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Conflicted about work

profdanger

So I am stuck in a weird situation. I currently work as an employment specialist, where I work with people with disabilities find and keep employment, and this job is working out pretty great for me. But I just found a job working with LGBTQ+ youth in my area that sounds just as, if not more, great. Both jobs have the same net pay, both have benefits, and both are in the same town. One big difference is the LGBTQ+ one is part-time, so less hours for the same net pay. However, I’ll still list the positives and negatives of both jobs:

DISABILITIES EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST
Pros: Using my Autism as a resource, great coworkers, stable position, personal office, good/flexible hours, 
Cons: Sometimes I deal with intense behaviors (ex. shouting, punching, etc), pressure is high to find jobs in a timely manner, lots of traveling in my car, sometimes I take work home with me (some clients like to call/text me after working hours)

LGBTQ+ CLIENT SPECIALIST
Pros: Something I’ve dreamed of doing for a while now, three day weekends, possibility of picking up another part-time job, less traveling, likely less calls after work
Cons: Might be evenings (which could interfere with raising my kids), unknown about coworkers/office/stability, possibly need to plan events/activities, leaving my current job will leave a LOT of chaos for my current coworkers

So according to me? It’s a tie. I still need to get an official interview for the LGBTQ+ job, so maybe that would answer some of my concerns about stability and such, but right now I’m really torn. My wife is leaning towards employment specialist because we know it works and she is worried about me being absent four nights of the week. Do you have any advice or insight I could use?

  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing

    I appreciate the kind words. Yeah I have loads of questions for the LGBTQ+ group, I hope I don’t overwhelm them, lol! I am very excited about the new opportunity, but I’m wondering if it’s just because it is a new shiny thing or if it really is because this has been a dream of mine to work with that community. I hope it’s the latter.

    I tried assuring my wife that if it is evenings I’d be more available during mornings to help get them ready (right now I have to leave around the same time as them so I only halfway get them ready) and I’d have that whole extra day to engage with the kids or fill in with another job if we need more money. But she is - rightfully so - very concerned about extracurriculars and putting the girls to bed alone, so I don’t think those extra perks are going to sway her.

    My guess right now - based on the discussions I’ve had with the employer - is the job is during the day or evenings on Sat-Sun and on evenings Tues/Thurs. Kind of weird, but I feel like I could make that work.

  • I don't envy you having to make the decision, that is tough when they feel equally weighted. 

    If you still are going to talk to them more about it, maybe try find out the things that are on your cons lists -what exactly are the hours, and if there is any budge on the evenings -as you don't strictly need it, there is less fear of upsetting them, and more pros for just asking. Also if you get excited about it, you could see if you can meet more of the team before you make a decision -you can often tell quickly if someone is nice to you or feels hard to get on with, which would be a big factor. (I can tell if I start chatting random stuff or if I'm quiet and don't feel I want to talk).

    Evenings are tricky with kids so that is a big point, though would you be around more to look after them in the holidays? 

    I always think, try make a decision, and if it feels right, it's a good sign, and if it feels awful, that's a bad sign. Then try imagine it the other way round, and see if the feelings are stronger? I don't know if it works for such big life changes, but it might help you figure out what you are feeling.

    Best wishes, both of them would be lucky to have/keep you!

  • in reply to profdanger

    wow I'm curious now as to what's it like from an office type of view!

  • in reply to pinkchocoholic

    Yeah I’m really, really curious what the work environment is like. Apparently the group is located in the basement of a church, so I’d be surprised if I got an office. That’s not a deal breaker, but boy do I like having one lol.

  • B said:
    (the devil you know)

    Side note - that's a name of a Frieda Mcfadden book!

  • profdanger said:
    LGBTQ+ CLIENT SPECIALIST

    maybe ask for more information about this one, like what the hours are if you're expected to work evenings and if there will be any flexibility with that as you have kids. you could also ask what the office environment is like and if you could get a desk away where the noise and traffic are less, or even work from home some times.

    profdanger said:
    One big difference is the LGBTQ+ one is part-time, so less hours for the same net pay.

    If you feel the hours you are doing at the moment maybe consider applying for this job, as it's the same pay but with lower hours

    I hope you do what is right for you, but I would consider more information about the client specialist if it's something you feel is right for your needs

  • in reply to B
    B said:
    Maybe that tips the scales a bit?

    Oh it sure does. As things stand, I believe I’m staying with the current job due to that. The interview might tip the scales the other direction, though.

  • That's a difficult one.

    I've changed jobs a lot in the past, including full time to part time.

    A part of me would be wanting to stay in the job I know and am settled in (the devil you know) but the fewer hours (of the new job) is a big bonus.

    profdanger said:
    My wife is leaning towards employment specialist because we know it works and she is worried about me being absent four nights of the week.

    Maybe that tips the scales a bit?

    All the best.