which job would you choose?

[HondaB18]

stuck at a fork, got 2 choices

job 1 (what i'm doing now)
-went to school for this
-adds a bit of stress
-more than 8hr days (sometimes weekends)
-strict managers (but that doesn't bother me)
-think i tapped out potential wise after not even a year

job 2 (what i was offered)
-entry level
-more potential for growth
-more laid back
-better benefits (higher 401k match, better health plan, pensions etc)
-less $$$ (~20k less annually)
-deals with my hobby which is investing, worried due to my background

????

[Jon]

Not knowing exactly what the jobs are, I like #2.

[cp[mike]]

you present it with a bias, there must be something negative about #2 that is causing you to hang on deciding. what is it? not as comfortable, requires relocating, etc?

[WilliamW]

you present it with a bias, there must be something negative about #2 that is causing you to hang on deciding. what is it? not as comfortable, requires relocating, etc?

X2. If the second job doesn't have any negatives and gives you better benefits why hesitate?

[Bullhorn7]

Id go for job #2..

[AccordWarrior]

you present it with a bias, there must be something negative about #2 that is causing you to hang on deciding. what is it? not as comfortable, requires relocating, etc?

x2, something doesn't add up.

[HondaB18]

i've updated with two negative that pops in my head

Not knowing exactly what the jobs are, I like #2.

job #1 - quality assurance / engineer

job #2 - deals with mutual funds

[19dabeast85]

A job is just that, a job. If it controls your life it isn't worth any amount of money. Do what you will enjoy and will not stress you out, it seems your second choice will do this. Just make sure it's actually going to be what you think it is.

[Mista Juice]

thats a hell of a negative if you are worried about cash..

i would go with the 2nd because it seems like youd enjoy it more.. sure its less money, but it seems like the good outweigh the bad for sure.. i feel sorry for people that get stressed out, work crazy hours and overall dont like their job, but stay just because its a good paycheck..

as chris young says in 'voices': "my daddy sayin work that job, but dont work your life away"

[deevergote]

How much will that income difference affect your quality of life?

I could survive if I made half of what I make now... but I would have to cut back on luxuries.

You say the new job has a better growth potential. How quickly could you start earning more?


If you've reached the ceiling in your current job, and you want more, then you're wasting your time there. If you're comfortable and don't need more... then don't bother.

[JoshM]

Cash part sounds like the only "con" of job #2. 20k could be a bit to lose. What % of a hit would you be taking annually?
If you're making 50k/year, that would result in a completely different life style.
If you're making 200k/year, you may have to change your toilet paper brand.

[AccordWarrior]

Have you been offered job #2 formally?

If you take job #2 and then leave the job, will you be able to get another job in the field with your lack of background, or will that stunt you from there on out?

I know some industries are sticklers for proper educational background regardless of the real world experience, where others aren't as strict.

If you've peaked in QA, can you switch to the managerial side?

[tru2037]

my 2 cents....

I've found myself at the same crossroads.... option 1 sounds like you like it and option 2 sounds like it is the more responsible route, hmmmmm.

I had took option 1 for 10 years to find out there isn't much of a future in it, good work but looking at the older guys with no plan for tomorrow kinda bothered me. Pay was a roller coaster (very, very good in good times, yet pretty bad in bad times)

You need to think what will be the strongest career, entry level may suck at the moment for pay but what will the future bring? What I have found is - if you take your hobby to a job then you never want to do it on your free time.... I love working on cars and engines but working on them 12 hours a day, I really didn't want to come home to do some more. It's a tough balancing act to find something you're good at vs something you like to do, I would choose what you're good at for a career... just took me 10 years to realize that.

[HondaB18]

How much will that income difference affect your quality of life?

I could survive if I made half of what I make now... but I would have to cut back on luxuries.

You say the new job has a better growth potential. How quickly could you start earning more?


If you've reached the ceiling in your current job, and you want more, then you're wasting your time there. If you're comfortable and don't need more... then don't bother.

i didn't use much for 2010. parking, gas, dinners, phone bills are provided for me by work. i don't have much free time to really hang out hang out. i was planning on taking a short vacation from work but we just got a new client so management been telling me that i should take it at a later time with promise of extra days. hard to say whether or not they are bullshitting me

my friend who recommended me for the job moved from this company to morgan stanley in nyc. he makes about what i make now taking him 2.5 years. i know i'm not my friend but give or take 2-4 years?

i make a little less than what my supervisor make but no cool title. there is about 4 levels of management above me and they have all been there for more than 15 years

my 2 cents....

I've found myself at the same crossroads.... option 1 sounds like you like it and option 2 sounds like it is the more responsible route, hmmmmm.

I had took option 1 for 10 years to find out there isn't much of a future in it, good work but looking at the older guys with no plan for tomorrow kinda bothered me. Pay was a roller coaster (very, very good in good times, yet pretty bad in bad times)

You need to think what will be the strongest career, entry level may suck at the moment for pay but what will the future bring? What I have found is - if you take your hobby to a job then you never want to do it on your free time.... I love working on cars and engines but working on them 12 hours a day, I really didn't want to come home to do some more. It's a tough balancing act to find something you're good at vs something you like to do, I would choose what you're good at for a career... just took me 10 years to realize that.

i know what you mean. i like working on cars, gave it a shot working at a garage. working on people's cars and troubleshooting can be frustrating. didn't even want to touch my own car coming home from work

Have you been offered job #2 formally?

If you take job #2 and then leave the job, will you be able to get another job in the field with your lack of background, or will that stunt you from there on out?

I know some industries are sticklers for proper educational background regardless of the real world experience, where others aren't as strict.

If you've peaked in QA, can you switch to the managerial side?

just went for an interview this morning. everything went well. i know it is not a sure thing but most say getting an interview at this company means they are really interested. just trying to get an unbias input and to prepare

that is what i'm worried about. not sure if that is a wise decision for my future

i know that the engineering field is more strict on your education and i understand. the mutual fund company hr personnel told me that since this is an entry level position they are not that strict