O/T Career advice needed!

[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!

[LBTC]

MM, I'm with Autumnbreez on this one. I, too, noticed that the tone of each question seemed slanted toward being closer to home. IMHO, Happiness Now is what all of us needs, and if you've got a way to do that that doesn't go against your own set of values, go for it!!

I can't help but wonder: are the 2 jobs you've mentioned actual opportunities that you can say yes to tomorrow and you'll start working? Or are they theoretical?

and, sorry to make it even muddier, have you looked at what other options are out there for you? if you didn't follow your "career" path, does it have to be a little admin job that you take?

I'm an admin myself for a large forestry company that has recently been bought out by an equally larger forestry company so the company is now twice the size. My job hasn't changed a lot, but the morale is about as low as it can go. we've had a small organizational change and are currently waiting for our new building to be finished so we can move in. All of us expects that there will be more "org" changes (read job losses) and we just don't know when. The mood is less than cheerful. When I really look at it - I don't mind my job, I like the wages and benefits and what I get for the fairly low level of stress (the morale issue notwithstanding). I have some hope that the new building will bring some improvements, but that some changes might include reductions in my benefit package. The way I see it, the more they take away, the easier it is for me to take a job with lesser pay and benefits....lower the bar and... so I bide my time and see what happens.

In the meantime my commute to work is 1/2 hour if I walk, 8 minutes if I drive or 6 minutes if I ride (and 12 to get home on the bike). I wouldn't want it any other way!!! Those of you who have seen my pictures, many of those 'nature' shots are taken on the walk to/from work, through an industrial area. Just being able to do that is huge for my optimism and positive energy.

oops, I made this about me, again, didn't I? Sorry!

Good luck with your decision, MM!! I think all the ladies here have said really great things for you to think about!

Namaste,
~T~

[CorsairMac]

MM: it's called a leap of faith, and it's the scariest leap you'll ever make! Keep us posted hun.......keeping you in my thougths!

[MightyMitre]

Aw - thanks guys. You're GREAT!!

Maybe being off work for so long has given me a rose tinted view of my previous job. I've been trying to remember how I felt before I left and remember all the things I was looking for in a new job/ career path.(This is where I wish I kept a diary. )

I guess I'm worried of making a mistake. Like someone else wrote, I've seen my dad work hard all his life too, running his own buisness 6 days a weeks, and he's now only a few years from retirement . Because he spent his whole life working there's so many things he hasn't done and really wishes he had. I don't want to wake up one day and thing ' How did I get here - this wasn't part of the plan'

Aaaaaaggggh mid-life crisis at 30? That can't be right.....

[snowtulip]

MM- good luck to you in your decision. My words of so called wisdom are, live your life now! I have a medical condition that put into perspective how important quality of life is. What good is saving everything for the future if you're gone tomorrow? Don't get me wrong, retirement, savings, etc. are great, but make sure you still get the chance to enjoy life now.

Once I started feeling better, my perspective on work changed (was a slave to work before and wanted to do what was societally expected of me, now I work to ensure I have money to live a simple life that allows me happy opportunities). Also, I thought work defined me...not the case. Also, listen to your gut, I'm a strong believer of the gut feeling, what is it telling you?

Good luck!

[LBTC]

I guess I'm worried of making a mistake.

<big hug> MM, we're all worried about making mistakes. The truth is, though, that there are NO mistakes. Nothing is permanent. If you find you're unhappy with the next job you find....just put your chin up and start looking again. <grin>

scary, exciting.....sounds like something a cyclist would LOVE!

You can do it!! Enjoy life!

Namaste,
~T~

[LBTC]

as Joseph Campbell said: "Follow your bliss"

Namaste,
~T~

[Melody]

as Joseph Campbell said: "Follow your bliss"

heh. I did that. Did I mention my last name is now Bliss? I took my hubby's name.

Mel

[Dogmama]

[QUOTE=LBTC]<big hug> MM, we're all worried about making mistakes. The truth is, though, that there are NO mistakes. Nothing is permanent. If you find you're unhappy with the next job you find....just put your chin up and start looking again. <grin>

So true. I always say, "I was looking for a job when I found this one."

Well, here's where I part from the group (sort of)

MM, you are young. In 20-30 years, you'll be thinking of retirement. I, too, "fell" into a job I never thought I'd do (business manager at a University - heck I'm not even that good at math!). I'm now 5 years from retirement (due to the way that our retirement works, I'll can retire a 55) and I wouldn't change anything. I often thought that I'd rather have a job closer to home, more in line with my major (Romance Languages - hey - there's a money maker!) etc. But this has been a good career.

I think I'd bite the bullet & go for the bigger job. I also don't think that a commute is a bad thing. I used to commute an hour to work (driving) and found it to be relaxing because I listened to books on tape. If you're in a train, you can read, knit or take a nap. Heck, you could even do your makeup if you want! You already said in another thread that you don't have to do your hair

If the job totally reeks, you can find another. But I'd look towards the future first.

My $.03 (oops! I don't know how that converts to pounds!)

[Justina]

I used to take the bus in and ride 25 miles home in the spring and summer. I quit that job last August ( it was part time anyway ) and went to being self employed full time. Now I ride the bus to work and ride 18 miles home all year except in the very worst weather. I'm Scared and poor but content.

Go with your gut & good luck