Choosing a Job...

[chryssy83]

I have to choose between a job offer I have and continuing to look for employment elsewhere. Two scenarios:

 

Scenario A: Job at a place I worked before. Pay isn't outstanding, but it's enough to live on and my parents are willing to help me out a little in the beginning. Also includes retirement. IMPORTANT work. Like life-changing work (for me and for others in the community). Also a very fun job. I loved every day I was there before, and I genuinely believe I could be awesome at it. This is what I went to school to do. Down side is that there is a person there who HATES me. She will do whatever she can to make my life miserable because she sees me as competition, and we both have similar career goals (although for very different reasons). If I can make it, I can probably outlast her there, but it will take effort.

 

Scenario B: For-profit job. Much more pay (probably 15K a year plus perks starting). No structured retirement beyond 401(k). Potential to make a TON of money one day. The work isn't nearly as exciting and I don't get to help people in the same way, although I think some of the work could be rewarding. This is a really brutal profession, though, and I'm sure there will be someone there who doesn't like me, too. I just haven't been there before so I wouldn't know to anticipate it.

 

A while back, I said to everyone that if I could get an offer for Scenario A I would be happy. Now I have it and for some reason I'm second-guessing myself. How do I figure out what I really want? I'm not looking for someone to tell me which to pick necessarily, just want some help thinking through the situation.

[amerikajin]

I have to choose between a job offer I have and continuing to look for employment elsewhere. Two scenarios:

 

Scenario A: Job at a place I worked before. Pay isn't outstanding, but it's enough to live on and my parents are willing to help me out a little in the beginning. Also includes retirement. IMPORTANT work. Like life-changing work (for me and for others in the community). Also a very fun job. I loved every day I was there before, and I genuinely believe I could be awesome at it. This is what I went to school to do. Down side is that there is a person there who HATES me. She will do whatever she can to make my life miserable because she sees me as competition, and we both have similar career goals (although for very different reasons). If I can make it, I can probably outlast her there, but it will take effort.

 

Scenario B: For-profit job. Much more pay (probably 15K a year plus perks starting). No structured retirement beyond 401(k). Potential to make a TON of money one day. The work isn't nearly as exciting and I don't get to help people in the same way, although I think some of the work could be rewarding. This is a really brutal profession, though, and I'm sure there will be someone there who doesn't like me, too. I just haven't been there before so I wouldn't know to anticipate it.

 

A while back, I said to everyone that if I could get an offer for Scenario A I would be happy. Now I have it and for some reason I'm second-guessing myself. How do I figure out what I really want? I'm not looking for someone to tell me which to pick necessarily, just want some help thinking through the situation.

 

I think you have to look into the future and see where you potentially stand on the other side of the job. What possibilities exist after job A, what possibilities exist if you take path B? That's the important part - especially if you're young. Career planning starts with the first job, and with each successive job you are setting a track for yourself. Once you go down the track a few years, you can't just jump ship unless you've got skills and experience to match, which leads me to the most important part: where can you grow the most? Take the job that gives you the greatest challenge and opportunity to grow; stick it out for maybe a year or two; and then you can decide what your next step ought to be after that.

[jerbear]

Here are some considerations and is really not a complete list but just a list of issues to consider.

 

Depending on your age things can change. Also some employers may pay for an education while you are working on your career and next steps.

 

• Pick a job that you will be satisfied in
  
• Pick the job that will give you the highest entry point
  
• The benefits
  
• The quality of life
  
• The time you will stay there
  
• The market you will be in
  

 

What I've done in the past was to pick an employer that paid for education and had good benefits. I used that job as a good stepping stone.

 

As time goes on things you look for in life and work change. Depending on your life stage, that take into account. I would suggest picking a job that gives you the highest entry point and more responsibility. It is easier to move down than to go up.

[chryssy83]

After Job A--it would be harder to get Job B. After Job B, I could still do Job A, but would have to start at the lowest pay level even with experience. Job A has lower earning potential forever, although I could work up into what is the equivalent of 70K in today's dollars over time. Job A is more family-friendly when that comes along. Job B has unlimited earning potential, but is dependent on rainmaking ability. That's not my favorite thing but I know I could do it.

 

The opportunity to grow thing is interesting. I am passionate about what I would do at Job A. I would be able to practice something that few people do well, and that I really enjoy. Job B would allow for that eventually, but in a more limited way. The main advantage of Job B is image and money.

 

I am young (25) and I'm graduating this year from grad school. I would like to stay at the same job forever 'cause that's just the kind of person I am.

 

 

Pick a job that you will be satisfied in--Job A probably, but I've never had Job B so it's hard to say.

Pick the job that will give you the highest entry point--I'm not sure what you mean by this.

The benefits--Job A has retirement/pension. Job B has better medical.

The quality of life--Job A would make me happier. People with Job B are very likely to become alcoholics.

The time you will stay there--Depends on a zillion factors, many outside my control. I don't think I can think about this.

The market you will be in-- Both are the same type of job in the same general field. A is government, B is private. Both are in the same city.

 

Any other thoughts based on all this? I need to decide this week.

 

Education isn't really a concern because I already have the highest degree I need. Paying for it (loans) is more of a concern. Job A may include loan forgiveness but I don't know for sure yet.