Which job do you think I should choose?

[thirtythree]

Background: I'm a 1st year grad student in counseling. I have no car and will go on internship Fall 2008.

Current job:
[*]Campus computer lab, direct support to faculty and students
[*]~30 hours per week on average, flexible schedule
[*]$10/hr, no benefits (10.50 in Jan, hopefully)
[*]Easy access by bus, very close to classes
[*]Very enjoyable, laid-back job
[*]Potential for full-time position if I stay long-term (don't exactly have my heart set on counseling)

Potential job:
[*]Campus research division, direct computer support to staff
[*]40 hours per week, inflexible schedule (though most of my classes are in the evening, there are a couple exceptions, so this may delay my internship)
[*]$12+/hr (unsure), full benefits (including 15% on top of pay towards retirement)
[*]Would have to take two buses and walk about 2/3 of a mile each way, could possibly get a ride with sister in mornings (she works in the same building), could possibly borrow a car from parents then afford to buy my own
[*]Unsure of work environment--not terrible at least (I know the person who used to work this job, he was promoted so his position is now open)

 

[FoBoT]

time to move up, take the new job

 

[Koing]

2nd job.

Why not cycle it or is it too far?

Swap counselling and do something else that INTERESTS you.

 

[olds]

Current job.
Finish your education then move on.

 

[irishScott]

Current. Keep the schedule as free as possible. Education + Option 2 = stress+++; an extra $1.50 an hour isn't anything to die over either.

 

[Forsythe]

Originally posted by: Koing
2nd job.

Why not cycle it or is it too far?

Swap counselling and do something else that INTERESTS you.

If it's within 16km go for the bike! Definently.

 

[doze]

Stick with the current job, focus on your classes and relax and enjoy college. There will be plenty of time to work later. I had a pc lab job in college in the campus coffeeshop/lounge lab and it was easy. I could also do my homework at work and meet women there too. You meet very few women in IT support and you will also have weeks over 40 hours when things go wrong.

 

[RollWave]

Option 1. You're a grad student. If for some reason your classwork flares up and takes up a ton of your time you can change your schedule easily.

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: irishScott
Current. Keep the schedule as free as possible. Education + Option 2 = stress+++; an extra $1.50 an hour isn't anything to die over either.

I tend to look at it more as 13-14k more per year.

$10*30*52 minus 4000 for retirement = 11600 (actually I think this will be even less--I'm only scheduled for 20 hours per week and have to get the extra hours by picking up shifts, so I don't always get 30)

vs.

$12*40*52 minus nothing for retirement = 24960


The other thing is, I'll probably want more hours in the summer, assuming I don't take classes.

 

[thomsbrain]

if you can hack it, 2nd job, and save that extra dough!

 

[thirtythree]

Well, I e-mailed my advisor, and she said I'd definitely have a problem with one class, plus I'd probably have a problem with my practicum 2nd year, so... looks like I'll probably stick with my current job.

 

[thirtythree]

One last bump, just in case anyone has any brilliant insight. It's sooo hard to pass up an extra 13k per year, but I suppose it's for the best if I ever want to get through school (which I do).

 

[chambersc]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
time to move up, take the new job

 

[thirtythree]

For those who are curious (I know, all of you), I decided to take the job. It's actually 30k + benefits. I'm probably going to get a ride with my sister most days. My employer offered to be flexible with classes, but I'm probably either dropping out or taking fewer classes each semester (delaying my internship by a year).

 

[LS20]

while youre in school, do whats easy. commuting is a biatch, but most importantly get the flexible hours

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I say you did right, take the job that pays more now, and lighten your class load. You can still finish school and work and make money. With what little you were making, when it came time to internship you'd be strapped for $$$ to get new clothes and dependable transportation. And if you like computers you have a good place to start, and you said the previous guy got promoted so you know you have room for advancement.

At least in computers you have a set problem and there is a fix. Counciling, you'd have an unknown issue that you'd have to work on forever to get the person to open up to you and then listen to their sob stories ect. It might pay more, but I bet the stress of dealing with other peoples issues would barely out weigh it.

 

[j00fek]

go for the $$$

 

[Scarpozzi]

Benefits or no benefits

Hmm....you probably could score free tuition and end up finishing out your degree for free.

If you get the job, you may want to reconsider the internship or put it off for another year or so.