Tell me about NOVA.

[.RJ]

The NoVA/DC area is not a laid-back place unless you make it so on your own.

The last bit is key and why I think I've made it work for me for right now. I refuse to work crazy hours (40-45 now) or have a long commute (at 4 miles currently) or surround myself with a bunch of career-centered, dillusionary self-centered assholes, dont work on weekends, rigidly enforce work/life boundaries and we rarely talk about work at home. I didnt used to do all of that, but these things were all conscious efforts made to improve quality of life. I leave work at 4:30-5pm, turn off the work email on my phone and walk my dogs and ride bicycles.

[Jake]

The NoVA/DC area is not a laid-back place unless you make it so on your own.

The last bit is key and why I think I've made it work for me for right now. I refuse to work crazy hours (40-45 now) or have a long commute (at 4 miles currently) or surround myself with a bunch of career-centered, dillusionary self-centered assholes, dont work on weekends, rigidly enforce work/life boundaries and we rarely talk about work at home. I didnt used to do all of that, but these things were all conscious efforts made to improve quality of life. I leave work at 4:30-5pm, turn off the work email on my phone and walk my dogs and ride bicycles.

Same here. It's wonderful.

I refuse to get into the nights-and-weekends sort of rat race.

[D_Eclipse9916]

I leave work at 4:30-5pm, turn off the work email on my phone and walk my dogs and ride bicycles.

Same here. It's wonderful.

I refuse to get into the nights-and-weekends sort of rat race.

I think it comes down to it that we HAVE things we want to do after work. Other people simply don't. I know lots of my friends that their down time is just drinking and hanging out. They will do more hours because well, they have the extra time.

I think NOVA (and the older generation) tends to push people into having their jobs as their life. Most here have more concern for their hobbies than their work. I work from home 2-3 days a week, dont work more than 45 hours, and have turned down promotions and recruiters based on hours and expectations.

You aren't going to get this with your first job, but about 5-6 years in, you should be making enough money to support a decent living and "normal" raises and bonuses should easily outpace cost of living. That is when you start pushing for other benefits such as time.

[Senor_Taylor]

Anyone know anything about CGI and FDM? Both companies reached out to me recently and I know both are in the NOVA area.

[.RJ]

Can be good to work for. Typical large contracting-type companies, if you work for CGI you'll probably be on a customer site somewhere.

[Senor_Taylor]

Sweet. Also how's accenture? I've got 2 maybe 3 on site interviews coming up if I can find time for them, all in NOVA. My trip to DC last weekend really opened my eyes to Nova. The metro didn't seem too bad.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

[.RJ]

The metro didn't seem too bad.

Try it at 7:30am....

Accenture is ok. Same deal, mostly client site work.

[HAULN-SS]

Everyone I've ever met from accenture seems like they probably follow the PGA tour..no idea whats up with that

[Steve85]

The metro didn't seem too bad.

Try it at 7:30am....

Accenture is ok. Same deal, mostly client site work.

And if you're worried about commute make sure you get clarification on work location, you may support multiple contracts. I was about to accept a position there when I graduated when it came up that I would not be in Reston, but basically all over the DC region as needed. If you're close to Metro probably not as much of a concern but if not an office a "few more miles away" can add 30-40 minutes.

[Senor_Taylor]

Does it make me an idiot to think I don't really want to consult because of the whole client thing? That's one of the reasons I'm applying for mainly software dev positions. I'd much rather program and then use my business/people skills to move to project manager positions internally and the like. I don't want to moving around a lot.

[rherold9]

Does it make me an idiot to think I don't really want to consult because of the whole client thing? That's one of the reasons I'm applying for mainly software dev positions. I'd much rather program and then use my business/people skills to move to project manager positions internally and the like. I don't want to moving around a lot.

This was my plan. May still stay in dev somewhere if not then I'd what I want to do. Just get a job and if you don't like it then move on. You are young just don't take on a bunch of crazy bills or spend too much.

Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk

[Senor_Taylor]

Does it make me an idiot to think I don't really want to consult because of the whole client thing? That's one of the reasons I'm applying for mainly software dev positions. I'd much rather program and then use my business/people skills to move to project manager positions internally and the like. I don't want to moving around a lot.

This was my plan. May still stay in dev somewhere if not then I'd what I want to do. Just get a job and if you don't like it then move on. You are young just don't take on a bunch of crazy bills or spend too much.

Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk

I'd like to think I'll know how to budget myself considering I've been paying for everything already. We'll see how I act when I'm making ~4 times as much as I do now.

[rherold9]

Does it make me an idiot to think I don't really want to consult because of the whole client thing? That's one of the reasons I'm applying for mainly software dev positions. I'd much rather program and then use my business/people skills to move to project manager positions internally and the like. I don't want to moving around a lot.

This was my plan. May still stay in dev somewhere if not then I'd what I want to do. Just get a job and if you don't like it then move on. You are young just don't take on a bunch of crazy bills or spend too much.

Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk

I'd like to think I'll know how to budget myself considering I've been paying for everything already. We'll see how I act when I'm making ~4 times as much as I do now.

A lot more things are tempting at first... even if you are a good budgter.

But seriously just apply and get a job. You won't know what you want to do for awhile.

Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk

[.RJ]

Does it make me an idiot to think I don't really want to consult because of the whole client thing? That's one of the reasons I'm applying for mainly software dev positions. I'd much rather program and then use my business/people skills to move to project manager positions internally and the like. I don't want to moving around a lot.

All the companies you mentioned hire devs and put them on customer sites.

[G.Irish]

Chances are that if you get a position at a client site, you'll be working at the same client site for at least a year or so.

To that end, when you get offers, make sure you ask how many years are left on the contract. If a contract ends sooner than a year from when you start(preferably two), you might wanna move that offer to the bottom of the list. Many companies will try to place you in a new position but as a junior guy you'll have less clout and they may not do their best to retain you.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[.RJ]

And, a lot of clients have limits on how long a contractor can stay there, anywhere from 12-24 months.

But, as a junior guy you're going to just have to go where you're told to go and you'll probably get the short end of the stick for a while. If you're serious about going into software dev, getting a clearance will give you a lot of job security, and once you're more senior and if you stay on top of new tech you have a lot of salary leverage.

[Senor_Taylor]

When I say software Dev, I mean internal like the position at CarMax. Everything you guys are saying is very useful, however. Is there a way to get a clearance on your own?

I'm interviewing with CGI on December 9th.

[Scott]

Does it make me an idiot to think I don't really want to consult because of the whole client thing?

There is a reason that step one of my career choice is to put "my client" to sleep........

[SlimKlim]

When I say software Dev, I mean internal like the position at CarMax. Everything you guys are saying is very useful, however. Is there a way to get a clearance on your own?

I'm interviewing with CGI on December 9th.

No, it needs to be through an employer. If you end up in a job that requires one they'll get it for you, it tends to be a painstakingly slow process from what I hear.

[D_Eclipse9916]

When I say software Dev, I mean internal like the position at CarMax. Everything you guys are saying is very useful, however. Is there a way to get a clearance on your own?

I'm interviewing with CGI on December 9th.

No, it needs to be through an employer. If you end up in a job that requires one they'll get it for you, it tends to be a painstakingly slow process from what I hear.

For college graduates your employer will put you through based on your need; and most companies will keep up your security clearance once you have one.

It's slow but not really a painstaking process. Don't worry, they will have a bunch of fluff for you to work on until it's granted; its a known process.