Greetings,

A recent university graduate with knowledge in Business and IT, seeking a challenging Software Development job in a professional environment. Now imagine the following case scenarios, and let me know which one would you choose:

1. Gets an offer from a government sector institution and is hired immediately, working as a software developer on a large system. No fancy technologies needed to be used. Also, he is the only software developer, working freely, completing challenging tasks in a relaxed manner. He is paid very well, working a maximum of 8 hours a days, 5 days a week.

OR

2. Gets an offer from a leading software solutions provider in the region, a leading IT company as well, where an enriching internship was earlier completed. The environment is highly challenging, demanding and one must stay up to date with the latest technologies to stay in the race. Working hours are up to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. Your boss there likes you and appreciates your work. You will surely get a head start at your career, learning a lot. However, the salary is relatively lower, although working hours much higher

So, which one of the two would you choose? Let me know if I need to add any more variables to the scenario that would help you make your decision.

Advice from all is welcome, specially IT geeks :p

Sounds familiar 'eh?

Well, first of all, I can't imagine myself in similar situation, I'd most probably be in the second case where am gonna work for long hours with low salary. :p

However, I can't choose without setting and specifying my priorities; the salary, working hours, competitiveness of the job, working environment, staying up-to date with latest technologies in the IT field and having the opportunity to learn new things every day are all significant factors that should be taken under consideration when making a decision in this case.

Long story short:
1- Set your priorities.
2- Analyze each of the two options in respect to your priorities (i.e. advantages & disadvantages of each of them respectively).
3- Make a decision.

All the best. :)

Have you considered that you'll get married and kids so u'll have to spare some time for them , continue your studies , carry on with the inflation and needs.

I would choose 1st one. Its government. That's a wise choice and you start with a nice salary plus your the only one, and in the coming years you are gona take the IT throne in that govt job and be the boss with all the increments and all, plus more status in society, if you really worked hard big powerful ppl will notice you.

me too i guess option one is better.
higher salary+ less working hours + higher position is almost guaranteed since he's is the only developer and most of all he can take a free scholarship to complete his higher studies since there are less compititives.

also he can use this as a first step into getting an approved experience in case he intends to work in big companies in the future.

defintly two!!

if im a fersh graduate and got offer one... after working 1 or 3 years at option two! imagine what can i get and what will i be!!

think in advance and always keep asking "where im i standing 5 years from now" in the same position and the same skills or other!!

relaxing is when you get old and with family, kids and more responsibilities and strings attached now is the chance to go challanging and global!

Well, I feel inclined towards option 1 for the same reasons you all mentioned above. Besides, I have been personally asked by someone in a high-position not to think about leaving them, no matter what.

The only thing about option two is that I know I would learn much more, but at an expensive cost I suppose!

Marvel, thats not something I am worried about right now. I will think about marriage only when I meet a person perfect for me, and ready to marry. And of course, this could happen working between nerdy Indian programmers in Option 2 :p

I will say go for the second option, more opportunities there, & if you can get me an offer so pull me with you :p

You know, one more thing no one else mentioned, which motivates me a lot, is when working for the government, I will always have room to work during the evening. Maybe somewhere I could learn a lot from!

I will say go for the second option, more opportunities there, & if you can get me an offer so pull me with you :p

LoL man, trust me, option two is a leading IT company, but its no Omantel or Oman Mobile when it comes to growth.

Do you have the heart to work in a team of programmers from India? And of course, I am not indicating they are special or anything, in fact, I did extremely well during my internship, but when compared to the common Omani graduates, they are much better. Sometimes imply because its Do or Die for them, but the fat remains!

If you are not thinking to get married soon, go for the government job which is the safest
Then keep good relations in the field and when you're sure to get a good contract in the private, go for it

If you've no significant responsibility in your life (wife and children), and you can do with a lower salary, then I say go for option 2. Your knowledge in the field will be invaluable once you are done with option 2, and then you can pursue the higher paid job such as option 1 when you are ready to settle down. With option 1, yes, you have got a better pay, but you are not really learning anything or advancing your career. It's not a challenge.

At this point in my life, being young, with no responsibility, I will go for option 2. However, If I was a married woman with kids, then option 1 is the definite choice.

Lym, why don't you marry me? I will go for option 2 then and make everybody happy ;)?

Get the 2nd choice, get your skills developing etc. you would benefit much from it (career wise) when the time comes you might get a better offer from a better employer.

I'd never join the Government Sector.

I will go for option 2 then and make everybody happy ;)?
If you chose private then you're not happy with it, can you still get easily the gov job ?

Amo, I have already started hte GOV job, imagine I leave them, and then ask them to take me back. Is this the STINGER you've known? ;)

LoL man, trust me, option two is a leading IT company, but its no Omantel or Oman Mobile when it comes to growth.

Do you have the heart to work in a team of programmers from India? And of course, I am not indicating they are special or anything, in fact, I did extremely well during my internship, but when compared to the common Omani graduates, they are much better. Sometimes imply because its Do or Die for them, but the fat remains!
Though I worked with these people you are talking about when I was doing my course abroad, I am no more doing programming, I lost interest.

Amo, I have already started hte GOV job, imagine I leave them, and then ask them to take me back. Is this the STINGER you've known? if you already have your mind set and chosen it... why are you still asking! :bored:

he's debating the general public opinion.

Option 1 = easy way, higher salary, more free time and govt job! lol

Option 2 = hard way, low salary, too much competition, less free time, private sector

If you chose private then you're not happy with it, can you still get easily the gov job ?

Govt jobs are not easy to get

I'd say choose two. Better to learn, gain experience and most important of all be appreciated by those you work for. Your salary WILL increase, so what if you don't get a high salary at the beginning of your career, money comes with time. Best to take advantage of your young age.

Thanks all :)

Option 1 its goverment job + well paid (Y)