Career choices: What would you do?

[UMass03]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

I got a great offer out of college but it required me to relocate as well and I had the g/f issue to go along with it.

We talked about it, agreed it was a good deal so I took the job and we spent about 9 months apart.

Three years later we're married and both have good jobs here on the left coast so I guess sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too!

[longshadow11]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

AA, I wouldn't let the girlfriend be a factor in the decision. Dreamjobs don't come around very often. If the girl is the one for you, a 2 hour drive won't keep you apart. I would say pray about it if you're the praying sort of fellow. This is a huge decision and it doesn't hurt to ask the most powerful being in all existence for a little clue as to what to do.

It's funny how a great opportunity can sure make you miserable; my wife just went through the same thing.

[Jimplication]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

If you built a home at your current location, you likely had plans to stay in the area. Therefore, I think you should stay there.

Owning a home is a pretty permanent thing, and I wouldn't suggest throwing it all away just to chase after a good job.

What if you settle in Atlanta, buy a home, and another better job arises? Do you leave then as well? If yes, I would suggest renting an apartment instead of buying a new home in each new location.

Good luck.

[Jistic]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

One thing to keep in mind. There are some changes coming in the real estate market. I have been dabbling in it for the last couple of years. It may not be as easy to make a buck in the near future as it is now, and has been for the last decade or so.

Yep. I just got out at the end of last year. Gonna be down for awhile. However I'd go with option A.

Get the training and paid for a few months, and see how things work out on the home front. If you still don't want to move, then just quit. If you find that things aren't working out, move to Atlanta. It's a win/win.

[AuburnAlumni]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

Yep. I just got out at the end of last year. Gonna be down for awhile. However I'd go with option A.

Get the training and paid for a few months, and see how things work out on the home front. If you still don't want to move, then just quit. If you find that things aren't working out, move to Atlanta. It's a win/win.

That's exactly what I'm leaning toward Jistic.

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

Ok, so here's the scoop.

As some of you know, I used to be a scrap metal broker but recently left the business because I was on the road 2-3 weeks out of the month and it was killing me, both mentally and "socially" (lost 2 g/fs in 2 1/2 years because I was never home.)

I've been self employed for about a month now, going back to personal training as well as flipping some properties while I work towards my real estate license.

Well...on a whim, I decided to put my resume up on Monster as well as put out "feelers" around Bham with some friends on the chance that maybe I could find a good job that I DIDN'T have to leave Birmingham for so I could work on my real estate gig and pursue my current relationship (met a great girl about a month ago, going really well).

Anyway...I ended up interviewing with a great Hardware company as an outside sales rep. I interviewed on Monday, and I was offered a job on Tuesday. I just got back from the job offer an hour ago and they extended a pretty sweet deal... Base pay comparable to my base salary in the Steel business, company truck, gas card, full benefits, plus 25% commission on all sales once my training was over and I was actually in the field selling.

I would also ONLY travel in my city..I would not have to travel outside the state, etc.

Here is the problem...

They said they most likely would be moving me to Atlanta at the end of my training...and that the supposed 6 months of training would most likely only be about 3-4 months considering my past sales experience and my connections with this type of industry.

I just built a brand new home here in Bham, I have a great new girlfriend and I love Birmingham. I also am very excited about moving into real estate and I have some very promising opportunities there in the LONG RUN.

In the SHORT TERM...this job is a dream as far as pay and benefits go, I'd be in Bham at least 3-4 more months and it would be good steady income while I get to my goal of being a real estate broker. Also...my brother and his fiance are in Atlanta, it's only 2 hours from Bham, and I have a ton of friends I went to Auburn with who live in Atlanta.

So...basically...I'm torn.

Do I..

A. Accept the position, go through the training, and decide later if I want to move to Atlanta?

B. Decline the position and take my chances as far as self employment goes or until I find another job in Bham while I get my real estate gig going?

This sucks...if I didn't meet a great new girl and have a brand new home I have been in only 3 months, I'd be jumping at the opportunity. But now...I don't know.

Give me some opinions.

find the most jumping clubs in your area and be a bouncer, from your Pics buddy I'm sure you can bounce many people on there heads...LOL

[kodiak]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

find the most jumping clubs in your area and be a bouncer, from your Pics buddy I'm sure you can bounce many people on there heads...LOL

Funny you say that, he is a bouncer on weekends.

