Ferocious Friday
Posted Mar 29, 2018, 10:18 PM UTC
10
Yesterday, "networking " event in life science.
95% master students and one consulting company giving tips on how to make your cv and have interviews.
> don't talk about money in interviews
> your handshake has to be not too firm not too moist.
With thoses precious advices, i choosed to stay next to the bar and have some beers.
Talked with the consulting company girl, asks about salary and advantages. For someone with a PhD, experience in clinical study and fundamental, coding rudiments, data visualisation, and 2 language, the salary package with advantages doesn't reach the value of 2k.
Then she tried to tell me how hard it is to have a job and how thankful people are to start in the industry.
I said thank you and left but damn, is that consulting landscape in pharma/bio? Every guy with a IT bachelor and the skills of a hello world would be paid more than me.
9
a bachelor in IT starts around 2K brutto + car + maaltijdseks + some nice netto premie.
13
maaltijdseks
nice
21
2018
still laughing with maaltijdseks
This is even worse than saying “see you next year” on New Year’s Eve.
6
Welcome to retail.
This is my life.
3
I do that. Nothing wrong with stupid jokes :p
2
Maaltijdseks? No wonder you only get 2k.
2
maaltijdseks
Where? When? Who?
2
Depending on car and region , that 2K is on the low end.
Bachelor IT is around 2.2-2.3 with a whole bunch of extralegal benefits.
Some will pay more but no car , most consultancy companies will bribe you with a car.
Then there is RealDolmen who apparantly magically managed to the goverment to agree to pay everybody more net and is doing wizardry on their Brutto-Netto salaries.
2
[deleted]
1
Yes. They have the best nettopremie and for programmers they have some wizardry to get even more netto.
2
So you want to switch from academic to industry?
3
Well i never intended to stay forever. I'll see my option at the end, but the grant/publications game isn't very attractive.
2
Will check tonight withy wife. She made the same switch a few years ago and also faced some troubles, she found a few books that helped her out greatly, will come back with book titles
2
your handshake has to be not too firm not too moist.
Correct
don't talk about money in interviews
Wrong
The only reason you are there is to exchange your time for their money. There is no point in going through days of selection, if their numbers don't match with your expectations, and it's actually the easiest of the variables to agree on.
3
What was her PhD in?
2
Talking about myself. Was gathering info about my career. Human biology (metabo/cardio).
3
With a PhD and no working experience? I am guessing 2.7-3k. You will earn less than your undergrad classmates but give it a few years more and your trajectory will be much faster.
Go IT though. Almost everyone I meet who did some kind of science (physics chemistry bio) is doing data science. That's where the money is, hence that's where the jobs are.
3
But Data Science alone is boriiiiiing (but i started the switch already by myself). I still have two years to finish PhD but tbh i would consider giving up if i had a good opportunity.
2
The question people with a PhD should ask themselves when applying anywhere (and this is coming from somebody who has one himself and now works in industry) is "what usable knowledge/expertise/skill do I bring to the table that somebody that just graduated as Bio-Engineer (or whatever) in Biotech doesn't have."
The softer skills (presentations, independent work, scientific thinking...) people mention usually count for very little, salary wise (unless you land one of the few true research jobs available in industry).
Do a PhD because you are interested in research/the topic/... but don't see it as a huge "step upwards" when you start applying to industry jobs. The one upside is that you are often seen as more of a potential once you do start in industry and, if you prove yourself, your trajectory can go up a lot faster compared to a recent graduate.
3
Indeed. But i was more ranting about how the company was predatory. The event was targeted mainly to master student it seems and the company stance was mainly "accept anything cause you're worth shit on work market" and the contrast with IT consulting landscape is shocking. And Life Science is one of the most important industry and it's ever growing.
3
Lol
2
[deleted]
1
My girlfriend baked chocolate chip cookies yesterday. She told me she snuck some peanutbutter in there after I finished one. I'm rethinking life now and wondering if I should go to the police to file a complaint of domestic abuse.
