Life as an IT consultant (fit in, headhunter, unemployed) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

oneasterisk · 10-28-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeFish

We have several IT positions at my employer and there's no "moving around a lot" required.

That's been my experience too. I was an IT contractor for about 11 yrs. I didn't really move around much though and I wouldn't have liked it much if I was forced too. Moving around introduces a lot of stress into the equation. I only worked for about 3-4 contracting companies in that time frame, but I guess I was fortunate that I got onto long and stable contracts. One contract was for 7 years, which is pretty long time in the industry. Luckily it wasn't 7 years doing the same job or I would have been bored out of my mind.

info781 · 10-28-2011, 07:06 PM

Running the numbers it seems like a full time job at 130k per year with the benefit package is way better than $70/an hour for some short term work, where you are sitting at home some of the time. It used to be that short term hourly assignments used to pay more.
130k a year , plus a 32% of salary benefit package is about 170k , so you should really be billing at $100/hr for three month assignments or take the full time job offers.

sportsterjohn · 10-28-2011, 07:58 PM

I agree the benefits do make a nice difference. The way, I hope things play out is that I do a few contracts for the company that wanted me in Tn at $100 an hour and then let them hire me for 130 or so. The good thing is that with them, I can live anywhere which will allow me to make the DC money and live in N. Fla or in the Smoky mountains, both with a much lower COL. Plan B is to take one of the full time gigs, The one Gov't contract will let me go remote after a few months, the other is in Denver which I like ( i did a contact out there a few years ago). The $70 I was getting on 1099 was ok, the one real good thing that came out of it was I got to work with the new version of the software package I play with which is definetly paying off now as the higher paying gigs require hands on with it.

car54 · 10-28-2011, 08:53 PM

I would advise any IT whiz-kid to save, invest, save, invest....and then save and invest some more. And max out that 401K!!

I can't tell you the late 50's, early 60's former IT guys that are driving FCPS school buses. Age discrimination is rampant in this country...illegal but next to impossible to prove.

These guys got bounced from their field but were too young (or lacked the financial wherewithall) to retire. Several guys have told me that the County job was the only job they could get with health insurance benefits for their families. Sad, really.

SAVE! It's later than you think...

oneasterisk · 10-29-2011, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car54

SAVE! It's later than you think...

That's good advice, no matter what industry you're in

VRE332 · 10-29-2011, 12:10 PM

Here's 3 steps to keeping yourself happy in DC:
1.) work on your experience and exposure. Certs don't really matter as much
2.) try getting work with a company who will sponsor you a clearance. The higher the better
3.) don't ever fall for those short term gigs::: especially if they're Indian

info781 · 10-29-2011, 05:47 PM

I agree with you Car54. I think most people realize that in IT you have to be prepared for it to end at 55. To not have a backup plan and assume to can keep going until you are 60 is not smart. If you have a wife with a job that has benefits when you hit 55, is it helpful.

Deeman804 · 10-31-2011, 09:19 AM

Wow, this thread has been really informative for me being an early career IT consultant. I may think twice about hopping to higher paying short term jobs. Though they are nowhere close to the hourly rates you guys are talking it is still higher and certainly tempting.

VRE332 · 10-31-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deeman804

Wow, this thread has been really informative for me being an early career IT consultant. I may think twice about hopping to higher paying short term jobs. Though they are nowhere close to the hourly rates you guys are talking it is still higher and certainly tempting.

I would rather be home with my family every night for 1/2 the rate. Life is too short and not seeing your family because of a higher rate a pay is nonsense.

sportsterjohn · 10-31-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRE332

I would rather be home with my family every night for 1/2 the rate. Life is too short and not seeing your family because of a higher rate a pay is nonsense.

The life of a consultant can be a bit difficult. I would not be doing this if I had school aged kids. In my case, the kids are out of school and my wife can go on the road with me when she wants.