Hi there! I'm currently working as a DevOps Engineer in a B2B EdTech startup in Brussels. I've been with the company for over three years on a permanent contract, and about a year and a half left to hit the five-year mark for my long-term residency. It's a mixed situation; on one hand, the work environment is friendly, and I get to use some cool tools like Azure DevOps and Terraform. However, I'm practically the only one with infrastructure knowledge in my team, which limits my learning opportunities. While we're cloud-based, most operations are still on VMs, and I've missed out on using Kubernetes at scale since we don't have the traffic for that here. The startup hasn't broken even yet, even though they remain optimistic.
I just received an offer for a Site Reliability Engineer role at a large e-commerce platform. The tech stack there promises to be a major upgrade with a fully cloud-native environment, including Kubernetes, and I'd be part of a solid SRE team of around ten—exactly what I need to advance my skills. The salary is about 20% higher, but it comes with a one-year fixed-term contract. I have about six years of experience and some savings, but I'm anxious about job stability, especially as my residency status relies on my employment. If things don't pan out at the new job and they don't renew my contract, it could jeopardize my plans. So, is the potential for technical growth worth the risk of leaving my current position?
5 Answers
While it might feel risky, making sure your residency is secure should be the priority. Consider negotiating a longer contract period for the new role if possible. You’ve got time to gain skills without jeopardizing your immigration status. A year and a half isn't long in the grand scheme of things!
Before making the jump, it's essential to know what tools they use at the new company. I joined an SRE team thinking I'd learn to manage large systems but ended up just following protocols of another team without real technical growth. Make sure this new environment offers you the hands-on experience you’re looking for.
Honestly, this choice seems tough—it's like choosing between a comfort zone and a calculated risk. Your current job isn't providing growth, so why not consider the opportunity? Just check if the new company typically converts contracts to permanent roles.
For sure, technical advancement is critical, but stability regarding your immigration status shouldn't be overlooked. Delaying your ideal job for another 18 months to secure that residency could ultimately benefit you more in the long run. Once you’re set, you can secure a role on your terms!
You're at a crossroads here! If your current company lays you off, would you regret not taking the new contract? The startup environment can be shaky, especially if they're not breaking even. A year in a solid SRE team could provide you with valuable skills for your career, even with the risk involved.
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