How many here at DU work as contractors?

[supernova]

Poll question: How many here at DU work as contractors?

I don't mean as builders or construction workers, though that is a worthy enterprise.

Rather, I mean as in IT professional, or perhaps in the defense industry, aerospace, scientific lab techs.

Me, I've been in IT contracting since 2000 and have been laid off three times. Currently, I'm looking for another job; aren't we always? ;-)

So, what about you?

[HockeyMom]

1. My husband used to be an IT consultant

The field started getting bad in the NE in the early 90s. He was out of work a long time, so he got a permanent job. Then he got downsized about 3 times, 2 of those times his job was shipped to India.

IT is not a good field to be in normally. In these times probably even worse. Companies are going to put off buying new software.

Good luck. I know what it is like.

[supernova]

6. Yes, IT is awful

has been awful for quite some time. :-( I'm trying to see if I can switch over to the new green industry. I don't know how successful I'll be, but that's the direction I'm headed.

What does your hubby do now?

[Indenturedebtor]

2. Currently I'm a sales contractor though I haven't done any work since

they moved me to contractor status and dropped my salary. I'm only keeping the contractor status so that I can say I'm employed there ;)

[supernova]

7. LOL! What do you sell?

What industry?

[Indenturedebtor]

10. I used to sell Surveillance/Digital Management = big brother systems

Now I just play one on resumes :P

[supernova]

15. That must be tough

but I though BB systems were all the rage these days?

[Indenturedebtor]

21. Some of the salespeople did very well

It was my worst performance as a salesman, I think in part because I am fundamentally opposed to such technology... :shrug:

[Tansy_Gold]

3. I'm a sub-contractor in the insurance industry

I'm not sure if that's what you're interested in.

However -- after two years of looking for a "real" job I lucked onto this one. It doesn't pay big bucks, but neither do the jobs this almost-60-year-old widow wasn't being offered. I'm essentially self-employed, get reasonably steady work, don't have to wear shoes or suffer with office politics. I get paid for the work I do. I don't have to do the boss's girlfriend's work, for which she is paid more than I. I don't have to listen to my co-"workers" whine about the usual things co-workers whine about. I set my own schedule, can eat at my desk whenever I want. Can get up from my desk to throw in a load of laundry or let the dogs out or take a call from my daughter.

Is it perfect? No. No insurance or other benefits, but then again, I can deduct my mileage and other expenses from my gross earnings. And it's better than starving.


Tansy Gold, who considers the freedom to work in bare feet a HUGE benefit of self employment.

[supernova]

8. Yes, I'm headed that way myself

The independent route. For all the reasons you mention.

Hope it continues to work out for you. :-)

[eilen]

4. I guess I'm an independent contractor

for custom costume. I have three jobs in the hopper and I've had to turn away work. Probably won't do that anymore. All my work is word of mouth so I don't advertise.

Of course, I don't support myself on it--it's considered extra money in my household.

[supernova]

9. Wow, do you mean costume

for theatrical productions or custom designs for private clients?

That's really interesting.

[eilen]

29. Costume for re-enactors, ren faire enthusiasts,

those who like traditional garb for Oktoberfests and similar types of heritage festivals, pirate groups... basically any custom costume for individuals who like to dress historically or for fun. I just do work for private clients. I've toyed with signing on as a stitcher for a theater company for the experience and speed of it. Those costumes are constructed differently-- for quick changes and generally more cheaply. The costumes I make are used by an individual for years, until it is falling apart, hopelessly stained or the customer has outgrown it (I try to make things adjustable). I can't say that my clothing is totally authentic, each individual has their own requirements and honestly, for some items I believe that people in the 15-16-17-18-19th centuries would have made use of modern technology if given the opportunity (sewing machines, plastic buttons, lacings that are reinforced with a polyblend, fusible interfacing, machine embroidery, spiral steel, plastic duct ties). I use some untraditional materials as they are often cheaper and I look to cut the cost for my clients. Still, I don't charge as much as I probably should.

There are occasional repeat customers but most don't need a closetful of garb they can't wear to work. But it is not easy for many of those who find themselves in this century but who's hearts belong in another to source these kinds of clothes locally. They prefer to buy things locally; at faires and conventions, the price seems very high to them and the items might not fit right.

For those with very high costume appetites, I teach them how to sew and construct their own. I'm redoing my basement and hopefully, by this time next year I will be able to hold workshops for up to 3 people.


I enjoy this much more than nursing which what I used to do for a living.

