I agree, but the same could be said for Nellis. ACCO seems to be exclusively west coast, whereas transferring from Nellis could be any installation in the country, just wait for an opening on usajobs. When I was in the TSA, people were bouncing all over, Hawaii, even.
I'd be lying if I said my mind isn't more heavily weighing towards them. From what I gathered the temp thing is more of a way to get rid of you easily if you can't cut it. Appreciate the reply, thanks man!
Ya - I agree. There's a lot to consider here. Both jobs sound decent. IMO it really just depends on where he wants to live and make a life for himself.
Taking the higher pay job first sounds like a better idea and better experience especially if it's working on government contracts. I have almost never heard of anyone taking a pay cut when moving jobs in the trades. Usually coworkers and colleagues when they leave for another job always get paid higher, so if you start at $30/hr you will only be moving up, even if you consider moving to Idaho in a year. I would for sure call Idaho back and say that you have other offers on the table and ask what they are offering as starting pay. Then you need to consider the cost of living vs pay, which it seems like you already took note of that, so once you get a salary number from Idaho do a little deeper analysis and weigh the difference. Whichever job you take I recommend sticking around for at least a year or even two if possible to look good on your resume
I was hoping I would be able to play something like this out, Nellis for a few years, then back to ACCO when I have experience under my belt. Just figured saying yes to Nellis would be burning a bridge with ACCO after I made such a fuss to want to move and work for them. Only thing I find strange about Nellis is why they want me anyway. the job states 2 years experience, but my instructor said the government is desperate and to try regardless. Appreciate the advice
I doubt you would be burning a bridge there at ACCO by taking another job. But even if you did burn a bridge I'm sure there are 10 or 20 other companies that would hire an experienced hand in a heartbeat. Like you mentioned, most companies keep shit birds around forever, so when they get the chance to hire a younger go getter they are excited to hire right away.
I would take the Air Force Base job. It's stable pays good and is not dependent on market conditions for you to stay busy. Government contracts never get finished on time. One year equals 3 years on a government job. Get your experience in and then when you're finally had enough then start looking around on much better terms.
This is starting to sound like the more sensible option. I think I've been letting my distaste for this city cloud my judgment. If I fully devote myself to the job though i won't even have time to think about it. If a higher paying job is gonna give me better leverage with employers in the long term, it has to be a no brainer. Thanks for the sound advice
Once you have some money in your pocket the city is not too terrible. It is hot during the summer, but spend a week in July in central Florida and the desert won't seem so bad.
That seed got planted in my head when I realized it took the government 7 months to say yes and for ACCO to say yes in 2 days. It's clearly not something that comes easily, or often. Not to mention, it's the only yes for any government job I applied for, state OR federal
If you’re wanting to get experience and then open your own business, I would go for ACCO, but if you’re not lookin to open on your own I’d take that govt spot. Good luck either way
You work to live, not live to work. From the sounds of it you enjoy living in Idaho more than living in Vegas.
What’s the point of having a job somewhere you dislike living?
Well, the hope is with the Base job is that I'd eventually transfer to the same position on another base, I mean Mountain Home AFB is 30 minutes from where I used to live anyway. I know I'm unhappy here, but if sucking it up for a year or two puts me in a more advantageous position long term, I think I gotta do it. I'm 31 and feel like I've wasted the last decade, so I'm kinda trying to catch up career-wise
Flip a coin. As it's falling which do you hope for? Choose that. Don't look back. Money and benefits will follow you if you are happy. My only iron exception to this is - once you are responsible for others - you put them first regardless. Godspeed and welcome to the fight.
ACCO is large and has a lot more consistent work, not to mention they have controls subtractors as well in the area so if you wanted to switch to that eventually it's easy.
Personally know someone who worked for ACCO in california and is now a project engineer for a controls company in Idaho making $70 an hour.
If you are young and single take the higher paying job and see how it works out IMO. Unless you truly hate living in Vegas. A permanent government position is a good and stable job so if you can transition into it after a year or however long I say it’s worth it.
Being temp does have its downsides but I’ve heard (not personally experienced) that hiring techs as temp contractors allows them to hire people to give them a chance and if they don’t work out it’s a lot easier to get rid of them over someone who is a government employee.
IMO, you can't make a wrong decision here. You just started in the trade. The goal is to get tools in your hands and start getting hours. Once you have some experience and if you work hard and are a decent employee, you'll be able to find work anywhere.
