Help Me Decide....

[Blackduck]

Okay - workwise last 18 months has been sh*te...I left a job as an IT Trainer and went to an FE College (big mistake). Left and took 6 month job as trainer - but commute was horrendous. Now working as an IT Consultant (something I have wanted to do for a long while) BUT I hate the travel, don't want to be away from ds and find the 'male' culture a PITA.

Have just be offered a job with a small local training company (stiil with me...)....its slightly less pay (but more than they were offering), its fairly close to home (must nail the driving), no travel.....BUT I feel like its a step backwards careerwise, for all it offers me in terms of quality of life....

Oh wise MNs HOW do I mmake the decision? (Have lost my confidence - used to know instantaniously if I wanted ajob or not - now fell I've ballsed up so much in the last two years I shouldn't be in chargeof my own life...)

I'd take the job in a flash. it's not a step backwards in the sense that you'll let skills go to waste (teaching has a way of using all your skills I find). and who wants to be a consultant anyway?

SP are you speaking from experience

Go for it - speaking from personal experience you are likely to feel happier in all areas of your life if you are less pressurised by work. Suggest you work hard at networking while you're in this 'treading water' role so that when you are ready you can jump in deep again.

Good luck!

well - I am what some people would call a consultant and I used to teach. as long as we're not talking half pay (when you take travel time into account) I know which I'd rather do.

1. students are more grateful than clients
2. students don't expect you to work on sundays for no pay
3. students don't phone you up to nag you every 5 mins

...need I go on?

SP - no you don't need to go on....! My heart has made the decision, my head worries I have condemned myself to a backwater and my career is effectively over...!

Just bumping to see if anyone else has a view....

take the job - I was in a similar situation, and decided it was worth the compromise, its so important to get some bablance in all areas of life, and if you really hate the travelling, you will never be happy

good luck!

I sense a consensus happening here ;)

so are you taking it?

so are you taking it?

pashmina - looks like thats a big YES - had a chat re pay reviews (the pay drop whilst not huge, isn't insignificant either) and whilst nothing is guaranteed I was happy with the answer...so assuming the contract doesn't include anything like signing away my first born, it looks like I'm moving on (again...)

ok here's the contrary view - I took this job thinking I could hack doing something that I did see as a step down and am desparate to move on. Bored stupid.

MM - I won't be bored - I know the 'deal' as it were - have been a trainer before so not like I'm going into something I don't know about...The step down is, I think, largely in my head...