Keep a beloved but low-paying job, or take a higher-paying job I might not love? - Page 2

ficbot · 06-17-2010, 05:50 PM

Thanks so much for the advice, everyone. Still have not seen my contract for next year---I know I am getting a modest pay raise, but I am not sure how much. My heart is saying stick with it though. I found out today that THREE of my co-workers, in their own year-end meetings with the boss, specifically pointed me out as being a standout of the year for them. This job is what I am good at. I really feel like I have found my special niche, and I am not ready to give that up yet.

As for the money, I am doing okay. In spite of my fairly modest pay scale, I have been putting 12% into an RRSP and also have paid off $10,000 of a $15,000 student loan, while still supporting myself and looking after all expenses. I could loosen up a little and have more fun, and a vacation or two would be nice, but I am not struggling. And I had two parents of graduating students approach me about tutoring their children next year, so that'll be another extra few hundred a month.

So more would be nice. It always is! But in a year I will have my student loan paid off too so that will free up some extra discretionary cash. And my needs are so modest right now. In another year when the loan will be paid off, I might be more ready, mentally, to move onto a next phase type of job. I think what I am really hoping for is eventually to move to a bigger school in the private system because my past experiences have been that I do not tend to excel as a cog in a very large bureaucracy, but if I could find even a lightly bigger pond than what I'm in now, I could have the better pay without having to give up doing what I really want to do.

I am keeping my eyes open and will investigate any openings, of course. I guess I was just feeling like I really didn't want to do something else just for more money if I love what I'm doing now. Maybe I just needed some validation that it isn't wrong or crazy or making a bad decision to stay put, even if it's only for one more year until I get the loan paid off and see where I am at, job-wise and mentally, once that phase of life is done. Maybe I'll be ready for a change by then. Or maybe a job will open up in another private school. And in the meanwhile I am doing okay...

FlorenceArt · 06-18-2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

Thanks so much for the advice, everyone. Still have not seen my contract for next year---I know I am getting a modest pay raise, but I am not sure how much. My heart is saying stick with it though. I found out today that THREE of my co-workers, in their own year-end meetings with the boss, specifically pointed me out as being a standout of the year for them. This job is what I am good at. I really feel like I have found my special niche, and I am not ready to give that up yet.

As for the money, I am doing okay. In spite of my fairly modest pay scale, I have been putting 12% into an RRSP and also have paid off $10,000 of a $15,000 student loan, while still supporting myself and looking after all expenses. I could loosen up a little and have more fun, and a vacation or two would be nice, but I am not struggling. And I had two parents of graduating students approach me about tutoring their children next year, so that'll be another extra few hundred a month.

So more would be nice. It always is! But in a year I will have my student loan paid off too so that will free up some extra discretionary cash. And my needs are so modest right now. In another year when the loan will be paid off, I might be more ready, mentally, to move onto a next phase type of job. I think what I am really hoping for is eventually to move to a bigger school in the private system because my past experiences have been that I do not tend to excel as a cog in a very large bureaucracy, but if I could find even a lightly bigger pond than what I'm in now, I could have the better pay without having to give up doing what I really want to do.

I am keeping my eyes open and will investigate any openings, of course. I guess I was just feeling like I really didn't want to do something else just for more money if I love what I'm doing now. Maybe I just needed some validation that it isn't wrong or crazy or making a bad decision to stay put, even if it's only for one more year until I get the loan paid off and see where I am at, job-wise and mentally, once that phase of life is done. Maybe I'll be ready for a change by then. Or maybe a job will open up in another private school. And in the meanwhile I am doing okay...

Good for you! Yes, being open is important. You never know when an opportunity will present itself and send you the message that NOW is the time. In the meantime, enjoy your job, it's not so common to have a job you love

GeoffC · 06-18-2010, 03:27 AM

Beware the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Only YOU can decide what is best for you at this stage in your career; draw up a list of the pros and cons. But don't, whatever the decision, look back and think "if only" .... the road you chose now will be for a reason, even if that reason only becomes clear in a few years time !!!!

beppe · 06-18-2010, 03:29 AM

If you are satisfied with your job per se, and if the desire for more money is not overpowering, stay where you are and enjoy your life. There is nothing as precious as peace of mind. Liking the activity that we have to do for what it is and not only for the benefits it brings us, is a blessing.

