At a crossroad...
dcfaithful
Posts: 13,076
I like to come here for these kinds of situations and write about them, because I always find it educational, and sometimes helpful to read what comes of it. I think everyone at one point or another reaches a point where you're at a crossroad, and sure enough I’ve once again found myself there.
I’m a Communications major in school. The fall semester is about to end and on January 14th, the spring semester will begin. For the next semester, I have registered for and have set-up a great internship that is something I’ve been wanting for quite some time now. KRCL 90.9 is a community/public radio station here in Salt Lake City, and it’s been a goal of mine ever since I transitioned into this communication degree (more specifically public radio focus) that I find a way to get into this station from a professional standpoint, and not just volunteering like I have been doing. So it seems that the opportunity has now presented itself. The general manager and I have met in person, and have been in talks since working out a schedule and she has basically extended the offer to me to start as soon as I am ready, which could be before the actual semester and length of the program begins. It’s also very possible that this internship position could turn into an employment opportunity with KRCL.
However, it’s just natural that obstacles and problems will present themselves. I’m going to try and keep this as concise as possible, but there is a lot of information to divulge on this topic.
Since 2008, I’ve been working at a pharmaceutical company. For my age (24), I make pretty decent money at this job. I am a Documentation Specialist and, in short, the department I work in is a document control department and I spend most of my days coordinating document changes from outside departments, and creating specifications and production records. It is trite, and dull. It’s something that at one point I could find somewhat of a sense of pride in what I did, but those days are long gone. I do not enjoy this job, and haven’t for almost two years. About that long ago, there was a “restructuring” and since then the management has just been so out of touch, condescending and sometimes threatening, lacking trust, and overall just poor, so in the back of my mind, I’ve always been looking for an opportunity to leave for something better. This job is just no longer for me, and it’s gotten to the point where it affects my happiness outside of work. But, there are three huge perks to this job that truthfully are the ball and chain that keep me here: Very acceptable pay, good benefits, and finally, tuition reimbursement. I’m down to weighing whether or not those things are worth holding on to and sacrificing my happiness for them. For the record, I have no kids. It is only my wife and me drawing benefits.
The reason I bring up the job situation is because up until now they’ve been pretty accommodating with my school schedule. Now that the internship is approaching, and the proposed schedule is Tues, Wed, and Thurs afternoons, they have basically said that is not doable. I can understand that because that’s basically three half days and I’m a full-time salary employee. I understand where they are coming from. But keep in mind, that if the internship didn’t turn into an employment opportunity (which I would probably take), it would end in May and I could then get back to my full-time schedule.
It seems to me now that I really have two choices: Find a new job to work with this internship (and potential new employment), quit the current one, take the loss of benefits and most likely a cut in pay and pursue the internship knowing that it could very well or very well not turn into a new employment opportunity, or pass on the internship and hope that they’d accept me again at a later time, and just continue drawing from this well that I loathe being at for 40+ hours a week. If I leave the job, the luxury of that tuition reimbursement is gone for the long haul, but at this point I am willing to accept the reality of being in debt for school. It’s just the game that we have to play. The biggest benefit of staying would be avoiding that debt...
I feel that it’d be foolish to pursue the internship with so many unknowns, but I also feel that it’d be more foolish to just let a golden opportunity like this pass me by.
I kind of feel like what my world is in need of is a good shake-up, and it really feels like it’s time to finally divorce myself from what has been the norm and my comfort zone for 4+ years… but I’m having a really hard time taking the first step. I’m hesitant to put myself and my wife in a situation that would obviously be a big change, especially financially. But I try and tell myself that I will not let money control my life and my happiness.
A deep and long post, and thanks for reading. First world problems really, and I apologize in advance if I sound like a complete whiney bastard. I’m not looking for a straight up answer, but am just interested in hearing the perspective from others who may have been in similar situations, or just have some good things to say about it.
I’m a Communications major in school. The fall semester is about to end and on January 14th, the spring semester will begin. For the next semester, I have registered for and have set-up a great internship that is something I’ve been wanting for quite some time now. KRCL 90.9 is a community/public radio station here in Salt Lake City, and it’s been a goal of mine ever since I transitioned into this communication degree (more specifically public radio focus) that I find a way to get into this station from a professional standpoint, and not just volunteering like I have been doing. So it seems that the opportunity has now presented itself. The general manager and I have met in person, and have been in talks since working out a schedule and she has basically extended the offer to me to start as soon as I am ready, which could be before the actual semester and length of the program begins. It’s also very possible that this internship position could turn into an employment opportunity with KRCL.
