Changing horses mid-stream

September 8, 2009 2:08 PM

I'm methodically working through an action plan towards more fulfilling work. However, a shiny new path has unexpectedly opened up and I'm not sure if it's an opportunity or just a distraction. What to do?

I've been studying part-time for two years to gain credits in a science subject completely different to my current profession, aiming for grad school in two years time. It's a competitive area and I'm not sure I'll cut the mustard academically but I'd like to try. In the meantime I'm been working full-time in a dull but highly-paid senior level corporate job and saving every extra penny. The plan is to leave this post in a year with a decent nest egg in place and enough extra saved to take a 6-8 month sabbatical in order to concentrate on finishing studies. I'll also be able to volunteer in my potential new field and hopefully make connections while applying to grad school.

However, a current network contact has unexpectedly offered me an admin position ancillary to the field I'm aiming for, for the full 18 months. It's still full-time but 40% less salary, further away and would be a considerable step-down in responsibility from my current role. I would be exposed to lots of current research activity though, and gain a greater insight into the occupation at the coal-face. I'll have less study time but it could demonstrate commitment to the field in school applications.

So, if I were 25 I'd have snapped the offer up, but I'm 33 and it feels like there's a lot more at stake. I'm at a good point in my career with plenty of transferable skills. I don't have a dependant family or any debt, and I would like to buy a house in the next couple of years and have a bit of financial cushioning. Corp job provides the stability but feels like wheel-spinning, whereas shiny job feels like progress but could derail me professionally, especially if the grad school plan doesn't work out. Can anyone help me prioritise?

posted by anonymous to work & money (6 comments total)

In this economy I'd stay put, save the money, and keep on your track, taking a few extra vacation days (paid or unpaid) to compensate for the boringness. A new job that pays poorly is NOT going to help you on your track, especially if it isn't even exactly what you want to be doing. I'd stay put!
posted by citystalk at 2:12 PM on September 8

Anonymous OP,

I wish we had a little more information (besides science, what is your area of study and later anticipated graduate degree? what exactly would you do for the admin type position?)

I don't know that information, but if it is similar to biology (perhaps you are trying to get a science degree followed by a PhD in a field in biology?) I would suggest that you do whatever it takes now to volunteer a few hours a week in a lab vs a few years later. Why? Because you would be able to 1) demonstrate lab skills for grad school later, 2) get a recommendation from someone in the field who knows your work very well, and if things go well, 3) get your name on a published paper plus poster presentations. I think this will help you far more than an admin position. Plus, if you are in a lab now, you can potentially be part of lab meetings and read the research related to your own field/lab. While in the lab, volunteer/participate in things that seem interesting to you...and things that you can eventually use for your CV, too (ie, when I was a grad student I taught a course in its entirety...and that helped acquire faculty positions later...you have to decide what is interesting to you, though). Also, I noticed that when I was a grad student - our undergraduate volunteers were sometimes offered research positions in the summer/or part time jobs during the academic year - so if they demonstrated interest, the $ appeared. However, I don't know if the last part is still applicable given the current state of the economy.
posted by Wolfster at 2:43 PM on September 8

I've been employed in research and in research admin and, from my experience, I can report that a position that puts you "near" the players or "around' the main action does not really deliver the gestalt that you think it might.

My advice would be to locate the labs/ institutes that are leaders or, at a minimum, successful/ published in the areas you wish to pursue and look for there volunteer opportunities and a mentor (very important). Most grant-funded labs operate long hours with a skeleton crew who not only have to accomplish the work in front of them, they also have to be planning and writing their next grant application. There is always more work to be done than seems humanly possible- I bet you could work your way in somehow and finish as planned in your current position AND pave the way into the grad program of your choice...
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 3:03 PM on September 8

uggh... "and look THERE for volunteer opps..."

(i've been at the lab too long...wish I had a volunteer...)
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 3:04 PM on September 8

Without having any clue what the "admin position" would entail nor having any information about what you're studying, I'd say stay where you are.

I work in a high tech field and I would say none of my admins at any time in my career had any idea what we do, nor were they really exposed to it (except in the "Please reserve the conference room for some high tech meeting." type of exposure).

Plus, if you were to want to stay at the place after you finished the degree, it might be awkward to move from the admin role to the new role.

I really like hellboundforcheddar's idea regarding volunteering (or possibly a summer internship?) at places you might be interested in. That would give you the exposure you're looking for, plus it's a "try before you buy" situation (for both them and you).
posted by j at 5:26 PM on September 8

THe only benefit I can see of taking the job is finding out if what y9u thought about the field is true. Although the above comments seem to indicate that you will learn little. Keep the day job till the night job pays.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:45 PM on September 8