STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ico · Dooney & Bourke

I am very confused - a little rant

kenzie · Chanel

Oh, goodness. I can see where you are torn.

The biggest issue for me would be taking a pay cut. Can you survive on less than you're making now or would it be nearly impossible? Can you do other contract/freelance type work to make up the difference?

If you can swing it with the paycut (or with the paycut combined with some kind of supplemental work), I think I'd take the new job where your PhD is valued and there is room to grow.

I am in a similar situation right now with trying to move to California. I absolutely cannot take a paycut to move there. I actually need more because of the cost of living. But, I'm also trying to switch fields to something related to, but not exactly, what I'm doing now so I can use my education. I've decided to start focusing on freelancing and trying to build up a steady client base with that, so I can just move and look for a job that might pay the same as I'm making now (which would, in essence, be a paycut) but is better suited for me. The freelance cushion will really help out my finances.

In my opinion, you should be valued for both your experience and your accomplished level of education. It's excrutiatingly frustrating to be working below your education level and you might start to really resent your job.

Anyway, that's my 2.5 cents. Good luck and keep us posted!

-- Edited by kenzie on Wednesday 18th of March 2009 12:09:40 PM

ico · Dooney & Bourke

kenzie wrote:

The biggest issue for me would be taking a pay cut. Can you survive on less than you're making now or would it be nearly impossible? Can you do other contract/freelance type work to make up the difference?

I would be able toi survive on less than I make now. I did my calculations yesterday, and I'd have about 400 euros less a month. It's a lot, but since I don't have to pay rent, it's not too bad.

Unfortunately I can't take any other jobs, because I'd be pretty far from work. It's take me about 2 and a half hours (round trip) to go there, and I have to go by car. That's about 200 euros of gas/ month.

On the other side, the job I am in now has more uncertainty. Even though I like the people I am working with, and it's pretty easy for me to get to and from work. And the pay is higher.

I still have no idea what to do, and I have to give an answer by Fri...

Hermes

hmmm... a part of me says take the pharm job since you'll still be in the running for the position at your current workplace.

when will they select a candidate for your current workplace? what would you think of saying no to the pharm job, seeing what happens, then contact the pharm people at a later date if the current place doesn't work out? you know they're interested now, and they'll probably be interested later...

ico · Dooney & Bourke

D wrote:

hmmm... a part of me says take the pharm job since you'll still be in the running for the position at your current workplace.

That's exactly what I was thinking: The candidate for my current job will be selected not earlier than next year around this time.

I was just talking on the phone with my mom.

The pharm job is a new experience that would look good on my CV, and make me more appetible to other oharm companies, in case everything else goes wrong. Besides, the job itself is quite stimulating: it involves taking a whole new project and developping new ways of drug delivery.

I can take this job to see how I like it, do the other selection in the meantime, and finally decide next year.

Right now I am really going toward this direction...