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Hey TL,
Can't believe I decided to make a blog after lurking/posting occasionally for many years, but I mostly just want to get an idea of what other people feel, or how it turned our for others that have been in a similar position.
I will be graduating soon (computer science) in the US and will probably soon be working full time. I am not here to detail all my offers, but just outlining my basic decisions.
Basically I have the option of working for a large software company in my homestate (North Carolina) on a fairly interesting project and the offer is also very generous. On the other hand I have the option of maybe traveling halfway across the country to work on a slightly less interesting project for probably similar pay after adjusting for living costs (same company). Finally, I have the option of working on a project I enjoy somewhere else (Maryland) where I might enjoy the area more and the pay is decent - but probably a bit less stable than working for a large company.
I feel like I currently have a very good opportunity to try something since I am just graduating and don't have any commitments to the area. It's not that I don't like where I am now, but I feel like maybe it would be a good time to maybe try a different location, even if the project is ultimately a bit less interesting. My last choice would put me at higher risk financially but would probably be the most "dynamic" in the sense that I would be trying something new in terms of area (although not that far away from NC) and project-wise.
Any opinions?
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Not sure if this is a factor for you, but you might want to think about any ethical considerations for whatever company you work for. For example, I would only work in the defense industry as a last resort personally (or at least heavily weigh it).
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My advice is to take whatever job is the most stable with the most pay. Stability is a huge deal right out of school when your resume is limited and you may have student loans to pay off. I'd start out at the first option, and then start pursuing the things you *really* want to do when you'll be commanding a higher salary to do it and don't need to worry about job opportunities.
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You need to weight your career against your private life, as a heavy skew in either direction will ultimatelly lead to you be unhappy. I myself moved away for my first job, had a blast at work, but did not find a social life outside my circle of colleages. That grew old, so I moved back to my hometown; better social life, good friends, less fun job. I might have to look for another though. One does get used to having a fun job.
And for the record, I do work in the defence industry.
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How much risk are you willing to tolerate? What are you long term goals? If you have student loans or debt, I would recommend listening to Kaiser and choosing the job with stability. If you come from a rich family which can provide you financial support if things don't work out for you, I would recommend going for Maryland job.
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Whatever you choose try and stay at least 4 years or whatever it takes to get vested (401k, stock options, etc)!
If you're single I say choose the one more urban and with a college nearby. College girls like older men!
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I guess after graduating is the right time to experiment as there is little risk. Take the most fun job!
More fun -> More life
but
More monay -?> More life (yes, thats a weak implication :D)
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You are young and shouldn't be worrying about stability yet unless you already have a wife and kids.
Large software companies are great for stability. But 9 times out of 10 they are boring.
While you are young look for start up opportunities. They are risky. But getting in on a young company that does well, and possibly goes public could be a huge reward.
When looking at start ups, learn about the leadership. Who is the CEO? Who are the other officers? Have they had successful start ups in the past?
Ask for options on top of your salary. And ask if there is possibilities of being awarded more options.
Get your experience and take your risks with companies when you are young. Once you have your experience, and hopefully your vested options, look to settled down in a larger company.
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I do believe that for some people there are fun, fulfilling jobs out there that they just have to find. For most of us, though, you just end up working for money and then enjoy life outside of work. I always thought I would hunt until I found a job I liked. Instead I ended taking the stability and money of my current job, and I am happy with that decision.
To each their own but I suggest what pays the best and has most stability.
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My advice is that you make games  , take what you find more comfortable and nice. Working near your living place is always good, however going to another part of the country might prove for an interesting life experience. Just take the job you like the most and you see yourself doing in the future and pursuit professional satisfaction more than money
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While old is more stable it isn't completely stable. Old companies fall apart all the time.
You're going to hear people say to take the stable job or to try something new. In the end the road more traveled looks just as fair. While the outcomes of your decisions may vary, you do not know what the outcomes are. It's possible both decisions will lead to regret. More likely that both lead to success. But it is important to be as true to yourself as possible.
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Trow a dice. If 1-2 come up, go for Home state Big Company. 3-4 Big company Away state, if 5-6 then project away state. Therefore since you want to move somewhat furtur away the odds are in your favor, you get 66.6% periodic chance of moving away. You get 66.6% periodic chance of biggest pay. And if you don' t get highest pay you get to work on somethink you like (or you hope you like) . and in all cases there is a 33.3% chance you stay in your home state which it doesn' t seem you want.
Either way its a win-win situation.
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EPT
