Michelle,

>...I don't want to travel, and I prefer long-term contracts. What I really like is the idea of taking on a whole project and making it into something. Programming is like art to me. Sometimes like playing God. You get to create something new that didn't exist before. This can be a good attitude, and it can be bad. I guess it depends on the client.

What is it that you want from contracting? "Long-term contracts" with big money? Long-Term is a year. "Big Projects" require many people interfacing constantly to stay on track. This is not something you can do telecommuting. "Big Projects" require you to be on-site.

>4 months off a year sounds nice...

I've been contracting for 6 years and I don't think I've had 4 months off altogether. I usually end one gig on a Friday and start the next one on Monday.

Remember that sales pays. The top salesman at many companies will make more than the president, and they're worth it! That's what brings the money in. Remember that you live by your wits and the impression that you make, not by the good-hearted will of your employer, developed over years of association. If you can't sell yourself, speak with confidence, and learn to hit the ground running (both by knowing the language and the industry), then you really need to stay an employee. The ability to sell yourself is what separates the two.

Oh, and also, contractors have to eat their own dead. Or at least live with people looking at you as though you do. Many employees will look down upon you for making more (I usually make as much as my supervisor's boss -- 3 levels above my co-workers). This makes for hard feelings. If your feelings get hurt when everyone in your department goes to a christmas party -- but you're not invited -- then then you are looking for a relationship that contracting won't give you.

I wouldn't trade contracting for the world, but I would never recommend it to anyone, nor discourage them from it. It's just different.

jt