Best wishes.

happy_terd · 06-18-2010, 03:33 AM

Don't settle either...or sell yourself for less than you are worth. If your time is worth more than what they are paying you then seek employment elsewhere.
---------

Kevin2960 · 06-18-2010, 05:03 AM

Either Way Best Wishes,

Hugs,

astra · 06-18-2010, 05:10 AM

I almost, almost, almost typed: Stay with your current job because no money can buy peace of mind which translates to a good general health, and health is the most important thing. As long as you are healthy you can work, study, date, love and yearn money, the moment you become ill, nobody is interested in you. You are on your own and no amount of money can buy new health for you. If you have family, it is even worse because you have more responsibilities. So, having a job that you love is more important than having more money with lots of stress.

However, you are single. You have no husband or kids. Thus, regardless of how it is difficult for me to type what I am going to type, but......... right now is the best time to work on your career and yearn money. Time, when you can come home tired and fall asleep with zero responsibilities (I am not going to list them here). You don't have to think about anything but yourself. It is much easier to do now than when you find your other half.

Good luck with whatever you decide. When you reach any decision, never look back.

cashaaa · 07-17-2010, 08:25 AM

I have a higher paying stressful job and have been offered a lower paying job doing things I would love and that would challenge me. I would learn new things (grant writing), and go for learning computer graphics (which I love learning and tinkering with (love photography) but have had no reason to pursue graphics) to do advertising for the workplace and for the local governments. Also there would be many other daily office & some bookkeeping functions and public relations.
My current job has me doing jobs two or three people should be doing and it is a burn out. I was holding out for the money to be more on the new job and have been trying to work it out with the human resources dept to up the pay for the new job. Everyone is dragging their feet and I feel like the opportunity will just pass me by if I don't take the lesser amount. What to do. I think I am going to take the new job with the lower pay and have a life at last.

Laine · 07-17-2010, 09:07 AM

I am a teacher who retired early at a lower super rate because I couldn't face the conditions any more. I was becoming seriously down. You cannot beat a happy workplace. Unhappiness at work affects your health and your ability to be happy outside the job too.

happy_terd · 07-17-2010, 12:42 PM

It wasnt a happy vs an unhappy place though, was it?

I thought it was a happy place vs and unknown opportunity to advance.
------------

GeoffC · 07-18-2010, 04:48 AM

cashaaa Welcome to mobileread

GeoffC · 07-18-2010, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laine

You cannot beat a happy workplace. Unhappiness at work affects your health and your ability to be happy outside the job too.

assuredly ....

07-17-2010, 08:25 AM	#23
cashaaa Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none	opposite but same dilema I have a higher paying stressful job and have been offered a lower paying job doing things I would love and that would challenge me. I would learn new things (grant writing), and go for learning computer graphics (which I love learning and tinkering with (love photography) but have had no reason to pursue graphics) to do advertising for the workplace and for the local governments. Also there would be many other daily office & some bookkeeping functions and public relations. My current job has me doing jobs two or three people should be doing and it is a burn out. I was holding out for the money to be more on the new job and have been trying to work it out with the human resources dept to up the pay for the new job. Everyone is dragging their feet and I feel like the opportunity will just pass me by if I don't take the lesser amount. What to do. I think I am going to take the new job with the lower pay and have a life at last.

