If you’re looking for your next engineering role, you may be primarily focused on full-time work. If so, you’re overlooking a wealth of benefits, especially if you are a new graduate or trying to change your area of focus. Contract and contract-to-hire engineering opportunities are abundant, and there are several good reasons to consider taking one. Here’s what you need to know.

Finding Your Passion

Engineering is a broad category with innumerable niches. Even if you’ve chosen your overall area of interest, such as software engineering or industrial engineering, there are lots of different branches. Do you want to work on the next generation of spacecraft? Or help design novel treatments for diseases? Or maybe be part of the next big technological breakthrough?

Contract positions let you try out different industries to find the right fit. Since each contract is time-limited, you can hop from one role to the next without worrying about gaps on your resume. Once you find your passion, you’ll be ready to step into a full-time role.

Gaining Skills and Experience

It’s the age-old conundrum: You need experience to get a job, but how can you gain experience without a job? In this case, both contract and contract-to-hire engineering roles can open up new doors. Many employers are willing to take a chance on a less-experienced contract employee, since they know it isn’t a long-term commitment. At the end of the contract, you’ll have valuable real-world experience to add to your resume. Or if you’re in a contract-to-hire position, you might just be offered a full-time role with the company when the contract expires.

Professional Networking

As the old saying goes, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Taking a series of contract positions gives you the opportunity to meet lots of people in your field. You never know who might have a lead on a full-time role that would be perfect for you.

Higher Pay

In many cases, employers are willing to pay more for a contract worker. They know that the position is time-limited, and they’re likely bringing you on because a project needs to get done right now. Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience, you may find that contracts pay better than a low-level full-time role.

Contract and contract-to-hire engineering roles are abundant, but many people never take advantage of them. If you’re hunting for your next job, why not give it a try?

About PEAK

PEAK Technical Consulting has created connections with employers nationwide, where you can find projects and roles to make the most of your abilities and advance your career. Since 1968, PEAK has helped engineering professionals find jobs that offer flexibility, challenges and rewards. We are committed to giving you the resources and support you need to build the career of your dreams.

If you are looking for employers and opportunities that will take your engineering career to the next level and help you to achieve your goals, contact a PEAK recruitment expert today.