Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#1

Post by spoiledtechie » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 4:43 AM UTC

Before I start, I wanted to say I have been apart of this community for over 3 years now and greatly trust the amount of thought and time taken in giving opinions here, so that is why I am asking on this forum.

I know this is sort of off topic, but I am a coder out of the Washington, DC area and I am about to be offered a job to go to IRAQ for 1 year at a pay of around $200k.

I am wondering, if offered, should I actually take it? I enjoy my job here and have actually just been transferred here about 4 months ago.

200k is a lot of money, I would be able to pay off all my student loans which equals about 80k and have some left over to invest in and maybe take another year off for setting up my own software project. I would also take the time off there to code and really focus on a project or two that I always wanted to get off the ground.

On another note, I truly live to experience. I love new experiences and this would truly be a once in a lifetime experience, so do I do it?

I can be debt free and sit and code hard for 1 year and push out something amazing also while enjoying the time in a greatly different country than what I am used to.

I do appreciate the responses!

Re: Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#2

Post by organicgrant » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 4:45 AM UTC

I think you've already decided. Do it.

Re: Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#3

Post by albertsun » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 4:47 AM UTC

I'd do it. Living and working in Iraq would be an amazing and unique experience, even without the high pay. Pick up an Arabic phrasebook while you're on your way.

Re: Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#4

Post by roundsquare » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 5:07 AM UTC

As long as it'd be safe, I'd go for it without hesitation. New place, fun work, big accomplishment, lots of money and free time? I'm not sure what down side you see, but it would need to be huge to turn this down.

Re: Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#5

Post by spoiledtechie » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 5:10 AM UTC

roundsquare wrote: post #4

As long as it'd be safe, I'd go for it without hesitation. New place, fun work, big accomplishment, lots of money and free time? I'm not sure what down side you see, but it would need to be huge to turn this down.

my mind says yes, but my body says stay the fuck away, I dont wanna die. So the question still remains and I definitely am looking for advice.

Re: Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#6

Post by jwb119 » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 5:12 AM UTC

sounds like an interesting decision. best of luck.

one thing to keep in mind is that 200k probably means more like 100k after taxes. that only leaves you about 20k overhead after you pay your student loans. just something to think about.

Re: Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#7

Post by dantheman » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 5:12 AM UTC

spoiledtechie wrote: post #5

roundsquare wrote: post #4

As long as it'd be safe, I'd go for it without hesitation. New place, fun work, big accomplishment, lots of money and free time? I'm not sure what down side you see, but it would need to be huge to turn this down.

my mind says yes, but my body says stay the fuck away, I dont wanna die. So the question still remains and I definitely am looking for advice.

Where are you going? How safe is it? What type of insurance do you get. What would happen if in the worst case you lost your leg or arm? Do you have family to support/be away from.

If your a single guy going to relatively safe spot I'd say go for it.

Re: Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#8

Post by Zev » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 5:14 AM UTC

spoiledtechie wrote: post #5

roundsquare wrote: post #4

As long as it'd be safe, I'd go for it without hesitation. New place, fun work, big accomplishment, lots of money and free time? I'm not sure what down side you see, but it would need to be huge to turn this down.

my mind says yes, but my body says stay the fuck away, I dont wanna die. So the question still remains and I definitely am looking for advice.

Doesn't DC have one of the highest murder rates in the country? Whats to stop you from getting shot or into a bad car accident in Washington D.C.?

Point is, theres always going to be a risk, regardless of where you happen to live. Might as well go somewhere interesting (and make a good bit of $ while you're at it, in this case).

Re: Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#9

Post by metra » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 5:16 AM UTC

You're not giving us the alternatives. From how you've described it, the opportunity sounds great.

But we don't know much about your current working situation. From what you have written, I assume that the other alternative you have pay (considerably?) So without knowing much about your best alternatives, I'll leave you with this piece of advice. When considering a new job, consider 1. the people, 2. the position, 3. the salary and 4. the company. And place a big emphasis on numbers 1 and 2 rather than 3 and 4.

Also, the other guys are right - it does sound like you're very excited. I'm only hesitant to say "Go for it!" because I don't know anything about what it's like in Iraq. I'm all for new experiences but I wouldn't be able to recommend something I had no clue about.

Re: Ask HN: Would you go to Iraq for a year and be paid $200k?

#10

Post by fname » Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 5:19 AM UTC

jwb119 wrote: post #6

sounds like an interesting decision. best of luck. one thing to keep in mind is that 200k probably means more like 100k after taxes. that only leaves you about 20k overhead after you pay your student loans. just something to think about.

Usually the first $80k is tax-free for travels to Iraq/Afghanistan, after that you get taxed at the "normal" rate.