Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with money and job

Nerd seeks Leigh Steinberg

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:25:01 -0800

I'm a veteran software engineer / technical lead working for an internet company. I think I've got an opportunity to really cash in at my job, and need guidance on how best to do this. For the past two years I have been working on a product that is about to make my company some serious revenue.

Right now, I feel pretty irreplaceable. Because of some organizational turmoil and chronic understaffing, I have enormous development, management, and operational responsibilities. I have no backup for any of these roles. I have a good reputation in the company, as far as I know, and have done well-received presentations for our executives. I also have offers from other companies as a security blanket.

There will be a short window of opportunity for me to cash in, between the time when the deal to sell the product is signed and the time when I can train up whatever new staff comes along. Our product is a B2B thing with significant professional service opportunities. It's not turnkey. During this window, the sale will live and die on my efforts.

I would like to capitalize on that in a career-defining way. Exactly how I'll do that, I'm not sure. I have some ideas, but I need help with them.

So: I would like to hire someone who can give me a reality check, who can help me hone my pitch and define my requirements, and who has a background in business, negotiation, and contract law. I want this person to help me look like I know exactly what I'm doing. I don't think I want to hire someone to do the actual negotiating; I want more of an advisor. Can anyone suggest where to find such a person? I am in Seattle so if you have a recommendation in this area, that'd be especially cool.

Online career change exercises wanted

reenum — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:22:57 -0800

Are there any websites or online resources for people considering a career change? I've been thinking of changing careers for a while, and after some recent events at the office, it's time to get up and start figuring some things out.

I'm going to get "What Color Is Your Parachute" and a few other recommended texts from other threads, but I'm wondering if there are any websites or other online resources (preferably free), that have exercises and other things I can use to try and evaluate what it is I truly want to do.

I have a lot of free time at work. For obvious reasons, I don't want to show up here with career change books.

Thanks!

What metrics are sales professionals guided by?

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:27:00 -0800

What metrics are sales professionals guided by? Working with my sales manager to help redefine how inside and outside salespeople should be compensated and reviewed.

Everything from leadership to new accounts to call metrics to closed business... how does your business (or your competitors) judge the success of your sales force?

[Also, if you have any articles of interest or website recommendations, it would be just as valuable.]

I hate my job, and I don't know what to switch to... how screwed am I?

SansPoint — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:48:09 -0800

I need a new job, and I need one by the end of the year, because I'm very close to walking out of the one I have now. Help me, hive mind, as I'm at my wits end. What the hell can I do that's in Philadelphia, doesn't require a car, isn't sales, and pays around $30k? If you check my previous questions, you'll see that I've asked this thing before. At this point, though, it's getting dire. My needs are pretty damn specific, w/r/t pay, too, as I have student loans and other debt out the wazoo, as well as a $750/mo lease. I don't want to recap the ways my current job makes me hate myself and my life. I just want something else.

This is my résumé. I don't have a lot of skills. I've worked in tele-sales in some form or another for my entire professional life, and I hate it. I loathe it, I despise it. I hate cold-calling, I hate trying to convince people to buy something, give money, or accept a call from someone else, at least over the phone. I hate interrupting people, I hate being hung-up on, and I hate being brushed off. I need something else to maintain my sanity.

Thing is, I've officially run out of ideas as to what to search for. I thought I could move to a career in development for non-profits or performing arts, which Philly has no shortage of, but I can't even get an interview. I suspect this is because tele-fundraising has as much to do with proper development as LOGO has to do with programming in Assembler.

I'm barely making enough money. I tried going back to my second job doing tele-fundraising, but I lasted a week before illness sidelined me. I'm barely well enough to do my day job, and that's not paying enough because I'm not making my goal.

Please, please, PLEASE do not suggest volunteering, unpaid internships, or anything that will reduce my already poor income. Ways I can get better at my current, shitty job would be useful, but I don't want to do sales any more. I never wanted to.

So, I'm officially at my wit's end. Help me, Metafilter, as I'm totally out of ideas.

How much can a teenager charge for yard work?

bobertdude — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:48:52 -0800

What would be a fair price to ask? Per hour? Square foot? Give me some input. I'm starting a little business where I do people's yard work. I'm only 16 years old and don't have "professional" experience with yard work; I just do it around the house. How much should I charge? What specifically would I be expected to do?

