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Work Choices
Aug. 11th, 2009 07:31 pmAs 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.
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.
