Work Options: Time, Stability, Money and Responsibility

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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!

[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.

[rezendi.livejournal.com]

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

[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

[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.