7
Peanut butter is something that always looks so good on tv shows and cartoons till you actually try it and taste how dry and disgusting it is. Just take revenge and bake her cookies with cement instead of dough
4
Calve pindakaas master race. But putting it in cookies is wrong.
5
if this was a monday I'd downvote you!
2
So the reason you live here is because you were exiled from NL for hating peanut butter?
4
I wish I was exiled from NL. Im only a wannabe Dutchie who's exiled from West-Flanders
2
Wait what the fuck did you do to get exiled from West-flanders?
This is the lawless mad-max land of flanders.
3
Normally I get sick of just the smell of it but I was too hungry for cookies. Cement is a good idea
3
Peanut butter plus jam. Master combination on bread. Or peanut butter filling in a bonbon is awesome as well. Or in the US I found M&Ms with peanut butter filling.
3
Get proper English PB. Much much better. So ...... moist.
1
Can confirm: Belgian peanut butter is shite.
Source: Canadian, Kraft chunky peanut butter master race.
1
you make it sound like you're deadly allergic
2
La vita é bella, folks. Pay and bonus was more than expected thus month. Made back what I spent on moving in plus furnishing. No more stress about money, really.
Yesterday I finally got offered my vast contract. Thank Jebus they don't check my browsing history lol. No more stress about that.
Also have the day off, thank you CAO. Ooof an entire day of stressing for my first time DM'ing tomorrow. A rather shirt but fun one shot. Gonna draw some maps today to prep and read the adventure again a couple of times. Only to be interrupted by the urge to throw shovels in Far Cry 5.
I feel like this great weight lifted. I finally can tell myself to relax and not worry about stuff like rent or jobs or anything. Instead of being my gloomy self for the last ten years, always worrying, I can now say I found a place in the world. Thank y'all for listening to me rant about all the shit.
7
But nothing about the meats from the frituur though. What did you end up getting?
2
I edited my comment yesterday ;)
Grote, warme curry, berehap.
3
who reads edited comments that late anyway.
Good choice except maybe the curry but thats just because i dont like it on fries.
I will have kroketten with videe tonight.
3
Congarats on the vast contract.
2
D-Day with the boss to talk salary.
Sending a CV this morning so I have a bargaining chip about “waiting on another offer”.
Did the barometer thingy last night, and I have a very good idea of what my minimum gross/brutto number is. Let’s see what he offers first - I know what he’s offered two others, and he tends to make the first move, but tends to inflate the number with maaltijd cheques, 13th/14th, etc.
Bullshit detector is in FULL effect.
(Plus I have this little gem: “Is this the best we can do?”)
5
Good luck!
Maybe throw in some uncomfortable silences to make him act first.
3
Awake for 18 hours, 12 more to go!
Going to eat pancakes at moms place on Monday, after that I’ll see a pretty good pianist who’ll teach me the basics.
Also my cats are spazzing out. Mischievous little creatures.
4
It's Goeie Friday ffs
3
Fine Friday
3
Ok Friday
2
I wonder if my work gives eastern eggs.
1
Are those easter eggs with a shit ton of cuman and coriander thrown in there?
4
eastern eggs
Eggs topped with sesame seeds or spring onions?
3
There is an Easter bunny outside our office right now handing out eggs.
2
Picking up our new (family) car tomorrow. Fuck car prices in the Netherlands so I made the rational decision and downgraded from what I had in mind (Skoda superb) to a cheaper car (Renault Clio Estate but with full options). That way I dont need to take out a loan and can just pay it cash without fucking up our emergency funds. I can use the extra bootspace with a baby coming up in 2 months (time flies). Curious how many more honks am going to get when driving around in Antwerp with yellow plates. Maybe If I yell back with my heavy Antwerp accent they will shut up.
3
yellow plates
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
6
I know they are objectively the most readable plates but holy shit are they FUGLY. If you've got a nice looking car it's completely ruined by that obnoxious yellow plate imo.