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06-17-2010, 05:50 PM	#16
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Thanks so much for the advice, everyone. Still have not seen my contract for next year---I know I am getting a modest pay raise, but I am not sure how much. My heart is saying stick with it though. I found out today that THREE of my co-workers, in their own year-end meetings with the boss, specifically pointed me out as being a standout of the year for them. This job is what I am good at. I really feel like I have found my special niche, and I am not ready to give that up yet. As for the money, I am doing okay. In spite of my fairly modest pay scale, I have been putting 12% into an RRSP and also have paid off $10,000 of a $15,000 student loan, while still supporting myself and looking after all expenses. I could loosen up a little and have more fun, and a vacation or two would be nice, but I am not struggling. And I had two parents of graduating students approach me about tutoring their children next year, so that'll be another extra few hundred a month. So more would be nice. It always is! But in a year I will have my student loan paid off too so that will free up some extra discretionary cash. And my needs are so modest right now. In another year when the loan will be paid off, I might be more ready, mentally, to move onto a next phase type of job. I think what I am really hoping for is eventually to move to a bigger school in the private system because my past experiences have been that I do not tend to excel as a cog in a very large bureaucracy, but if I could find even a lightly bigger pond than what I'm in now, I could have the better pay without having to give up doing what I really want to do. I am keeping my eyes open and will investigate any openings, of course. I guess I was just feeling like I really didn't want to do something else just for more money if I love what I'm doing now. Maybe I just needed some validation that it isn't wrong or crazy or making a bad decision to stay put, even if it's only for one more year until I get the loan paid off and see where I am at, job-wise and mentally, once that phase of life is done. Maybe I'll be ready for a change by then. Or maybe a job will open up in another private school. And in the meanwhile I am doing okay...

06-18-2010, 03:27 AM	#18
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Beware the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Only YOU can decide what is best for you at this stage in your career; draw up a list of the pros and cons. But don't, whatever the decision, look back and think "if only" .... the road you chose now will be for a reason, even if that reason only becomes clear in a few years time !!!!

06-18-2010, 03:29 AM	#19
beppe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,161 Karma: 81026524 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Italy Device: Kindle3, Ipod4, IPad2	If you are satisfied with your job per se, and if the desire for more money is not overpowering, stay where you are and enjoy your life. There is nothing as precious as peace of mind. Liking the activity that we have to do for what it is and not only for the benefits it brings us, is a blessing. Best wishes.

06-18-2010, 03:33 AM	#20
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	Don't settle either...or sell yourself for less than you are worth. If your time is worth more than what they are paying you then seek employment elsewhere. ---------

06-18-2010, 05:03 AM	#21
Kevin2960 YODA's Uglier Twin Posts: 974 Karma: 6295251 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leicester, UK Device: PRS-600 and 2 Kindle 3's - and now a K4 + HTC Desire HD	Either Way Best Wishes, Hugs,

06-18-2010, 05:10 AM	#22
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	I almost, almost, almost typed: Stay with your current job because no money can buy peace of mind which translates to a good general health, and health is the most important thing. As long as you are healthy you can work, study, date, love and yearn money, the moment you become ill, nobody is interested in you. You are on your own and no amount of money can buy new health for you. If you have family, it is even worse because you have more responsibilities. So, having a job that you love is more important than having more money with lots of stress. However, you are single. You have no husband or kids. Thus, regardless of how it is difficult for me to type what I am going to type, but......... right now is the best time to work on your career and yearn money. Time, when you can come home tired and fall asleep with zero responsibilities (I am not going to list them here). You don't have to think about anything but yourself. It is much easier to do now than when you find your other half. Good luck with whatever you decide. When you reach any decision, never look back.

07-17-2010, 09:07 AM	#24
Laine Addict Posts: 341 Karma: 1162396 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cabramatta, Sydney, Australia Device: Aura H2O, Voyage	I am a teacher who retired early at a lower super rate because I couldn't face the conditions any more. I was becoming seriously down. You cannot beat a happy workplace. Unhappiness at work affects your health and your ability to be happy outside the job too.

07-17-2010, 12:42 PM	#25
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	It wasnt a happy vs an unhappy place though, was it? I thought it was a happy place vs and unknown opportunity to advance. ------------

07-18-2010, 04:48 AM	#26
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	cashaaa Welcome to mobileread

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