However, it’s just natural that obstacles and problems will present themselves. I’m going to try and keep this as concise as possible, but there is a lot of information to divulge on this topic.
Since 2008, I’ve been working at a pharmaceutical company. For my age (24), I make pretty decent money at this job. I am a Documentation Specialist and, in short, the department I work in is a document control department and I spend most of my days coordinating document changes from outside departments, and creating specifications and production records. It is trite, and dull. It’s something that at one point I could find somewhat of a sense of pride in what I did, but those days are long gone. I do not enjoy this job, and haven’t for almost two years. About that long ago, there was a “restructuring” and since then the management has just been so out of touch, condescending and sometimes threatening, lacking trust, and overall just poor, so in the back of my mind, I’ve always been looking for an opportunity to leave for something better. This job is just no longer for me, and it’s gotten to the point where it affects my happiness outside of work. But, there are three huge perks to this job that truthfully are the ball and chain that keep me here: Very acceptable pay, good benefits, and finally, tuition reimbursement. I’m down to weighing whether or not those things are worth holding on to and sacrificing my happiness for them. For the record, I have no kids. It is only my wife and me drawing benefits.
The reason I bring up the job situation is because up until now they’ve been pretty accommodating with my school schedule. Now that the internship is approaching, and the proposed schedule is Tues, Wed, and Thurs afternoons, they have basically said that is not doable. I can understand that because that’s basically three half days and I’m a full-time salary employee. I understand where they are coming from. But keep in mind, that if the internship didn’t turn into an employment opportunity (which I would probably take), it would end in May and I could then get back to my full-time schedule.
It seems to me now that I really have two choices: Find a new job to work with this internship (and potential new employment), quit the current one, take the loss of benefits and most likely a cut in pay and pursue the internship knowing that it could very well or very well not turn into a new employment opportunity, or pass on the internship and hope that they’d accept me again at a later time, and just continue drawing from this well that I loathe being at for 40+ hours a week. If I leave the job, the luxury of that tuition reimbursement is gone for the long haul, but at this point I am willing to accept the reality of being in debt for school. It’s just the game that we have to play. The biggest benefit of staying would be avoiding that debt...
I feel that it’d be foolish to pursue the internship with so many unknowns, but I also feel that it’d be more foolish to just let a golden opportunity like this pass me by.
I kind of feel like what my world is in need of is a good shake-up, and it really feels like it’s time to finally divorce myself from what has been the norm and my comfort zone for 4+ years… but I’m having a really hard time taking the first step. I’m hesitant to put myself and my wife in a situation that would obviously be a big change, especially financially. But I try and tell myself that I will not let money control my life and my happiness.
A deep and long post, and thanks for reading. First world problems really, and I apologize in advance if I sound like a complete whiney bastard. I’m not looking for a straight up answer, but am just interested in hearing the perspective from others who may have been in similar situations, or just have some good things to say about it.
7/2/06 - Denver, CO
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
Time to move to the Big City!
I am 38 and have been very driven and dedicated to my various employers since graduation from college. I take great pride in HOW I DO what I do even though it is not a meaningful job for the larger population. (I am not helping cure cancer, that is for sure.) I make more money than my wife and I need.
My wife worked for 10 years to get ahead in show business and a few years ago became a Casting Producer for a major (top rated) reality show for network TV.
We both left that in May to change our lives and move back east from California and assist a family member who needed our help.
Luckily both of our employers took the news of our leaving and said 'No Way' and I got a promotion and work from my home office and my wife is still working part time casting and flying around.
The 2nd reason we both made this move? (1st being a family member needed help of course.) We felt like we needed a change....we dont have kids although we have been trying for years....and we felt like we needed to take a leap and have faith that things would work out.
They have. Wonderfully.
If you took the time to read through that I think you know what I would advise a 24 year old young man who is driven and successful to some measure already at a young age. Talk it over with your wife, and if she is fully on board -- JUMP! I did it as an old (OK, middle aged!) man and have found it tremendously rewarding and I didn't have some of the motivating factors you do. (This is the job you think you may love and you have the chance to discover that.) 24 is just the right time to make such a decision....I say go for it.
(The 'talk it over with your wife' part is huge my friend.
