Advice on career move

[neilrogers]

Hi Everyone

I have been contracting for a while now and have decided to go perm (family coming up, need stable employment etc).

My background is in messaging and collaboration (MS Exchange server, OCS, Blackberry Server/ActiveSync etc). I've been in this field fo the last 5 years or so, before that a general infrastructure person.

I've been offered two perm jobs, but can't decide the two and am weighing up the pro's and con's. Would be grateful for advice from others on this forum :-)

Job 1: Mobile Messaging Engineer/ Architect: Responsbible for the engineering/ architecture of mobile messaging solutions for the company's users (approx 30,000 mobile users). Technologies are Blackberry, ActiveSync, Good Technologies etc.
This is not a support role, but a design one.

Job 2: Messaging Analyst: Responsible for the maintenance and support of company's messaging platform. No design work, just support, incl on-call. Technologies are Exchange 2007/2010, Blackberry, OCS, MindAlign.

Job 1 is paying more since it's an engineering/architect role, but is more focused on the Blackberry server and mobile side of things. Job 2 is more Exchange focused. Both are for very good companies, although Job 2's company is probably better/more high profile.

What are people's opinions?

[RichardCranium]

Hi Everyone

I have decided to go perm (need stable employment etc).

If you want stable employment in the UK get a job shovelling out the muck the horses leave.

I've been offered two perm jobs, but can't decide the two

Go for the money. Always.

When you get the job, they'll immediately tell you to do something a bit different, then there'll be a new boss with new ideas, then they'll replace the technology you're working on and after 2 years you won't be doing the job you started.

The only thing that'll matter when you move on was "What were you earning in your last job?"

[EternalOptimist]

Its important to forget about money, this is your career path we are talking about here. The future for yourself, your wife and your kids.
Money cant buy happiness.
You need to identify the potential of the different technologies, future markets, work loads and opportunities in different companies if the one you are in fails.
Then you need to consider, getting a house , car and stuff for the kids. For all that you will need money
so go for the money

[Clippy]

Job 1.

I'm assuming your 5 years career history has been support focused.

As such, anything that moves you away from that is a step up.

A couple of years as a mobile messaging architect should help you build your 'soft' skills which will help the next natural move into management.

[DimPrawn]

Job 1.

Where's the poll? Why can't I vote with my Gooseberry FFS.

[neilrogers]

Thanks everyone.

I guess I was looking at it from this perspective -

Yes, Job 1 is paying more but it's a specialised role. If I was to lose that job, then there aren't many pure mobile messaging jobs out there. Whereas Job 2 is mainly Exchange 2007/2010 support, for which there are plenty of jobs going around.

All points to ponder, thanks again everyone for the effort in replying, I really appreciate it!

[Zippy]

You have to consider that no job is safe. Take the money and look for other openings or opportunities while you are there.

[GreenLabel]

It's a no brainer for me - Job 1.

It gets you away from support work, the money is better, and it'll look better on a CV.

Job 1 is paying more but it's a specialised role. If I was to lose that job, then there aren't many pure mobile messaging jobs out there.

That's true, but the flip side of that is that it's more niche. Mobile stuff is only going to grow - you'll be getting in at the right time. There won't be as many people who can do what you'll do, particularly at an architecture level. Bobs specialising in Exchange can be bought in packs of ten at Asda.

Job 2 is mainly Exchange 2007/2010 support, for which there are plenty of jobs going around.

And, as above, there are plenty of Bobs to fill them.

[TykeMerc]

Support is increasingly becoming a dead end, if you want to remain technical then archirecture has a far better long term future. It can also lead to much more interesting work.

[Pogle]

Its important to forget about money, this is your career path we are talking about here. The future for yourself, your wife and your kids.
Money cant buy happiness.
You need to identify the potential of the different technologies, future markets, work loads and opportunities in different companies if the one you are in fails.
Then you need to consider, getting a house , car and stuff for the kids. For all that you will need money
so go for the money

Listen to the EO - he makes sense