3
I totally agree!
3
Renault Clio Estate
A skoda superb is a nice car. But you can use that money to spend on more important stuff :)
2
Why not just buy one in Antwerp then? Dutch employer?
2
Moved to the Netherlands 2 years ago. Still work in Antwerp.
2
Nou breekt mijn klomp.
3
2 friends of mine have that car in Holland and are really happy with it. I think you made a good choice!
1
Holland is good though for making constructions to purchase Belgian cars without the VAA on company cars =D cough cough tax evasion cough cough
1
Ye but this is a private purchase so im getting fucked either way :D Was still driving my old car on Belgian plates because it was my dad's car with me as regular driver on the insurance. But my old car (2013 Ibiza) is to small for a child tbh
1
Yeah I can understand. Cars are hella expensive there ='( I'm going tback to holland for the weekend.
1
Time to start prowling for new summer tires. With some good looking second hand rims maybe. Hmm. Anyone have some 18" rims for a BMW e90 they don't need?
3
I can steal some if you really want it
1
BMW e90
17" are for real drivers: better handling, better comfort, better fuel efficiency
I'm willing to accept 18"for summer and 17" for winter tyres.
19"and 20" are for Johny's
1
HAHAHAHAHA HAHAHHAA NO
0
Get Michelin sport 4s. Best tire ever
1
Yes, but money
1
Tell me your budget and tiring sizes (pm if you prefer) I'll try to find you the best deal.
1
Once I find some time, bit busy atm
1
Go with 17's, 18" is silly for an E90. It'll only result in more cabin noise and a harsher ride.
1
I've black set of 18s for my winter tires right now, and I quite like it.
1
Probably going to have a job offer! With a significantly better package than I used to have before I was laid off. Time to understand how to issue the new work permit.
3
Grats. Where at?
1
Anyone knows of a place in or around Brussels with a large collection of panniers (those bags you can hang off the sides of your bike)? I would like to take my bike there to see what fits.
2
bikester.be
1
Update on deadline week: I worked yesterday (today) until 1am with the other colleagues. That's 16.5h on the clock. Got into bed at 2am, out at 6:30am and now back at work.
The positive: we squashed the bugs that popped their ugly head when we deployed and tested. The first things of our program in production seem to be going fine, so that's all good.
the "negative": I am physically at work, but that's about it. My brain is on a meltdown. Gonna go to bed early today and go to the movies tomorrow instead of today. That seems to be the best plan.
Almost weekend... Almost.
EDIT: TL said we could stop at 15h45. He got some Cava/champagne,, some chips and had a talk thanking us for our work. It was nice of him, but it doesn't make me change my mind about leaving when this becomes a regular occurance.
2
I really hope you're getting paid for all that shit. becuase otherwise you're getting screwed over royally. and once you confirm that you can easy be taken advantage of, there's no easy way back.
find a good balance between work/life, else you're gonna regret it later on.
6
Already told my SO and several friends if it continues like this I'll search for something else. One week, sure, deadlines have to be made, I get that. But if it's going to be month after month... Yeah no, I'm young, I still have to work a long time, I'm not gonna sacrifice my whole life for work. I do not mind the occasional 10-20 minutes overtime, finishing something, but this week is just too much.
2
That sounds brutal man, I don't get companies/bosses who think that way. Employees are way more efficient working less hours but concentrated than more hours half asleep.
I know you're not to blame, but I wouldn't be surprised if more bugs pop up due to a lack of sleep. I hope your situation improves soon!
2
That are problems for next week I guess. We are live now and that's the most important thing for now. As long as it doesn't happen anymore, I'm fine with it, but if I have this again in April.... Welp, then I'm off looking for something else.
1
I really don't get why you do it and then get back to work in the early morning. You're being a pushover/free worker.
