What is a good paying job in the engineering field?

Should I Take A Job In Another Field (Computer Engineering -> Safety Engineering)?

• Recently I was offered a contract job opportunity at a company I've "interned" at for nearly two years. The job is within the safety department (where most of my work has been focused) with the pay looking to be around 45k-50k or rather 10k less than a computer engineering grad with some minor experience should be expecting. I'm still waiting on a few other options I have in the works but at the same time job opportunities are scarce and those loan collectors are steadily approaching. I'm not passionate about safety engineering but the job itself is simple/straight-forward and I know the people and organization. My main concern is if I take this job, will it keep me from progressing further into the computer/tech industry? I'm basically trying to avoid having to "start all over" by the contract's end if that is indeed what I decide upon. Any advice?

• Answer:

  On one hand, it is easier to find a job when you have a job. On the other, where can you get that minor experience in computer engineering. A contract job is not all one sided. The company thinks they will have you for 12 months, and will not tell you they will not renew your contract till the contract has only 30 days left. It often take 90 days to land another contract. But what keeps you from quiting early, if a better offer walks in the door. If they wanted to keep you, they should have made the position permanent. Take a careful look at the contract. Will you have a early out. You can start a intense job search 90 days before the contract ends, so you can jump effortlessly from one position to another. While at your safety job, you can grab anything computer related, and make your resume look like 30% of your work was computer related. That will count toward keeping your skills sharp, and a little experience.