Should I take a long-term position in which I don't intend to stay?

ramenopres — Sat, 23 May 2009 23:34:18 -0800

Should I take a "career" position in a field in which I don't want to advance so that I can get the money to do what I want to do? Factors:

Recent college graduate.

I know what I want to do. It requires a little money to get started and is a little off the beaten path. My skills are well-suited to it and it makes me happy. There is no question that this is what I want to do; I have both practical and theoretical experience. It may be more of a networking-based, intermittent employment thing, possibly requiring me to pay for things like my own health insurance.

I have interviewed for a job for which I am very qualified. It is an entry-level position with an entity that isn't going anywhere soon (read: good benefits and a future that I could depend on); part of the reason I'm qualified is that the skill set for this job and what I would like to do are similar. The problem is that this is the institutionalized version of what I want to do. The skills don't seem to be immediately transferrable to other work, since at least the first couple of months are spent learning very specific technology. This would be a desk job, and I have always wanted to avoid desk jobs, although --or because-- I'm good at them.

I have some student loans (less than $10,000) and don't like to be in debt.

Once in a place, I suffer from inertia and have trouble moving out. I am concerned that this job could be "good enough"; I worked in an office last year and was surprised by how content I felt. I don't want to settle for being content and am worried that if I start this job I will miss out on opportunities later. However, it offers pretty good pay for an entry-level position (over $30,000/year) and could help take care of those student loans pretty quickly. I am normally all about experience and making connections, but it's tempting to take care of the debt in this case.

I am applying for programs and grants to do what I want to do and would go into this job, in any case, expecting to get out of it within a year or two. I was planning to make this clear in the interview but it never came up. My plan is sort of to pay off the debt, get some savings, and go off to start doing this other thing, having strengthened my skill set in the interim as best I can.

If I didn't take it I would be stuck with the rest of humanity, looking for a job (and I want to move out of my parents' house), but I would also have the flexibility to apply for internships, and the job I took would probably be easier to leave (retail or food).

Other things that might play into this: Is the economy bad enough that it's ridiculous to turn down work? What would enable me to make money and pay off the debt ASAP, or is that not my first priority? What is your experience in trying to pursue something while working full-time in a different field? --did you find those good intentions falling by the wayside? Any advice on doing my very best in this position if I take it? I need practical input here. I've been thinking it might be best to keep following my "dream" and not accept substitutes, but this could be a short track to what I want. I recently turned down a very cool opportunity because it was too good, if that makes sense, and I don't want to do that again.

If offered the position I will of course be forthright (in an intelligent, corporate kind of way) about the fact that I don't see myself continuing in it long-term. I will probably say that I am open to exploring the field (because who knows, right?) but see myself somewhere else in five years.

EconomyFilter: Teenage needs work. A bit apprehensive and unsure on how to get it.

seandq — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:36:03 -0800

EconomyFilter: I'm a sixteen year old desperately needing a part-time or summer job. I can't help but feel bad taking away from those who really NEED it though. Long story short, I just got a car for a late sixteen birthday gift. I've wanted it for a long time, and it's great, but as a condition, my parents would like me to start working to help chip in for insurance, gas, and the car payment as well as my sometimes expensive social life.

The problem is twofold: first off, I feel bad taking what could be a job from someone who really needs it (like someone on WIC or food stamps) away from them (call me a bleeding-heart) and secondly, I'm still hesitant on the idea of work. Don't get me wrong, wherever I'm hired, I'll work diligently and faithfully but I'm still a bit rusty on the process. I've filed ~15 applications for local chain stores (ranging from Walgreens to Books-a-Million to Cracker Barrel) all online via SnagaJob.com and no response at all. Target was courteous enough to email me back saying no.

I have only a few restrictions, but I'm willing to waive them if it's what it takes to get me hired. I'd prefer not fast food, and by fast food I mean McD's/BK. I can humble myself to be a Barista, Burrito Engineer or a Sandwich Artist if it is so. I'd really prefer a job in an environment that's a bit more..intellectual..than McDonald's, but frankly I'll take what's available.

So cliffs for those still with me:
1) I need a good teenage part-time/summer job in this environment.
2) I need to know the best approach for job application - I'd love to have a job where I could submit a resumé, but I'm either underage for a position like that, or they are full-time positions and I'm not dropping out of school, so it's just filling out the form for now.

