O/T Career advice needed!

[MightyMitre]

Ladies - this is totally off topic but I hope you don't mind me posting as you usually provide such sensible and down-to-earth advice on most things.

Here's the situation : unemployed for 10 months and need job, but do I go for

a) well paid 'career' type job in the field I've worked in for the last 8 years ( since i left uni), that'll be a 50 min / 40 mile train commute each way

OR

b) nice little admin. job that pays less but is local, no transport costs, close to home meaning I'll be able to get much more riding in during the evening, home by 5.30pm and maybe even get a dog, but less career prospects and not making the most of my earning capacity.

I need some guidance as at the moment I keep swinging between the two ideas and just getting myself confussed!

[SnappyPix]

Personally, I'd go for the latter, but that's because I'm not career-minded, just want a better quality of lifestyle through fitness. It also depends on economics - would the lower paid job still pay enough to cover all your outgoings?
For me, cycling and fitness is a big part of my life - I love commuting by bike, being home in time for morning/evening rides, going to the gym - and being stuck in rush hour traffic with no-where to go and your shiny steed in the garage is pretty soul-destroying stuff. Wears you down after a while. (And our train services aren't reknowned for their efficiency/punctuality either!) Power suits and a stressful schedule don't cut it for me.
Personally, my move to New Zealand in a few months is a whole new fresh start - and a pretty scary one. I'm leaving my job, saying goodbye to admininstrative work (having worked in offices for over 20 years) and aiming to do something completely different - I've no idea what. I'm lucky as my other half will be earning while we're out there (hence the move), so I have the option to do voluntary work at local animal welfare shelters and pick and choose anything I like. I'm very excited at the prospect, but scared also. Much like you, it's a choice of saying goodbye to the familiar and opting for something that will give me more opportunities to pursue the things I want.

Back to you (I don't mean to make this about me, simply saying I empathise with you), sometimes it's a matter of prioritising what you want from life and what your goals will be in, say, 5 years time. Will either path get you there? Will one get you there quicker and be a more enjoyable journey than the other?

I don't think I've helped in any way with this reply, but I guess that only you can choose the right path for you in the end - though no path is every really the wrong one, some are simply annoying detours that take us off-course for a while!

[DeniseGoldberg]

That's a really hard one! I can see why you're swinging / switching between the options as I could see myself having a hard time with the decision. My tendency would be to go with the career type job with the feeling that getting paid a fair salary would allow me to save for retirement and perhaps retire earlier because of those savings. But the admin job near home is really enticing because of the "now" time to use for riding. And since you don't have a long commute you also won't have commuting costs, which certainly needs to be factored in to the salary difference.

But I really think there is a bigger factor here, and that is your happiness at work. I still feel like I need to be challenged and learning new things at work - another reason why the career-type job would likely win out for me. I could do the admin type of job on a fill-in basis for the cash, but for longer term I think it would not make me happy. But there are others out there who would be much happier with the admin type of job... we're all different, aren't we?

So I guess the things that need to be considered are:
--- pay, ready cash for now and for retirement
--- time to play, bike, etc.
--- your happiness & satisfaction with the job & how that plays in to the rest of your life

But of course that's not a straight answer, is it?

[Jo-n-NY]

Yup, it is a tough call and everyone has a different situation.

I do commute from Long Island to Manhattan, not entirely by choice. The company was on Long Island, company sold and the new people moved us to Manhattan. I figured ok, I would give it a try. Well I am here 8 years now and hate it. Although all I am only doing is admin work.

For "me" I know organizational changes will come sooner or later and that will be my time to leave and maybe get some kind of job on Long Island. My commute makes a 7.5 hour day into an 11 hour day. Although because I start early I am home by 5 so I guess I am one of the "lucky ones"?

I guess you have to weigh the pros and cons of your situation.

[Irulan]

I vote for quality of life over the ideal job. One idea is to relocate so you can have both. That is what we did 15 years ago with no regrets.

penny

[Melody]

MM, like everyone else, it really does depend on what your goals are and this can be tough, but if you break it down, it may not be too bad.

1) What are your long term goals? Retire early? Just be comfortable? Be fit? etc. What are their priorities? i.e. What is more important? To be comfortable or retire early?

2) Based on those long term goals, what mid-term goals do you need to accomplish to meet those long term goals? Make more money? Get in more riding? What are their priorities?

3) What short term goals do you need to meet in order to make your mid-term goals? Once again, what are their priorities?

Now that you have your goals and their respective priorities, which of the two positions make more sense? That would be the way to go.

Mel

[Roadrunner]

The way I would look at it is, which would make me happier and cause the least stress. I worked before I moved up here and I kept taking on new clients, the money was nice but the stress of working so hard and having less time for myself began to tell on me. I'm not saying it would be the same for you, but I reckon your health and happiness are what's most important in the long run.

[Veronica]

If the close to home job pays enough to let you live the way you want,and is something you want to spend your days doing, I'd take that one. I hate commuting - actually what I hate is sitting in traffic. It seems like such a waste of time.

V.

[slinkedog]

There are so many variables that can influence what the best decision for you will be. Are you married? Do you have kids or are you going to want to have kids soon? If you don't have kids but are going to haven them sometime in the near future, are you going to quit working to stay home with them or will you continue with your career?

