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Topic: Career Change Dilemma
| Author | Message |
| tvilase | Posted – 10/18/2007 6:58:33 PM | show profile As the subject line says, I have a career changer's dilemma. I have been working in a career that is truly wrong for me and that I have been miserable at (a post production/motion graphics producer). I went to a career counselor, I decided on another career (marketing writing) and ended up taking some time off over the summer to jobhunt in my new career. I landed some freelance clients, but the pay is minimal (doing it mostly for the samples). Since producing can often be done freelance, I figured I could always go back to it for a few months when I needed that financial boost. Well, a couple months over the summer has turned into more months, I'm running out of money and started looking around for freelance producer jobs. As it turns out, it looks like most people are now wanting their producers to commit to long term assignments. While I am more than ready and willing to commit long term to a writing job, the last thing I want to do is get stuck long term in another producing job. Getting to my point here, I have been offered a producing job but they are specifically looking for long term. I really, really need the money. Is it wrong for me to take this job, knowing full well that I probably won't stay for the long term? I know it makes sense to have a job while looking for another, but I've tried that in the past and producing takes up so much time and energy, that it is nearly impossible to work and jobhunt at the same time (which is why I took the time off to begin with). Do I turn it down and wait it out, hoping the writing job will eventually come but also go into debt? Or do I take a job I know I'll be miserable at that will take up most of my time and energy but will keep me gainfully employed? As you can see, I'm at a loss here. Any help is greatly appreciated! |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 10/18/2007 8:20:36 PM | show profile Personally, I'd take the job if I were in your situation. If I found another job -- writing or otherwise -- that I liked, I'd quit. If they said, "Well, you committed to us long term," I'd say, "I am sorry about that. However, this great opportunity came along and I simply can't refuse it." And that would be that. After all, you don't know for a fact you won't be there long term. It you knew that you were starting another job in two weeks, that would be another matter. |
| Type A | Posted – 10/19/2007 12:42:30 AM | show profile Career Dilemma Weigh the pros and cons. The pros are that you know how to do the job and it pays. The cons are that it makes you miserable and that it doesn't leave you time to find a career that you really like. If you decide to not take the job, can you find one outside of production - one that pays the bills and is low stress? That way you will have the time and energy to devote to your search. If you decide to take the job, is it worth the toll it may take on your emotional and mental health and the inability to have the time to devote to your job search? I can relate to your situation just having spent 10 years in a career that was a bad fit and am now in a position of having to start over. |
| paula_vergara | Posted – 10/19/2007 2:21:47 PM | show profile Oh my god - and I thought I was the only one who was in a bad job for 10 years in television and is now switching over to a writing career! Do I smell a support group?? I say, if you can find a p/t, long term production job to pay the bills, that would be ideal. If you have to take a f/t production job, then take it, knowing that you'll only be doing it for as long as YOU want. There's always another production job around the corner if you need the money. Just make sure your health insurance is covered. You can't mess with that stuff. |
| tvilase | Posted – 10/19/2007 5:33:36 PM | show profile Thanks for the responses. And yes, we producers looking for a change do need a support group! It has been the bane of my existence, trying to pay the bills while pursuing what I really want to do. I'm finally at that point where I've had enough and just want to pay the bills with my writing for once. But those bills keep rearing their ugly heads! I will most likely take the job and try to keep on track with the jobhunt. Trying to stay positive but sometimes it is hard. So if you have any suggestions for that, I'd love to hear them! |
| paula_vergara | Posted – 10/20/2007 3:43:44 PM | show profile Maybe you could negotiate 4, 10 hour days instead of the usual 5, 8 hour days. |
| carpdm1026 | Posted – 12/7/2007 4:55:22 PM | show profile Grass is always greener... I'm in a dilemma myself. I'm transitioning from a career in PR back to television and finding it very hard to land producing gigs even freelance ones. I'm more of a show producer than field and tape. You sound like you could offer me some tips on where the work is? In regard to your problem, keep your day job and continue to look for what you want. I'm working temp f/t now while job hunting. At least, you won't have the financial worries along with the stress of looking for a job. |
| carpdm1026 | Posted – 12/7/2007 4:55:35 PM | show profile Grass is always greener... I'm in a dilemma myself. I'm transitioning from a career in PR back to television and finding it very hard to land producing gigs even freelance ones. I'm more of a show producer than field and tape. You sound like you could offer me some tips on where the work is? In regard to your problem, keep your day job and continue to look for what you want. I'm working temp f/t now while job hunting. At least, you won't have the financial worries along with the stress of looking for a job. |
| ManhattanMatt | Posted – 12/8/2007 2:26:08 PM | show profile Nice thought, Paula ... ...but that doesn't work in television. |
| LorMarie | Posted – 12/9/2007 11:50:08 PM | show profile | email poster I'm in a similar position. One of the biggest mistakes of my life was choosing the career path I did (teacher). In fact, the only thing good I can say is that I sincerely like the students, but I just don't like the job. But, I believe that the best thing to do is to keep steady work until you find the job you want. Perhaps you could find a less demanding temporary job. ------ LorMarie.com |
