hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647 
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Post by hugs on Jun 23, 2014 22:42:18 GMT
Ducks Unlimited didn't extend my contract and the other powers that be were acting like jerks. So I found an other job Neener-neener  The really weird thing is that they didn't interview me, I just got a call from the HR department offering me the job. It's a training program, really, one year to be trained to be a soil scientist for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. I'd like to say that if I pass that one-year probation period I'll have a permanent position, but if there is no funding, then there is no job. It's likely I'll find a paid soil's job, but maybe not. The story of my working life since 1999. But of course being a federal job it's not that straight forward... so it goes So... what do you know about Abilene? |
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Jun 23, 2014 23:42:55 GMT
Congrats!! I'm just a little surprised,..., but happy for you  |
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Jun 23, 2014 23:44:31 GMT
Congrats!! I'm just a little surprised,..., but happy for you Ditto! I'm surprised you are moving so far from home, but congrats on the new job!  |
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Jun 24, 2014 0:41:29 GMT
I'm kinda surprised myself. Rather surreal, but this isn't my first rodeo. I was really dreading it when I moved to Washington DC, just hated it, cried a lot but it turned out to be a really good experience in a lot of ways. I was there for nearly two years. So I know I can do one year.
One year. Holy smokes. One year in Texas. I'm sweating just thinking about it. I HATE the heat, hopefully they don't like the heat any better than I do LOL
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jun 24, 2014 1:18:12 GMT
So you'd stay there during the week and go home on weekends? Is it very far from home? I'm disappointed that you haven't been able to find something close to home.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Jun 24, 2014 1:34:58 GMT
Ngh, my home is northern MN so I figure I'll fly home once a month or so.
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Post by horselady on Jun 24, 2014 1:54:06 GMT
Congrats on your new job. and a year is not that long a time . just keep your bag packed for that trip home every month. you are a strong person . i could not do something like that.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Jun 24, 2014 2:39:10 GMT
HOLD THE PHONE!
I just got a call from Anoka County (3.5 hrs south of home) and THEY offered me the wetland specialist job! The benefits aren't quite as good but it pays better for the first 3 to 4 years. But I have no guarantee of a federal job after the first year.
ARGH!
Personally I'd LOVE the wetland job but I'd also really like the soils job and learn that stuff, IT IS SO COOL! And have an adventure.
But being able to stay close to home... gosh, what a decision
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Jun 24, 2014 2:56:08 GMT
I think I would take the one closer to home. Texas isn't all that. Hot and open spaces... I wouldn't count on any federal jobs in this economy. Besides do you really want to be that far away from your home, your horses, Gerald and your mom? In the long run you'll save money. 3.5hrs is a lot cheaper than flying r/t once a month...  |
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Jun 24, 2014 3:49:06 GMT
Federal has excellent benefits and the potential for a lot more money in the long run, which means better retirement.
And once I get past the career conditional to the permanent, I don't have to worry about being fired or loss of a job. That's a big deal too.
I just don't want to jump away from the adventure of TX. I had a similar adventure in DC and I'm so glad I didn't bail on that one.
I'm glad you're giving me feedback though, its why I posted at all.
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Jun 24, 2014 5:15:02 GMT
If it were me, I think I'd take the one closer to home too. Good luck with your decision!
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Post by horselover4life on Jun 24, 2014 10:02:54 GMT
I would also probably do closer to home now it is offered to you . Although not "federal" it has a longer time frame for the job.
The Texas situation was a year...or the 3.5 hours away from home one for 3 - 4 years... that is quite a difference of stability in your life.
Big decision is right, really weigh the differences. smileys-home-474322
My other thought is...do you really want to be 1/2 a country away from family and loved ones...from near one border of our nation to the other... 
Honestly, right now I have some very serious health issues happening with my mom...she is 1200 miles away and I can't just drop and get home to her easily. $500+ in airfare or 2 days drive basically for me...{I have to take my son with me too whatever I do}
I can tell you that 3.5 hours from home right now... I WOULD BE THERE! instead I am here needing to see my mom...
Think about it...just really think about it! 
