Need your advice on best career move..

[Crazybean]

I'm going to try and sound neutral in both opportunities but I doubt it can be done haha.. here it is

Job 1: At my current place. It would be job stability and I'd get a promo to a supervisor level. I'd HAVE to work 40 hrs/week and be on call for any call offs if I take this (including call offs for the next shift). This would mean having to find daycare for DS since DH wouldn't be home until about 9p and I wouldn't be home until midnight (we don't have family around). BUT, it includes better pay and benefits that I don't have already.

Job 2: At a new place, I'd work third shift (11p-7a) 3 days a week and make more than I would being a FT supervisor at job 1 but I would continue to be a "regular" non management employee with NO benefits. This job is about 3 miles away. I wouldn't need to get daycare with this one but working 3rd shift can really mess up a body.

Now, I'm in school FT (online). Job 1 would be better in the long run to have "management" under my belt as my career progresses since I want to end up in a higher position someday. Job 2 works better for me right now and has be avoiding daycare costs, is closer, and pays better but would screw up my sleeping schedule (I can get benefits through school). BUT, who knows when I'd be offered another management position and have job stability for now? Most management positions are passed on "in-house" first from what I've seen.

There of course is job 3 and I have no idea when or where that job will come along

Thoughts?

[MyLilPwny]

I'm inclined to pick job 1, because like you said about how working a graveyard shift really messes up the body.

[marimara]

It depends, are these jobs related to your field (education wise)? If not, I'd take job 2 if you can handle the graveyard shift. Does job 1 benefit you career wise? Do you have healthcare otherwise? (thru spouse or other?)

[weliveintheforest]

would you be able to care for your child after working graveyard, or will your dh be home to do that while you sleep? if not, I would do job 1

[Crazybean]

Thanks for the responses.. DH would be home to watch DS while I slept if I did job 2. Both of these are in my current field/degree. I can get cheap student/family insurance through my college if I go that route.

[1growingsprout]

#2 you can work 24 hrs and make more then full time pay at the other place. It may be 3rd shift now but there could be opportunity to change to 1st shift soon etc.... I would definately go with #2. Personally *I* dont do well with 'on call'

[BetsyS]

Third shift and "on call" are both hard to me. I've done them both. Straight nights without call was easier for my psyche.

However, I wouldn't do nights 5 days a week without some plan for childcare during the day. It's not realistic to think that you can work all day, care for your child all day, and only nap during naptime. That's not enough sleep to sustain you for the long term. A week or two? Sure. But, not for months and months.

[Pernillep]

I don't want to say either way but wanted to point out job security.
At job 1 you have seniority and have proven your self, hey you did get a promo right
Job 2 you are the new kid on the block and have no job security should they need to make any employment changes

This of course depends on the job and if there is a risk.

[SleeplessMommy]

I am not sure how old your kids are. That might impact the decision.

Job security and health insurance are good, as far as I am concerned.

How much time is left for your degree?

[Kirsten]

Job 1. Working nights is for the birds.

[Ellien C]

Hmmm -I might answer might depending on how old YOU are. I'd pick job 2 if you were under 25 for sure. You body can handle it and more mgtm opportunities will come your way. If you were over 34, I think it's time be looking for management if that's what you want so I'd say job 1. If you are in between.... well, it depends.

Just a note, - the graveyard shift job is only 3 nights a week, not 5, so it sounds doable. Not fun, but do-able, especially if you are young.

[Crazybean]

Thanks again for responses.. in answer to some questions.. I'm 27 and have 2 under 2 years old.