I hope I can get some input from others on this - though not directly parenting related.
For the last couple of years I went to school to get a degree in a field completely different from the career I have had before. It is something I have always been passionate about and I graduated with honors. My plan is to get a graduate degree in my field eventually but first I need to work for a couple of years to pay off the student loans that I have incurred. I know that deferring them through grad school is possible and common, but that is not an option that is ok for us (amassing disproportionate debt).
Over the summer I stayed home with DD, but she is starting school again in two weeks and I have started looking for jobs.
There are not a lot of entry level jobs in my field so I have also applied for a position in my old career.... and was promptly offered the job. It would be a secure position with moderate pay and very nice benefits and a pretty good commute.
The problem is I really don't want to go back to work in my old career. I worked my butt off in school to get into a field that I LOVE and I don't want to go back to square one.
I would much rather find a job in my field, which would also strengthen my grad school application and give me more experience (grad school admission is VERY competitive in my field)
On the other hand there is nothing wrong with this job, it would be easy for me to do, I could probably pay off my debt within a year or so and then apply to grad school.
Financially we could swing a little more time with one income but a second income sure would be nice and besides paying off my loans we could afford some of the luxuries we have cut out while I was in school (like a big birthday party for my DD in a few months and regular date nights).
I am just really conflicted about this: do I do the reasonable thing and take the job - or do I do the selfish thing and keep applying for jobs in my field and work on building the career that I want... even though these jobs may have less pay and worse benefits?
What would you do?
Well, thanks for all of your input. I have had a long heart to heart with DH last night and decided to decline the offer. Even though all of you who suggested I take the job are right: it is the reasonable thing to do - I have no intention of going back to my old career, I worked hard to get out of that daily grind and I am not locking myself back in.
I usually do the reasonable thing and maybe, if I don't find something in my field in a few months, I will consider taking an opportunity like this (I am fairly confident I would have no trouble finding a position in my old field) but for now I will focus on building a new career.
DH is very supportive - as I have mentions finance are not directly an issue, while extra money is always nice, we can make due on one income.
I'd pay off the debt you have. If that means working in your old field for a year? Do it!
I bet with all the study you have done to get your new degree you have juggled a lot and sacrificed a lot. I bet you are excited, proud but maybe tired too? Is there any way you can take this 'easy' job AND pay off a few dents for 12mths plus use the commute time to continue studying or planning for your move into your chosen career? One year will go very quickly. As backward as it feels and resentful you may be is it going to give you a break to coast for a few months? No study, no financial pressure, thinking time. Can you enjoy a little more family time for a few months before the next commitment?
I say this because I am in a similar situation to you but whether I like it or not finances have to take priority. I have spoken with my husband and we have decided that for the next 'x' months I will focus on x/y/z but then when those priorities are under control I will set aside time to dedicate myself to the new career I am passionate about and now certified in. I have many many years of work to come! It's not a now or never as much as it feels make or break right now.
How fortunate we are to have good choices ;-)
Good luck with your decision
I think that I would take a job in your old field, pay off your student loans and build up a nest egg to finance your master's degree. Give yourself a maximum of two years in the old field, and start applying to grad school at the one and a half year mark. When you are in grad school, you could work part time in your field. You could also volunteer in your chosen field now to start building some contacts--you didn't say what your new field is, let us know and we might have some suggestions for you. The volunteer efforts might also help your graduate admission policy. Good luck!
Take the job. Pay off the debt.
Go to grad school.
An intersting point when job hunting is if you are currently employed you have a better chance of getting a different job.
I would take the job and keep applying for a job in the field you would like to be in. Most human resource people understand if you need to interview at an odd hour or day. They would know you are currently employed and have a responsibility to your employer.
Weeelllll...I don't know what field your new schooling is in BUT if you check it out ahead of time, in several fields now they are PAYING for internships! The pay isn't always the best but since you have been willing to put off certain things that are extras before while attending school you could continue to do so & get some good experience in your new field.
Good Luck! NOTHING is wrong with pursuing your dreams as long as you can logically make them reality!
A year goes by quickly. Take the job, pay off your debt, and apply to grad school.
I might be tempted to take a little part-time job and continue to looking for something in the new field where you got your degree.
Can you get creative in ways to make money on the side? Baby sit? Clean? Organize? Pet sit?
I agree with you that it would make sense to get the loans paid down (great for you). But is there another way to do it without locking yourself in full-time to the field that you purposefully left?
