8.13.2011

Too Much of a Good Thing

So, remember when I said I had two job interviews a while back? Well, now I have two job offers. And I'm going through a major identity crises/anxiety attack because of it. I am completely aware of how blessed I am to be given these two opportunities. In this economy I feel lucky to have even gotten interviews. Only now I feel like I have to make the choice between family and career that so many parents must make. So let the whining commence...


Job 1: Part-time cake decorator. 
Pros - part-time, fun, creative, Lily gets to spend time with grandparents, great hours
Cons - not very lucrative


Job 2: Full-time science education coordinator at a place that rhymes with Schmuseum of Schmience and Schmindustry.
Pros - big $$, prestigious, opens many doors for future jobs
Cons - full-time, stressful, evening/weekend hours, we would have to find other child care


These lists are greatly simplifying my thoughts about the two positions. The cake decorator job is the perfect cake decorator job but by not taking the other job I feel like I'm giving up on my future as a science educator/advocate. A big part of me still wants to be involved with science education and I'm worried that the longer I don't do it the less likely I am to be able to do it again. The Schmuseum job is not the perfect museum job but could lead to me getting the perfect museum job. It would give us the financial freedom to get things going on our long term family plans (move to the 'burbs, buy a house, start putting down permanent roots). It would take some of the pressure off Joe to get a job right out of law school, but it would put more pressure on us as a family unit. This next year Joe will be busier with school and we'd have to figure out something fairly flexible for child care for Lily. And I know that I am not much fun when I am too stressed out about work. We're fortunate in that financial matters are not the primary motivator for me going back to work. That would make the choice much easier. 


I'm really conflicted about all of this. Do I pick the job that allows us to have an awesome family life at the possible peril of a possible future career in science education? Or do I pick the job that allows us to start a more financially stable/permanent life but means less time together as a family? Anyone have any advice? I'd love to hear it. 



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