Some job advice, please

[Aurora63]

Hi. We just relocated to South Florida. As part of the transition, I trnasferred with my job to a location down here. It is not a great job, it is in retail clothing sales and I make $9/hr. It is also very boring and not rewarding at all.

I have a teaching degree, and I'm currently interviewing for teaching jobs for the next school year. However, in the meantime, I have to do something.

I saw an ad in the paper the other day for summer camp teachers for a day campp held at the zoo, which is about a 30 mintue drive from my house. This would be right up my alley, as I love animals and I'm a teacher. However, since the zoo is a NFP agency, they can only afford to pay me $7/hr.

If I took it, I'd have to stay wih my other job at leat for nights and weekends.

So job #1 pays more but is boring and not rewarding at all.

Job #2 is less pay and a longer commute, but would be much more rewarding. Also, DH thinks it is too little pay to even consider.

If you were me, would you try for this other job, or would you just keep things as they are? I'm looking for advice, I know I have to make the decision, but tell me what you would do.

Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Follow your heart, Aurora, you'll know. Also, might the zoo job potentially open other doors for you, either there or through networking?

In any case, my best, on your move, the job, eveything.

Dan

 

[CEDmom]

I agree with Dan. I bet you could find a way to make this new job work for you financially. Perhaps give up a few luxuries. In the end if you're happy and can pay the bills that's a great thing.

 

[DoeWDW]

Take the pay cut and do what you love! It could lead to amazing things. If you stay where you are, you're just treading water. Go out on a limb - I think coming home with a happy heart and a smile on your face would be worth $2 less an hour!

I have to ask, though - is it just you and DH or do you have kids at home? If the new job would cause you to miss more time with your kids, that might change my opinion.....

 

[Pin Wizard]

You're lucky to have a working husband so you can make that choice. If it were me, I wouldn't even consider it. Being a single parent, I have to follow the buck even if it's not quite the job I like. Have you thought of starting a new career? I worked in Medical Staff Services at West Boca Medical Center for 8 years. Delray Medical Center is a sister hospital in Delray. Maybe an office job of some sort with the hospital. If they eventually have an opening in Medical Staff, there's a program you can take to become certified. Once certified, your salary jumps quite a bit. I found almost every job low paying in FL. Stinks. The good old "right to work" states.

 

[Razor Roman]

I would take the zoo job too, at $2 and hour, that's only $80/hr less in a 40 hour week - if you stayed on at the other job, too, you could make up the difference by working 2 or 3 weeknights, or 1 weeknight and one weekend day.

 

[Aurora63]

Thanks for all your advice and opinions.

I have looked for office jobs, but I seem to get passed over for them, even though I have computer skills and a college degree...I've never worked in an office, so I guess that's why!

I have no kids, just my husband and myself. So time with the kids is not an issue. He will be working, soon, in fact he just went to a training class for his new job today.

And this is just for the summer...God willing the teaching job I just interviewed for will come through. It's at a charter school with small classes...the pay is quite a bit more than either job! Either way, I'll be searching all summer for a teaching job for next school year. Wish me luck.

Did I mention I would get to handle some animals at the zoo?

I think I'm going to go for it, even though it is a pay cut, my brain might melt away if I stay where I am full time much longer.

Thanks again everyone.