Which Job?

Question

My husband recently graduated from college with his degree in engineering. He has been offered two jobs and is torn between the two and which one to choose.
1st job:
-Full Benefits (medical, dental)
-Starting in management position
-$17 an hour
-I am currently still in school and this job is a half hour away from where we live.

2nd job:
-No Benefits during 1st year probationary hiring
-Federal Government
-Contract with option to renew and possibly become full-time and permanent employee.
-Wage starting at $19-25 dependent upon experience and education
-This job is in another town 4 hours away, which means he will have to relocate to another city. I would follow after I graduate this spring 2007.

I have tried to give him an honest opinion, but can't help but be biased. Education really is the key to success! All these people want to hire him and he is 27 years old.

Answer 1

How wonderful to have such a nice choice! Where do you want to raise your family? How close are you to your families-do they live near or far? Does he want stability or more pay-which is more important? People are always trying for federal jobs-talk about this together and consider what your values are (other than money)-he will be in demand as an engineer because the US considers that a high demand occupation right now. Not many engineers are graduating-so wherever you go, he will be able to find a job.

Answer 2

First don't underestimate the value of benefits, actually do the research as to how much these things costs.
Second don't underestimate the governments ability to string you along. I know a few people who have taken contract government jobs, and three years later were still scraping by at the same wage/status. Also with some contract jobs getting paid is a lot more of a pain than you might think, I know people who have gone months without pay because there was an invoice problem. I'd take the straightforward close by job, the other just has lots of variables.

Answer 3

If I had to choose a private sector or Government job, I would choose a Government job. My mother was forced into early retirement from her government position because of cutbacks, but I also know many people in private companies who've lost their jobs. Usually, though, once you pass the probationary period for the government, it is very difficult to be just "let go" without some kind of severence (barring criminal activity, that is). In today's climate there is no guarantee of secure employment with anyone anymore.

Answer 4

I think the first one has better job security than working for the federal govt, especially if they're going to hire him on a probationary basis. Plus the first one is closer and has great benefits and pay.

Answer 5

Take the first job hand down. Medical and dental insurance is priceless. If you take job #2 and somehow you get hurt and wind up with hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bill you would have wished you took the first job. Also who wants to relocate?

Answer 6

take the first one, he can always get a job with the govt later on in life and might actually be able to find one that really wants a permanent employee. i think they usually just say this to get good applicants even though they never ever really planned on the applicant being full time. usually trying to fill in for someone on leave or temporarily disabled.

Answer 7

Benefits pay off more than a slight increase in pay. Also, 4 hours away is quite a distance.

Answer 8

If the 1st job has the oppurtunity for raises take that one. If not go with # 2

Answer 9

Job 1. The other job will catch up with pay, and you get benefits, which are really important.

Answer 10

i think benefits are very very important, but i find an hourly wage odd. I would expect an engineering job to have a salary