Who knows? When you go to resign you may find that they offer to change things up. If not, onward and upward!
Good luck regardless of what you decide and Happy Thanksgiving!
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
Thank you. That post was very insightful and helpful. I had a long talk to my wife about it last night, and just as I would imagine, she was the perfect person that I love and gave me 100% of her buy-in and support.
Onward and upward, like you say.
I am happy to hear thinsg worked out well for you in your situation as well. Thanks for your input.
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
Yes, the major issue is not being here enough and it looking like favortism.
There could be a way. I intend to speak with my HR rep just to see if I have any other options. But, I don't even know if I would remain here. This just isn't for me anymore, and that's a huge driving factor in this decision for me; as good as certain aspects of the job are, are they worth holding on to? I am thinking more and more that if there is any time to take the blow of exiting, it's now. :?
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
I too have no kids but thankfully I have an understanding wife, who said: Please stay happy, sane (some at least) and fun loving, and start your zombie project.
So I said goodbye (and maybe see you later) to my university and right now I am drowning in drawings, texts, sketches and what not about zombies. Stressed like hell but loving every single second of it.
In these situations I tend to focus on writing it down, like you did. Please note that you said yourself, that your current worksituation isn't making you happy. Now to me that is THE reason (being happy) to keep working on anything, no matter what. If I tend to feel down in a stuck situation, I keep fighting untill I get unstuck. If that means stop doing it, I just stop.
I know you said you are not looking for an answer in anyway, but to keep up on the same old klichées: Follow your dreams, and as mr. Disney once said: All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
PS: The best of luck to you.
So am I, but that paradigm is due for a shift.
I'm 24 with close to having nothing to lose. The shitty thing is that this job, particulary in 2013, was goign to put us in a good position to start saving for a home. But you know what? Homes will always be there, great opportunities won't...
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
best of luck....
fine..you asked..you are young...chase the dream
Cheers,
Jamie
secondly, I just recently read that no one reads posts more than 75 words long.
thirdly, we will soon have some beers and I'll have my usual sage advice you have come to expect
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Yes, it is an awesome fucking song.
The key is to hook the reader within those 75 words.
Beers for sure, and I look forward to the advice. :corn:
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
I am about a month shy of having the all powerful years experience, that would allow me to get a position with a food service supplier that would pay about 20K more a year to start, but I do like the idea of my cuurrent company building my credit up for me too.
What sucks about my job is the incompetence I've come across. Mind you , I'm far far from perfect but fuck, a multibillion dollar company should operate a little more efficiently!!!
Ok, heres my thoughts on YOUR situation. Is there no changing of the internship schedule? If not and the HR angle doesnt pan out, I would say go for it. Whether you got hired in or not ,the experience is incalcuable. Besides , you're only young once and allowed to make life altering mistakes you'll spend a lifetime living down.
Good luck whatever you decide.
PS , I think the only advice you're likely to get from imalive is , "ya know, DC? I think you should get me another beer" hehehehe
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
:shh:
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Careers in media/entertainment are very attractive to people, so there is often a great deal of financial sacrifice involved when trying to get the ball rolling. Employers know they can get free/cheap labor because so many people are willing to make the sacrifices needed to get into "the biz".
If you stopped working, could you get financial aid from your school to help you scrape-by?
If the internship didn't turn into a paid gig, could you get a position similar to your current job?
The internship is a great investment for the long term, but perhaps you'd feel more comfortable if you devised a "plan B" that gives you a sense of well-being should the need arise.
PS , I think the only advice you're likely to get from imalive is , "ya know, DC? I think you should get me another beer" hehehehe[/quote]
truth :P
Something I still need to look into. But another piece to the puzzle that I didn't mention is that there is a Promotions Director position open at my school's station that I've put in for and am pretty confident I can land that will pay $ for each semester I do it, and is really an easy gig, only requiring a couple hours a week. It could also reward with tuition waiver.
I have enough administrative experience that, with a good resume, I could get and hold a decent office job. But honestly, I'd like to distance myself from that. It's time for me to change tracks, and I see a good opening into the field that I'm aspiring to.
At this point, my plan B is still in the works, but I'm going to figure out a strategy to fall back on before it's crunch time. The fact of it is that I can't not find some kind of an alternative, so I'll do what I must to keep things relatively on track. It's time to move on.
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
want to be enlightened"
:corn:
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Well played.
6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
than is all.
- Christopher McCandless