Work Choices

[rickps]

As some may know, I've been working in the same basic field for the past 25 years or so. While the company name on the paycheck has changed from time to time (due to corporate reorganizations, acquisitions, changes in employment, and so on), my career has been fairly monolithic. Neither a good or bad thing, it just 'is'. About 10 years ago, I came to a somewhat shocking realization - upward advancement, while tempting, didn't necessarily make me happy. I managed somehow to find a level (project manager) at which I'm, in all modesty, quite good and am quite well regarded.

So what's wrong? My current work assignment isn't making my socks go up and down. It's nearly all routine, much is a repetition of tasks I've performed before. I'm bored and frustrated.

And I currently work in San Diego. Heaven for many but a short stroll from hell for me. This is not a condemnation of SD, it's a nice place with nice people. But like a steady diet of vanilla ice cream, it's sweet but ultimately unexciting.

The Bay Area works for me. Even after living there for 10 years, I never tired of each new day. A weekend visit leaves me energized. However, after applying for a number of Bay Area jobs outside the company, I've been unsuccessful at returning. I suspect that I've set some sort of record for coming in second. Standing after each knockdown blow is increasingly difficult.

Which brings us to yesterday. While checking the list of job openings I came across one with my current employer in the Bay Area, much to my surprise. Pay is right, location is right, I know and believe that I can work with the gent that would be my supervisor. I believe that I have an extremely strong chance of winning the prize. So why isn't my application in a landing pattern over someone's desk? Because the position is an upward step into a relatively high stress, work 'til midnight four nights a week kind of job. Will I win San Francisco but not be able to enjoy it?

It is a puzzlement.

Comments

[beardoc.livejournal.com]

Wow - a difficult decision - is it really going to be that rough a job that it's not worth heading back to the Bay? I know you never really have been happy anywhere other than there.

Have you ever talked to your employer about internal transfers or do you have to wait for a job to be advertised in order to make it happen?

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

The job being advertised is quite similar to a position I had some years ago (which I did quite poorly, in my opinion, and was lucky not to be fired from). The scope has been somewhat reduced making the job more do-able. However, I know it would involve long hours and greater stress.

I've been lobbying internally for a return northward. One of those I spoke with was the gent that would be my boss were I to get this position. I find it a bit odd that he didn't mention that there was going to be a position advertised, even in passing. But that's corporate America for you...

[simbobloke.livejournal.com]

Late nights four nights a week means three nights a week you aren't working late. Just gotta work out if that's enough for you to enjoy the bay area again properly...

Being in a somewhat similar place to you at the moment (where I don't actively hate where I am but I don't love it, and moving will mean changing a lot of the ways I work), I'm a bit of the "still ready for the jump", admittedly not having quite as long a history of having been passed over for transfer.

But there's only one way for it never to happen, and that's if you give up.

[redbeardedblond.livejournal.com]

I've been coming in second in every interview just to be employed. :|

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

We really need to form a "Second Choice" club.

[musklebear.livejournal.com]

awwww...disenchanted with S(o)D(ouchebaggy)? :)
But the social scene is so lavish and full of intelligent creative men with colorful opinions and sparkling discourse!

(ducking)

heh heh...in reality, it sounds like the choice between vanilla ice cream every night or once or twice a month you get a full blown balls-to-the-wall hot fudge sundae with extra sauce, bananas whipped cream, nuts & a cherry.

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

I've been pretty vocal about my disenchantment with life in San Diego. Not a criticism of the people here (well, except for you) or the place as much as an admission that I don't 'fit' everywhere.

I do like your hot fudge sundae analogy! It actually may help me ruminate my way through my decision making process.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I know how much you love the Bay Area ... Even if you have to work 48-50 hours a week, you'll still have 98 hours to split between sleep and fun:)

Big HUGS!