Thanks for your time. I appreciate it!

Does that make sense?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:08:52 -0800

Debtfilter: Employer provides signing bonus structured as forgivable loan (forgiven if employee stays with firm long enough). Employee leaves soon after, and employer seeks to collect on loan. Employee is now a broke grad student, so employer offers to defer collection of loan until grad school is complete. Question: If length of time in grad school exceeds state statute of limitations on original loan, does this mean the loan will discharge itself before it can be collected? I know you're not my lawyer.

How do you make money when you arne't allowed to leave the house?

logic vs love — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:19:16 -0800

How can my 18-year-old sister make enough money to move out on her own when she has no car or license, no job experience, and unsupportive parents? My sister will be graduating from high school soon and really needs to move out, but it seems impossible for her to get a job and save money. She'd be willing to work just about any job, but she has no way of getting around. She can't get her driver's license because she needs glasses and our parents won't take her to get any... and even if she had her license, they wouldn't let her drive any of their cars. Their house is about a 20-minute drive to civilization so walking isn't an option, and public transportation is basically non-existent.

She's feeling pretty miserable and hopeless, and as much as I want to help, I can't think of a way out for her either. I don't live close to her at all and I've offered to let her come live with me, but she doesn't want to leave her boyfriend (who graduates next year).

She is (theoretically) planning on going to college next year to be a graphic designer and is especially interested in t-shirt designs, so she's been considering submitting designs to threadless or something, but she needs more practice, computer time at home is very limited, and that's not going to provide a steady income anyway.

So... what can she do to make money and move out and stop being miserable? What can I do to help her?

What do you do, aside from your regular day job, to bring in extra streams of revenue?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:25:28 -0800

What do you do, aside from your regular day job, to bring in extra streams of revenue? It's my goal to eventually have enough streams of income coming through so that the money from my full-time job is irrelevant. I work from home, which doesn't necessarily mean I have a ton of free time, but does mean that I do have more breathing room than I would if had an office job. Therefore, these streams of income would most likely require time to initially setup -- which is fine -- but would not require mass amounts of time to maintain. "Get a second job," is not what I'm looking for here.

So, hivemind, what are you doing to bring in money outside of your main day job?

What types of menial, yet time-flexible jobs might a skilled vfx professional consider when he wants to leave his industry.

jnnla — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:57:14 -0800

I am a visual effects artist / supervisor looking to leave the industry to pursue acting. In the meantime I need a job that pays me enough to cover life expenses, but time enough to pursue my passion. Please help me brainstorm creative job possibilities beyond the typical "waiter" or "barista." :::THE BACKGROUND:::

For the last few years I have worked as a 3d Graphics artist and CG supervisor working on both commercial and theatrical projects at both big and small studios in the Los Angeles area. My passion growing up was acting and theatrics - whereas computer graphics / vfx was a hobby of mine that eventually turned into a career. Prior to VFX, I did improv comedy around los angeles and flirted with the idea of chasing my dream to be a struggling actor. I gave up the acting dream for vfx mainly due to the 6-figure income and the status I felt associated with it. The ludicrous hours of the vfx world forced me to give up my weekly improv, my sketch comedy troupe and local theater productions that I was involved in.

In essence, I traded my time for money, and with that I also gave away my passion. Three years later I was depressed and unfulfilled, and growing more and more apathetic to clients and deadlines in a field I could really care less about. I subsequently quit my job and have spent the last three months unwinding and sorting out my life.

As far as acting is concerned, I do consider myself to have skill, and that assessment has been reinforced by people, both friends and strangers, throughout my life. I am attractive and very physically fit, and now seems to be the time to try. That being said, I make no illusions about my chances for success, and as a student of data and statistics I understand that it is more likely than not that I will not succeed to the standards that I hold for myself...so please, no comments on the difficulty of making it as an actor - I am all to cognizant of this reality.

What I do want, however, is input as to what type of job I can take in the meantime that will give me the time I need to pursue this.

To those knowledgeable about the industry, I have considered freelancing here and there to make good money (alternating a 6 week gig with time off for 6 weeks etc) but it is almost impossible to find a company that would let me out early enough to make my improv classes / performances that I have at 7:30 in hollywood 3 nights a week. The VFX industry simply doesn't allow for an outside life.

