Each month CEG is presenting a blog contributed by members of Professional Women in Construction (PWC). Founded in 1980, PWC is a nonprofit advocacy andsupport organization dedicated to the advancement of professional, managerial and entrepreneurial women in construction and related industries. PWC has chapters nationwide.
Gone are the days of working for the same company for 40 plus years, same town and same co-workers. In most industries now, professionals face the decision to relocate with an existing or new company in order to advance their career aspirations. In the construction industry, it is the way of life for most. Early in my career, I had an opportunity to work on a world-renowned infrastructure project that brought together a group of unique engineers, architects and varied professionals. I worked with who built cities in the Middle East, worked on the Alaskan pipeline, developed Saudi Arabian oil fields, constructed the Chunnel tube, and built power plants all over the world. In order to have this extravagant experience and resume these people are were required to relocate.
Over the past 20 years, I have had many opportunities to move for professional advancement, and I struggled with the decision. I reviewed my pros and cons (naming a few):
• quality of life
• cost of living
• transportation
• increase in salary
• starting over
• leaving friends and family
• making new friends
• selling, buying or renting a new home
• stability with the company if I stay or go
• can I or should I move my family with me
No matter what stage you are in life or career, relocating is a major decision. Relocating for a new job can bring apprehension or enthusiasm for the new opportunity, and of course the decision should not be made without due consideration.
Time will tell if we ever return to the days of working for the same company for the majority of a career. Currently, challenging economics, corporate mergers or consolidations, lack of employment opportunities, lay-offs, lack of opportunity for career advancement are all factors that make the decision to relocate for work, especially in the construction industry, a very entertaining idea. How will job relocations affect you fiscally, personally or professionally? To help you consider your options, here are some websites that can assist:
• Bankrate.com: This website offers a cost of living comparison calculator, which also includes housing and rental cost and the price of common products and services that the average person needs.
• PayScale Cost of Living Calculator: PayScale.com is known for providing salary information, and they bring that perspective to their Cost of Living Calculator. When assessing cost of living on the site, you are also asked to include salary information, and the calculator calculates the difference in cost of living between the two places in addition to how much income you will need to maintain your current lifestyle.
• City to City Moving: This tool provides you with a quote for moving from one city to another. It breaks down the costs for you to make it easier for you to know what’s involved.
• ZoomInfo.com – Search engine with profiles of more than five million businesses (and people). Provides information such as summaries, news archives, main competitors, and individuals who are key company contributors.
• Glassdoor.com – Salaries, ratings, and reviews posted anonymously by employees. One review is free, but you can get free access to company reviews for a year by writing a review of your own current or a past employer.
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – Quarterly and annual reports of public companies available through the SEC’s EDGAR database.
• Hoovers.com – Database of information on more than 25 million corporations and organizations. Offers both free and for-pay content.
Nicole Hunter is a Project Manager at HNTB Corporation.
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