Well my fellow Chi Phi, I agree with Jistic. You get the best of both worlds for the short term. And even though that home is your first that you bought, it has no other special significance if you do end up moving. So take the steady pay and benefits for the short term and that gives you more time to plan out for the long term. The one question that I have is, was it the constant being on the road that made you unhappy or was it the selling side of things, or a combination of both? If it was option B or C, then this job may not be the best thing either.

[AuburnAlumni]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

Funny you say that, he is a bouncer on weekends.

Well my fellow Chi Phi, I agree with Jistic. You get the best of both worlds for the short term. And even though that home is your first that you bought, it has no other special significance if you do end up moving. So take the steady pay and benefits for the short term and that gives you more time to plan out for the long term. The one question that I have is, was it the constant being on the road that made you unhappy or was it the selling side of things, or a combination of both? If it was option B or C, then this job may not be the best thing either.

It was the travel. I like sales...I've been in some form of sales...be it personal training, steel, etc. since I got out of college. I don't even mind travel..but traveling at least 2...most times..3 weeks out of the month..and I'm talking hundreds of miles away for a week at a time..wore on me. And like I said...it cost me two other relationships. I would be in Tampa, FL one week..then have to meet a client in St. Louis the next week..and that would be DRIVING.

I put 72,000 miles on my Jeep last year.

[Coach Bryant]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

It was the travel. I like sales...I've been in some form of sales...be it personal training, steel, etc. since I got out of college. I don't even mind travel..but traveling at least 2...most times..3 weeks out of the month..and I'm talking hundreds of miles away for a week at a time..wore on me. And like I said...it cost me two other relationships. I would be in Tampa, FL one week..then have to meet a client in St. Louis the next week..and that would be DRIVING.

I put 72,000 miles on my Jeep last year.

I'd go for the dream job. Women are expendable assets. Easy come, easy go.

[pk500]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

Auburn:

Ask yourself this question: Do you live to work or work to live? And that question has nothing to do with work ethic. It's a matter of personal philosophy. If your answer is the former, then go to Atlanta. If it's the latter, then stay in Sweet Home Alabama and enjoy your roots, home and potential soulmate.

Good luck, man.

Take care,
PK

[Coach Bryant]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

Auburn:

Ask yourself this question: Do you live to work or work to live? And that question has nothing to do with work ethic. It's a matter of personal philosophy. If your answer is the former, then go to Atlanta. If it's the latter, then stay in Sweet Home Alabama and enjoy your roots, home and potential soulmate.

Good luck, man.

Take care,
PK

I work to live; however, I wouldn't want work a job I hated. IMHO.

[Dallasin2K3]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

Yep. I just got out at the end of last year. Gonna be down for awhile. However I'd go with option A.

Get the training and paid for a few months, and see how things work out on the home front. If you still don't want to move, then just quit. If you find that things aren't working out, move to Atlanta. It's a win/win.

I agree with this advice.

Many posters point to the new girlfriend as the reason to stay in Birmingham. To the contrary, I would say never give up a good opportunity for a significant other. Many people will disagree, but it has been my personal experience that not once has passing over a quality opportunity for a man/woman paid off. Not once. Food for thought, perhaps. And it could very well be that others have found the opposite to be true. This has been my experience, however.

I would think, even if this new girlfriend was important to you, you can reassess the situation with her after the 3-6 months of training. A lot can happen between now and then. Maybe you all go your separate ways. Maybe she'd want to go to Atlanta. Either way, you'd be foolish to pass this up now.

My .02, good luck - and remember, things turn out alright in the end.

Edit: Additionally, real estate, by it's nature, is less-than-reliable as a business. Nationally, it is slumping fairly significantly right now.

[Scottdau]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

One thing to keep in mind. There are some changes coming in the real estate market. I have been dabbling in it for the last couple of years. It may not be as easy to make a buck in the near future as it is now, and has been for the last decade or so.

Yep same here, I would really think about the pros and cons for both decisions. And take everything into account.

[fsquid]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

I wouldn't base your decision on a girl you've seen for a month. Remember, girls aint nothing but a dime a dozen and bitch I got a dollar!

[SidVish]

Re: Career choices: What would you do?

I would take the job as it seems like the opportunity you've been wanting and waiting for. Don't base your decision on a girl that you've only known a little while. This sounds like one of those opportunities that comes along once in a lifetime.....twice if you're lucky. Go with option A. Just my opinion.