AntiHero84
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2008
- Messages
- 2,442
- Reaction score
- 72
So, I've reached another turning point in my life/career and thought why not consult the SF group anonymously, as I've done in the past.
Essentially, I'm at the point where I need to make a very pointed decision in terms of work/life balance -- should I take a job that I don't fully love to have more time with my family, or should I continue working in positions that place strain on my wife? I'm leaning toward the better work/life balance, but I worry that I'm setting myself up for discontent and stunted career growth. Details below, but it's a little TLDR.
I currently work at a fairly small boutique consultancy that has a great top tier client list, pays well, and offers a lot of broad experience. The downside is that I have a long commute (1.5 hrs door-to-door and get home at 7:30) and having clients on the West coast means I'll need to check my email into the night and occasionally put out fires on evenings and weekends. This leaves little time to help out my wife (who works full time, but locally) with our 7 month old.
I've already decided to make the jump someplace with a better work/life balance, but where?
There's a large corporate company that's driving distance (30-45 min.) and has an impressive tenure rate among employees -- ~15 years for the hiring managers. On the other hand, it's super corporate and boring, and I wonder if I'd be hindering my earning potential down the road.
There's another mid-sized consultancy that would offer similar hours, but more support for project work, excellent growth opportunities, and less West Coast clients. However, it'd be the same commute -- so same amount of time with the family, just less stress.
And finally, there's a growing tech start-up that needs someone in-house. which typically means less stress. The hours would be a little better and more flexible, the work is super interesting, and it would probably be the best in terms of career development.
Wat do? Take a boring job in the burbs to be close to family? Take a slightly less stressful job for potential future growth? Or take a gamble by going in-house?
Essentially, I'm at the point where I need to make a very pointed decision in terms of work/life balance -- should I take a job that I don't fully love to have more time with my family, or should I continue working in positions that place strain on my wife? I'm leaning toward the better work/life balance, but I worry that I'm setting myself up for discontent and stunted career growth. Details below, but it's a little TLDR.
I currently work at a fairly small boutique consultancy that has a great top tier client list, pays well, and offers a lot of broad experience. The downside is that I have a long commute (1.5 hrs door-to-door and get home at 7:30) and having clients on the West coast means I'll need to check my email into the night and occasionally put out fires on evenings and weekends. This leaves little time to help out my wife (who works full time, but locally) with our 7 month old.
I've already decided to make the jump someplace with a better work/life balance, but where?
There's a large corporate company that's driving distance (30-45 min.) and has an impressive tenure rate among employees -- ~15 years for the hiring managers. On the other hand, it's super corporate and boring, and I wonder if I'd be hindering my earning potential down the road.
There's another mid-sized consultancy that would offer similar hours, but more support for project work, excellent growth opportunities, and less West Coast clients. However, it'd be the same commute -- so same amount of time with the family, just less stress.
And finally, there's a growing tech start-up that needs someone in-house. which typically means less stress. The hours would be a little better and more flexible, the work is super interesting, and it would probably be the best in terms of career development.
Wat do? Take a boring job in the burbs to be close to family? Take a slightly less stressful job for potential future growth? Or take a gamble by going in-house?