WIBU to take a whopping pay cut for a career change?

[Wolfray]

I've been in my current career for ten years. There have been times when it has made me extremely ill (to the point of needing therapy).

My dream job has become available. I have been studying for this dream job and have every intention of ending up in that career. However, if I was successful in applying for and taking this dream job, it would be an approximate 35% pay cut initially.

DH and I would need to make some cut backs but it would still be affordable. I think I WBU to apply. I want it but I can't bring myself to it. We also need self-funded IVF. I can't help but think that it would be incredibly selfish to inflict that reduction on my DH.

I would be happier mentally. My DH is on team 'apply'. I appreciate that he's supportive, I really do. My close friends are telling me that I'd be stupid not to apply.

35% is a huge change though.

Your husband is supportive, and your mental health is priceless. If you can still afford the IVF, go for it.

Do it. You clearly want to and I get the impression you’re trying to talk yourself out of it. The 35% would just be as a start, right? You’d progress?
Your mental health if nothing else will be worth it.

Chose the job you really want,you can budget accordingly.and good luck

I did this... Although I didn't have to fund ivf.

At the end of the day- children or no children- your mental health and happiness are so important.

Make the change, chase some happiness.

When's your payday?

In your shoes I'd apply for it and in the meantime, deduct 35% from your salary this month and next and see how it goes.

Don't underestimate the impact it will have - most people spend what they earn and unless you're a very high earner you'll notice the pinch.

It sounds Like the career change has been planned for a long time. Have you got cold feet or genuine concerns?

Do it.

I want to train as an EdPsych but I'm too time poor (2 small children). No regrets, but if I had more time, I would definitely do it.

Will the job change delay your ivf and by how long? Or can you still have ivf with budgeting? How old are you eg will delaying ivf be a risk?

Personally I would prioritise being able to afford the ivf, and plan a move to a less stressful job after after ivf/ pregnancy. And in the meantime try to find a less stressful job in your current field with similar pay.

I appreciate others will think differently.

Personally I was doing an extremely stressful job where I was horribly anxious, worrying about work all weekend, in a challenging workplace. I actually found that good therapy was the most useful way to tackle this and I have stayed in the same field and am much much more balanced and calm now. I appreciate that some workplaces are toxic though so this advice may not help you, but for me my anxiety and stress was not inevitable and therapy resolved 95% of it.

You've been studying for it and intend to make a career change at some point anyway... Why not now? You spend so much of your time at work, it's important to do something that makes you happy if you can. Look after your mental health, it's very precious. Go for it.

If you can afford it then do it?

What’s pay progression likely to be?

I took a 15% pay cut recently for my dream job and don’t regret it.

Can you spell out your reservations more clearly OP? Is it just the money or are you feeling daunted by the risk you’d be taking or some other thing ?

My salary flopped by about a third when I moved to my current job, which I love. I’m so much happier, I get to do really interesting work, don’t have a hideous commute which saves me about 3 hours a day in travel, and my colleagues Re great. Go for it. If you hate it you can always go back to your old job.

If you miss the money you could start a small business on the side selling hampers or trinkets on eBay

I can't help but think that it would be incredibly selfish to inflict that reduction on my DH.

He's not your dependent, he's an adult who will have made the calculations himself and is still supporting you. Go for it.

When you have kids would you intend to go part time? It's a big cut, but not any bigger then most people take if they drop hours.

I'd do it if you would be happier

Do it.

DH is supportive. You want to do it. Your current job is making you ill. Money doesn't buy happiness or health.

If you miss the money you could start a small business on the side selling hampers or trinkets on eBay

Please don't.

Ebay and Facebook are already saturated with tat and unless you have an actual talent or USP you're unlikely to make any decent money.

I've recently taken a bigger pay cut than 35%for my dream job. My previous career (nursing) was making me physically and mentally ill and I have no regrets .

It's easy for me to say this now, because we are financially comfortable, but ... many years ago as a younger man, on two separate occasions, I took a large pay cut to move into a job I preferred, and twice, with hindsight it was absolutely the right thing to do.

In one case, it was to do work that interested me more, while avoiding to work for an industry that I did not want to support.

In the second case, it was to have the opportunity to enter a new functional area.

Especially given your DH is supportive, if after cutbacks you would still have "enough" (which is a different amount for every person), then go for the job you would prefer, especially if your present job has caused health issues and unhappiness.