Contemplating switching jobs - What do yo think?

[pancho619]

I've been working as a Data Analyst for about 2 years, I currently work for a non-profit organization and hell will freeze over before I get a raise or even a COLA (cost of living adjustment). So, talking to a tech that did the cable installation on my new house, he brought up an opportunity to work with him and I gave it a try today and I must admit I like the work and can definitely get used to it. If you were in my shoes, would you switch jobs? Here's the info I have for both jobs.


Current Job: Data Analyst
Pay: $40K/year
Hours:Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm
Deskjob - Sit in front of the PC all day (I'm going blind)
Commute: 100 miles each way (just moved to new house 2 months ago and have been commuting).
Benefits: Full benefits (Health, Dental, Vision, 401k)

New Job: Independent Contractor (Cable/HSI Installation)
Pay: Depends on how many installs you do a day (today I did 10, $220 earned)
Hours: Monday-Saturday 8am-4pm (sometimes a little later)
Field job - You drive from one site to another, they dispatch all your jobs within the same area (15 mile radius).
Commute: 3 miles (5 minutes from home)
Benefits: After 3 months (Health, Dental)

I must also add that I currently come home late from work and go straight to bed from being tired after driving for 2+ hours each way.

What do you think?


Update: 5/16/2005

I've decided to take the job. Being close to my wife is very important right now and this job will allow me that liberty.

So what kind of things should I tell my current boss when I tell him I'm leaving the job?

 

[imported_Kensai]

I would switch.

 

[Jumpem]

I'd try the new job out.

 

[xirtam]

How'd that work? Did you call in sick to your data analyst job to go install cable?

 

[Yossarian]

4 hours of commuting every day? fvck that.

 

[pancho619]

Hours:Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm

Nope, I flex fridays.


Going to the store with my wife, I'll be back to read more responses in a little while.

 

[pancho619]

Up for the night crowd.

 

[Caesar]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
I'd try the new job out.

 

[imported_malcontent]

Since you are off on Fridays, you might give it another trial run, or two, before you quit your other job. just to see how much you would average..

 

[FoBoT]

will you make enough if you switch? so your wife works/does ok?

 

[imported_yetti]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
I'd try the new job out.

 

[Vincent]

You should find out what a typical annual salary for the new job would be. How stable is the income?

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
4 hours of commuting every day? fvck that.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I'd switch rlight away ... I have a hard time dealing with a 1 hour commute ... i couldn't even imagine 2 hours. twice a day.

 

[beer]

Why stay in a position where there isn't a chance of moving up? Especially with 200 miels on your car a day.

 

[pancho619]

Originally posted by: malcontent
Since you are off on Fridays, you might give it another trial run, or two, before you quit your other job. just to see how much you would average..

Will definitely be doing this. I have an arrangement with the boss at the new job where I'll try it out for 3 more weekends (friday/saturday) and then make my decision based on how well it goes. Meanwhile I'll be gaining valuable training tips from my trainers so that I can hit the ground running when I do decide to start full time.

Originally posted by: FoBoT
will you make enough if you switch? so your wife works/does ok?

My trainer yesterday said he averages about $1500 a week, and he's made up to $2500 a week depending on the workload and the pace of the technician doing the job. My wife works but she's on disability right now, she's in her 6th month of pregnancy and doctor ordered bed rest, which is another plus for the new job being that I'll be minutes away from home at any given time.

I'm leaning more towards taking the job given all the pluses, my trainer yesterday said he's been doing it for 8 years and that the best decision he ever made was taking that job.

 

[pancho619]

Up for the weekday crowd.

 

[spherrod]

I would switch - one thing which is a big bonus is the extra time you will have from not commuting

 

[Patt]

Take the new job ... is it really worth any money to be commutting for 4 hours a day? Esp. when your wife is pregnant and on bed rest? Seriously, even if the cash is smaller, go for quality of life, not quantity of money.

 

You drive 100 miles one way to get to work?
I would have quit long time ago.

 

[nageov3t]

your current job sounds pretty nice... why would you buy a house 100 miles away if you weren't already planning on quitting, though?

 

[pancho619]

Originally posted by: loki8481
your current job sounds pretty nice... why would you buy a house 100 miles away if you weren't already planning on quitting, though?

We bought the house because it was way cheaper than in the area where I work, I knew eventually I would find a job closer to our new home and I think this is it. I've only been commuting for 3 months since we moved into the new house, but let me tell you these 3 months have been hell as far as driving and not getting enough time to rest and spend time with my wife. I'm definitely looking at this job for its potential in raising my quality of life, the money is supposed to be good too but I'm not too worried about that aspect.

Well, today I'll be talking to my current boss to tell him I'll be leaving in 1 month. I want to give them plenty of time to find someone to replace me. What kind of things should I say? Or should I just write a letter?

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: CaesaR

Originally posted by: Jumpem
I'd try the new job out.

 

[SouthPaW1227]

I'd do almost anything before I nixed my Fridays ANDDDD Saturdays!

 

[BCYL]

How stable is the new job? I mean this in the sense that how many jobs/installs will you usually get (since you said your income will be based on that)...