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Career Advice (probably long sorry)
So most of you know I work for an event space in NYC planning events (of all sorts weddings, sales, trade shows, galas, dinners, awards, auctions, meetings and so on and so forth) I love what I do however its not a good location/commute for someone with kids. Its too far away from home and NYC daycare would be insane. I plan weddings and parties via my own company but it hasn't been successful enough for me to do that full time.
In the next year probably around our 2nd anniversary we will start working on a family.In an ideal world I would LOVE to be a stay at home mom. However with what DH makes that's not in the cards.
I know when I have kids I won't be able to work in NYC and clearly I don't want to wait until I'm pregnant to start looking for a new job, because while they can't technically deny me a job no one wants to hire a pregnant lady. Working full time in events is not really conducive to a family. So I've been thinking I would work in a local school district as a secretary. I thought I would want to work in the High School age group because I'm not sure I want to do the elementary school.
Now with that being said, I thought maybe I'd look around and see what happens. Well of course this morning my mom emails me a job in her district (the district I graduated from) and there is an opening in the Guidance Office.
I'm not sure if I'm ready to give up my job because I'm realyl enjoying the ladies I work with, or if I'm ready to give up NYC. However it is my perfect non event planning job.
Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.
Re: Career Advice (probably long sorry)
I'm a huge believer in the idea of always looking for new jobs and new opportunities. Although it sounds like you're extremely passionate for what you are currently doing, you realize that it may not be conducive to having a family. If having a great work/life balance, working close to home, and having more time to share with your family are all priorities for you, and changing jobs would provide that, then you should absolutely go for it! The job in the guidance office sounds like it could be exactly what you're looking for. It never hurts to learn more about the job or to find out more about it - you're certainly not forced to take it if it's not what you want - so I think you should definitely apply! Plus, you'd then have almost 2 full years in that role before having a baby so you'd have some time to get settled in to your new position before maternity leave. I think it sounds like a great opportunity - and you have nothing to lose by applying
I agree, Erica said it perfectly and you won't lose anything by just looking into it more/applying to see if it is really what you want to get into!
DH & I at the Light Festival
I agree, Erica said it perfectly and you won't lose anything by just looking into it more/applying to see if it is really what you want to get into!
DH & I at the Light Festival
Wow! That is a tough question! It sounds like you have already made the decision to change your career, is that right?
I agree that you should get more information about this job in the Guidance Office, that is fantastic that there is a job opening! But you need to ask yourself if this career change will be fulfilling for you, and if there are other jobs out there that may be equally or more fulfilling. So, I guess my advice is to shop around, knowing that you have this option to fall back on.
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For what it's worth, I just became a Guidance Counselor ENTIRELY because it was conducive to working families. The hours, the benefits, etc were better than what I had before and I wanted to plan ahead for when we were ready to have children.
I say, go for it and consider all of your options!!! I don't think that any decision that you make for your hubby and future family will be a regret. And hey, you can always plan events in your free time and do what you love!!!!
I completely agree with what everyone else has said. I'd also like to add that since you do have your own event planning company you could continue to work with that when you have the extra time or if you need a little more income sometimes.
Ultimately it sounds like this new job would be ideal for what you need in the future, so I say go for it now. You don't want to pass it up and end up regretting it later on.
Good luck!
One main issue as some suggested is that since its my "home" district where I grew up and went to school and where my mom currently works (in an unrelated office in a different building) it would be impossible for me to say no if offered the position. I just think it wouldn't look quite right.
I know all about what the position does its mainly secretarial and I know about the salary which is slightly less then my current one but I would end up equal or ahead when I factor in the amount I pay now to commute into the city. Vacation/sick/personal time is the same/better then what I have now.
My concern is that no matter what job I change to I won't make much more then what i'm making now so the ability to have children (and pay for daycare) rides on DH getting a new job and being paid a bit more.
THIS!!! I think that you might be surprised at what opportunities arise from being in the school district. Who knows...you may want to go back to school etc and do the guidance counseling etc. Also...I feel your pain on DH getting a higher paying job. Although my DH makes decent money...it would be AWESOME if he made at least half of my salary more so that I could go part time in my job (concentrate on school and having a family).
Don't let fear keep you from checking this out. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason...this could be just one of those moments!
Yeah, I would go for it. In this economy and with what's going on with school districts in NJ, an opportunity like this may not be there a year from now. I think you are wise to think ahead about what would best for your family. I freak out allthe time about how I'm going to balance having a baby with a job that requires me to go to Europe several times a year. I wish I had thought about that years ago and gone after something that requires less travel.
I ditto everyone else in going for it! It doesn't hurt to check it out and do some networking. And I was going to say the same thing as Allison about doing your planning business on the side. No one is saying you have to give that up right now.
((hugs))
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I completely understand where you are coming from. I know how demanding the events field can be and it has to be worse with a family, because the nights and weekends and long hours can be tough. I think you work at a great place with some really fun people so I can also see how hard that would be to give up.
I think that a job in the guidance office would be great for you. You could be close to home, and it would give you time to work on your own event business if you wanted to.
It might be best to make the transition sooner rather than later, because you don't know how exactly you will react when you are PG. I think it is very thoughtful of you to be thinking about LO already. I would definitely consider keeping your own events going, who knows what that could develop into and it will give you the chance to do what you are passionate about on your own terms.