Passion over permanence

November 7, 2013 4:39 AM

I accepted a job for an organisation I've long dreamed of working for, but it involves a considerable sacrifice - how to make the best of the situation?

New job is at an internationally reknowned non-profit and the work I'll be doing will be cutting edge for my field. Jobs don't come up there very often and, having waited six years for an opening, the position I will be taking involves a step down in seniority, a switch from permanent to contract and a 20% pay cut from my current role. It's still well-paid and I won't be in penury but I won't be able to save at my current rate and I don't know what will happen when the contract is up.

Whilst the job I'm in now is not aligned to my passion in the way that new job is I will be leaving a great team, excellent benefits and an influential position that I've worked my way up to. However, there have been many times when the mis-match between my sense of self and the products and culture of the industry I currently work in have made me very unhappy, so my partner and family are thrilled that I'm finally moving on. As I'm in my late 30's (no debt or dependents) it also feels like this needs to happen now, or it won't happen at all.

I'm suddenly feeling apprehensive though. Despite having spent a long time thinking through the pros and cons and preparing to make this move, I'm scared that the reduction in salary level, seniority and security is going to scupper me in the long term. How do I get past this and embrace what should be a great opportunity at new org?

posted by socksister to Work & Money (12 answers total)

I'm scared that the reduction in salary level, seniority and security is going to scupper me in the long term.

As well you should be. No doubt that you will scupper future opportunities - for jobs you don't want.

But do you work to live, or live to work? It seems to me that you are rejecting the former and choosing the latter. It's a brave decision, but of course not without risks.

When I left my secure, well-paying job ten years ago to work free-lance I had the same worries, but I came to the conclusion that job security is a myth, that I don't really have to have any more money than I need to get by and that the benefits of enjoying my work and my way of working far outweigh the loss of income and "seniority". Yes, I would have a lot more money today had I not done this, but I haven't missed it. I should add that on the same day I turned in my notice, I had signed a mortgage for a new flat in the morning taking on more debt that I ever had in my life. Once I secured that loan, I literally went right from the bank into my boss's office and quit my job with the full comprehension that it was utter lunacy and a very stupid thing to do.

Believe me I had a lump in my stomach when I did that, but it was the best thing I ever did. When you decide to jump, jump in with both feet and don't look back.

Ten (!) years on, it has all worked out for me and no doubt it will work out for you. Good luck.
posted by three blind mice at 5:07 AM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]

Things that are worth doing are often hard, change is often frightening, and money often has a way of making you feel like you can't survive on any less than what you currently have.

Bear all the above in mind, harden your resolve, and press on. It sounds like an amazing opportunity, and as the old saying goes, you have to "do the thing that scares you".

And when it comes down to it, it's all part of your journey. If this doesn't turn out to be the Big Perfect Job that it could possibly be, it will still be a stepping stone towards finding where you want to get to. Forge on!
posted by greenish at 5:08 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

I wouldn't be surprised if opportunities like this come up more often than you think they do, but they're filled through networking by people who are already in NGO-world. So consider that this contract position might be an entry point for a new career, and the cutting-edge work you'll be supporting will position you for advancement, if not with this nonprofit, then with others like it. If your circumstances allow, give yourself a set time to devote to this (say, 2 years) and network like crazy while keeping up your skills on the "practical career" side in the interim. That way you're not making irrevocable decisions either way. Congratulations BTW. Very few people are in a position to do what they love.
posted by headnsouth at 5:29 AM on November 7, 2013 [6 favorites]

You are in your 30s with no debt and no dependents. These are the two things that would make me wary to make the change. Unless you see these changing in the near future, I would go for it. Life is too short to spend 40+ hours a week doing something you don't like.
posted by dgran at 6:06 AM on November 7, 2013

Taking a step down in money and seniority for the opportunity to do what you love is a no-brainer if you have the ability to afford that kind of change. If you do really love what you are doing the enthusiasm and energy you bring to what you do will help you rise through the ranks again. You will also raise the quality of your life by having the satisfaction that you're spending the bulk of your time working towards something you believe in. I say go for it!
posted by Kimberly at 6:21 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

I'm suddenly feeling apprehensive though. Despite having spent a long time thinking through the pros and cons and preparing to make this move, I'm scared that the reduction in salary level, seniority and security is going to scupper me in the long term. How do I get past this and embrace what should be a great opportunity at new org?

If it helps, imagine the future 1 year from now when the dust has settled and everything is ok.

Change is scary. You can do it. Close your eyes and jump.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:30 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

High pay, senority and security are often compensations for doing a job you're not neccessarily happy to be doing. Once you're doimg something you love, you find a way to make it work with or without the other perks.
posted by windykites at 6:50 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

Forget seniority - replace with judgment-free honesty with yourself.

Do you like money?
Do you enjoy the security it makes you feel?
Do you love the things it allows you to buy?

If so, keep the current job and pursue meaningful living outside of your job through volunteerism or second gigs.
posted by Kruger5 at 7:33 AM on November 7, 2013 [3 favorites]

Scared is okay. You are giving up a known situation, taking a risk to go to what may be better. You're also risking failure. You're going to learn and grow at the new job. You're probably going to be very successful at it, meet new people in you field, have amazing experiences, etc. You're thoughtful and have spent time on this decision. They're hiring you because they think you'll do a great job.

Worst case scenario - you don't love it. But you have a great resume and find another terrific job. As risks go, this is really manageable.
posted by theora55 at 7:40 AM on November 7, 2013

Best answer: Once you're doing something you love, employers exploit you and pay you less than you deserve. (See: teachers.) That's a fact of life and something you socksister have to understand and be cool with.

Worst case scenario - you don't love it. But you have a great resume and find another terrific job.

It seems to me that socksister has a better appreciation of the risks being taken which is why there is some hesitation: A future employer might look askance at hiring someone who once jumped ship for a lower paying, less qualified job with a non-profit.

I think socksister's fears are well-founded and that it is correct and proper to have these fears, to be a bit scared, and to take them into sober consideration - and then do it anyway.

To paraphrase Frank Zappa: “If you end up with a boring miserable life because you listened to your mom, your dad, your teacher, your priest, or some guy on AskMetafilter telling you how to do your shit, then you deserve it.”
posted by three blind mice at 7:50 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

I have a very similar experience, but I did it in my 40's. I still look back on the old job a bit wistfully when I think about how many vacation days and how much money and the small amount of power that I gave up, but then I remember how much I hated that job at the end and how much I love this one, and I get over it.

I think these kinds of things are often like thinking about an ex after you break up - sometimes you forget about the bad things and you reminisce about the good times, but the bad stuff was still there.

I wholeheartedly recommend that you go for it.
posted by CathyG at 12:05 PM on November 7, 2013

I'm scared that the reduction in salary level, seniority and security is going to scupper me in the long term.

You could get hit by a bus next year. Making all your choices now because of what is most prudent on paper for later is a recipe for a life not really lived and dreams not pursued. With no debt or dependants (whose existence often requires that you make those sorts of sacrifices) I think you'd be foolish not to embrace this opportunity.
posted by DarlingBri at 9:50 PM on November 7, 2013