Desicions a go-go
Last Friday was the Australian Design Awards dinner. After booking a ticket ($175 each!) for myself I was surprised to find I was placed in the middle, amongst some of the large design firms in Sydney. I found where "those that needed speaking to" sat and got busy talking to everyone I could. The food was great, the music was bearable and the decor was awesome. It was good to see that one of my old clients was a judge, which game me some minor bragging rights.
The awards dinner marked the middle of my job hunting efforts. With two meetings with agencies, three meeting with potential employers and several phone meetings with anyone worthwhile I have pimped myself in every way comfortable.
I always wanted to work in Industrial Design, taking Engineering as the option allowing more potential in the workplace. My side projects involving graphic design and print management were to allow me to have a broader range of skills. Now with 3 years under my belt I have found that I face a choice - continue to pursue Industrial Design or settle down into a stable career job.
My engineering experience took a back seat to "pretty and detailed" design, so the theory and formulas of the uni days are fading away - as such I would like to work with other engineers who can get me back on track. I would also like to start up my own contracting design business (after I
get the capital). I have the customer base and a good support network,
the big issue is time.
With two companies putting in their offers its a hard choice, each have their pros and cons.
JOB 1 (the stable "forever" career)
Pros:
- Good money which will move into better money
- Working as a CAD monkey for a large HVAC company
- Global company offering international travel and projects
- Progress into the "engineering" side of the company with training
- Using software that I already know damn well
- Look towards project management
- Work on large (Air-Con and sheet metal) systems
- Learn from a range of designers and engineers
Cons:
- Lose skills in graphics and print
- Lose skills in manufacturing management, drawing and plastic design
- "Pigeon-hole" myself in an industry which wont extend well towards Industrial Design
- Not much time for other interests (no go to contracting)
JOB 2 (the diverse job)
Pros:
- Good money that will stay that way
- Learning two new design packages
- Dealing with manufactures
- Dealing with other design firms
- Developing an existing product
- Able to peruse other interests (big yes for contracting)
- Possibility for overseas travel to meet suppliers
Cons:
- Leading most of the design (not learning from many others)
- Not many engineers working in the company to learn from
- Slightly limiting design opportunities (handful of products)
In any case, I need to make a choice tomorrow which will govern what I am doing for the next 12 months.
The awards dinner marked the middle of my job hunting efforts. With two meetings with agencies, three meeting with potential employers and several phone meetings with anyone worthwhile I have pimped myself in every way comfortable.
I always wanted to work in Industrial Design, taking Engineering as the option allowing more potential in the workplace. My side projects involving graphic design and print management were to allow me to have a broader range of skills. Now with 3 years under my belt I have found that I face a choice - continue to pursue Industrial Design or settle down into a stable career job.
My engineering experience took a back seat to "pretty and detailed" design, so the theory and formulas of the uni days are fading away - as such I would like to work with other engineers who can get me back on track. I would also like to start up my own contracting design business (after I
get the capital). I have the customer base and a good support network,
the big issue is time.
With two companies putting in their offers its a hard choice, each have their pros and cons.
JOB 1 (the stable "forever" career)
Pros:
- Good money which will move into better money
- Working as a CAD monkey for a large HVAC company
- Global company offering international travel and projects
- Progress into the "engineering" side of the company with training
- Using software that I already know damn well
- Look towards project management
- Work on large (Air-Con and sheet metal) systems
- Learn from a range of designers and engineers
Cons:
- Lose skills in graphics and print
- Lose skills in manufacturing management, drawing and plastic design
- "Pigeon-hole" myself in an industry which wont extend well towards Industrial Design
- Not much time for other interests (no go to contracting)
JOB 2 (the diverse job)
Pros:
- Good money that will stay that way
- Learning two new design packages
- Dealing with manufactures
- Dealing with other design firms
- Developing an existing product
- Able to peruse other interests (big yes for contracting)
- Possibility for overseas travel to meet suppliers
Cons:
- Leading most of the design (not learning from many others)
- Not many engineers working in the company to learn from
- Slightly limiting design opportunities (handful of products)
In any case, I need to make a choice tomorrow which will govern what I am doing for the next 12 months.