Human Migrations
Growing up in Canada there were many times because of a resource based economy that industries shut down and people had to move. The mine was closed the forestry shut and fishery devastated. I never in my wildest dreams thought as an IT person that my industry would be devastated.
I often thought of the people the families affected by industries shutting down. I felt bad for them. I know history is replete with human migrations for one reason or another: political, disease, work, food, etc.. I tried to consider a career that was depression proof that would see me through the economic disaster to come. Well the economic disaster came and I find myself wondering where to wonder.
It was my life long dream to come to Seattle and work for Microsoft. I spent over six years with Microsoft and left. Its a case of often wanting something is better than having a thing. I am somewhat bitter when I moved to the US from Canada I lost 30 to 60% of my net worth because of the difference in currencies. There was still the “dream” spend ten years at MS and be a millionaire. I was naive that dream was long over by the time I joined the company.
During the current economic crisis it really doesn’t matter about your disability. Its not going to give you any competitive advantage. The cost cutting and the drop in wages in the North West is obscene. I was billing 90/hr last year. I was hoping for 1/2 that this year. Microsoft has gone from paying contractors $80 to 90 / hr to $40 to 45 hr. I was on a call with a recruiter yesterday who wanted me to consider $30 / hr I said fine then he went on to ask if I”d take less. I took a call today regarding a job I’ve been working on for months. We were talking around $50/hr and I was considering myself lucky. Now I have to take less for the gig. I still don’t have an offer of a job.
I wish Starbucks hadn’t had to layoff so many folks I’d be a happier person pulling shots then doing what I do for 20/hr. Beggars can’t be choosers so I will gladly take what I can get or now and keep looking. Jumping the next time there is a raise in pay or opportunity. No matter where it is…..
It was my life long dream to come to Seattle and work for Microsoft. I spent over six years with Microsoft and left. Its a case of often wanting something is better than having a thing. I am somewhat bitter when I moved to the US from Canada I lost 30 to 60% of my net worth because of the difference in currencies. There was still the “dream” spend ten years at MS and be a millionaire. I was naive that dream was long over by the time I joined the company.
During the current economic crisis it really doesn’t matter about your disability. Its not going to give you any competitive advantage. The cost cutting and the drop in wages in the North West is obscene. I was billing 90/hr last year. I was hoping for 1/2 that this year. Microsoft has gone from paying contractors $80 to 90 / hr to $40 to 45 hr. I was on a call with a recruiter yesterday who wanted me to consider $30 / hr I said fine then he went on to ask if I”d take less. I took a call today regarding a job I’ve been working on for months. We were talking around $50/hr and I was considering myself lucky. Now I have to take less for the gig. I still don’t have an offer of a job.
I wish Starbucks hadn’t had to layoff so many folks I’d be a happier person pulling shots then doing what I do for 20/hr. Beggars can’t be choosers so I will gladly take what I can get or now and keep looking. Jumping the next time there is a raise in pay or opportunity. No matter where it is…..
About the Author: kyle
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