HELP! Can't decide between 2 jobs!

[sheena lee]

So I got my BFA in Design just a few weeks ago. For the last 2 semesters of my degree, I've been working as a part time graphic designer for my school's student union. I work 3 days a week, ~15 hours. Now that I've graduated, I decided to just put some CVs out there for full-time work, 'just to see'...

So Tuesday night last week I sent one CV with my portfolio and immediately got an email with a "call us in the morning if you're interested." I called on Wednesday morning, and went to an interview on Thursday evening. I was hired on the spot (which I always find fishy, but the job is in my field and basically the company does everything I do design-wise, so it's not that weird.)

The problem with the job is that it's a pay cut per hour, even though I'd be making more money technically because I'd be working more hours... It's a really big pay cut too. I currently make 16.75/hr with my part time job, and I would be making 14/hr with the new job (where minimum wage in QC Canada as of today is $9.90)... It's a big difference, but I can't make the same hours.

Here are the pros and cons. I can't decide. I'm about 2 hours away from tossing 2 little papers in a hat and deciding that way. I'm serious. lol.

New Job
Pros: more money, full time work, interesting challenges client-wise
Cons: very far from home [1hr 15 travel with 3 transfers], pay cut, no benefits, dealings with brides/wedding planners

Current Job
Pros: VERY flexible hours [i work when i want to, basically], great benefits, friendly coworkers, all-around fun job, interesting project(s) coming up, I'm unionized
Cons: can't work full time, new "bosses" starting in a month [it's a student union with yearly elected executives]

On one hand, I could use more money. On the other, working part time will give me a nice break after 3 years of **** in university... I mean I applied to ONE job. I've got a degree, why should I feel forced to take the first job I get? But then, why shouldn't I go where I can make more money (even if it's less per hour)?

ARGH! Help!!

 

[Snickers]

I would keep the current job but still look for a better full time job.

When I used to look for work the pay did not matter that much. I looked for the benefits and distance from home. The pay would catch up the longer I stayed.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

I totally agree with Nan...if you're happy and have good benefits, well, in this day and age, I think that is all that matters!!!

 

[saphire]

I am with Snickers on this.

 

[sheena lee]

Thanks everyone!!

I'm pretty certain I will be staying with my current job -- the travel really gets me and I know I can find something better and that I'm worth more than $14/hr (I'm not at all arrogant but I know I'm a pretty good designer! lol)

 

[Chinch]

I agree with sticking with the current job, for the sole reason of your "benefits". You didnt specify what type of "benefits" you are receiving, but I am assuming health, leave, that kind of stuff.

I worked a full time job with benefits at a high school. Crappy job, no room for growth, but easy as pie.

I worked part time at a YMCA, since I was a teenager, and they offered me a manager job, part time, same pay, no benefits.

I wound up taking the job with the YMCA, because I LOVED the YMCA, been there forever, loved the members, tons of stuff to do, and the possibility of growth, and supervisory experience. And, heck, I was healthy, what did I need benefits for?

A few months later, I was diagnosed with diabetes, and am now a type 1 diabetic taking 2 different types of insulin and oral pills.

Thank God, that was years ago, and I was let go from the YMCA, and am now in a job with benefits, but, if you have health benefits now, please, dont risk it and go to a job without benefits. The way my life works out, if I did that, the next day i'd get hit by a train or something!

 

[Cinder and Me]

Have you talked to your current job about being hired full time?

I would let them know how much you really want a full time job, and also how much you like working for their company. I agree, that companies with good benefits and a work environment you like are sadly hard to find sometimes. Just remember that the longer you stay there, the better your resume looks and the more experience you gain. All making you a better candidate for that "dream job" you're looking for.

 

[sheena lee]

Yeah my benefits are health, dental and vision, and I think it covers a portion of medication. I've had better benefits from other jobs, but it's rare that any part time job will have any at all.

Working full time where I am isn't a possibility. I set my own hours and only I know how much work I have (at the moment I have veryyyy little to do.) I could probably work a maximum of 20-25 hours per week when larger projects start coming in. It's also an odd set up because there really are no bosses per se, and everyone there is a student except for 2 office managers who are there for accounting and pays, etc...

In the end I declined the new position yesterday afternoon. I feel a lot better than I have for the past few days, where my stomach was upset and I had a nagging headache. )

 

[Chinch]

Good Job Hun! I'm glad you feel a lot better, and I hope some of us were able to help you. To find a part-time job that offers benefits is hard to find, and you need to make sure that if anything were to happen to you medically, or you got sick or got hurt or something, you need to make sure you are taken care of.