Advice needed. Secure job or job that I want to do

[PotHeadedPixie]

Hi all, I could do with some advice over a head or heart decision

I currently work for the civil service, decent wage, flexible working and it's as secure as a job can be. There's great benefits to the job, a decent pension, ongoing training and fantastic sick/maternity leave. I enjoy the job a lot, I never dread waking up and dealing with the day, I'm good at my job and once I'm clocked out I don't think about my work until the next day.

But I've seen a job for a support worker for adults with additional needs in my village. The pay is a significant reduction to what I get now, there's no indication that the job is secure and there's really no room for progression. Yet I feel like this is what I'm supposed to do, I think I'd be great at it and would give me the job satisfaction that I'm missing now.

I have two children (5 and 3) so need to consider that with the 4 days on 4 days off working pattern I wouldn't see them very often, but then on the other hand I'd then have 3 days without work so I can focus solely on my girls. I'm so torn. My partner will support me either way, he's a great father and person and he's also a civil servant so has all the benefits I mentioned above.

I guess I'm asking for anyone's experiences, good or bad, from those that took a risky job. Even as I type this I think I've made my decision yet tomorrow I'll question it!

@ragged

what does "supposed to do" mean?

adjective

generally assumed or believed to be the case, but not necessarily so.

Hope that helps 👍

I’ve done support work @PotHeadedPixie and can confirm that whilst it it a worthy job it is not particularly fulfilling, enjoyable or appreciated either by your employer or those you support much of the time. It’s not well paid but there is job security in so much as you have to be shockingly poor to get sacked and there are always jobs available. If you’re lone working it can be incredibly boring, you can be at risk of injury and sometimes aspects of it can be downright unpleasant. That said sometimes you can make a huge difference to someone’s quality of life and that does feel good.

Personally though I’d stay right where you are, you’d be insane to give up a job like the one you already have.

@immunotherapy thank you for for giving me your personal experience.
After reading all the comments on here, good and bad, it makes sense to wait until my children are older, my pension is decent and I'm financially secure.

I need to appreciate what I've got, especially when so many are going through hardship right now

[quote PotHeadedPixie]@immunotherapy thank you for for giving me your personal experience.
After reading all the comments on here, good and bad, it makes sense to wait until my children are older, my pension is decent and I'm financially secure.

I need to appreciate what I've got, especially when so many are going through hardship right now[/quote]
I'm sorry I quoted the wrong person @okbutnotgreat

@Levithecat

Gosh it’s hard to answer. What is it that you think this role will offer that you don’t get currently? When you say job satisfaction what would satisfy you? If you can afford to live on your DH wage and he supports you then why not try? Easy enough to get back in the CS, maybe when your kids are older. But there are also plenty of CS jobs that provide huge satisfaction and make a real world difference. My risky move was joining the CS!

if you don't mind me asking what was risky about joining the CS?

@PotHeadedPixie

If it will make you happy and you can afford to do it now, go for it. Worry about the expensive of teenagers later, enjoy this opportunity first! Good luck x

[quote justanothermamma]@PotHeadedPixie

If it will make you happy and you can afford to do it now, go for it. Worry about the expensive of teenagers later, enjoy this opportunity first! Good luck x[/quote]
Thank you, I do worry about providing for my children but at the same time if I'm happy I'd be a better mum..I'm so torn