That leaves me considering more "menial" types of jobs...of which I am hopelessly naive. The cliches that come to mind are "waiter" or "barista" - but I have never had any type of service experience. I'd be more interested in a slightly more creative solution.

SO....

:::THE QUESTION (S):::

What types of jobs, along the lines of "waiter" or "barista" that are low in money but high in time might an ex-professional try a hand at to float me while I chase the dream?

Here are my criteria (obviously these can't all be met):

** Preferably does NOT involve sitting for long periods of time. I want something where I am active / on my feet / changing scenery.

** Preferably working with people. I am very, very social and playful, a job that would allow me to exercise this would be preferable.

** Flexible or even part-time.

**Atmosphere that is more light hearted, fun.

Options I have considered off the top of my head (without thinking about whether they are realistic):

-Barista
-Tutor
-Car Rental place
-Something at a museum
-Something at a state park
-Extra work
-Personal trainer

Some of these seem too much like new career paths to me...I just want a source of income without too much responsibility and without feeling like I'm a total failure.

Can't wait for the input.

How to be a working nomad?

bodywithoutorgans — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:20:33 -0800

I am a recent college graduate and I also suffer a good deal of wanderlust. There is the inevitable problem of combining work and play. At my university, the only career advice I received was graduate school or working the traditional 9-5 job. I'm wondering if it's possible to travel and earn money? I'm not really interested in teaching English abroad, being an au-pair, and I've read this post. I'm more interested in the nebulous world of telecommuting and freelancing. I've seen this guy's page, but it sounds a little vague. I'd like to make money in a country where cost of living is low with a unique culture (Thailand, Guatemala, Kenya) but at the same time has access to steady internet so I can work.
Some specifics:
1) How does one break into the freelancing/telecommuting world? I know some webdesign (PHP/MySQL) and programming but often geared at an academic level for university classes. I don't have the faintest clue how to make money out of this! I have some down time right now where I'm picking up skills and making a portfolio. Any advice?
2) Will the stability of the internet connection be a factor? Will I need to have access to an internet cafe every day?
3) How are taxes worked out? Are there any books/information for people who are US citizens but live/work globally?
4) How does health insurance work out?

Thanks a lot MeFi!

"So what kind of salary were you looking for?" What's a good answer to such a question?

krautland — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:50:26 -0800

"So what kind of salary were you looking for?" What's a good answer to such a question? I hate this moment in interviews when a potential employer asks how much I want. the range of what I could ask for in my industry is wide and the trade-rag statistics don't really help me either. so I usually go with what I think is fair. sometimes that's right-on but sometimes it's too much and sometimes it's too low.

this question is about to come up again. I'm tempted to go low because I quite like the opportunity but the potential job brings serious responsibilities with it and I don't want to suggest that I'm less experienced than I actually am. the written information I do have on the position does not state what kind of salary they are looking to pay at all.

so how should I handle this question? is there a nice way to deflect the question back to the interviewer, to suggest they should make an offer?

Will work for money

greta simone — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:05:45 -0800

How much should I charge for pet-, house-, and baby-sitting? I'm a grad student trying to make some extra cash in the evenings and weekends while still being able to maintain a flexible schedule. I have lots of experience baby-sitting/nannying, as well as house- and pet-sitting for neighbors and friends. As a nanny I usually ask between $10-15 an hour, depending, but I have no idea what to charge for pet- and house-sitting, as they have often been done in exchange for goods or favors. What is the going rate, if you use my baby-sitting rate as a baseline (which I am amenable to raising, if it is deemed necessary)?

PS. This doesn't need to factor in a lot of traveling, as I live in a small college town, and will not take clients outside of said town (due to fuel costs and lack of time).

P.P.S. If you have any tips on how to best manage advertising myself (outside of flyers, craigslist, and local papers), or any other tips in managing this kind of work, those would be appreciated too!

refreshrefreshrefresh

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:26:29 -0800

Should I quit my job? I've been working at an IT Help Desk/Computer Lab type job for the last three years. It is pretty boring aside from refreshing AskMeFi relationship questions and fixing printers and software. Since I graduated from college, I am only allowed to keep working there until August 20. I really want to just quit after next week because I've come to dread having to sit at a computer for nine hours a day with not much else to do.

