To Be or Not To Be
To Be or Not To Be
Edward,
The decision must be yours. Less than a year ago I faced the same situation. After a few certifications for inspector's licensures (coupled with a masters license and a couple of decades as an EC) and testing the waters where and when I could, it became apparent quickly, experience and certfications werent enough. I have found, besides the experience and certs, "people skills" and "business skills" are absolute corner stones to a successful inspectors career. The politics of the business, your AHJ superiors, and your community will dictate your tempo. You can be the best of the best or the worst of the worst, its up to you. Its not a perfect world and there are times when you will have to "fail" a peer, however, I will at these times waive the reinspect fee and provide positive feedback when applicable. On the bright side, I get to help the EC's get to their money, keep to the codes, and help them through tough decisions and/or disputes. Keeping a level playing field for the trades (ie checking licensures, codes, maintaining proper business ethics) is a perpetual and cumbersome task.
Remaining unbiased, accessible, and up to date can be a kick in the pants. Direct your thoughts, contol your emotions, and accomplish your goals.
There has been times when I have questioned my decision to leave the EC world and enter the Inspectors world. The loss of the larger "cash flow" of self employment required a little lifestyle adjustment, however the "net gain" of being employed has had a positive impact. I have learned more "tricks to the trade" than I could have imagined (my ego must have been in the way of that one). Monday thru Friday, 8 to 5, I get to go out and listen, learn, share, mentor, and mix with the trades.
I do not get to work on the side, nor do i want to anymore (i did at first), it is my agreement with my AHJ. I have been self employed for 80% of my life. Ive been a full time inspector for nearly a year. I am accomplishing my goals of removing the unlicensed workers (creating more jobs for the EC's), assisting my superiors with removing "old city ordinances" (helping to create a little more of a level playing field), start up of re-establishing an Electrical Board within our AHJ for EC's, and spending a much more quality time with my family...... No longer doing estimates, bids, takeoffs, invoices, collections, sales taxes, quick books, profit & loss sheets, balance sheets, inventory, fica, futa, and well, you get it. My "net gain" is my time and I'm starting to "dig it"
My suggestion to you is "negotiate" for as high a starting pay that you can get. I dont mean just talk about it with them, I mean negotiate. When you think your as high on the scale as you can get then, ask for "comp time" benefits like maybe an extra week of paid vacation or "sign on bonus". Do not sell yourself short. Just because everyone else started at "this pay" dosent mean you have to. Sell yourself! and dont be short. I did, and if I can, then without doubt you can (probably better). My negotiation went for 2 years and I kicked the door in on new highs with starting pays. Now they may just throw me right back out that door if I dont perform so the race is on!
I finally made my decision and you will too. You have options, thats Great!