I wouldn't want to put too much space between that new degree and getting some experience in the new field (even if it's on a part-time or volunteer basis).
Good luck and I hope an answer comes to you soon!
ETA: Now that I've read some of the other answers I'm torn. I guess you could take that full time job in the old field. But the problem, imho, is that we moms only have so much energy and time in the day. When you are engrossed in a full-time job, with a child and husband, how much energy will you have left to go after that dream field? I know myself well enough to know that I wouldn't have much left. But you might be different. Again, it IS critical to get the loans paid down.
Take the job.
It's income now!
Hard to come by in this economy.
Also, you never know when you will find AND obtain the job in your field.
A friend of mine went through school & could NOT find a job in her field.
She was lucky enough to obtain a regular job w/decent pay, hours & benefits.
You can always still keep looking. Interview on lunch hours or when you 've been there long enough & can take a day off.
Updated
Take the job.
It's income now!
Hard to come by in this economy.
Also, you never know when you will find AND obtain the job in your field.
A friend of mine went through school & could NOT find a job in her field.
She was lucky enough to obtain a regular job w/decent pay, hours & benefits.
You can always still keep looking. Interview on lunch hours or when you 've been there long enough & can take a day off.
You can apply for jobs after work hours and if you get a call back for an interview you can deal with that during breaks.
You have to consider what happens if it isn't a few months before you get an interview, what if it is a year, maybe longer. Take the job and keep applying, cross bridges when you get to them.
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I can't imagine what your old, or new, career is that you cannot apply for jobs while working full time. Even fast food gives you breaks.
I would take the job since you know it will help you financially and your daughter will be in school.
It is 100% possible to look for other jobs as soon as you get home, on your lunch break on your laptop, however. A lot of people find new jobs while they have a job. New employers recognize this and are respectful of good times to call and chat.
Why would you spend the money to go to school for a new career and then go back to the old one to pay off the schooling? Doesn't make sense. If you knew you wouldn't make as much money in the new career going into it why did you do it in the first place? Clearly you had reasons to go with it. I agree you need to do what you have to do to support your family but if you want the new career and have gone this far to pursue it, why would you stop now?
i'd take the job, and also keep looking. yes, it might not be convenient for interviews, but that's life.
i understand the sense of let-down, after you've sacrificed a lot to get education in a field about which you're excited. but it will come. might even come next week! in the meantime, you can let out a deep sigh of relief that you've done the main part of the preparatory work and 'relax' into your old field for a bit, making good money and letting yourself have a treat now and then.
i don't think it's selfish if you choose to focus on your new career and go balls-out in that direction. obviously you were aware that it's going to be less financially rewarding, so that's no big shock. but if your short-term goal is to pay off debt and then grad school, i think it makes most sense to pick a job that you don't hate that will let you do that.
khairete
S.
It seems like you're really struggling with this decision, which I really don't understand. I would, and have, done whatever was necessary to support my family. Take the job. If you really want a job in your new field, you can still continue to apply regardless of the hours at your new position.
Can you work this job while applying for others you'd prefer?
It would surely help us if we knew the old and the new profession.
I met a woman yesterday that got her Masters in Health Administration but is working in the admissions office of the hospital because she can't find a job in her field. She stated that is it is a tough market to crack to get a job and she is happy to have the one that she does. As others have said it is easier to find a job when you have one.
Sometimes we let our pride get in the way of what we want when we want it. There is no guarantee that you will get a job in your field. How many people are in this field in your area? How long have they been searching for a job? If you cannot answer these questions truthfully, then you need to take the job and continue to look on your lunch hour or after work. You may also have to change your attitude toward the old job as you may give off a vibe that you are "better than this" while in an interview and that will close many doors for you. Right now potential businesses are looking for any little thing to disqualify a person for a job. Make sure your quirks don't get your resume in the circular file.
Good luck to you.
the other S.
PS I still don't know what I want to be and it is almost time for me to retire from the work force.
Okay. Everyone who knows anything about school knows that any time you're enrolled in full time classes you are in deferment on your loans so I don't understand that part of your post at all.
If you don't want to start making payments on your loans then enroll in classes...
Why go back to your old field and drop out of school? That's not what your whole thing is about. I'd think you'd want to get any sort of entry level job in your new field to build experience and make new networking connections.
So much of your post makes no sense to me. Sorry but it is 2:30am....lol.