I would say that if you plan on staying single and supporting yourself for the next, say, 5 years, it may be in your best interest to continue pursuing your career so that you can support yourself. If you're getting married or are already married and your fiance/husband earns enough to be the main breadwinner, then perhaps the job that isn't in your career path would be okay for you.

If you're going to have kids soon (I'm assuming from your post that you don't have any) and will be quitting to stay home with them, then either job may be right. Do you want to spread your wings career-wise and accomplish all you can before you're tied down to a family, or do you want to be able to go do fun, recreational activities before you're tied down to a family?

The other question is: will you be fulfilled if your job isn't that challenging in the contect of your education? Will you feel that you've wasted your time at university and will you be challenged enough if you don't take a job in your field of expertise?

So, like Denise, I have no real answer... just some things to think about. Good luck!

[AutumnBreez]

Ladies - this is totally off topic but I hope you don't mind me posting as you usually provide such sensible and down-to-earth advice on most things.

Here's the situation : unemployed for 10 months and need job, but do I go for

a) well paid 'career' type job in the field I've worked in for the last 8 years ( since i left uni), that'll be a 50 min / 40 mile train commute each way

OR

b) nice little admin. job that pays less but is local, no transport costs, close to home meaning I'll be able to get much more riding in during the evening, home by 5.30pm and maybe even get a dog, but less career prospects and not making the most of my earning capacity.

I need some guidance as at the moment I keep swinging between the two ideas and just getting myself confussed!

With what you have given here, I see that option b) is what would make you happier. The way you placed the options, and the personal and important have more meaning to the wording directed at them.


1st option: a) Money and being familiar with job,makes you feel comfortable, but the train ride seems dreaded already.

2nd option: b) nice little admin job, (every job is important, but if you wanted more responsibility and challenge, I am sure they would let you at the same place in future, and still have short commute)
"close to home meaning I'll be able to get much more riding in during the evening, home by 5.30pm and maybe even get a dog"

Then the end, this is when you add to your confusion, you say, " but" but less career prospects and not making the most of my earning capacity. You return to the cycle of questioning the first option again, because of familiarity and money.
Could you later use the experience of the admin job and your first 'career' experience and make something better of yourself with both experiences? Move up from the admin job in the company?

Thirdly ask yourself: unemployed for 10 months and need job, but do I go for - MONEY? Has the lack of job/money caused your lack of better judgement for your true wellbeing? The close admin job will bring a job, money, confidence, and best of all, more "me" time.

What are all the positives to 'career' besides money and familiarity? If there are enough to benefit? Will riding your bike on the weekends be enough for you?

Ride life like there is no tomorrow.. Hope this makes sense to you, and that it will be of help.

[CorsairMac]

I went through a major job decision about 16 years ago, do I look for a job that has money or one that makes me happy? I saw my dad work at jobs he hated for years because of the money to raise us kids, at 50+ he quit and went to work in a completely different field than his degree or his experience. Today he is 72, retired, and Still working that job on a part-time, on-call basis and still loving it. I decided in the overall scheme of things, it is whats makes one happy that is more important than money, after all.....you can't take it with you when you die. So along with several others, can you live on the lower salary?? If yes, then the choice is what makes your life complete, not how much you're earning. As for degrees, most of the people I know aren't even Close to working in the same fields their degrees are in - kinda makes one wonder what the degree was for anyway!

PS: it sounds like you're swinging because you want the admin job but feel you should take the "in your field" job. shades of being raised to do the Right Thing vs doing what you want! (been there done that)

[nuthatch]

Can you tell this is a subject that touches a deep nerve for all of us?

I think you've already answered your question, MM. You aren't being foolish to change directions inspite of the years (and £s) you spent at uni. Everyone has posted great thoughts for you here! I say go with whatever makes you feel as good as you do on your bike - a little scary, a little dangerous, and very free! We're rooting for you!!

[MightyMitre]

Wow - I'm bowled over by the response!! It's really give me a lot to think about. I knew I could rely on you all for fantastic pearls of wisdom. Think I might print this thread off and read again.

I think the 'Do the Right thing' v ' Do What You Want' has been a real sticking point. I've been working in the Pensions industry for the last 8 years and I kinda feel I shouldn't just throw away all that experience, but this was never a career I specifically chose - I drifted into it as a temporary job that became permanent.

I don't have any kids yet, but hope to in the next few years, and hubby to be has been earning enough for us to get by, but I do wonder about the future. I have absolutly no savings and once I embark on motherhood I'm guessing it's not going to be easy to save. And while my BF is more than happy to support me, there's no guarantees in this world - anything can happen and I feel vulnerable at the thought of having no financial independance.

Salary wise - yeh, I like the nice stuff money can buy, but money can't buy you back those 2 hours a day on the train.

So, perhaps I should be brave, feel the fear and do it anyway and look for that local job - but one that lets me use my brain. ( don't want to sell myself short)

Oooohhh - scary and exiting all at the same time....!!!

Thanks All

[AutumnBreez]

Does there have to be a versus? Make it right and what you want.

[pedalfaster]

money can't buy you back those 2 hours a day

When it comes down to money vs. time I , personally, always always choose time.

Time=health/fitness/emotional well-being/creativity. Money=more stuff. I've learned to live with less "stuff".

That's just me. I'm sure you'll make the best decision for you .

Good luck!