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Which job would you take?
Job A) assistant director at a local non profit, pay is max $70k, minimal benefits. 10 minute commute
Job B) executive role at a life sciences company, pay $160k or more, 45 minute train ride + 40 minute subway ride. Alternate 90-120min drive.
Both have minimal remote opportunity.
Anonymous
12/01/19 at 4:34AM UTC
Job B!
[email protected]
11
09/26/19 at 1:54PM UTC
The non profit job. Peace of mind with less travel stress. Contributing to the betterment of some cause too.
Anonymous
09/17/19 at 7:24PM UTC
Thanks everyone, I am not making a decision right now, neither job really excites me enough and my current role is safe for the moment.
To answer the question could we move closer, no, not only do I have school aged children, but moving closer to the life science company would require a move to Cambridge MA or nearby which is completely unaffordable even with a big salary like that. I live 25 miles away now from Cambridge and 40 from my current employer so I am used to long commutes, but via driving not train.
Anonymous
09/17/19 at 2:39PM UTC
That is a tough one. If you are interested in staying closer to Job B at some point then take that one. What I wouldn't give to work close to home, close to kids and not be mad when I finally arrive to work because traffic does that to you. Ha!
Even with a pretty good salary my commute was 1hr and 30mins on a good day and by my first 30days I was rethinking the job. Keep us updated :)
Anonymous
12/01/19 at 4:35AM UTC
Agreed. So tough!
Anonymous
09/17/19 at 1:12PM UTC
I would take better pay w/benefits and move closer within 2 months. ;-)
Betty Kempa, CPC, ELI-MPExecutive Career Change Coach
386
09/17/19 at 1:52AM UTC
This is going to sound like a “career coach” answer (it is!) - but I hope it helps.
1. Which role more closely aligns with your career values? (On the list of things you value in your career… how far down the list is “commute?” Does that come before or after salary?)
2. Which role more closely aligns with your life values? (For example - if family is a high value for you… which role will do most to allow you to honor that?)
3. Which role will get you a step closer to achieving your life plan & life goals? (Where you want to be 5 years from today?)
4. Which role will you be more passionate about? Will you spend time each day doing things you love? Will get you to jump out of bed in the morning and say “Yay Monday!”
5. Which role more closely aligns with your personal mission statement / your purpose / your “why?”
Some food for thought!
Gillianne HetrickHR Manager & Non-Profit Director
426
09/16/19 at 10:56PM UTC
The question lacks enough information for an answer. Me, today? Job A.
But what stage of life is the job seeker in, what are their goals, how does this person want to live. So many things, more than pay, benefits, and commute time, can make the decision.
Christina Wheeler
72
09/16/19 at 8:33PM UTC
I've done both. When my only child was young, I had job A. I was clearly underpaid for what I could bring to the organization, but it was perfect to be able to be so close to her school, dance practice, etc. and that's time I would have never gotten back had I had a long commute. She left for college, and now I have job B, where I take public transit for almost 2 hours each way to work. It was a promotion, I'm making over 40K more than at job A plus have better benefits, and I sleep on the bus in the morning. I'm going back to grad school and reading my homework on the way home at night. Both jobs fit my needs at different points in my life. It depends on what things outside of work you need to factor into the equation.
Liz BuiGoal Oriented Go-Getter
156
09/16/19 at 7:28PM UTC
With my circumstance now, I would take the nonprofit, only because I think it feeds the soul. It is work that you can see the physical impact in the world and you will most likely be challenged and learning everyday. The money will come if you work hard and advocate for yourself. Good luck!
Sue DeRosierExperienced communications professional
172
09/16/19 at 6:45PM UTC
My thoughts are similar to others here...this is a very personal decision based on your life needs, financial goals, career aspirations, etc. The $160K salary is hard to resist, but a 90-120 minute one-way commute will really test your health and well being.
Living in Southern California, I have an hour commute and it is only 27 miles. By the time I get home at night, I don't have a lot of energy for doing things around the house or belonging to outside groups, etc. I can imagine if my commute was an hour more I would probably eat and go straight to bed!
I hope you make the right decision for you and your family.
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