<p>Psh, in my city, $50k a year before taxes probably isn’t even middle class. You can definitely forget about buying a home before the age 35.</p>
<p>But then again I’m a spoiled brat and hate sharing buildings.</p>
<p>Hey Global what did you mean by not having to go into managemenet to make more money? Are you talking about a technical specialist or consultant? If so does that require a Phd. or can I get away with an M.S. with a couple yrs. experience? Im interested in more of the technical side of engineering than management, maybe even R&D.</p>
<p>ZMan35…</p>
<p>More and more companies have dual track ladders: A management path and a technical path. At least from the employers I have worked with, some of the top techies make just as much (if not more) than the managers who are not Regional VP level or higher. I did not know this until my MANAGER at a former employer actually told me that. Same goes for most of those project managers and program managers…many make less than the engineers that report to them.</p>
<p>I also made that statement based on the “bump” in pay that you get for obtaining a top-secret clearance as compared to uncleared positions in private industry. You can be a cleared Network Design Engineer, contracting to the Feds and make more money than being a “Director of Network Systems” for some private industry company.</p>
<p>That means no 50+ folks reporting to you…no responsibilities in “winning” new business. Just come to work…put in 8 hours of designing networks and go home.</p>
<p>
LOL, GP. I am a real psychologist, and you did pretty well upthread, describing the behaviors of students and high achieving “brainiacs”!</p>
<p>global-
Agreed- some companies do have some folks on the technical side of the house and some on the management, though people can cross over. At the co my H used to work, the managers needed to stay technically proficient or they’d find themselves rusty and at risk if downsizing occurred. At one point they started to use the title “principal” for some folks on the technical side, as opposed to “manager” or “director” on the management side. Not sure if that is still true. Heck, one time, when he was doing some consulting for a company, they called him an “evangelist” LOL. Titles are funny. Personally, I like the title of the employees at the Apple stores. They are called “geniuses”. LOL</p>
<p>There is some poster (perhaps a disgruntled engineer) who comes around here about once a year or so and starts a “dont major in engineering” thread with the exact same content, over and over. He usually gets a good talking to by the posters who take exception to his silliness. </p>
<p>GP-
I am off to see a movie preview at Atlantic Station this evening. I’ll wave hello to your old stomping grounds for you!!</p>