When the year turned, I starting noticing more opportunities popping up again. Recently we were contacted by an old friend with a current job in a non-profit for a cause we care about. Grant Writing jobs are hard to come by in this climate. So seeing a actual grant position caused me to feel happiness. Then I saw the salary and needs of the position and I felt defeated again. This is a position that either Bill or I might consider, but neither of us was planning to hit an office again full time any time soon (we've hung on this long, after all) and the salary associated with the responsibilities involved is very low. It isn't an easy position to handle and it doesn't really pay what we need. Uh oh. There are other benefits to the position ( including health care which is exciting), but all of these things need to be weighed out now. We have some thinking to do. When do you say "when?"
One of my friends who had been unemployed for a while was recently hired at for half of what they earned before. The comment on the matter was "twice as much as unemployment."
So using that logic, it is twice as much as nothing which is where I'm at considering I didn't qualify for unemployment benefits because I had most recently been an independent contractor.
In theory any job is a good job right? I went back to my "Just say no" blog and reviewed my main criterion for decision making at that point. This fits one of my three main criterion because it is a good match for my skills. While the position is not from home, it isn't as far away from home as some non- profit jobs want to be and there may be flexibility to work from home at some point. My third criterion, however, is that my job needs to justify living in LA. This role definitely serves the people of Los Angeles and so that adds some emotional connection for me. But financially living in LA, I have to figure out how to make my own life work before I can help others right now. With Bill not working steadily either, a position that is full time plus at a low pay rate that doesn't help us keep our lifestyle now is scary.
But any job is a good job really, right? Maybe I'm being too picky? Maybe I should suck it up and take a job I would have been awesome at 15 years ago when I was more focused on my career? Maybe I should be happy to be getting a paycheck. I'm not sure how to feel here.
Much to consider here in clan Maxwell. The good news is that more little gigs and opportunities have been happening for us this week. I'm taking it as a good sign that the phone ( and inbox) are ringing. It does make me feel better to see things coming back again. Non profits are starting to think clearly again about planning and realizing where they fit in the new economy. The video game world where Bill often dwells is starting to lurch back into business after the great freeze on game development of 2008-2009.
Feel free to comment. I'm trying to sort through the choices and you are welcome to chime in. I'm sure it will be an interesting weekend of discussions here.
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a very small two cents but a friend once told me it's easier to look for work when you're working...maybe psychological. But i have to applaud you for hanging on for something you are more excited about.
ReplyDeleteeven though i am working i feel completely stuck in the mire of my job and that i'm looking as well for that happier work experience one that folds all of what i am into the mix. so i like to hear your thoughts.
oh no, NIkkie the above comment is me, Vickie. i seemed to have hijacked Norlands email, i need my own workstation.
ReplyDeleteIt is never an easy thing to balance career needs and wants, especially when the two seem incompatible. Any job is a good job, but not when you have to sacrifice what you believe in to get it. I sold my soul for the perfect job for me once and it cost me everything I cared about.
ReplyDeleteThese days my focus is on creating meaningful work that feeds me in every sense. I can not expect any employer to satisfy my employment needs any more than I can expect a single source of food to satisfy may palette for a variety of tastes. That said, it is easy to allow the need for meaningful work to evaporate when the cashflow is large enough to justify temporarily putting it (the need) on hold. It's all about balance in the end.