Jobs, Moving, TTC, WWYD? LONG.

GermanGirl2007 · May 2011

I am so stressed about this move that I can't even stand it. Perhaps I am just overthinking everything, but it seems like stuff keeps coming up that I need to consider. The latest is my job situation....or lack thereof.

So tell me, if you were moving to a new city, and actively TTC, and there was a chance that you could be KU before you found a job, would you still look for a full time job, knowing that you may not be eligible for FMLA, and could possibly end up taking leave after not that long, BUT that you would be making more $$, and it would be experience in my field? OR would you look for a part time job that would be more convenient, but pay less, and not really be more experience in my field, necessarily?

FWIW, my income is extra, and would be used to aggressively pay off student loans, but isn't absolutely essential. I also don't need any benefits because I have great benefits through DH's job.

Part of me wants to just look for full time stuff because I WANT to extra money to pad our savings even more, and to make a serious dent in those student loans. I did a bunch of calculations, and basically if I make on the lower end of what would be typical for a full time job, I could have all of our student loans paid off in 5 years.

The other part of me wants to look for part time stuff so that I could have more flexibility in the event that I do get KU, and with the intention that after having a baby, I might only want to work part time for awhile. If I worked part time I would be able to put about an extra $600-$800 towards our student loans, so it would still be something, just not as much.

I don't know if I articulated this super well, but let me know your thoughts, WWYD?

Also, waiting to TTC is not something we are willing to do for various reasons. So telling us to wait a year to TTC is not an option.

annieh2 · May 2011

I personally would look for a full-time job in my field. I think it would be better to get experience in your field than to just have a random part-time job. Even if you only end up working full-time for a short amount of time, it will look good to have that experience if you ever decide to go back to your field after having kids.

huwehotaling · May 2011

annieh2:

I personally would look for a full-time job in my field. I think it would be better to get experience in your field than to just have a random part-time job. Even if you only end up working full-time for a short amount of time, it will look good to have that experience if you ever decide to go back to your field after having kids.

I agree. I don't think it would be worth your time to job hunt and interview for a job that isn't related to the field you want to work in. I would probably look for a job for awhile and see how the market is, then reassess in a few months.

dmblack · May 2011

I would look for the full time job in my field. It could take a while to conceive and I personally wouldn't play the what if game.

MarcyLT · May 2011

If I were in your shoes, I'd go the part time route. It took me a while, but I eventually came to terms with FI's student loans. My instinct was, like yours, to pay them off quickly like RIGHT NOW, but after talking with him and seeing that student loan debt is generally "good debt" - we focus more on savings and (ok, I'll admit it) fun money than we do on paying down his student loans. We've just accepted the fact we'll be making the payments for 20 years ha!

So if your first priority is TTC - make it your first priority. You're in a unique place i your life where your DH's income is going to cover you and you don't necessarily need a full time position. If I were in your spot, I'd relish in it and take the time to take care of myself and hopefully soon be a happily pregnant lady.

Maybe look for part time or a volunteer position in your field - something you could add to the resume, but doesn't carry the FMLA/maternity leave issues.

RachelandEduardo · May 2011

Is the only reason to seek out work to pay down student loan debt? I only ask because pp has a point, student loan debt is "good" debt so if thats the only reason then I wouldn't stress out about getting a job if its not essential and you don't really want to work and would prefer to focus on other things like getting settled in a new city, etc.

If you would like to work, gain more experience in your field, etc then I say go for it! There really is no way of knowing how long TTC will take anyways.

If I were in your position, I would be looking for work directly related to my field (regardless of whether we were TTC). I have been in school way too long and am way too passionate about my field of work to seek out part time jobs that are unrelated or only semi related to my field, I don't believe it would be worth my time!

Mrs. Sarah&Micah · May 2011

If I were you, I would find a full time job in your field. You have been wanting to find a job in your field for the longest time and it would be work/$ and experience.

Also, Can I just say how excited I am that you are finally TTC?!

thedutchgirl · May 2011

I'd get a real, full-time job. Perhaps the job will have excellent benefits and you'll get a paid maternity leave. Perhaps, unfortunately, it will take longer to get pregnant. If you don't work, or just get a part-time job and have that for months or years, it may be very difficult, if not impossible, to work in your chosen field in the furture.

I don't know. I'm a big fan of making decisions as facts stand, not as they might, possibly, hypothetically be.

GermanGirl2007 · May 2011

Thank you all SO much for your feedback, I really really appreciate it. I did some looking today, and it turns out there is a temp agency that specifically places people in non-profits! You can choose whether you want a part time job or a full time job. I would assume that since I have my masters in nonprofit that I would be a good candidate for placement. This could be perfect because if I looked for a full time temp job firstl I could always switch to a part time assignment if I do end up KU. And it would still be nonprofit experience. With the temp stuff too, it isn't as much pressure in terms of feeling guilty about taking leave, etc. The only catch is that I can't submit my resume and cover letter until 4-6 weeks before I am available for employment, so I have to wait about a month, but it is good to know that the organization is there. Maybe I can look into other temp agencies too. At least that way I have made conenctions.

mikeandmonica · May 2011

Is it a place you want to live long term? I guess I would rather go part time so that you don't burn any bridges of any great situations you might come into and then leave them for having the baby/maternity leave stuff. OR maybe it is worth it to interview and see what they say/what they offer for maternity leave. Maybe you could just take a leave of absense (unpaid) for maternity leave since you don't need the money and still be able to keep working at a career building job?

Does that make any sense? I'm admitting that I'm sidetracked by the storm stuff so I hope that make sense!

Jobs, Moving, TTC, WWYD? LONG.

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