Changing Jobs

**Brother of Yeshua** · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 01:30 PM

OK, looking for thoughts from others, as I've already talked to the people that matter most in my life (wife, parents). The next most important opinions to me are, of course, beasttoasters, as they will give it with impunity and never hold back (god bless the anonymity of internet).

My situation: Currently I work as a youth therapeutic counselor at a private company that provides care to adjudicated youth. These kids come from both probation and CYF services for about every reason you can think of.

Recently, I found an opportunity to work as a TSS wrap-around with autistic children that I feel would be beneficial to take, however, the catch is that I'd be changing jobs right as I have begun taking my master's classes this fall (I'm going for Marriage and Family Therapy).

PROS:

More flexible hours, i.e. I can work shorter days on my class days and longer days on the others
My earliest start time would be 8-830 instead of 645
No evenings
NO WEEKENDS
Comparable pay
Comparable benefits (as I understand it, there is no wait period to start them other than enrolling)
Working 1:1 with kids instead of a house full of mental health teenage girls (aren't they all?)
Less dumbass co-workers I'm working directly with
Different side of MH/social services that would give me more job experience for my future career
Larger company with more locations and room for advancement (including once I complete my MFT degree)

CONS:

I'd feel like I was letting down my kids
I'd feel like I was letting down my boss (not to brag, but I'm pretty much the best employee she has there, at least in the top 3), and I like and respect my supervisor
The potential stress of changing jobs in the midst of doing school
More wear and tear on my car driving places, as I'll most likely have multiple clients in a day (they do pay travel time and mileage reimbursment)
I hate change in general, it makes me anxious

Obviously the pros outnumber the cons, but I guess I just wanted to get some random people's outlook on my situation, and see what you guys have to say.

Thanks for your time and help!

09-01-2008, 07:55 PM

If I were in your position, I would take the new job.

**Brother of Yeshua** · 09-01-2008, 08:10 PM

Which I probably will. I'm just hopelessly indecisive and keep expecting others to hand me answers on tough decisions.

Ha tough decisions, hell, me and my wife can't even decide what movie to watch sometimes.

**Opunaya** · 09-02-2008, 04:48 AM

I'd take the new job too. The pros outweigh the cons easily.

**Brother of Yeshua** · 09-02-2008, 02:22 PM

OK, the bad news is after calling, they don't have full time positions available. All that info was based off their website and this person I met and talked to who already works with the company.

SO for right now I am staying put, but this did kind of make me aware of some changes I would like in my life/job/career so if nothing else, I"m kind of motivated to at least check out my options now instead of resigning to work where I am for the next 2 years.

**Ginevra** · 09-02-2008, 02:34 PM

The only thing I wouldn't be so sure of necessarily is having less dumbass co-workers. Unless you just deal with a lot fewer of them period. I think there's practically one at each job if not more. =P

But I think you should take it if they have a fulltime opportunity. And I agree, switching jobs the one time I've done it so far was weird. Like after I got the new one secured, having to tell my old job I was leaving and just the idea I wouldn't work there anymore... It helped that it was the crap-ass manager that I handed my 2 weeks to. XD But there was still a hole in my stomach. >>;

Good luck.

**SARS-expl0ted** · 09-02-2008, 09:14 PM

Your pros do outnumber your cons but your cons seem to outweigh your pros.

In the end it is your decision. I know you did not post this thread to get this as an answer though.
In my opinion, I would take the new job. Do not think that you are letting your kids down because there will be someone there to take your place, correct?
It is a good thing that you actually like your current boss though. That is hard to come by nowadays.

Even though you do not like change it can be a good thing. You are still helping out children so it isn't that drastic of a change but the differences in the type of children is as well as the drive.
A new atmosphere could do you some good though.

I would take it just because I do not like sticking with the same exact thing forever and never moving on from there. No matter what you choose you will still be helping others out and benefiting this shitty place we call our world.

**Ristaron** · 09-02-2008, 11:23 PM

My impunitive advice: take the job. Make your letter of resignation flowery and be sure to thank your boss' hard work and understanding so that you can use her as a reference at a later date.

**Opunaya** · 09-03-2008, 04:48 AM

Also, don't burn any bridges if you have to return to that old job.

**Brother of Yeshua** · 09-03-2008, 12:35 PM

Thanks for all the help guys. Right now, like I said, there are no full time positions open, only part time. Which means those don't have benefits. I can't give up my 40 hours + full coverage since my wife needs regular access to medical attention (she is a severe asthmatic and has several deadly allergies, including peanuts). However, they are keeping me in mind, so something may open up.

I don't know what changed from friday to tuesday, but it was somewhat of a let down. Regardless, it has helped me process some things for future decisions, and everyone's advice was helpful.

Thanks again.