Career Choices???

Will, You have to take care of number 1 (that's you). Now if you have wife & family they are part of it too. I know that I always thought that if I did a great job for my corporate employer I could be a 'company man' and retire by 55, but after 21 years it didn't matter. The bean counters figured it would be better to let people go before they were eligible for their pensions (unspent savings). When I told my fellow engineering buddies about this they sorta laughed and reminded me that most engineers will change jobs on average every 5-7 years, maximise their 401K (or buy good investments).

Ultimately you have to make a rational decision, don't put yourself in a position where you will either be a slave to your job and have no life. Live within your means. A fast buck is quickly lost. Schedule yourself some 'ME' time. Make a plan, set goals. Remember life is not a rehearsal.

Both sound OK?
For me, I'd lean toward 2. I like the idea of your own Biz! Been there done that! Would I do it again, Yes! Just not in Mexifornia! I owned a Night Club.

You don't say what type Biz? I'm sure you'll do your home work. One thing to consider, Unless you plan on making Millions, (don't we all!) with your super widgit. Do I work for the man 8/10 Hrs a day with fair pay and Ins.? Or do I work for my self (and or buddies) 14/18 Hrs. a day for pennies till the widgit makes it big!

What ever you choose, I wish you the best!

Good Luck
Curt

Been there, done that. I too am an engineer and I worked for a defense contractor for 7 years after college. I left to pursue a better opportunity with a startup. That lasted about 2.5 years. Then, it was into real estate, which led to construction, which led to a layoff. I guess the lord was looking out for me, because less than a month later I found a job working for the County as a project manager and six months later I was promoted to division director. Sometimes I lament to my wife that I shouldn't have left the defense job. Then she reminds me that I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't.

What does all this mean for you. I'm not really sure. I learned a lot about myself through this journey. I learned that I didn't really care for running my own business. You have to live it and breathe it 24 hrs. a day. I learned that it wasn't about the money. I learned that it wasn't the company I worked for, but the people I worked with. I learned that I will never be a billionaire and that's ok. I learned that if you love what you do, you will do it well and everything will be ok. I learned that life's a journey, not a destination.

Take this for what it's worth.

Curt/John,

I have owned a business before (In the state of CA nonetheless), several actually.

Go to this post and it will shed more light on that. We ran it for close 5 years and shut it down in early 08 (It was the closest I ever got to leaving Corp America, as I did it on the side with a fulltime biz partner, but due to the economy of our demographic market and certain contracts not coming thru it went bust)

My Old Business

But I have also been a founder in startups too (Dotcom w/a sister site in a beta stage, Lasted for about 2.5yrs).

So, I've been down those roads and I love working for myself, nothing better than that.


Denis,

I despise the rigidity of Corp America, but sometimes we just have to swallow our pride (I feel that this might be that kind of scenario for me).

All in all, I've done a lot (Only 29) and plan to eventually get something going again, I still have a few more years before I have to succumb to the Giant Corporations.

But, looking at the situation, I guess I should choose the path that offers me the most choices (#1). Change is not easy, so maybe I have just gotten comfy in San Diego, but can you blame me.

Myself and a couple friends looked at the idea of starting different small business. As much as I would love to there is no way in this day and age. With what is going on in this government it's just not possible.

Lots of good advice here, so I'll only suggest an approach ...

First, I'd figure out what I wanted to do with the days I'm given, then confer with family - wife, parents, grown kids (remember that everyone has a different tolerance for risk, so be sensitive to that), finally, go to your friends that want to start the business (if that's the way you want to go) and lay out to them what you're preparing to sacrifice to make things happen. Then get a business plan together with concrete tasks and dates when things will be done, and keep a fire lit under them.

If the business your friends want to start is solid I'd be asking -
a) How long have they had the concept?
b) Why haven't they started yet?
c) Why hasn't someone else done whatever it is yet (or if you guys are entering a competitive market, will you be sufficiently differentiated, and be able to maintain that differentiation long-term, to succeed)?
d) Is this something you would enjoy investing long hours into and can it sustain your family?
If the answers are that it's a new idea, groundwork is being done now to secure startup funding/suppliers/distribution channels/clientele, and you can create and maintain differentiation in the market, then if the answer to the last question is YES - go for it!
(The reason I would ask A, B and C is to determine whether your friends are truly invested/investing in this, or if it's just a dream that may happen someday - dreams without perspiration don't come true)

Good luck!

Ok,

Here's the update...

I went ahead with option #1. Going back home will open plenty of doors for me and will ultimately give me another shot at starting up a business (I have plenty of Sharp, business minded friends who are ready to leave Corp and head into Inc.)... And yes, there will be a Pantera in the very near future for me (4-6months).

A major deciding factor was that the management here in the SD branch could care less about me, no need sticking around if you're not wanted and especially if you know you're wasting your time and talents.

Back to Texas and maybe now I can go build that custom drum smoker I've always wanted to build too.

Congrats on making a decision Will. And, I look forward to seeing your 'new' Pantera in 4-6 months. You won't regret realizing your Pantera dream now. All too often we put off such dreams only to never realize them.

Cheers!
Garth

A word of advise from a business owner ... go with the most secure option at this time ...wait 2-3 years until after inflation sets in and you can actually calculate the cost ... right now the Gov is increasing taxes to small bus ...but we have no work ..so who is going to pay these taxes ? Hold tight wait like 2-3 years and start up a busines then ..I did this in 94. Right now your going to start a business when theres no work and poeple are shit scared to spend money ..Oh the Gov talks about ending the war ..the defence stuff will dry up also.

My opinion ..

Well said and I guess if that really is the case, then I could just focus on the Pantera scene for the next few years until things pan out.

That is unless a good opportunity comes my way...

Right now if you have extra cash .. buy small commercial property and rent it out .. lot of co's down sizing and looking for small commercial space .. like Industrial Park Space. the rent usually exceeds the Mortgage ..which brings us to another subject..getting a mortgage.

I would have to start looking into the Fort Worth area and see what is currently available. But that is a viable option I have considered in the past and a good majority of the available commerical properties in fort worth are cheaper than the housing.

Heck my rent out here is almost the cost of a mortgage back in Fort Worth.