Dear Career Coach:
I'm a 32-year-old DBA trying to choose between two jobs--one with a large hospital that offers very good benefits and security, one with a start-up consultancy that would let me tackle many interesting challenges. The start-up doesn't offer health insurance, though the owner has said he will offer coverage as soon as he can afford to do so. Is it feasible to buy insurance?
Wish I Were a Real Oracle
Dear Oracle:
Buying health insurance can be expensive, though there is pending legislation that may help down the road (see "Game Plan," below). I put your question to Alan Anderson, vice president of consulting services with The Lytle Group, who says he suspects you already know which way you want to go: Your heart is telling you to go for the consulting position. It offers variety, challenge, excitement and risk. The real question is whether you have the risk tolerance to venture into unknown territory.
Health insurance shouldn't be an obstacle. If you currently have coverage, you can probably continue your benefits through COBRA at 102 percent of what your employer pays (see www.cobrainsurance.net). If you don't have coverage, you can buy insurance for about $500 per month. Of course, you'll want to negotiate your salary to reflect that expense.
Dear Career Coach:
You've mentioned the Network Professional Association a few times, but do you know of any professional organizations for other areas of IT?
Not a Network Guy
Dear Not a Network:
Sure, there are many. Here are a few to consider:
• Society for Information Management: a community of IT leaders that advocates policy and legislation on behalf of the IT profession
• Association for Information Management Professionals: membership consists of more than 10,000 information-management professionals in the United States, Canada and some 30 other nations
• IEEE Computer Society: with nearly 100,000 members, the largest of the IEEE's 37 societies
• Independent Computer Consultants Association: provides professional development and business support for independent consultants
• Information Systems Security Association: an international organization of information-security professionals and practitioners
• The Institute for Women and Technology: mission is to increase the impact of women on technology and to increase the positive impact of technology on the lives of women
If none of these fills the bill, go to www.job-hunt.org/associations/ITassociations.shtml for more.
Send your questions to careercoach@nwc.com
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Game Plan
If you run a small or midsize business and want to provide health care to employees, keep an eye on the Small Business Health Fairness Act (HR 660), approved by the House last month. Similar legislation is pending in the Senate. The act would create association health plans, with small businesses joining together to buy health insurance at a lower cost. Supporters say overhead costs could be cut by as much as 30 percent. Read the act at edworkforce.house.gov/press/press108/06jun/ahpsph061903.htm. Find more details about the senate version at www.ppa.com/public/articles/s545.pdf.
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