The thing is, if I didn't quit, I would make ~$400 in the extra two weeks I'd be working. That's not a trivial amount of money for me but I don't necessarily need it. Additionally, the job is slightly changing management at the end of this week so the future seems annoying at best.

So, metafilter, how much is $400 really worth? Should I quit my job or just stick it out for an extra two weeks?

I'm looking for pound notes, loose change, bad checks, anything

LiveToEat — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:58:57 -0800

Salaryfilter: I'm worried I gave a range that was too low and now I'd like to prevent any screwing of myself. I work in publishing, make a decent-to-low salary (no one gets the big bucks in this industry anyway) but am in a rut at my current job. I'm bored, no opportunity for advancement, bad company dynamics, etc. I applied for a better position at a competitor in town, and in a pre-interview phone call, I gave a salary range that was slightly more than what I make. At the interview, salary was never discussed. But the interview went well and I'm really interested in the position.

Afterwards, I talked to my dad, a baby-boomer business man, and he said I should have asked for a minimum of 15% more than what I make now. This is over $4000 more than I make now at my entry-levelish job, which seems high but not unrealistic. Now I wish I gave a higher salary range.

My Questions:

Does this 15% rule still apply? To the publishing industry? Do people really make such big salary jumps between jobs?

No job offer has come, but if it does and they offer me something in the range I gave, can I ask for more (before I accept the position, of course)? How do I reasonably do this? What do I say and how do I say it? Something like, "I'm very interested, but wouldn't leave my current job for less than $X"? Do I be honest and say I meant to give a higher range but instead gave them a range of my current salary?

Am I screwed? Should I just take what they offer, pending that it's at the higher end of the range I gave? I'm pretty sure my current employer wouldn't counter-offer, plus I'm not really interested in staying anyway.

I guess I would take a better job for a little more pay than what I make, but I'm worried I missed a chance to make a couple thousand dollars more than I do.

How to handle salary discussions before you have a job offer?

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:50:34 -0800

Help with salary negotiations? The standard wisdom -- which I've been trying to follow -- is that you aren’t supposed to talk about salary until after you get a job offer. But the organization began talking about it when they called to schedule the first interview. Suggestions? I applied for a job. They required a salary history. I sent mine, stating that I make, let’s say, $60k (the details are changed here; it’s less than that). An assistant called, saying they wanted to schedule an interview with me, “but [boss] wanted to flag the fact that the salary for this position is in the mid-40s. Would you still be interested?” I paused (a bit surprised, really) and said something noncommittal, like “it would certainly be worth us having more discussion about the position.”

Next, I had a phone interview with the supervisor. The discussion had very few questions about my qualifications (one question). The call’s purpose seemed to be to explain the position and allow me to ask questions. She brought up the salary, and said that they have “authorization” to offer up to $48k, what did I think? I said something like “I would want to consider the salary in light of the full package, including benefits and the opportunities for professional growth.” She explained the benefits package (including a matching donation to a retirement account, which I admitted would close some of the gap).

The job offers a lot of opportunity for professional growth; I'd be really passionate about the work; they’re a great organization; and I could still live on the lower salary (though my ability to save would go way down). If offered the job, I would like to take it. But a 20% salary cut is still hard to take. It’s a much tougher decision than it would be if they could close that gap a bit more.

How should I handle this? Should I start to openly admit that it would be a tough decision for me at their current budget? Should I continue trying to wait until they actually offer me the job (or not)? I’d rather discuss salary once we've decided if I'd be a good fit for the job. But if so, how do I field the question? I think they may have the impression I would consider taking the job at the current salary, because I’ve typically changed the subject to how I’d be very excited to contribute to the organization. I don’t want them to think I’m agreeing to it and then seem to change my mind later. Since they keep trying to get me to say that salary is okay, they may not have much flexibility, but they must have some, right?

How would you handle this?

make me a (counter) offer.

