Why contract?
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Here is my take on the subject:
1. Experience:
Many of us will be thrown into situations we’ve never encountered before, and those with intuitive adaptation will fare far better. If you are working in a forge, you can stay at the forge, OR you can hit the road and inspect turbines, power piping, heaters and boilers.
2. Networking:
Contracting is a great way to build your skills and network. While out on assignments, you will meet people you would have never had the opportunity to meet, if you hadn’t decided to hit the road. The people you meet will give you advice and guidance in your career you might not have had the opportunity to hear otherwise. These same people will give you a good reference, if you earn it. It doesn’t matter if it’s from an apprentice boilermaker or a level III, a good reference from a respected hard worker is a good reference, and you can take that to the bank.
3. Mobility and Flexibility:
You work when you want, where you want, take courses and get your certifications on your own time. Do you need to take care of a loved one? Do you want to take a vacation NOW? You can’t do these things with a full time position under normal circumstances.
4. Get paid to work out:
Is your significant other bothering you about your weight? Have you been simply hitting your 40 hours each week and going home because your company hates to pay overtime? Go on the road; I guarantee there is some kind project manager that will send you up 150 foot towers all day long, if you like. If you really need to drop weight, watch those pounds fall off while working in an Alky in the summer and GET PAID TO SWEAT & WORK OUT, just keep hydrated.
5. Build confidence:
When people want you to work for them and you can refuse an offer or accept it, you ARE empowered, you don’t just feel it. When there is an ethics or perhaps personality conflict, you can choose to terminate your agreement. If things go well, you may want to negotiate with the client for an internal position. You can be your own man or woman and make it happen.
You may be saying, “But, Michael, I do call out work and get most of these things.” If you are happy where you are, don’t leave; however, at least once — just one time — GO CONTRACT, so you don’t wonder what it is like.