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Jun 24, 2014 10:31:28 GMT
Yep, I'm with the 'closer to home' vote too!!  sun |
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jun 24, 2014 12:15:01 GMT
Not sure how I missed this. I'm not sure what I would do in your situation. Write out an honest list looking at the pros and cons of each job and use that to help guide you. In the end though, you need to do what you think is best for you - now and in the future. Sending lots of love and support your way.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Jun 24, 2014 13:11:14 GMT
The biggest difference I have to think about is my retirement. I don't have hard and fast numbers but I believe Abilene outweighs Anoka BUT because Anoka pays more in the first few years, it may be a wash. Here are my pros and cons I wrote out on HT. This forum stuff is pretty nice for this kind of thing and getting feedback, thanks you guys!!!
ABILENE
Abilene is a federal job, which means after about 2 yrs I can never be fired expect for gross negligence so I really like that LOL.
I believe the benefits are better but I'm going to have to call HR to find out for sure. My decisions on these kind of things is very math based. Then again the emotional part: I would love to be a soil scientist, its nerdy but that's cool in my world. I'd love to know what a soil scientist knows.
Moving to Abilene, oh my goodness, check out the apartments! They are unbelievable cheap and yet have amenities up the whazoo! Including having a dog so Coda could come visit. AND within just minutes would be my office, dentist, shopping AND A SYNOGOGUE!!!! AND within 45 minutes A RIDING STABLES!
It has everything I could want! But the crime is higher
BUT there is no guarantee that there would be year 2. However, and again, I'd have to check with HR, I may have enough time to be "more assured" of getting another federal job, move sideways as it were, and that is a huge positive.
BUT it may very well pay less in salary for the first 5 years, that's a lot of money and balances out the higher benefits. Again, a math question, gotta check with HR because retirement benefits are a big deal.
ANOKA
This is a permanent job and although there is no guarantee, the fellow that would be hiring me has been there 23 years!!! He has never had to fire an employee, they've only moved on after about 4-5 years for more pay.
This job pays so much more to start that its a shame. Even at only a 3% COLA it beats the Abilene job for the first 5 years by thousands/year. However, the pay will level out probably after 5 years, but I hope to retire within 7 so I don't think that's as big a deal.
Again, emotions, I know what kind of work this is, it would be fun. I'd have support to really build my plant ID skills and so could smoke at the technical panel meetings. I'd be a cool guy All nerds long to be a cool guy
AND I'd be only 3.5 hours from home. Various riding stables and boarding stables around too but no synagogue, the closest one is at least an hour away.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Jun 24, 2014 13:22:25 GMT
I realize that if you did get the federal job that the benefits are better and it's harder to get fired. But what concerns me and I have seen it. Budget cuts!!! What if you spend a year there and then don't get the permanent position? Then your back to square one. At least knowing you have a job for the next 3-4 years and working for the county you still get benefits. Plus you will have more of a home life. Which I think is worth more than more money..A baseline position with the federal job isn't all that. I as a contractor I made more than a GS-7 federal worker that had 5 yrs under their belt. You have a lot to think about.  |
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Jun 24, 2014 13:26:03 GMT
Lol I posted right after you so didn't see your comparison.  |
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Post by diamondgirl on Jun 24, 2014 22:50:39 GMT
I am sorry. I know TX has a much shorter and warmer winter, and sounds like such a fun adventure, but I think I would stay in Minnesota. I would be afraid to be so far from home. But that is just me. You need to do what feels right for you.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Jun 25, 2014 0:16:13 GMT
I decided to go with more money, more sure of a job; the Anoka one. I gotta say I'm disappointed because I was ready for an adventure but more money is the answer, I mean, that's what we work for after all.
Sure there are issues with our federal budget, trust me I know but still I have nearly 3 years in already so its a lot to throw away. However, the retirement benefit is rather lost on me because it favors long term employment. So I am kicking myself AGAIN because I had a federal job right out of college. To show you what I gave up without knowing it, I could of retired 7 years ago at $1,250/month if I had taken that job; 1% of the average of the top 3 years pay x the number of years in service. That would be in addition to social security and any savings I put aside. Word to the wise for young folks!
So now i'm going to check on apartments and see what else there is do to.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jun 25, 2014 3:43:22 GMT
My vote is for closer to home. If you have to pay for flights to go home that'll really cut into your salary.
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sun