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:43:29 -0800

jobofferfilter: got a job offer! yea! now the salary negotation…ick. do companies always expect you to counter their offer? what now? after nearly seven years of freelancing, i decided earlier this year that i was tired of it and want to work for the man. after months of looking (damn the economy: my industry is one of the first hit when things take a downturn), i've finally been offered a position. yea! but because i've never been in this position before, the whole salary negotiation—urgh.

at the first interview last week, i met with the HR rep and the VP to whom i would be reporting. i clicked with both of them and the VP was very impressed with my work. i was asked to come back a couple of days later to meet with more people in the department and had great conversations with them as well. the job description is huge—but i have done everything on it in one capacity or other (and have produced a number of best-sellers). this position would also be the only one of it's kind in the department, with no present plans to add (altho that may change depending on growth—and they have been growing) nor any thought as yet as to advancement for this position. i was told (and i concur with the impression i got) that it's a very "make your own opportunity" environment so there is potential for good growth as well. i really like the company: great people, great benefits, great vibe, solid financial backing, been around for over a decade and it's recently grown a bit. they were very impressed with my work—and frankly, i really do think they can benefit from my skills in the department in which i'd be working.

when i first spoke to the HR rep, she told me the salary is $X0-X5K (and asked what i was looking for—to which i answered the industry standard at my [senior] level was $X5-Y5K) but at subsequent mentions it was $X0K. i was told the person in the position before was more junior, skill-wise and their salary was about $12K less. at the second meeting, the HR rep told me they were "very interested" in me and we had a frank conversation about salary. i let them know i'd be happy at $Y0K which was the middle of the range i gave them—and i believe i can present a very good argument for it. today i got an offer for $X5K; i was told they had to finagle that last $5K to get me but it's still $5K less than what i'd like. they also offered a six month review—as a pre-emptive measure, no doubt.

so…should i still counter? do companies always expect it? and if you think i should, what should i counter at? how best do i go about doing this? hope me, hivemind!

How to get fired?

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:46:16 -0800

Can I request to be laid off? I work for a large financial firm in New York that has been hit hard by the recent economic downturn. Like all companies in our industry, we are laying people off in an attempt to cut costs. I have been contemplating leaving my job (and the industry) to go back to school in an entirely different field. One thing that has prevented me from doing this is the loss of salary and health benefits that I'd be faced with until I start my grad program, as well as financial concerns about the future. My company is offering laid off workers in a similar position as mine 4 months severance pay plus an extension of health care for 6 months. If I quit I will receive none of this. Is there some way of signaling to my employer that I would "like" to be laid off, besides not performing well (which would probably get me selected in the next round as a "poor performer")? I'm fairly new to the corporate world so I am not sure whether this is inappropriate - it definitely seems weird to "request" being laid off. Have any mefites been faced with a similar situation? How should I go about this - or is this a stupid idea and I should either quit or do my job and shut up?

Salary negotiation: Can I ask my employer-to-be to match a counter-offer from my current employer?

PlusDistance — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:52:41 -0800

I've accepted a new job and I'm giving notice tomorrow. I may have low-balled myself, salary-wise. If my current employer counter-offers, can I ask my new employer to match? Just agreed to take a new job. It's an exciting opportunity at well-regarded company, but they're a relatively small operation, and people who worked there told me they were "downright cheap" when it came to salary. So when the recruiter asked me what I was looking for, I made an initial offer that was less than I would have asked for elsewhere (but more than I thought they'd give me). I expected them to counter, but instead they called back and gave me exactly what I asked! (The recruiter said, "Yes, that's pretty much what [executive I interviewed with] was thinking.") Now I wonder if I've low-balled myself.

Tomorrow morning I expect to get the offer letter, and then I'll give notice. My current employer might counter offer on salary.

Two questions: Would I be jeopardizing my new gig if I went back and asked them to match the new offer? And if not, how can I phrase it so it doesn't sound (or sounds less like) I'm simply shaking them down?

Being laid off, while being offered a new job at the same place. Severance available?

BecauseIHadFiveDollars — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:42:51 -0800

Been wanting to quit my job. A unique situation has popped up which might allow me to do so which might give me severance/unemployment. Am I correct? I work for a group that is actually made up of two distinct organizations, each with different tax numbers and whatnot. My department is being moved from one organization to the other which, as a result, is being handled thusly for employees.

1) Each employee will be terminated on such and such a date from the first organization. At the same time...
2) Each employee has been given an offer letter for a new job that must be signed and accepted by each employee by before the such and such date above, else they have effectively lost their job due to the previous termination.