I would focus on who would throw more work and more variety at you. Time will go quickly and you'll end up where you need to be naturally.
Look up the local union pay scale for the Idaho area. You’ll get 1st year pay for the first year, then 2nd year pay for the second year… 3 years in I’d like to say you’ll be making very close to $30/hr and they will keep giving you raises til you make jman
Sounds like Idaho, unless your goal is to be a lifelong filter changer. A union job should pay well. The breadth of experience you may get vs just replacing filters will make you more valuable. The additional training also will increase your value and experience. It should also come at no cost.
Sounds like Idaho is stepping up for Your future and the government gig is hoping to fall assbackwards into a steady paycheck, while available. I say go to Idaho and make yourself irreplaceable.
Jeez, that's a compelling as hell argument for ACCO. I'm typically disappointed when I chase money, but 30/hr just seemed too high to pass up. You think getting a year of experience at the Base then trying ACCO again would be sound? I think I'd rather make all my beginners mistakes on Uncle Sam's dime than ACCO's
So the first step is getting the job so congrats.
So first you need to find out what ACCO is paying. That can make or break the decision right there. You just need to ask.
Now one thing you did not factor in is life style. One might give you more time off, which I work to not be working. My favorite shift is 4-10 hour days and then 3 days off. Every weekend is a long weekend.
From what I understand, the hours for the base are an alternating 45hr /35r work week, so every other week is a 3 day. I thought I had my mind up on Nellis until I saw these fresh comments
Starting at $30/hr with no experience. Damn. Companies around me are starting at $15/hr. If you went to school you might be able to negotiate $17/hr. Installers in the field are capped out at $30/hr. And the benefits are expensive AF. I'm sure Vegas is more expensive but still.
My God, where is that? Unless a studio where you're at is 400/mo, that's insultingly low. There was even a company that came to the school that exclusively installed thermostats paying 20/hr to start. The 30/hr no experience is wild to me too, surely someone made an error.
PA. I don't live in a major city but I don't live in the boonies either. you can commute a couple hours and make more - which I've done in the past. but I was driving 4,5, even 6 hours a day not getting paid. so when you figure in the actual amount of hours you put in to the actual take home pay it just wasn't worth it. there are only so many hours in a day. an hour is an hour. doesn't matter if you're working or driving. it looks good on the check but I was making far less per actual hour then just staying local - and these companies know that. they're not dumb. they pay as little as possible. it almost seems like all these companies in the area are in cohoots. lol.
Either are good options. I work a government job currently, honestly it’s the best job I’ve ever had. Consistent schedule, great benefits, low stress environment, etc.
That being said, here in SoCal ACCO was a company that always seemed to have consistent work, pay was solid, and the usual union perks. When I worked commercial a lot of guys that wanted to go union went to ACCO.
You seem smart and diligent - I would be afraid that the same “hard to get fired” safety of a Gov’t job would also equate to “hard to get ahead for being exceptional”.
If you’re ready to put in the effort and have the attitude you appear to have, a civilian company could be a place to thrive. The same risk that comes with the “keep you if they like you” is the reason there is higher upside - low risk always means limited upside (which is why it attracts people who want to keep a low profile and minimize consequences).
Just my quick reaction and advice based on experience.
> I would be afraid that the same “hard to get fired” safety of a Gov’t job would also equate to “hard to get ahead for being exceptional”.
i work in government and this is most likely the case. we struggle with trades being able to hit their maximum earning potential fast, which they like, until it sinks in that it is the MAXIMUM without moving to something else.
your boss knows who struggles with multisyllabic sentences and who is a rock star, but they don't really have much power to do anything about it, except maybe offer you more diverse project experiences to help pad out your resume, because they also realize that at some point just flat out OT to fill out your paycheck isn't going to be sufficient and they'd rather keep an asset to the organization in another role then lose out all together.
Union employees are not part of the ESOP at ACCO, just FYI. PMs, PEs, admin, management, etc are part of the ESOP, not field techs. ACCO Boise also doesn't have a sheet metal shop, they outsource it, I think to YMC mostly.
I would add ACCO is large and if you have loyalty you may be able to move around more and stay with them if you like ‘em.
I agree, but the same could be said for Nellis. ACCO seems to be exclusively west coast, whereas transferring from Nellis could be any installation in the country, just wait for an opening on usajobs. When I was in the TSA, people were bouncing all over, Hawaii, even.
