Pros
This is great for a young, single person, rooming with 4 other people that never wants a family or place of their own. Make your own schedule within reason. No conference calls. Work from home and field. No reporting to office. There is no company standard for anything. Turn your field notes in as you’d like. This may be a con to some. Very easy to take time off since you won’t get paid anyway.
Cons
Save your pennies!!! This is a unit pay position meaning you only get paid for what you do and work isn’t guaranteed. You’re essentially a w-2 contractor. Apply for unemployment as soon as you hire on!! (Seriously). You can make thousands one month and literally nothing for months to follow. There is no hourly rate for down time and get used to a ton of “I don’t Know” when you inquire about any upcoming work. It can get VERY scary financially. Make friends with a fellow FE to learn the ropes and internal programs. There is no one else. There is an unofficial hierarchy and favorites list as to who gets what work.. Oh, and lodging comes out of your pay..(yes, they offer you one rate per foot if you cover the lodging and less if they do. This leaves you staying in a roach motel either way)…. Anyway, Good Luck!
