A conundrum.

"mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin)
08/08/2014 at 17:21 • Filed to: None

You are recently promoted to executive management at a top tier company in a location you and your family hate. You are offered a non-management position in a lower prestige company in a location you and your family want to be. Do you sacrifice your career advancement for the happiness of your family?

DISCUSSION (24)

yamahog > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:24

I don't have a family, but I work to live, not the other way around. I left the aerospace industry and took a slight salary cut (more than made up with paid OT and cheaper cost of living, but yea) to move back to Michigan from LA because I was miserable there.

NaturallyAspirated > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:27

Yes. I know how much it wears on your psyche to live and work someplace you hate. Never again.

HammerheadFistpunch > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:27

Go watch " you only move twice " simpson's episode.

and then...what were we talking about.

Textured Soy Protein > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:28

During my most recent job search I was offered a job that would be a big step up, but in Lexington, KY.

I told them I would want big piles of money to do the job, if at all. They focused on local candidates, which was fine by me.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:29

Family first provided they have good reason to hate it there. I'm not much of a career guy or an academic. Work to live and all that.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > yamahog
08/08/2014 at 17:31

Lack of winter got to ya?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:31

I am self employed!!! Haha.

GhostZ > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:33

Divorce wife with a pre-nup and sell kids to a third world country in exchange for cars. Take the job.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:37

How bad is the location you all hate so much?

yamahog > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
08/08/2014 at 17:38

Lol, a bit, but more like sick of the incessant traffic (seriously, bumper-to-bumper on the freeway at 1am getting a cab back from the bar), overpriced/overrated everything, and awful people. EVERYTHING is fake and I'm a New Yorker, not some wide-eyed easily impressed midwestern kid in search of their big break waiting tables and getting starstruck. I lived in the Hamptons, I'm over that celebrity worship shit. Also, I was working on the F35. 'Nuff said.

That reminds me, I should really write up a counter to that "LA is the ultimate car scene" Jalopnik post because IMHO Detroit is far better for the average gearhead.

E92M3 > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:39

Happiness comes first. Especially your wifes hapiness! Besides I know a couple of people who relocated across country only to lose their job a few months afterwards. Some things are more important than your linkedin status or salary.

CAR_IS_MI > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:40

I don't live to work, I work to live (so whats the point if you don't like where you live?)

If the lower pay job will pay enough to support you and provides room for advancement and a place where you and your family will enjoy it, take it.

Leadbull > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 17:45

Define "hate". Does the family just love it too much at home to move away, or is the new job North Dakota or something?

If the new place isn't an absolute wretched hive of scum and villainy, I'd move. It doesn't have to be permanent. I'm sure a couple of years experience in an executive position could land you a great job at home, if you choose to go back.

cabarne4 > Textured Soy Protein
08/08/2014 at 17:52

Your loss, Lexington is actually a great town, surrounded by beautiful countryside and wonderful driving roads. There's no traffic, cost of living is cheap, and it's centrally located between a lot of east coast vacation destinations.

Textured Soy Protein > cabarne4
08/08/2014 at 18:04

Nothing against Lexington. It seemed nice enough.

I didn't want to pick up and move somewhere I know zero people, and work in a job where I'd be there at least 50 hours a week so not much room for a social life, and since I'd be the boss I couldn't really become too chummy with people at work.

I live in Madison, WI because I came here for school and stuck around. I'm originally from DC, and spend a lot of time in Chicago. Those are the places I'd move to, if anywhere. I'm more of a big city guy.

So when Wisconsin folks tell me there's so much traffic here in Madison, or so many people, and they can't handle the "big city," I laugh at them.

Manuél Ferrari > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 18:10

Simple -

But now I'll back it up. It's worth it to bug people in the short run for long term well being.

You won't have to live there forever. Getting this job on your resume could lead to getting another similar (or even better) job in a location that everyone likes more.

I would prioritize career for sure. It's your responsibility to ensure that everyone is taken care of financially. If you have a chance at an exec management job then that's tough to turn down. Those jobs pay well and will make it easier to pay for expensive things that your family will want or need in the future.

cabarne4 > Textured Soy Protein
08/08/2014 at 18:10

Madison and Milwaukee are both nice. Understandable about the work / social situation, and Lexington definitely doesn't have a huge car scene (a few of my friends do track events though). I was born and raised there, couldn't wait to move away when I turned 18. Still glad I left, but it's definitely a good town.

Wurrwulf > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 18:12

Will the difference in salary affect your quality of life? Or just the location? Will the difference in salary make up for the location?

A kid can be bummed out about moving to a new place, but if daddy's new job puts his ass in a kart, it makes up for a lot of things.

Renescent > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 18:43

Depends on who's the breadwinner. In my house, we move to the job and make the best of the location.

Conan > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 18:51

It really depends on the location. Will the terrible place get you where you want to be?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > yamahog
08/08/2014 at 18:52

I have never been to either of the coasts. Always have and always will be in a small town that has been poor ever since AMC went bankrupt.

blacktruck18 > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 19:30

I would say move, a s long as the salary hit isn't too bad. Once a managerial position at the new company opens up try to get it. You should be a shoe in as you already have some experience.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 21:43

Yes (assuming you're pretty much already set, financially, and that you won't hate the job).

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > mkbruin, Atlas VP
08/08/2014 at 22:33

I will make my own option C.