About (page 7)
Right. They're the best aspects of the job. The down-side is that it's worrying in a number of ways. Firstly, R&D departments are often volatile, and if one hasn't been there for long then it might disappear as an out-of-date management fad. Secondly, as I've said, projects typically last for 3 years. Although this allows for a great degree of different work, the next project might either be boring or non-existent. Thirdly, R&D teams are typically small (in our team there are 4-5 people), so the performance of everyone is more exposed and everyone is very responsible for their part of the work. Also, if one person's work is the weakest link in the chain that links everyone's part of the project together, then it's easy to see who that person is. This is fine if you're good, but there's always the worry that everyone else is better. Usually, though, you'll have been picked because you fill a niche that no-one else can do very well, so everyone complements and supports each other. And if everyone gets on well and helps out, the support will be a suitable cushion.
- - - - -
As I've said, the job isn't perfect, but it has the right mix of job security, social atmosphere and financial gain for someone like me. You might be more at home looking for a consultancy role in the long-term, which is much more well paid and involves a lot of travel. This will probably involve staying in nice hotels with swimming pool and sauna, although don't expect to have the time to look around the area you're visiting much, it doesn't usually work that way. Also, contracting pays a lot better (at least double). However, beware of the potential hazards explained on page 4. Someone I'm working with at the moment accepted a halving of his pay to join us on salary rather than on contract. In his case, he went for the benefits. In your case, contracting might be a good stop-gap money-maker between your first job (training) and your third job (security).
This pattern can be seen, I'm sure, in other areas, not just in IT. A good example is the medical profession, where you rise the ranks from a low-paid job such as a bursary to a BUPA contractor to a BUPA or NHS nurse. Talk to people, see what they've done and what's open to you, and go for it. The alternative is to be a 'local' and stagnate in the same post for the rest of your life, and I don't think you want to do that.
Page: 7 [ Prev | Next | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Homepage ]