OT: Need Career Advice (LONG)

Hey folks,

Okay, on top of my oh-so-fun divorce, it looks like I may have some other choices to make.  I need some career advice.  I guess I'd normally ask my husband, but that's not an option these days for obvious reasons.  So I thought I'd check in with you all, because I'm bound to get a wide variety of answers from people in different walks of life.

Okay, I am currently a state employee in what's called a "soft-money program" (we make money for ourselves and spend it to run our program...we do not receive any state funds towards our program).  If our program were to be cut for any reason (which is fairly unlikely, but you never know - politicians aren't always known for the wisdom when it comes to making program cuts), I would NOT have any lay-off rights (meaning Human Resources would NOT help me get into another state position, nor could I "bump" another employee with less seniority to keep a job).  In short, I make very little money for what I do (well, I take that back - I make lousy money period)...when I look at my job duties and compare what I do with other people in other schools (based on duties, not job title), I am probably paid 20-30% less than what I feel I should be making.  I have brought this up diplomatically to management, but they have made it clear that they do NOT want to allocate any additional funds to my position, period.  It supposedly has nothing to do with me...and I agree that's probably true at this point because I know it doesn't have to do with my performance.

So anyway, I've had an assessment and an interview (and now have a 2nd interview on Friday) for another job.  It is NOT a state job.  It will most certainly pay about 20-25% more than what I make now, has good benefits, and will ultimately have room to advance (my current position is dead-end where I'm at).  From all the research I've been able to do, it's with a solid, growing company.  I actually know someone who works there, so I feel I have a pretty good grasp what to expect if I were hired.  Really, there are only two downsides as far as I can see: 1.  It's NOT a state job and 2.  I am not sure if there are enough employees locally that normal FMLA rules would apply if something were to ever happen to me (I am NOT anticipating this happening, but I do have a history of some serious depression issues that I have needed to take FMLA for in the past - just trying to be realistic).  I mean, Nevada is a right-to-work state...it's usually pretty easy to get fired.  At least with state employment, you have to do something blatantly wrong (usually multiple times even) to even get written up, let alone fired.

So I guess I'm asking what I should do.  I'm on my own now.  Money is a bit more of an issue than it was before.  True, I would have to save differently for retirement if I were to take this job (because right now I pay into a state public employee retirement system - NOT Social Security), but I would be making enough more that I don't think it would be any huge issue.  Likewise, I feel like I would have a better chance at a "career" working for the new place than I do where I'm at now.  Right now I have a "job", and I suspect that's all this position will ever be.

Then to throw another wrench in the works, I have another job interview for another state job coming up on 4/20.  Part of me is kind of hoping I get that because it would pay about 8%  more than what I make now - but it would also still be in the state system (and I'm pretty sure that particular position would have layoff rights I currently don't have).  And from what I can tell, it *should* be a pretty "safe" position in terms of budget cuts (based on the program it's involved with).  I mean, some majors are just more in demand than others - and this is a super high demand major on campus and in work world too.

So what to do?  What would YOU do?  I know there is no 100% right or wrong answer (as long as I have a job period  LOL).

Part of me feels like I should take that risk, other parts of me feel like I should play it safe.  Ugh.  I don't know what to do...

Thanks for any and all opinions!

~Katherine

P.S.  And yes, I realize how very fortunate I am right now - I know SO many people are out of work right now.  I know I'm blessed to even have to look at making this decision.  I just don't want to screw it up.

Hi, Katherine!

Sorry to hear about your situation. I think a lot of what you need to think about when changing jobs is "If I lose this job, what skills/education do I have that will allow me to find another position quickly. And, if I can't secure another position quickly, how will I make it?" Obviously some industries are still secure in this economy and some are not. It is frightening to leave a state job but as we have seen over and over lately NO job is secure.

I always, for myself, try to create a list of pros and cons and I always have to remember that while sure money is why most of us work for the money it is not everything. I have to find a position I am happy in and yes, I could make more elswhere but I would lose the intangibles like a supportive boss, a flexible schedule and great training- so is it really worth it?

I know I did not say anything especially helpful but it is such a complex decision that really only you can make. I can say that I wish you the best and if my HR knowledge can ever help (It is what I do for a living) please feel free to drop me a line.

-- Michele

I guess it depends, I know I make less than I would in the private sector BUT, I like the job security, benefits, and retirement I will have with my state job.
How many years have you been working for the state?
How important is that job security?

My two cents....

I took a pay cut at my old job to get into the state system, and I would do it all over again.
The benefits, retirement and other perks just can't be beat in my situation.

Although you would be making more money, would you be disciplined enough to set aside enough for retirement savings on your own?  I know I wouldn't. 

I love my state job and plan on staying there till my retirement in 20 years.

Hey Hon!
I'm sorry you are stuck going through all this. 
I don't really have any advise because everything in the freezing, cold north is so different.  But from what I've read - my two cents (and that's probably what my opinion is worth!) is that unless the private sector job is one that you are really excited about and is one that you think you would grow personally in, I'd hold out for the other higher-paying state job, and then if you don't get that one, look more seriously at the private sector one.

But - wow - tough call!  I think no matter what decision you make - it won't be a wrong decision.

Hugs!

I'm a risk taker and I probably would go for the higher paying job, but you have to do what you think is best for you.

Good luck with your decision.

I left my state job for a position that paid more. I've regretted it ever since. I would interview for the other state job. Alot of regular employers are cutting health and retirement packages so I would try to stay with the state jobs.