Work Options: Time, Stability, Money and Responsibility

[tcpip]

Half my time at VPAC is seconded to ARCS. Two days ago, ARCS management decided that they wouldn't be renewing that contribution at the end of the year with various mealy-mouthed excuses (different skill-set needed, VPAC is over-funded, want to end 50/50 splits). VPAC is currently crunching the numbers and working out whether they can find the money to make up the extra time and money required, which I imagine they can do.

But at the same time there is a very nice ICT consultant position at a local university that is right up my alley. It would mean a 20% pay rise and a 90% increase in superannuation, managing a small team of technical support staff. It would mean greater responsibility and more hours, but I think I would really enjoy it. The other option is agreeing to a 50% reduction in hours and pay at VPAC.. which wouldn't be so bad either. I would be poorer but very far from impoverished (such are the quirks of marginal tax rates) and I would have more time, which would be an absolute joy. Or I could push hard for VPAC to keep me on in a full-time position, which would be stable, fairly well-paid.

Time or stability or money and responsibility. Those are the choices I'm confronting with. And making a decision on these is eluding me.

Comments

[horngirl.livejournal.com]

I'd go for whichever will make you happiest. The only problem might be working out which option that is!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

That's right. All the options are actually quite good!

(Indeed, the best part of this is getting the hell out of ARCS..)

[forwrathandruin.livejournal.com]

Not that you were soliciting opinions, but for all that money is nice, time is something you can't ever trade money in for when you want it back.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

That's a very good point; and it's not as if I don't have a number of (unpaid) activities that I really want to take up.

If I take the p/t option I will be down to a $250 pw, after rent, or maybe even $350 pw, depending on the housing plans of caseopaya and myself... That is quite livable.

[rezendi.livejournal.com]

Which one will you ultimately regret not having had more of?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I admit I'm struggling with it. The responsibility of the position that's up for grabs is exciting. The stability of my current position is nice. The freedom of the half-time option is enticing.

I'm wringing my hands a bit over this.

[sebastianne.livejournal.com]

RE:Time or stability or money and responsibility. Those are the choices I'm confronting with. And making a decision on these is eluding me.

Welcome to my world! I'm still avoiding making any major career decisions, mainly due to the unwanted consequences of less money/stability, but having more time to pursue other activities would be invaluable and so much more personally rewarding. If you find an easy trouble free solution let me know! :P

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Based on what people are saying here, it seems that many are advocating choosing time over money :)

[crankynick.livejournal.com]

The period I most enjoyed over the last few years was when I was working part time, freelancing a bit and studying.

I'll go back to it at some stage, if I ever have the opportunity to do so.

Having the extra time - as long as you can still pay the bills, and you've got a savings cushion to help you cope with disasters - is a great thing. I don't mind working hard and long hours when I need to, or when I've got something in mind.

But theres a joy and a freedom in having a lot of spare time that has a real attraction to me also.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think you're right... That combination is the best option. The endless drudgery of full-time work certainly can be for the birds. But there is also the issue (and you have recently raised in your own journal) of opportunities..

I suppose I shouldn't worry too much about this one way or another. No matter what direction the cards end up playing themselves out in I can make the best of it..

[crankynick.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there is that, and I've never regretted the times I took a big risk to step up - at Cockburn, when I took the Comms manager job, and into my current role (and hopefully the new one, if it comes off).

I still miss being able to do the majority of my work from a friendly cafe, though.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

After some pondering I've decided to apply for the more money/more responsibility position. It will be good if I get it it will be just fine if I don't... Extra hours and freedom are more enticing, I admit. But this is an opportunity, here and now.

[crankynick.livejournal.com]

Cool. Good luck.