Go with your heart of go with the money?

[yankeeyosh]

Today I went on my seventeenth, and I pray, my final interview for a long time. It was in Chicago, and it was for a cat modeling position. To be honest, I was in a very unhappy mood the entire trip back. Why? I have this fear that these people will knock my socks off with an offer, and compel me to leave this part of the country, where I have made friends and where my family is located. The job sounds rather exciting and up my alley, so any big offer will really put me in a bind. On the other hand, I didn't get the same rapport as I did with the people who hired me, or even the R. I. people, who I yet to hear back from. I have no idea what the salary range is...this is a new department, and things are very fluid right now. I suspect it will be more than what I was offered at the job I got, simply because off the nature of the role and the industry standards.

I finally said "yes" to the job I got (even though that could ultimately change since I'm still waiting for the other places). The salary isn't exactly what I wanted, but with the bonus, I effectively am mtaking my "goal", if you take the bonus and add it on to the base. And they were kind enough to give me a six month rather than a year review, so I can make more by the fall. For the first time in eight years, I have a good feeling about a job (also have a good feeling about R. I., which is still my preference), and I am OK with the pay...I am probably at the point where I can probably buy (and since I'm no longer taking public transportation, I can look into cheaper suburbs). On the flip side, this is a town where people making $75k take second jobs at the Container Store or some retail place to make ends meet, so I'm wondering if I'm living in a cocoon.

So my question is this...if I don't get the R. I. job, and I get the Chicago job, and it does knock my socks off, should I take it? I really think I would like the work, but I just don't want to be 1,000 miles from home and from friends (I know there are planes, but it's absolutely not the same...it's easy to go home on a random weekend...not if I have to rely on a plane).I really wish I never applied for this job...I was in a "desperate" phase a couple of months ago when I sent my resume.

Funny...a week ago, I thought I would never be hired anywhere ever again. Now I am worried that I will be hired. How times have changed... :frustrate

[koolkat1980]

Hey....you have to call the shots and make the decision in the end.

Also you have to remember that $$ isn't everything! Some people don't last or live very happily when they are away from family and friends because the support network has gone! Hence you'ld need 2 form a NEW support network! Can you do that? That is another thing you'd need to question if you decide to move away to Chicago.

There will be pros and cons in everything. You just need 2 make your decision and stick to it.

[winneythepooh7]

I also think you are putting the cart before the horse. It's way too early to worry about this----you haven't even been offered the job yet.

I would focus on moving ahead to the new place, and then if you are given another offer, worry about it then.

[sondra_finchley]

This is maybe a little premature but something to think about: If you are thinking ahead to chicago: there are no "cheaper suburbs"- if anything it gets more expensive and you WILL need transport of some type. If you lived in the city then definitely get rid of the car and the hassle. Besides, I know kids making 40K who live just fine, own a car to commute to a job in the suburbs, and dont have a second part-time retail job and live in some pretty neat areas of town.

Its a good town if you are young with lots going on and a walkable situation. whatever you do DONT move out to the suburbs- youll feel isolated and the driving is terrible.

[yankeeyosh]

Also you have to remember that $$ isn't everything! Some people don't last or live very happily when they are away from family and friends because the support network has gone! Hence you'ld need 2 form a NEW support network! Can you do that? That is another thing you'd need to question if you decide to move away to Chicago.
.

I used to think money isn't everything...but sadly, over the last few years, I think I have developed a sense where it is absolutely critical to make a high salary. If you told me three years ago that I would be offered this salary, I would have been thrilled. But not so anymore. Maybe I just read too many articles about people...even those with supposedly high paying jobs...working second jobs and the like. Then I see other people around me who are truly making nothing, and I feel bad about this. I think that I really should just stop reading stuff about others and just worry about myself.

[winneythepooh7]

I think that I really should just stop reading stuff about others and just worry about myself.

I think you are finally on to something Mark.

[vivo]

I used to think money isn't everything...but sadly, over the last few years, I think I have developed a sense where it is absolutely critical to make a high salary. If you told me three years ago that I would be offered this salary, I would have been thrilled. But not so anymore. Maybe I just read too many articles about people...even those with supposedly high paying jobs...working second jobs and the like. Then I see other people around me who are truly making nothing, and I feel bad about this. I think that I really should just stop reading stuff about others and just worry about myself.
wow from stuff I've read earlier I thought u definitely thought to go with your heart.

[yankeeyosh]

wow from stuff I've read earlier I thought u definitely thought to go with your heart.

Sadly, I've changed. I've done the numbers so many times they're dancing in my head, but in many parts of the country, unless you're happy renting forever with roommates, I just don't see how an average income household can make ends meet easily. Six years ago, I thought my dad was crazy when he said that you have to make $xx,xxx to survive in a big city. Now I agree with him 100%, and think he actually lowballed it a little.

Believe me, I'm not trying to be greedy...I just see the numbers through the calculations.

[chrisinreallife]

WOW....me too. When I was a senior in college, I was in that "desperate" / "panic" mode and applied to many places....Sometimes to places that I am not even interested in. I just applied for the sake of getting anything that would pay decently.

Well, this is what happened to me and I hope this serves as good advice for you. When I was in this panic mode, I applied to this one job that I didn't really care much for. I just applied because I wanted something that would pay me and give me "a" opportunity. Well, I applied to the job, interviewed, and I got it. After I got it, I was in like a catch-22 situation. I told myself, "damn, I should have never applied in the first place." If I take it, I may not like it. However, if I dont take it, I may feel bad.

Anyways, I took the job...and I HATE it....I hate my job, but I am living in the city close to my friends + family.

I think that a job is important, but living close to friends/family is more important. One of the worst feelings is being lonely and in solitude.

I think you should take your time in finding a job....Hopefully, find one by your friends/family because, as much as u think u are ready, u will not be "emotionally" mature enough to live far far away from the people u love...

The job may be the most prestigious job in the world, but at the end of the day, you will be lonely and depressed. It will shoot down your well-being.

[Rage]

I always have to laugh about how people (myself included) expend energy worrying about things that have not even come to fruition yet.