It seems to me that we are being laid off, with the assumption that we will immediately take the new, unsolicited, offer. Due to the situation outlined above, am I entitled to severance or unemployment, which I could use to find a new job? Or, by them offering us a new job, does that negate that possibilty?

This is honestly one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make (I have 10 years of experience working at this job, combined between consultant and employee, but have lost almost everything I enjoyed about working here) but this might make the decision more palatable.

Personally, I'd rather be a rock star...

shoebox — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:19:55 -0800

What can I do with a degree in Physics? What doors and pathways will it open for me? How long will I need to study before I am able to call my self a Physicist and make a meaningful contribution in my field? I'm about to make what seems to be the biggest decision of my life. Applications have been sent and responses have been received. Now comes the hard part.

My parents (one of whom is a computer engineer) are hell-bent on making me an Engineer (EE or CE) and have resorted to every known form of propaganda and coercion to force me to think like them. To be honest, I don't really think engineering is suited for me. I can certainly do the mathematics and tackle the theoretical aspects of it, but have never had the practical ability needed. I am horrendous when it comes to using my hands to do anything constructive (although I excel at things destructive).

The main argument my parents use is that engineering will quickly land me a good job after graduation, opportunities will be plenty money will come easy, whereas pursuing a career as a physicist would involve me studying till I get my Masters or PhD and most likely end me up in some teaching position (do not want) or spend the rest of my life as a lowly (and poor) researcher.

My question basically is this: Are my parents wrong when they say Physical Sciences is career suicide? Will I be able to do as well out in the "real world" following a career in Physics (Theoretical or otherwise)?

P.S. I will most likely attending U of Waterloo (physical sciences) or McMaster U (either physical sciences or engineering). Since engineering involves a common first year here, I have the choice when it comes to specialization so I definitely have more choices than my parents present me with.

Lookout Europe, here I come

barrakuda — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:20:01 -0800

What are some good job search websites/engines for Europe? I'm interested in jobs in international affairs, public relations, business and finance, advertising and marketing. I'm mostly looking for resources for Germany, Belgium, France and the UK, but pan-European websites are good too.

Is a job in Education sheltered from the market?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:11:05 -0800

I have just been offered a staff position at a large University of California campus. Given that my current job is with a small (employees<15) consulting company in the technology field, and given the current national (and global) economic situation; is a UC job more likely to be stable in the next 5 years when compared to one in a small tech company? Also, what's it like to work at a UC? Is the UC system subsidized by the government enough at the state and federal level to make it as secure as a government job?
Will a big CA educational institution weather the inevitable financial storm comparatively better than other sectors?
What is it like to work for a big UC school?
The benefits are good, but is working for an academic institution as political and as slow moving as people say?
What have you experienced as a UC employee?

Biking through Europe -- money, food, and transportation?

fjardt — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:21:02 -0800

I need advice on how to get food and money while traveling through Europe, and how to transport my bike. I'm planning a trip to europe from the US. I want to do this probably in february until.. who knows, open ended. I have, naturally, some questions.

I want to bring my bike and plan to do a lot of cycling to get places. I am comfortable with long distance cycling/touring. Will i be able, though, to bring my bike on the planes, trains, and boats? How will this affect cost? Will my beloved (i work on bikes, the one i'll be taking is custom built) be damaged?

Naturally i want to keep things cheap, and i am already investigating things like WWOOF and Couch Surfers for food and stay, but what other ways are there? I know there are things like farmers' markets, but are these generally expensive? Where else would be cost effective to buy (hopefully good and fresh) food?

I also plan to camp places. I have read that in most places unofficial camping is ok, as long as i am quiet and pack up and clean up quickly. What have you heard?

I would like to stay in some of these places more than my budget allows, so this would mean getting a job. What sort of jobs would be available? I mean, "under the table"? Could i realistically get a work visa?

My stats: completed a semester at my state uni, leaving for adventure. I speak German and English, and i have basic understanding of Spanish, Swedish/Norwegian/Danish and am very interested and passionate about languages (i'm a linguistics major), and i can learn quite quickly.

Countries i am interested in visiting: Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany (i have friends in all of the above), Spain, and Italy.

If there are any details You might see in my statements above that would lend themselves to a good response that i may not have asked directly, please feel free. Any resources are appreciated!

Thanks Metafilter!