/siblings? If you're not sure what the job is like I would recommend calling up and seeing if you can interview any of your would-be coworkers to find out what the job is like from them. Get a well defined set of duties. Going in blind isn't a good thing because you may not like the job at all. Job B has project management so that's a big plus for it as well. Employers like project management a lot. So the first thing I would do is find out what exactly Job A is as I mentioned before. Then if it still seems good I would evaluate which you hold more dear, the money or your being closer to home/colder.

snadam

which two cities are we talking about? I would say that plays a major factor in deciding, or at least giving a suggestion.

Turgon

In the present economic climate try to go where the money is. You would need very good reasons not to go for the higher paying gig right now.

Good luck whatever you decide!

oo_snoopy

Job A. Phoenix, AZ

Job B. Columbia, MO (Near my hometown)

By family I just mean siblings and parents. I guess I know what Job A is about, but I'm not 100% sure how I'll be executing the roll. Job A is more of just supporting the network while Job B is doing everything, from support to engineering to vendor selection.

networker050184

Compare the cost of living in Phoenix and Columbia and they might come out a lot closer than you think. Never just go by dollar amount when cost of living will make a huge difference.

undomiel

Honestly I'd be leaning towards Job B as it sounds like a more interesting role plus you'll be closer to your family so (if you're close with them that is) that could be a big plus. Also if you don't have to relocate that is another bonus. But if you want feel free to jump on over to Phoenix!

Snadam and I will be happy to have another TE member here.

Turgon

networker050184 wrote:

Compare the cost of living in Phoenix and Columbia and they might come out a lot closer than you think. Never just go by dollar amount when cost of living will make a huge difference.

Very true. You need to factor that in. If after that you have an offer that is still quite a bit more than just an extra chunk of loose change that may make the decision easier.

zen master

I say you should try to start a bidding war.

But seriously, Job A does seem pretty sweet, the only negative I can see is the distance from family and friends, and you haven't explained how far away it is exactly. Besides, with that extra 20 grand you can buy some new ones

j/k . Anyway who doesn't love a warm climate? My pick is Job A, working at a major ISP is a GOLDEN opportunity. This is a no brainer.

snadam

oo_snoopy wrote:

Job A. Phoenix, AZ

Job B. Columbia, MO (Near my hometown)

By family I just mean siblings and parents. I guess I know what Job A is about, but I'm not 100% sure how I'll be executing the roll. Job A is more of just supporting the network while Job B is doing everything, from support to engineering to vendor selection.

there are a few Phoenician TE members, so it would be a good excuse to get together and have a beer, or 7

You would have to factor in family, moving out of state, etc. But overall, I like this area and even though it took me a while, I cant think of leaving unless a fantastic opportunity arose. But you either love Phoenix or hate it.

jryantech

Job A

you'll have plenty of extra cash to travel back home for visits.

easy choice.

nel

I would go for A. Seems like B is more in your "comfort zone"

Job A Seems a great job, good pay, great weather. lots of good technology to work on and going by your certs thats the kind of work you've aimed towards.

Is your judgement not being clouded by the fact you dont want to leave your parents, brothers and sisters? If so, you will meet new people and it will be a great life experiance plus you'll have a great job! Whats there to loose? you can easily go back home if it doesnt work out.

LarryDaMan

IT is all about the bling bling yo! (look out Eminem)

Seriously though, 20K more a year is considerable and could afford you the opportunity to do more things.

The only people who say money doesn't matter at all, are the ones who already have it. Money doesn't buy happiness; but it will get you places, buy you stuff, keep you fed, take care of your family... and make girls like you more.

Those things make you happy.

undomiel

larrydaman wrote:

The only people who say money doesn't matter at all, are the ones who already have it.

I would disagree with that statement. I definitely do not fall into the already have it category.

LarryDaMan

undomiel wrote:

larrydaman wrote:

The only people who say money doesn't matter at all, are the ones who already have it.

I would disagree with that statement. I definitely do not fall into the already have it category.

Perhaps you are one of the few...

If you have to support yourself and fend for your own well being, than money matters to most people...

I was a poor private in the Army 13 years ago driving around with no car insurance because it was too expensive... now I can take vacations and buy what I want and need without counting the days until payday.

Life still sucks, but money matters.

networker050184

Keep in mind depending on what department you work at the ISP you could end up testing circuits all day

At an ISP you have lots of engineers doing all sorts of tasks and plenty of them do not have much room for growth or actual hands on (even lvl III). I'd do a little more research to be certain.

contentpros

heh, have you spent anytime in Phoenix during the summer? How do you handle warm (ok hot) climates? If you are seriously thinking about the job in Phoenix now may be the time to use some of that vacation time and go spend a week in Phoenix. Book into a motel 6 or some basic motel (staying for a week in a nicer hotel will bias your trip) rent a car for a week and explore. Pick up some apartment or house guides and see what kind of rents get you a nice place to live. Drive the city during rush hour times and visit the local supermarkets and restaurants and see how the prices compare.