2
It's not like I'm the only one here. But then again, that doesn't excuse it. I guess being young, having not a lot of self esteem and sitting in a somewhat comfortable position doesn't help with that either.
Maybe when I search for a new job, I'll try to find a place with enough people. It's quite obvious we are a senior developer short, but alas...
I've only got experience with small-ish companies ( internship was in a 4-man company, now at a 25-ish man company).
1
The project manager in charge of planning should be fired, or his salary should be reduced with the overtime you guys clock.
Lemme guess, someone at sales gave the client an impossible deadline? Or the client decided he wanted a Ferrari halfway through the lawnmower project?
2
From what I hear, it's more the latter.
To be fair, our TL is drowning in work as well. He has to do this project and several others. He didn't sleep Wednesday through Thursday and kept working when we went home tonight ( he worked from home though, so he had that for him going).
So I don't really blame him. But yeah, if nothing changes then I rather keep my sanity than stay here. And from the recent-ish wage thread, I think there's a lot of improvement to be had for me.
1
Home alone tonight (& tomorrow) for the first time in months!
It's going to be great! Fast food, getting hammered & the couch all evening! Then tomorrow getting hammered with a few friends and playing video games all day. Exactly what I needed after the last few busy weeks (10-15h of overtime each week - not payed of course).
2
You forgot to mention putting porn on your TV
3
What?!? I would never do that!
I use my phone for that
2
10-15h of overtime each week - not payed of course
You're an idiot. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but your boss/company is taking advantage of you.
Unpaid overtime should be extremely!!! exceptional.
3
Well I don't necessarily disagree, but at the project I'm working(which goes live next week) I'm already working less than most of my colleagues. These kind of consulting jobs (although I work for the company/not a consulting firm), really require overtime. It's just the norm, especially during busy periods like this. Still you're right, it is stupid, it creates situations where I work more hours, but less efficiently.
1
Screw the norm. You're only paid for X hours you only work for X hours.
2
And this mindset is keeping this practice alive. We're not the fucking US of A where they can screw over employees "cuz muh freedom". If employers want work done, they have to pay for it.
1
2 nightmares in a row now, why i do not know.
Anyway this announcement made me super fucking happy, and i must pre-order a special edition with physical stuff if they have them. I honestly didnt even expect a pc version and was going to buy a ps4 for just that one game.
2
What announcment ?
3
https://www.pcgamer.com/dragon-quest-11-confirmed-for-pc-release-date-set/
I copied the link and everything but didnt hyperlink it, so ye.
2
Train yet again packed. This time due to 6 out of 12 carrieges being reserved for groups. Had a discussion with the 'conducteur' which ended with them devaluating 1st class to 2nd class... #proud Some older guy started whining about the devaluation but f him :)
2
It is kinda sad nmbs doesnt see the business opportunity here. Say via the telecom that Everyone can upgrade to 1st class for an extra 5 euro!
2
Well during the negotiations I asked what it should cost to upgrade, and he said €17... I would have shipped 5 though. In the end I made it free for all, straight up Robin Hood shit
2
Haha bittrex delisted FUN awhile back, found out today xD sighs.
1
I recommend Titanfall 2 Extended edition; 6 euro if you have Xbox gold.
1
Titanfall 2 really is a great game
1
Bank holiday here in the UK, which means 4 day weekend for me.
1
Well fuck it, it's over.
1
Yesterday was legit the first time I took a bus alone.
Was lulzy, bus was overfilled and still nobody would sit besides me. Probably because my legs are taking up too much space. Eventually someone did
1
Geen goesting om te gaan werken
Stay strong and fill yourself up with coffee!
Yeah time for some free vending machine coffee!!!
Im sick but still going to work. There are no collegues left in the room so can't make someone sick.
Giving them viruses to your computer
me_irl. Feels like I've done jack shit for the past two weeks. I just can't be arsed.
Meh, I have productive days and less productive days...
Same here. Goesting levels are zero and declining.
I want my week off, only one short week and I can relax for a few days.