In the last installment of news, I expressed my excitement about my new job, but left out some... what word do I want... CRITICAL details.
Why? I am contracting.
I came on as a 3-month contract-to-perm, with little other info. Because of that, I did not want to disclose my employer. Consequently, in my first two months, twice has my workplace made the headlines, so in a sense, I have avoided "what does this mean for you?"
Though it is by no means a perfect situation, I know what it means to me in the immediate sense. So it is time to tell all...
I am working for Delta Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. I am part of the User Interface Development Team on delta.com whose focus is on HTML, CSS, Javascript and XML production for delta.com. The structure is project-based, so I work with project managers, business analysts, back-end developers, UI designers, graphic designers, usability managers, and QAs.
It is an amazing and positive environment, and I would love to be a part of it indefinitely...
But, if you follow the news, you know Delta has a few things on the docket. In my first month, Delta announced a headcount reduction initiative to cut costs as fuel prices soar.
In my second month, Delta announced a merger with Northwest Airlines.
Obviously, the financial situation of Delta has changed drastically since I was offered a position in early February. Fuel costs are the largest portion of most airlines' operating costs (something I learned, not something I expect you to know), so the unprecedented rise of fuel as the dollar drops, means a complete reorganization is necessary to survive.
On the back burner, is the question: How will things change once (if) the merger takes place? It's a loaded question that nobody can answer right now.
There is a bit of contradiction: concurrent growth and reduction, so
For now, it means a contract extension. No guarantees, no promises, but a chance. It means I have a job until the end of the year; and depending on the economy, my performance, the performance of the other contractors, and how many people in my department choose to leave... I might go permanent. No guarantees.
In the meantime, I am being prudent with my income, in preparation for a worse-case scenario.
But still hoping for the best...