Considering a career transition, need perspective...

[gmvh]

Mamas,

I'm considering applying for a new job and need some perspective.

A bit of background... 

My children are 6.5 yo twins and in full-day kindergarten and on-site after school care.  They go to a charter school that I am on the school board of (I've been involved for 5+ years as a founder of the school).

My husband is the executive director of a small non-profit that does residential programming (so his schedule can be wonky).

I have worked for the past three years for a non-profit that serves youth and I am the director of outdoor program.  My organization is h-u-g-e; in 2010-2011, we'll have 85,000 youth members and 25,000+ adult members/volunteers.  My department runs five summer camps in three states, as well as weekend programming during the year, and we provide recreation services for groups who are camping.  My organization has six offices, all of which I have meetings at; the closest to my home is 15 miles, the furthest is 100 miles (one way), with a major city between me and there.  I am a member of the COO's team and have expectations related to that, in addition to the responsibilities of running my department.

Sigh.

This is the job I wanted since university, the stars aligned, and it landed in my lap.

I have a bachelor's degree in recreation, a bachelor's degree (and license) in elementary ed, and a master's in environmental education.

I'm tired.  My children are barely home.  I'm not having fun.  My organization is so big, most of my time is spent on business-related matters (not my strength), not content. 

I know it's a complete luxury to be thinking about moving jobs.

I know I do not want to SAH, besides, my children are gone for 7.5 hours + commute, daily.

There is a position open at their school - two, actually, and I'm thinking of applying.  One is as an environmental education specialist who would work with all of the teachers (K-8 school) to help them better integrate their work into the cultural and environmental aspects of our community (our school property is adjacent to national park property).

Here's the giddyup.  I do not know, for sure, if the principal would hire me since I've been on the board and am a founder. 

It would be a fairly significant pay cut (almost half of what I make now). 

I would be able to work my children's schedule, generally speaking.

There is no guarantee that the job would be funded every year.

And the part I'm most intrigued by, I would like to begin making a connection with an independent summer camp as a place to work in the summers with a long-term goal of having a permanent position with a summer camp.  I would like for my children to go to camp in the summers and it's not an inexpensive proposition.

I don't know if I'm being impulsive but of course I did see a bit on Facebook yesterday about living your life for today, etc., etc., not happy with your job, move on, etc., etc., that sort of thing and it really made me think.

Sigh.

Sorry this is so long.  I needed to get it out.  What thoughts do you have?

[nstewart]

Well, I'm currently working towards a change of jobs as well. I'm an attorney and my job at an international law firm just is not conducive to family life given the expectations on your time.  So take my thoughts with that perspective in mind.

Before you make any type of decision, ask yourself "What do I want to be doing in 10 years?"  If this potential job will get you there, then why not consider applying more seriously?  If it won't then you either have to re-evaluate changing paths or you have to find a job you do want that will get you where you want to be. The other thought I have is to start from your core values and filter your thoughts through them. (ex. "I want to change jobs to spend more time with family" would align with your family values.  "I want a new job because I'm burned out" would not align with a value and you may regret the decision in the future).

I would have 2 concerns for you: 1) It seems you may be over-qualified for the position you are interested in (I may be totally wrong, just my assumption based on your description of your current position); and 2) You may have to resign from the board, etc. in order to apply.  How would you feel about #2 if you did not get the job and were no longer on the board?  As an aside, would your daughters benefit from you working at their school?  They may, depending on your children and their teachers, or they may not (based on my experience with friends who had parents that taught at the same school as them).

Also, I'm assuming you've taken into consideration the financial implications of a pay cut (savings, family vacations, various "extras", $$ for your kids college funds, etc.) and that your DH is on board.

It's a tough decision.  So many considerations to balance.  Good luck in whatever you decide!

[dbsam]

I’ll start by saying, for selfish reasons I would love it if you took the job at the school!

That said, I think in making this decision it would be prudent to focus on what is best for you and your family, not the school.  This is difficult to do when you have spent years organizing a school and being on the board.   You have a great, unique job.  If the benefits, to you and your family, of the school position outweigh the negatives of your current position I would consider the change.  But I would also ask yourself, would you consider switching jobs for another position with similar advantages as the school position?  If not, you may be doing this more for the school than for yourself.   Also, if you are going to consider switching jobs, could you find something more like your current position but without all the business-related matters? 

Recently I made some decisions and my husband suggested I concentrate only on myself and our family.  It was difficult to do.  This advice goes against my beliefs as I tend to think many people are selfish, think only of their own families and not of the greater good.  However, I think he was correct.  I was putting the school’s needs above my family’s needs.

D