I am hesitating applying for this promotion at my job bc of the commute. Is that crazy?
I would be making $20K MORE a year.
Right now it takes me less than 15 minute to drive to work and I park in a lot across the street.
This job would involve only ONE train but it would take about an hour and a half to get there.
I dont know - I have never liked the city OR public transportation. It is a HUGE pay increase but I can't help thinking 'what if i am miserable there!!!!'
and then when I have kids my mom is going to watch them but if I am adding close to THREE hours to my day, that is going to be so hard on her. . . and I would probably have to come up with another option.
Oh yeah and obviously i could apply and NOT get it BUT its a pretty important promotion SO if I apply AND i get it AND i turn it down it would be career suicide. . .
Shouldn't this be easier??!
Any advice?
AMGBride2008
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Re: I'm nuts
Sorry to crash, but I'm telling you to go for it. If you don't, you'll regret it forever. You will get used to the commute (trust me! I was so hesitant to get into the city but now it's nothing to me). Worry about kids when that time comes. I'd hate for you to miss out on such a great opportunity
MJDoc12
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Re: I'm nuts
well if you apply for the promotion....will it open up more channels to additional promotions and pay raises in the future? do you want to start moving into a direction that this will help advance your career? if so--is moving closer to your job an option later on?
could you possibly get a promotion later on but closer to where you live now? do you plan on working F/T when you have kids ? there are so many variables!
MeNBobs
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Re: I'm nuts
An extra $20k a year would be fabulous. You can't sit and think about all the what ifs for a few years down the line. You may get this job then get promoted again to a different location.
I am happy driving to work but for an extra $20k I could learn to be happy on the train. You should apply anything to better yourself is always good. Lots of luck!!!! If you get this job you can take me out to dinner.
ant n tilde
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Re: I'm nuts
Posted by AMGBride2008
Sorry to crash, but I'm telling you to go for it. If you don't, you'll regret it forever. You will get used to the commute (trust me! I was so hesitant to get into the city but now it's nothing to me). Worry about kids when that time comes. I'd hate for you to miss out on such a great opportunity
I remember when you switched over and started your city commute. . . Thanks for crashing!
joshisgirl
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Re: I'm nuts
i agree with the other ladies. i'm also REALLY comfortable at my job right now (it's a 10 minute walk) but if i had a chance at a $20000/yr. increase, i would be all over it, regardless of what's going to happen in the future. i used to take the train also, and although i hate it, i did get used to it and it ends up not being THAT bad.
if it was me, i'd go for it!
ant n tilde
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Re: I'm nuts
Posted by MJDoc12
well if you apply for the promotion....will it open up more channels to additional promotions and pay raises in the future? do you want to start moving into a direction that this will help advance your career? if so--is moving closer to your job an option later on?
could you possibly get a promotion later on but closer to where you live now? do you plan on working F/T when you have kids ? there are so many variables!
Well, here is the thing. Government works in pay grades - I would fully skip over TWO grades if I got this position. There ARE positions available in my building for the same grade BUT i would have to go through the other two grades first. . . so this is like a fast track.
Basically our office at Federal Plaza is THE highest you can get at my job without going to Baltimore.
I will definitely have to work full time when I have kids, working part time here STINKS - they take away all of your flexibility and some of your benefits and that is not an option for me.
I asked DH about it and he was supportive, of course. But, he also said that he thinks that I would be miserable every day - I really hate the city LOL I know I would get used to it but for right now its true
Argh, I am starting my application - not sure if I will submit it!
MeNBobs
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Re: I'm nuts
PS Gas will be about $57 a gallon anyday now. Taking the train may be the greatest thing that ever happned to you.
GinaZ
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Re: I'm nuts
I think u should at least apply. commuting isn't thaaaat bad. You get used to it and in the mornings you can just fall asleep. 20K is a lot of money! At least apply if the actual job itself is something u really want!
PeteysBride
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Re: I'm nuts
Tilde I would sit and think about it but 1 1/2 hours isnt bad honestly. I mean I have about that every day going and coming and I always ahd it since I went to highschool in the city too. Yes its 3 hours of your life everyday but you learn to cope. You catch up on reading, snooze, whatever.
The way I deal with it is making it 'ME' time; my time to read or catch up on the news or bring the laptop and screw around aonline-just a bit of time all for me. Then its sorta something to look forward to than to hate.
I understand being afraid about a new place because I HATE change but...its an extra 20k honey..ALOT of money and unelss the work conditions are horrific (in which case its NOT worth it), you'll learn to cope.
I believe you dont have to love your job. Yes it would be nice if we all did what we loved but sometimes ya can't and thats why its called a JOB and work. If it were fun it wouldnt be a 'job'.
I am sure you will find the best situation for you!
ant n tilde
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Re: I'm nuts
Posted by MeNBobs
PS Gas will be about $57 a gallon anyday now. Taking the train may be the greatest thing that ever happned to you.
ok i didnt want to reveal this factoid but they would pay for my commute if i took the train
i really AM crazy arent i?
ant n tilde
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I HATE CHANGE!
PeteysBride
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Re: I'm nuts
Posted by ant n tilde
Posted by MeNBobs
PS Gas will be about $57 a gallon anyday now. Taking the train may be the greatest thing that ever happned to you.
ok i didnt want to reveal this factoid but they would pay for my commute if i took the train
i really AM crazy arent i?
You bettr grab that commuter pas!
I will be honest-I hate the city too. I feel smarly every day for 20 minutes after I get home but I make do cause the pay is better than NJ. If I were gettign paid to commute, hell the snarls woud be mumbles
MJDoc12
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Re: I'm nuts
Okay with that info---then yes i think you should try for the job.
we have a lot of military people in my family--and i know how frustrating it can be to go thru the different pay grades. if you can jump 2 grades with this promotion....DO IT!!
Federal Plaza is a good area to work out of....at least its not allll the way up in Manhattan....downtown Manhattan is a nice area to have to head to work....you can do it!!!
MeNBobs
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Re: I'm nuts
Posted by MJDoc12
you can do it!!!
MJDoc12
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Posted by MeNBobs
Posted by MJDoc12
you can do it!!!
haha--did you mean THIS?
bonniejd
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Re: I'm nuts
Posted by ant n tilde
Posted by MeNBobs
PS Gas will be about $57 a gallon anyday now. Taking the train may be the greatest thing that ever happned to you.
ok i didnt want to reveal this factoid but they would pay for my commute if i took the train
i really AM crazy arent i?
GO FOR IT- I was going to ask if the cost of commuting would be big enough to make the pay increase not as worth it, but if they are paying for it, then definitely go for it!
Licee15
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Re: I'm nuts
Whats there is lose what you don't have...It doesn't hurt to apply for the position...
Because then you may think about the what ifs....
I say apply for it and take it from there and see what happens...
Good Luck
missliss
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Re: I'm nuts
DO IT!!!!!!!!
Tilde I work in lower manhattan and love it. When it's nice I go and have lunch by the water, and it's really not like midtown.....down here it's all tiny streets, some of them with no cars at all. I'm not going to say it's not crowded, but it's just....different...than midtown and I worked in midtown for many years so I know the difference.
20K is ALOT of money, and they're paying for the commute!!!!! Trust me, you will get used to it.
What train are you by where you live?
ant n tilde
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Re: I'm nuts
THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE
Seriously you all gave me a kick in the behind and I decided to talk to my manager before I lost my courage! So the application process has begun.
Don't know if anyone else works for the government but I swear I feel like I have to take the day off from work just to APPLY for the job, its so involved!!