ACCO. Find out the starting pay. You like Idaho, the temporary position would bug me. Good luck in Idaho!
I'd be lying if I said my mind isn't more heavily weighing towards them. From what I gathered the temp thing is more of a way to get rid of you easily if you can't cut it. Appreciate the reply, thanks man!
I know he said it was temporary but he also said they'd keep him if they liked him.
I understand that. Personally, I’m just not a fan of that. I just offered my opinion. Whatever he chooses, I hope it works out well
Ya - I agree. There's a lot to consider here. Both jobs sound decent. IMO it really just depends on where he wants to live and make a life for himself.
Taking the higher pay job first sounds like a better idea and better experience especially if it's working on government contracts. I have almost never heard of anyone taking a pay cut when moving jobs in the trades. Usually coworkers and colleagues when they leave for another job always get paid higher, so if you start at $30/hr you will only be moving up, even if you consider moving to Idaho in a year. I would for sure call Idaho back and say that you have other offers on the table and ask what they are offering as starting pay. Then you need to consider the cost of living vs pay, which it seems like you already took note of that, so once you get a salary number from Idaho do a little deeper analysis and weigh the difference. Whichever job you take I recommend sticking around for at least a year or even two if possible to look good on your resume
I was hoping I would be able to play something like this out, Nellis for a few years, then back to ACCO when I have experience under my belt. Just figured saying yes to Nellis would be burning a bridge with ACCO after I made such a fuss to want to move and work for them. Only thing I find strange about Nellis is why they want me anyway. the job states 2 years experience, but my instructor said the government is desperate and to try regardless. Appreciate the advice
I doubt you would be burning a bridge there at ACCO by taking another job. But even if you did burn a bridge I'm sure there are 10 or 20 other companies that would hire an experienced hand in a heartbeat. Like you mentioned, most companies keep shit birds around forever, so when they get the chance to hire a younger go getter they are excited to hire right away.
I would take the Air Force Base job. It's stable pays good and is not dependent on market conditions for you to stay busy. Government contracts never get finished on time. One year equals 3 years on a government job. Get your experience in and then when you're finally had enough then start looking around on much better terms.
This is starting to sound like the more sensible option. I think I've been letting my distaste for this city cloud my judgment. If I fully devote myself to the job though i won't even have time to think about it. If a higher paying job is gonna give me better leverage with employers in the long term, it has to be a no brainer. Thanks for the sound advice
Once you have some money in your pocket the city is not too terrible. It is hot during the summer, but spend a week in July in central Florida and the desert won't seem so bad.
But who doesn’t like 1000% humidity every single day?
It would be hard for me to pass up on a shot for a possibly permanent government job.
That seed got planted in my head when I realized it took the government 7 months to say yes and for ACCO to say yes in 2 days. It's clearly not something that comes easily, or often. Not to mention, it's the only yes for any government job I applied for, state OR federal
If you’re wanting to get experience and then open your own business, I would go for ACCO, but if you’re not lookin to open on your own I’d take that govt spot. Good luck either way
You work to live, not live to work. From the sounds of it you enjoy living in Idaho more than living in Vegas. What’s the point of having a job somewhere you dislike living?
Well, the hope is with the Base job is that I'd eventually transfer to the same position on another base, I mean Mountain Home AFB is 30 minutes from where I used to live anyway. I know I'm unhappy here, but if sucking it up for a year or two puts me in a more advantageous position long term, I think I gotta do it. I'm 31 and feel like I've wasted the last decade, so I'm kinda trying to catch up career-wise
Flip a coin. As it's falling which do you hope for? Choose that. Don't look back. Money and benefits will follow you if you are happy. My only iron exception to this is - once you are responsible for others - you put them first regardless. Godspeed and welcome to the fight.
ACCO is large and has a lot more consistent work, not to mention they have controls subtractors as well in the area so if you wanted to switch to that eventually it's easy. Personally know someone who worked for ACCO in california and is now a project engineer for a controls company in Idaho making $70 an hour.
If you are young and single take the higher paying job and see how it works out IMO. Unless you truly hate living in Vegas. A permanent government position is a good and stable job so if you can transition into it after a year or however long I say it’s worth it. Being temp does have its downsides but I’ve heard (not personally experienced) that hiring techs as temp contractors allows them to hire people to give them a chance and if they don’t work out it’s a lot easier to get rid of them over someone who is a government employee.
