Laid off, offered job back Vs. 11 week paid Android research project | Hacker News Reader

Laid off, offered job back Vs. 11 week paid Android research project

6 pointsthatusertwo12 comments

A couple of months ago I was laid off because the company ran out of money, I never liked the job or the company but it paid the bills. I got offered another job with terrible hours so I turned it down when my old job was back on the table. Today I heard from my school that they want me to develop a Android app, its estimated to take 10-11 weeks. I've built an android app and a couple iPhone apps. The school is aware of my experience and skill level. Should I take the risk inherent in a 11 week contract or go back to a job that I hated and could result in me being laid off again when the money gets tight.

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It is not uncommon for US universities to keep people employed on sequential short term contracts. Depending on the sort of funding your former employer now has access to, a university project may open the door to a more consistent payday, on the other hand, A series funding probably makes the former employer less risky over the next year.

All that said, there's not much to be said favorably about a job one hates.

They have gotten angel investments, but there haven't been any VC's yet, the industry doesn't have a lot of hype and the company has yet to prove they have a sustainable business model.

My gut reaction is: Go with the option that gives you eleven weeks' breathing room to look for a permanent job that you don't hate.

That said, on re-reading your original question, it doesn't sound like you really hated the old job.

Hate is a pretty strong word, but I was never happy doing it and didn't agree with a majority of things happing at the company.

Never go back to a boyfriend/girlfriend that let you go. The relationship won't be any different.

Same is true for a company.

Never go back to a company that let you go.

There is one caveat (and it's the same caveat for working for family, never work for family), if the company is willing to pay you 3 times your market value take it, then dump them as soon as anything better comes along.

One of my old co-workers gave us a article about average wages/pay for my city and industry, we were all being paid below average.

In life; Take as much risk as you can manage, Do what you love as often as you can

You're right, so that is what I did.

John Maeda once told me: “No advice really. Just take risks with your career.”

Do the projects for your school. It'll be good for your portfolio and gives you a break from the usual grinds of a full time job... Also, going from my own experience, staying at a job with a company, neither of which you sound all that thrilled with is never a good idea. Besides, having that 11 week project will give you time to reflect and look for something you actually like...

If you're willing to work long hours, you can do both and decide toward the end of the 11 week contract.

Contracting is a very different experience from being an employee. You may find that you enjoy it, or you may hate the experience.

I'm lazy, but I still don't think 16 hour days is very sustainable.

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