Well, I have interesting news today.
(Um, 2 indoors and a challenge course? And in my budget? Sign me up!)
It would be somewhat of a lateral move, but I talked to the editor and we really seemed to be on the same page as far as the industry. This company is a family-owned business, and very secure. They have not done any layoffs or furloughs. (I just got news of MORE furloughs today.)
It is located in the southern part of the state - about 2 hours from where I am now. It's quite close to the Hoosier Horse Park (woot!) and my drive to CAF would be about the same. Amy - it would be about the same distance from you. :)
(I say this because she threatened me within an inch of my life if I should ever move away).
:)
I love how everything in my life revolves around horses. You can see where my priorities are. I haven't looked into apartments or houses or anything, but from what I hear the city is young and growing.
I would, unfortunately, have to choose a closer dressage instructor. This breaks my heart into a million pieces because I love my current instructor. I would also leave a few very special friends behind. A two-hour drive isn't bad ... except in gas it is.
My biggest fear is that they won't be able to pay me enough. I'm sorry but I am worth way more than I am being paid now and I refuse to take a pay cut unless there are pretty significant perks.
And, it would be the same job I am doing now. Like I said, it would be a lateral move (but with potential for advancement, an improvement over my current situation). Would I really be changing anything?
I take that back. My biggest fear is that nothing will really change. New city, new location, sure. But is this the right move? I don't know!!
SO:
Here's what else I have been considering:
• Nursing school.I love the medical fields. As a daughter of a nurse, I often self-diagnose myself and my friends. I am not afraid of needles or blood (ok maybe a ton of blood), but vomit puts the fear of God into me. Seriously, I think I am an emetophobe. Not sure if that is something I can push through and be a nurse? Or if I will just have a breakdown at the first sound of someone gagging? Also, how in the hell will I ever be able to find the time to go to nursing school? And have a job to pay bills? And ride my horse? If I found a 2 year program, I would be willing to back off on the riding and shows (but still keep my horse!) ... because in the end the sacrifice would be worth it. Now to just find the time ...
• Photography
I need to seriously invest in the right equipment and some classes, but I really enjoy photography and with the right guidance I think I could make a business out of it. I have had numerous people push me in this direction. I also took a really extensive career test a few months ago. Which fields do you think it recommended for me? Nursing and/or photography.
• A master's degree
In journalism? No. Useless until I want to be a professor. And I don't. I've also thought about business, social work and education (I think I may enjoy being an adviser).
• Jumping back into the horse worldI'd love to be a barn manager or breeding manager. I don't have what it takes to be a trainer (I work too slowly for most clients), but I could do a wide variety of things. Lack of health insurance and benefits is the major drawback here, although some jobs do offer this.
• Food
Starting at the bottom of the food chain (bahahaha!) and working my way up to a manager and then owner. Once I reached the owner position, I know that money wouldn't be a problem. (I would have the option to take over a family-owned business) But it's those years I need to start at the bottom ... almost certainly the horse and truck would have to go. Not really an option. Oh and there's the fact that I have no f'ing clue how to run a restaurant.
This is some of what has been eating at my brain. Feels good to type it out.
The other option is to just do nothing and wait for a different opportunity.
If you aren't going to make any more money, and the job is the same - I would stay. I only say this through personal experience. I have changed jobs several times, moved, and every time I made sure to take a pay RAISE. It usually isn't worth the effort to move house and everything for something equal to what you have now, unless you really hate your job you have now.
ReplyDeleteThe horse world is always calling, there just isn't much money in it. Even for the top of the top, unless they have money backing them they are always just getting by.
Nursing is a great choice, you can make a lot of money, and have good benefits. In Ontario it's shift work, not sure what it is there.
I will tell you something, there is always work in the insurance world. This is the field I work in, and although it doesn't sound exciting, there is something new every day, its Monday-Friday 9-5, good pay and one of the most secure jobs in the world.....you normally do not need a degree and employers may pay for you to be licensed and what not. Usually very easy to get a job in the field too!
Whatever you chose, just follow your heart. Maybe you are just looking for a change in general?
I was very skeptical until I read that it is still the same distance from me and close to HHP. Yay I wouldn't have to sleep in my truck when I went down there. Cause I am assuming I could sleep in your floor or something...lol. So I do approve the move and I am sure once you get all the details about the job you will know better what to do. And don't short change yourself and don't be afraid to negotiate for what you want. As far as all the other career paths to follow those are some tough decisions but I know you will find an answer. Just hang in there.
ReplyDeleteIf the pay is the same, but it's stable and you won't be taking lots of furloughs, I would go for it. Stability is amazing. You seem to feel stagnated at your current position, and sometimes a move/change like that will shake things up enough to help you find something new.
ReplyDeleteHowever. I don't know what your relationship is to your current location--if you've lived there all your life and have a large network of family and friends around who can help you out, it might be worth staying if you're planning on pursuing something like nursing school, which would involve more sacrifices.
Just a thought.
I totally get your situation and all the scenarios running through your mind. I am so there! A year later, I am wondering why I chose Florida (other than the awesome sunny weather, no snow, and beach life!). I left a $50,000/yr job to move here and now make less than $25,000/yr (even with 2 college degrees!). The economy sucks here and I am not doing what I love. My lease is up in July. My condo on the water was bought last month and once my lease is up, I am out anyway. So......not really sure what is going to happen 7 months down the road now.
ReplyDelete