[eilen]

30. Yes

I sew costumes for those who like traditional garb for Oktoberfests and similar types of heritage festivals, ren faires, renactments, historical groups, pirate groups... basically any custom costume for individuals who like to dress historically or for fun. I just do work for private clients. I've toyed with signing on as a stitcher for a theater company for the experience and speed of it. Those costumes are constructed differently-- for quick changes and generally more cheaply. The costumes I make are used by an individual for years, until it is falling apart, hopelessly stained or the customer has outgrown it (I try to make things adjustable). I can't say that my clothing is totally authentic, each individual has their own requirements and honestly, for some items I believe that people in the 15-16-17-18-19th centuries would have made use of modern technology if given the opportunity (sewing machines, plastic buttons, lacings that are reinforced with a polyblend, fusible interfacing, machine embroidery, spiral steel, plastic duct ties). I use some untraditional materials as they are often cheaper and I look to cut the cost for my clients. Still, I don't charge as much as I probably should.

There are occasional repeat customers but most don't need a closetful of garb they can't wear to work. But it is not easy for many of those who find themselves in this century but who's hearts belong in another to source these kinds of clothes locally. They prefer to buy things locally; at faires and conventions, the price seems very high to them and the items might not fit right.

For those with very high costume appetites, I teach them how to sew and construct their own. I'm redoing my basement and hopefully, by this time next year I will be able to hold workshops for up to 3 people.


I enjoy this much more than nursing which what I used to do for a living.

[Gwendolyn]

5. I LOVED the IT guys at my last place of employment!

:*

Boobs like me called downstairs at least once a week. Don't know how you can stand us!!! Fess up...you get at least a laugh a day dealing with the computer ignorant cube people! :evilgrin:

I'm a private contractor now, but in the wordsmith field. Was forced out of my 10-year employment in the advertising biz through harassment. If I had stuck it out much longer I would've gone insane, which is what they were banking on, so they won; I quit. Now I'm freelance, working at half my old salary, but it was worth it in the end, even if I'm on an austerity program. Freedom is worth everything!

I hated contributing to the consumeristic vampire Nazi machine. I still contract jobs from them though, and am amazed how they cleaned the place out in only 6 months. Empty cubes everywhere. If that place is any indication of what's happening across the country...WOW!!!

[supernova]

11. I'll be joining you shortly

I've decided the only way I'm going to work consistently is if I hire myself out to more than one employer at a time.

The idea of getting one paycheck from one employer is really passe anymore.

[Gwendolyn]

16. Good luck, and you'll love it!

Everyone says the same thing. After you get over the hurdle of "should I, shouldn't I" and get out there, you wonder what took so long.

Downside is worrying about solo benefits, upsides are freedom, working with different people.

[raccoon]

12. Part-time, no benes, they renew my contract every year, or have so far.

(cross fingers). I guess you could call me a contractor.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

13. Free-lance translator who occasionally does contract editing work

for publishing companies.

[EFerrari]

14. Translations, copywriting, editing. Work is getting scarce right now

or, more scarce.

[Gwendolyn]

17. Have you looked across the pond?

I've gotten some work from the UK and Germany. Mostly web-related, but still.

[EFerrari]

19. Hi there, Gwendolyn. I never thought of that. Great idea.

Thank you. :)

[Gwendolyn]

20. You're welcome!

:)

I know a web designer who banged on some virtual doors in Mexico and Brazil. He's doing great.

[Jed Dilligan]

18. Government consultant, not in IT.

$20K left on my contract, not sure what's next. I'm burning about $2500 a month on debt and rent and necessities and a few luxuries.

[ThomWV]

22. I workeed for EG&G for 4 years at a National Labortory before going Federal

I worked for a (at the time) very large but relatively unknown high tech contracting company for 4 years before applying for and being hired at a Federal job.

[OhioChick]

23. IT Consultant. n/t

[Geek_Girl]

24. IT contractor for a federal agency

Not too worried about being layed off due to my contract being extended another year and so many regular employees retiring. I've worked at this agency for almost 9 years on and off so I have allot of the business knowledge at a time that their knowledge base is disappearing.

[slackmaster]

25. I have in the past done contracting in IT and Defense

In the early '80s I wrote some comic books for the Department of Defense. I can't say any more because the work was classified.

My IT work was mostly in financial services, but I also did some mercenary general consulting work for the firm that was at the time known as Andersen Consulting.

AC hired me and another technical curriculum expert to write some training for a project that was severely doomed to fail from the get-go. They didn't want any of their own precious suits to take the fall. I did well enough that they hired me as a regular employee later.

:D

[NoPasaran]

26. Video systems integrator

I basically still work for the company that laid me off a couple of years ago, Downsides are insecurity and no benefits. Upside is not having to sit in the office and pretend to be busy when there's nothing going on. And we've been busy lately so I've had a pretty good year.

[Azlady]

27. IT.... trying anyway

I am currently unemployed in the IT field and have trained 4 H-1B's to takeover my job at 4 different companies. I am sick of it. Now with the economy I am of course getting nervous.

[ddeclue]

28. Most of my career but not in my newest job...I'm direct!