From: Cisco Nuts (cisconuts@hotmail.com)
Date: Wed Apr 16 2008 - 12:53:01 ART
So definitely, contracting looks "better" and "brighter"...especially if you
are a CCIE and know your sh%$.......!!!
How about in the DC region? Anyone doing contracting as a CCIE? Is it worth it
to be just a contractor in a 'small' company with one of those DHS/Gov't
contracts and making good money (how much money is good money anyways?)
or
just being a "permy" in one of those big companies whose overall performance
is directly related to your 1-2% raise and/or possible bonus after 12 long
months?
Thx....
> CC: ccielab@groupstudy.com
> To: gary.duncanson@googlemail.com
> Subject: Re: contract or perm?
> Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:24:45 +0100
> From: steve.ccie@googlemail.com
>
> Hi,
>
> I have worked both sides of the fence - long term permy (in Australia)
> now contractor (last 2 years in UK).
> Advantages to both, disadvantages to both.
>
> The thing I hated about being permy was as your skills and knowledge
> grew, you became a valuable asset to the company but when it came to
> growing your salary to suit,
> lets just say it was always " we would love to pay you more but the
> company can't afford it right now". Sure, benefits can make up a
> little but does it really reflect your worth?
> The second thing I really, really hated was all the fringe bullshit -
> office politics, having to attend rubbish HR training, hours/days lost
> in meetings/committees discussing non core topics (sorry for the pun).
>
> Contracting certainly gives you the freedom to grow in a much
> different way. Sure, salary improves greatly and benefits can be a
> achieved but it is up to you personally to put these in place. You can
> certainly undertake health, pension, training investments from your
> grand salary and depending on the country/tax laws you are in, you can
> gain tax breaks for doing so.
>
> The best thing I found being a contractor was your work time was
> focussed purely on core topics - no company can afford to pay a
> contractor good money to do those rubbish little tasks. I also found
> that most permys you work with to be really good - they don't treat me
> any different. I always felt a part of the team regardless of
> situation - I haven't had any negative experiences at all. You do need
> to appreciate the office politics internally and remain neutral at all
> times (shrug your shoulders and say "what do I know, I am just the
> contractor..." has avoided many awkward conversations of internal
> affairs).
>
> The big downside with contracting is gaps in employment. It is great
> to snag a long term gig but sometimes, between gigs can be stressful.
>
> My 2cents worth.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve
>
>
>
> On 15 Apr 2008, at 18:42, Gary Duncanson wrote:
>
> > Group,
> >
> > I realise that this could potentially turn into a difficult thread
> > but I think
> > those with emotional intelligence will prevent that!
> >
> > I wonder if folks could post the benefits of being contract or permy
> > these
> > days in terms of cisco network/engineer/designer employment.
> >
> > Things have changed..
> >
> > In 1997 companies charged $2000 dollars a day (per technician) for
> > Joe's idiot
> > son to install Windows 95 according to the idiots instructions to
> > move from
> > Novell to NT..*sigh*
> >
> > *caveat* the drive mappings didn't work, nor the printing!
> >
> > *further caveat* Apologies in advance to Joe's mom,
> >
> > I'm sure she's a nice lady who makes great gumbo!
> >
> > It's a different landscape these days but how are you doing?
> >
> >
> > Pass the CCIE in six weeks, Guaranteed!
> > http://www.certscience.com/CCIE
> > _______________________________________________________________________
> > Subscription information may be found at:
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>
>
> Pass the CCIE in six weeks, Guaranteed!
> http://www.certscience.com/CCIE
> _______________________________________________________________________
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>
>
>
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