another vote for option two
In this economy, go with the option that gives you some assurance of being gainfully employed on a permanent basis. there's a reason the first place isn't hiring permanently. And frankly, if the ``rapidly-expaning'' place is willing to hire you on a contract basis now, they should be even more willing to hire you after you've worked at the ``prestigious'' place for a few years. In the interim, you'll also be able to see whether or not their claim of rapid expansion is accurate or, more likely, utter marketing bollocks.
(tuqueboy has been in a medically -induced coma since, Fri 25 Sep 2009, 23:49, Reply)