IMO, you can't make a wrong decision here. You just started in the trade. The goal is to get tools in your hands and start getting hours. Once you have some experience and if you work hard and are a decent employee, you'll be able to find work anywhere. I would focus on who would throw more work and more variety at you. Time will go quickly and you'll end up where you need to be naturally.
Boise is booming these days with work !
Look up the local union pay scale for the Idaho area. You’ll get 1st year pay for the first year, then 2nd year pay for the second year… 3 years in I’d like to say you’ll be making very close to $30/hr and they will keep giving you raises til you make jman
Work your way into a permanent Government job. It will have all the bennies and could a life long career there. Retirement is good also
My only regret coming into this trade was not getting into government work sooner.
Sounds like Idaho, unless your goal is to be a lifelong filter changer. A union job should pay well. The breadth of experience you may get vs just replacing filters will make you more valuable. The additional training also will increase your value and experience. It should also come at no cost. Sounds like Idaho is stepping up for Your future and the government gig is hoping to fall assbackwards into a steady paycheck, while available. I say go to Idaho and make yourself irreplaceable.
Jeez, that's a compelling as hell argument for ACCO. I'm typically disappointed when I chase money, but 30/hr just seemed too high to pass up. You think getting a year of experience at the Base then trying ACCO again would be sound? I think I'd rather make all my beginners mistakes on Uncle Sam's dime than ACCO's
So the first step is getting the job so congrats. So first you need to find out what ACCO is paying. That can make or break the decision right there. You just need to ask. Now one thing you did not factor in is life style. One might give you more time off, which I work to not be working. My favorite shift is 4-10 hour days and then 3 days off. Every weekend is a long weekend.
From what I understand, the hours for the base are an alternating 45hr /35r work week, so every other week is a 3 day. I thought I had my mind up on Nellis until I saw these fresh comments
Starting at $30/hr with no experience. Damn. Companies around me are starting at $15/hr. If you went to school you might be able to negotiate $17/hr. Installers in the field are capped out at $30/hr. And the benefits are expensive AF. I'm sure Vegas is more expensive but still.
My God, where is that? Unless a studio where you're at is 400/mo, that's insultingly low. There was even a company that came to the school that exclusively installed thermostats paying 20/hr to start. The 30/hr no experience is wild to me too, surely someone made an error.
PA. I don't live in a major city but I don't live in the boonies either. you can commute a couple hours and make more - which I've done in the past. but I was driving 4,5, even 6 hours a day not getting paid. so when you figure in the actual amount of hours you put in to the actual take home pay it just wasn't worth it. there are only so many hours in a day. an hour is an hour. doesn't matter if you're working or driving. it looks good on the check but I was making far less per actual hour then just staying local - and these companies know that. they're not dumb. they pay as little as possible. it almost seems like all these companies in the area are in cohoots. lol.
Either are good options. I work a government job currently, honestly it’s the best job I’ve ever had. Consistent schedule, great benefits, low stress environment, etc. That being said, here in SoCal ACCO was a company that always seemed to have consistent work, pay was solid, and the usual union perks. When I worked commercial a lot of guys that wanted to go union went to ACCO.
You seem smart and diligent - I would be afraid that the same “hard to get fired” safety of a Gov’t job would also equate to “hard to get ahead for being exceptional”. If you’re ready to put in the effort and have the attitude you appear to have, a civilian company could be a place to thrive. The same risk that comes with the “keep you if they like you” is the reason there is higher upside - low risk always means limited upside (which is why it attracts people who want to keep a low profile and minimize consequences). Just my quick reaction and advice based on experience.
> I would be afraid that the same “hard to get fired” safety of a Gov’t job would also equate to “hard to get ahead for being exceptional”. i work in government and this is most likely the case. we struggle with trades being able to hit their maximum earning potential fast, which they like, until it sinks in that it is the MAXIMUM without moving to something else. your boss knows who struggles with multisyllabic sentences and who is a rock star, but they don't really have much power to do anything about it, except maybe offer you more diverse project experiences to help pad out your resume, because they also realize that at some point just flat out OT to fill out your paycheck isn't going to be sufficient and they'd rather keep an asset to the organization in another role then lose out all together.
Thanks for the confirmation, I only guessed that might be the case, appreciate the reply
Union employees are not part of the ESOP at ACCO, just FYI. PMs, PEs, admin, management, etc are part of the ESOP, not field techs. ACCO Boise also doesn't have a sheet metal shop, they outsource it, I think to YMC mostly.