New England B.S. Thread

i think there's value in enjoying what you do, but you also don't want to miss out on laying a foundation for a career while everyone around you is. then you wake up and you're 45 and still don't know what you want to do when you grow up.

not saying that's what's going to happen to you mike, just to keep it in mind

 

I got my EIT when I graduated, but then kept on a career path that doesn't really need me to have a PE license (and even if I get it, there's likely no more pay in it for me anyways). At some point, depending on the field, you get to a point where experience is more valuable than a piece of paper. Obviously, if you need a PE, there's no way around it, but there are a lot of opportunities to make good money and have a successful career as an engineer without a license.

 

HA! Jokes on you - I'm already dead inside and out.

 

Million and a half easily here in occupied territory.
I'm looking to get out of here in a couple.

 

well duh, i know you better than him

 

True but, I'm almost 4 years in this career and I've become very meh about it. I enjoy my work 50/50, all depends on what I'm working on. I'm also in the best case scenario as a ME I do design, assembly, modification, qualification, documentation, & shipping a system; so instead of just designing 1 thing for all of eternity I get to do everything. The new position could be laying the groundwork for a new/different career path if I enjoy it; then I could use it to jump to CO or even BC

I feel like the experience side would be what I'd be dealing with. My old boss for my job did say that if I can make a story behind it it wouldn't be as bad; so I could say I wanted more fabrication experience to then come back to the engineering side.

As an unknown benefit I could get my side business up and running to help offset the salary loss

 

So not to be 'that guy' but how does your GF/Fiancee/wife/whatever feel about the move? Has she secured work yet? Because she'd be taking a similar pay cut, probably. And if she doesn't want to move the whole deal may be moot, lol.

 

What’s the side hustle? Robot brothel?

 

That house could very well be the same in MA all dependent on location in the state

It's a fair question. She would move to ME in a heartbeat. She should be able to work remotely in her current position/salary (was said as an option before but not confirmed). This was paritally a saving grace/how it could be possible with only upendding my life instead of both. Besides the pay loss for me the other issue we have is moving further away from friends/family, not the end of the world but something to consider.

Well the 2 things in my signature I print & sell and I have some other ideas I could do if I get things going (custom vehicle models, create something to sell at the resort, etc.) Though the robot brothel could be useful in ME probably a lot of lonely poeple up in those woods

 

https://www.roughcountry.com/insta-winch/

So who will be first to get one these?

 

that's waht i get for only checking mobile, i didn't even know i was in your sig haha

 

I've been struggling with the same kinda thoughts. Commercial construction is no longer fun anymore. I had the time of my life when I was managing a ski and bike shop. Riding and talking bikes all day, I was fit- relatively- and skiing for free everywhere... I was making $500 a week and still seemed to make it work somehow. Been in this gig for almost 20 years now. My advice to you is if you are questioning it now, you will question it more down the road. If you are young enough, make the change now, because I am nearing 50 and feel conflicted, but there is less I can do about it. Basically, it's hard to walk away from money, but it will be harder in the future.

 

Mall crawl rated!

 

This is good advice! I would also add, I'm generally OK with my position. I work for a great company, pay is good, but it's very far from my dream job. It's a career, it's stable, but I don't necessarily like what I'm doing on a day to day basis. I'd considered leaving in the past and obviously didn't. Now, I've been here 10 years and have a house and kids. Leaving a stable position like this now would be extremely difficult and unimaginably stressful. Like Jethro said, if you're already considering the jump, do it before it's too late as long as it's financially feasible.

 

Interesting points but makes a lot of sense. I am at an age that I could make a stupid decision or 2 and still make it through ok. I've been looking at it as money comes & goes but happiness is hard to come by. I mean all of this is extremely tentative since I haven't even interviewed yet but, all the advice is greatly appreciated. Always good to hear from others & their experience

 

Not 50%, but I took a 18% pay cut just to move to warmer weather...

For me it was totally worth it. The COL difference alone is astounding. I'm doing the same job here, so that doesn't help you much. But my point is, don't let the raw salary numbers scare you away!

 

i'd take an 18% pay cut to move south any day haha

 

Come visit! You won't want to go back haha

 

i know i love it down there. i'm booked for xmas in charlotte

 

Had the pleasure of finding out my DS wheel bearing's gone bad when I brought the truck into the shop for a balance and alignment. Truck is under warranty since I bought it used last August...Should this be covered under warranty and would I be better off taking it to the dealer (Irwin for you NH folk)? I'm quoted right now $581 assuming the job takes the estimated time but was told it could be much less if it doesn't take the estimated 3 hours. Plus dealer can't try to hassle me with the truck being lifted right?