The American Dream Still Alive?
#166
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, England
Posts: 1,494
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
The richest country in the world in terms of per capita income, social welfare, living standards, quality of life, etc.. is........Norway. It beats both the USA and the UK hands down. There are very few, if any, people in Norway who "have little or nothing". A similar country with a similar social set up is Switzerland. Several other European countries come pretty close to all that, especially where it comes to social welfare. Practically all of the European nations are "richer" than America when it comes down to the social welfare of citizens on a more or less universal basis, although some of them may be creaking at the edges a wee bit, but nevertheless it is there as a safety net when all is said and done.
#167
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
Henry Ford said during the depression: "we can't afford to keep laying people off - who will buy our products?" or something like that.
#168
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
I think Xebedee raises a 'sad but true' fact about a lot of positions in America - they are not terribly well paid. Without knowing the experience level associated with these positions it's hard to be detailed, but it's a bit scary to me that permanent technical positions are offering only $50k. Achieving the American Dream on $50k is not easy.
For me, the American Dream is real, and I feel I achieved it. I came here with nothing - no connections, no friends, stayed at a $50/night crappo motel while I looked for an apartment and car. I've achieved everything I could hope for, and more. I came to the most expensive place in the country (bay area) and survived and thrived. I've never had to put anyone else down in order to achieve this (in fact I've hired and nurtured many people), and enjoyed almost every day of it. I feel sure I could not have achieved this in the UK - so I credit this to 'America'.
Now, I was incredibly lucky in that I chose, by pure luck, computers as my field at University in UK, and chose not to bail on the course even though it was desperately difficult, when most of my 'liberal arts' type friends (History, Economics, Anthropology, etc) seemed to have a much easier time of it. Choosing computers happened to be my ticket to the 'dream', and I was lucky. It's sad that teachers and others are not so lucky.
For me, the American Dream is real, and I feel I achieved it. I came here with nothing - no connections, no friends, stayed at a $50/night crappo motel while I looked for an apartment and car. I've achieved everything I could hope for, and more. I came to the most expensive place in the country (bay area) and survived and thrived. I've never had to put anyone else down in order to achieve this (in fact I've hired and nurtured many people), and enjoyed almost every day of it. I feel sure I could not have achieved this in the UK - so I credit this to 'America'.
Now, I was incredibly lucky in that I chose, by pure luck, computers as my field at University in UK, and chose not to bail on the course even though it was desperately difficult, when most of my 'liberal arts' type friends (History, Economics, Anthropology, etc) seemed to have a much easier time of it. Choosing computers happened to be my ticket to the 'dream', and I was lucky. It's sad that teachers and others are not so lucky.
Prob a Sister by now.
She will not be rich but probably happy.
P.S I know many people that know 'Their Stuff' about computers but don't make a bean. They do it cos they like it. Same as me.
#169
Carmel Indiana
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 749
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
#170
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
The firm is paying approx 50-55k for engineers (EE's and ME's) thats with up to 10yrs experience too.
Today I am handing in a job app for a staff job there. Not too happy about doing so, as I expect to take a cut in pay from being a temp. Also, its nice being a temp - no rubbish to deal with. So, its time to suck it up and rejoin the game - that way I can get the 401k, pto and health insurance.
Lets see; more responsibility, work for free, added stress and less pay. For security in a sagging economy and the "bells and whistles" of being a permie. Ho hum.
#171
Carmel Indiana
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 749
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
Don't know if I answered this question.
The firm is paying approx 50-55k for engineers (EE's and ME's) thats with up to 10yrs experience too.
Today I am handing in a job app for a staff job there. Not too happy about doing so, as I expect to take a cut in pay from being a temp. Also, its nice being a temp - no rubbish to deal with. So, its time to suck it up and rejoin the game - that way I can get the 401k, pto and health insurance.
Lets see; more responsibility, work for free, added stress and less pay. For security in a sagging economy and the "bells and whistles" of being a permie. Ho hum.
The firm is paying approx 50-55k for engineers (EE's and ME's) thats with up to 10yrs experience too.
Today I am handing in a job app for a staff job there. Not too happy about doing so, as I expect to take a cut in pay from being a temp. Also, its nice being a temp - no rubbish to deal with. So, its time to suck it up and rejoin the game - that way I can get the 401k, pto and health insurance.
Lets see; more responsibility, work for free, added stress and less pay. For security in a sagging economy and the "bells and whistles" of being a permie. Ho hum.
I honestly thought I'd be greeting at meijers, as I'm only on an L2 visa.
#172
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Nevada b4 California b4 Colorado b4 Valley of plastic and sand, b4 London
Posts: 2,025
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
What about stock option, vacation pay etc benefits?
H-1Bs are usually IT I've never seen an H-1b Mech or Elect engineer, and PE isn't generally a requirement.
From my experience these salaries are pretty close out here.
Salaries SV
From my experience these salaries are pretty close out here.
Salaries SV
#173
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Nevada b4 California b4 Colorado b4 Valley of plastic and sand, b4 London
Posts: 2,025