Happy hunting!

jryantech

networker050184 wrote:

Keep in mind depending on what department you work at the ISP you could end up testing circuits all day

I know! What a drag it would be testing circuits all day making $70k!

the_erickee

Cost of Living Comparison:
Phoenix, Arizona - Columbia, Missouri

Columbia is 18% cheaper than Phoenix.

Housing is 40% cheaper in Columbia.

A salary of $70,000 in Phoenix, Arizona could decrease to $57,555 in Columbia, Missouri

Hope this helps!

astorrs

the_erickee wrote:

Cost of Living Comparison:
Phoenix, Arizona - Columbia, Missouri

Columbia is 18% cheaper than Phoenix.

Housing is 40% cheaper in Columbia.

A salary of $70,000 in Phoenix, Arizona could decrease to $57,555 in Columbia, Missouri

Hope this helps!

Yup, that's what XtreemeChaos was getting at. COL makes a huge difference in this case. I would go with B and work my way into a lead role on the team - gobble up the PM experience you can get while you're there.

jryantech

the_erickee wrote:

Cost of Living Comparison:
Phoenix, Arizona - Columbia, Missouri

Columbia is 18% cheaper than Phoenix.

Housing is 40% cheaper in Columbia.

A salary of $70,000 in Phoenix, Arizona could decrease to $57,555 in Columbia, Missouri

Hope this helps!

I'm pretty sure being a buyer right now is good.

I doubt those numbers take into consideration this economy. Even if that lack of firm information is true $7,000 more a year is still $583 more a month...

snadam

contentpros wrote:

heh, have you spent anytime in Phoenix during the summer? How do you handle warm (ok hot) climates? If you are seriously thinking about the job in Phoenix now may be the time to use some of that vacation time and go spend a week in Phoenix. Book into a motel 6 or some basic motel (staying for a week in a nicer hotel will bias your trip) rent a car for a week and explore. Pick up some apartment or house guides and see what kind of rents get you a nice place to live. Drive the city during rush hour times and visit the local supermarkets and restaurants and see how the prices compare.

Happy hunting!

phoenix is hot in the summer!?

4months of heat, 8 months of great weather. Like I said before you either love it or hate it. Personally I got used to the heat so its not a big deal to me. Heed contentpros advice though and come out if you can. its monsoon season so its 100+ degrees with +30% humidity; its easily the "worst time of the year" weather-wise.

undomiel

Personally I'm loving the rain and cloud cover. Finally a change from the blistering heat! Can't wait til the temperature gets reasonable for one month. If you don't want the Columbia, MO job then I'll be more than happy to take it for you.

Gotta get out of this heat!

BradleyHU

Turgon wrote:

In the present economic climate try to go where the money is. You would need very good reasons not to go for the higher paying gig right now.

Good luck whatever you decide!

so true. i mean, me personally, i'm all about tryin to make as much money as possible, so A would have been a no brainer for me. but i understand your plight, best of luck to you.

networker050184

jryantech wrote:

networker050184 wrote:

Keep in mind depending on what department you work at the ISP you could end up testing circuits all day

I know! What a drag it would be testing circuits all day making $70k!

Some of us like to enjoy our work. I wouldn't test circuits for $70k. Especially when I make more doing what I enjoy.

jryantech

networker050184 wrote:

jryantech wrote:

networker050184 wrote:

Keep in mind depending on what department you work at the ISP you could end up testing circuits all day

I know! What a drag it would be testing circuits all day making $70k!

Some of us like to enjoy our work. I wouldn't test circuits for $70k. Especially when I make more doing what I enjoy.

Well it depends on your age and if you have room to move up in the company.

Yes I'm pretty sure it would not be fun doing the same thing all the time for 20 years.

oo_snoopy

I wouldn't be testing circuits

I wouldn't test circuits for 120k year

At job A I would be the final tier support for all of the IP network, core to edge. Also implementing new technologies, working with the vendor, your standard Tier 3 stuff.

networker050184

I figured you wouldn't be testing circuits, but you never know I have seen a lot of highly certified people working physical layer work.

famosbrown

Go for the Top position with the most money and never look back. Keep moving forward and you will find yourself above 100K in no time. If you aren't TOO busy, go grab a Masters degree on their dime too

.

I was single with no kids, and I've been far from my family since Freshman year of college. You will get used to it, and they will appreciate seeing you successful and reaping the benefits every now and then

.

Good luck with whatever decision you make!!

gojericho0

I'd go with option A. Sounds like its a better career move both financially and moving up the ladder. Are they willing to pay relocation as well?