Aboardman
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 01:05 PM |
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don't know what to do work wise.
I work at an architects office at the moment, but we have not much work in.
I was talking to an ex workmate who works at an structural engineers and he said very busy looking for cad people.
so went along for an informal chat and they said would get back to me, they just need to confirm that they have some additional jobs coming in.
well they have been back an offered me a job as senior cad technician, the money is only slightly better, less holidays, they run a flex time ie have
to work core hours then some. travelling is further about an additional 18 miles per day (25 total) the increase in salary should cover this, but they
work in bigger projects like the ski slope at the trafford centre, multi storey buildings, plus they said if i wanted to get into the calculations
side of the work would assist me, i am ment to do basic calcs as part of the job anyhow.
so i am stuck if i should take it i enjoy what i do apart from been bored with no work at the moment we do not do many big jobs manly house
extensions.
but i like the prospect of working on better jobs and possible getting into the calculations side of it.
is it a no brainer and should i take it.
any advice.
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mookaloid
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 01:08 PM |
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Sound like a no brainer to me
Go for it
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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iank
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 01:14 PM |
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Depends if you want the extra responsibility and can cope with the fewer holidays.
Would the senior tag and bigger more interesting projects get you more money in the future? I'm not familiar with the industry, but in IT that
can be worth a lot 2-3 years down the line.
An extra 18miles can be another 15mins or an hour depending one the rush hour roads, but the flex time can help with that.
Even if you decide to stay try to get an upgrade in title and cash to match the offer from the current place 
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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Hammerhead
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 01:16 PM |
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no brainer to me. But discuss the possibility of increasing holidays and pay over a period of time. If you get into the calcs side then salary should
increase to reflect the additional responsibility.
My 2p
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ned
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 01:17 PM |
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I don't know the industry either but the potential opportunities and experience on your cv sounds worth it from what you've said. How long
have you been at the current place and is there any career path if you stay?
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
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D Beddows
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 01:27 PM |
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You have to think if you fancy the job because it's realy is actualy what you want to do - or because you're flattered by the offer and
bored of where you are at the moment.....
I'm an Architectural Technologist at a practice in Southport and to be honest I wouldn't want to switch to being a structural engineer as
I suspect I get more varied and interesting work doing what I do now... but then we do the big projects and have loads of work on.....
I'd think about it for a bit - there are loads of jobs in the North West doing what we do so you realy don't have to jump at the first one
that comes along I've gone from being a CAD monkey at a two bit shopfitters to being in charge of the architectural aspects of multi million
pound Tescos & M&S shops in about 6 years - I've had to change jobs a few times but now, if I absolutely had to, I could leave this job
and get a comparable one within a couple of weeks easily - like I say, there are loads of jobs out there 
[Edited on 26/7/07 by D Beddows]
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nathanharris1987
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 01:35 PM |
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The industry can be quite hard hitting at times, Ive got a mate who works for hurst pierce and malcolm in london and he is flat out for stupid hours a
week, they do things like new build/ refirb supermarket structures.
I agree with D Beddows however, looking at the circulars of ICE IstructE and RIBA theres absolutely LOADS of options so theres stuff out there if you
shop around...
go for structures... if your good at being as rigid as what you're building!
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Agriv8
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 01:40 PM |
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Sleep on it.
but Flexi time is a great bonus to have did you ask how much flexi you are allowed to get ( ie ours is -7:30hr to + 37:00hrs ) what are the core
hours if any ?
basically we can have a week of flexi if you work the hours. Or finish early beacuse the sun is out and you feel like crusin !!!
Looking at it the other way if you did jump and try it, How dificult would it be to go back to what you are doing now, If its reasnobally simmple go
for it.
Regards
Agriv8
Taller than your average Guy !
Management is like a tree of monkeys. - Those at the top look down and see a tree full of smiling faces. BUT Those at the bottom look up and see a
tree full of a*seholes .............
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billynomates
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 02:00 PM |
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If your bored at work, get a psp and an ipod.
Then just sit there and pick up the pay check at the end of the month.
Not that I condone being lazy, but there are lots of people who would take full advantage of your situation.
Definitely a 'no brainer'.
On a serious note though, work takes up far too much of our lives to be unhappy there, so whatever you choose to do, make sure it's what you
know you are gonna be happy doing.
I jacked in a well paid job a few years ago to go self employed. I've never ever regretted it, even though I work stupid hours for less money.
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Aboardman
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 05:30 PM |
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in answer to some of your points.
core hours are 10 to 4. then 37.5 hours per week.
can live with less holidays have done for last few years but normally only so i can get the extra money.
overtime will be paid at engineers not current (but then again no work to do)
prospects of betting myself at the engineers.
prospects of working on bigger and better jobs (they are talking to someone about a 36 storey building in manchester
 ) currently i work on mrs smith extension.
we do no major projects so i could not go into another another architects saying i have had experiance so i would just be another technican. my only
other experiance is doing fabrication drawings for portal frames, timber frame buildings and conservatories.
i used to do the calculations for the conservatories for a company i used to work for.
the job is quite local without the need to have to travel into manchester.
so looks like i am leaning to the engineers job.
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iank
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 05:43 PM |
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Given that list I'd bite their hand off 
If they are mad busy I suspect there will be plenty of overtime.
I'm assuming you trust your mate to tell you if there are any major problems with them as employers.
Good luck whatever you decide.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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WanchaiWarrior
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| posted on 26/7/07 at 11:50 PM |
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As a Senior Structural CAD Draffie myself (AutoCAD and Microstation), what are the wages like in UK at the moment ??? I havent lived/worked there
since 03/96. Is it a well known Engineer your looking at ? Are you undecided between diciplines ? Personal experience has taught me never ever to work
for Architects again !!
Was in Hong Kong for 9+ years, now in Brisbane, Australia for nearly 18 months. Money isnt great here(around 80kAUD/yr), but the quality of life is
better.
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caber
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| posted on 27/7/07 at 07:47 AM |
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I say go for it. If you want to go back to architecture a few years of structures experience will make you a lot more desireable as you can do basic
calcs for smaller projects and should have developed a feel for the sizes of beams for spans on bigger jobs so for doing the stage A to C you will be
able to allow for a reasonable structure before engineers are appointed, this saves so many headaches later. You could also do a couple of years in
building services then you can size basic risers and ducts again info that is a big help to architects at concept stage.
Caber
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Aboardman
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| posted on 27/7/07 at 11:08 AM |
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I have gone for it,
I had been thinking about it all week since i had the letter on monday, but some of the comments on here convinced me to go for it.
This is only the second time in 22 years i have had to give my notice in.
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Simon
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| posted on 27/7/07 at 09:57 PM |
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I used to work in London (office job, but not your field) and for ten months of the year was bored out of my little mind.
My father kept pestering me to join his co (5 mins from home rather than an hour commute each way), which I did just over three years ago, and I
haven't looked back.
We are so busy it's ridiculous.
Sounds to me like your current prospects aren't too promising - small jobs, small returns. Big jobs, big returns.
Simple really! As iank says, make sure your mate isn't winding you up; and ensure he won't be your boss
ATB
Simon
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