Is it worth it to take a job with a big pay cut if it's something you 'think' you really want to do??

Answer 1

Angela, only you know the answer. A job is not only essential to survival (a means to food, water, shelter, and clothing) it should sustain our internal desire towards self worth, happiness and achievement. That which drives and completes you may not always seem like the most sensible method to others and we may even question our own choices at times, the way you are now, but when it’s all done, ask yourself? What did I accomplish? Did I make a difference? Am I the best person I can be and why or why not? And if I choose the money over what I want to do, will that be okay too? Yes often it is.

Answer 2

"You have to take a salary cut, but it will pay off in the long run"
maybe you haven't heard before, but believe in it. Taking a salary cut to change careers may seem an undesirable proposition but . it's similar to climbing a tree only to find the branch you're navigating is rotten. You have no real choice but to move down before you can start back up the tree in a better direction.

As the US economy spins ever more quickly into a critical mass of e-commerce, new media and Internet-related businesses, it's unlikely that you will be able to continue in the same career. New businesses comprise new job functions and that means you'll need new skills to tackle new opportunities. It's likely your career will change more than once in the next ten years. There's a price associated with that and it's worth thinking about how you'll pay it.

We're talking about discontinuous career change. That is, the learning curve you're riding doesn't just get steeper, but it comes to an end and you're forced to hop onto a different curve. The discontinuity won't be evident just in your career. It will also hit your pocketbook as you gear up to learn new skills and to understand new work requirements. But don't let that panic you. Remember that you're not just changing jobs but you're investing in a new career.

Take one step down to move two steps up is more easily understood through an analogy. You're climbing a tree, following a particular branch (your career) upward. Just as you start making good time, you look around only to realize you're going up the wrong branch. The branch is leading you in the wrong direction (or it's rotten), and you need to get off. The only way to change direction is to move back down so you can start up the right branch (a new career in a better direction). The backtracking represents the cut in your pay and position. There are no two ways about it: it's going to slow your progress but only for a while. As you start up the right branch and gain momentum you'll surpass the level you were at on the old branch and you should be fine. Cutting your losses to increase your profits is where this analogy packs punch. The farther up the wrong branch you go and the higher you rise in status and salary the farther down you will have to go (in status and salary) to get an entry-level position in the new career you want. It will also take longer before you can ascend to the heights that represent your goal.

The message: If you recognize that change is necessary don't delay the shift in careers and take a step down to gain two steps up. The longer you wait, the more costly the shift is likely to be. I frequently hear from executives in dying industries who avoided computers and the Internet for years while now they're forced to take the plunge, and the drop is precipitous. The sooner you make the decision to change, the more manageable the cost will be. No one wants to focus on a tree-climbing analogy when talking about success in today's hot business climate so think of the stock market and maybe that will make you feel a little better about a tough decision. When you take a salary cut to move into a better career, you're not losing money; you're investing in change. When you invest in a stock, you're out short-term cash and if you invest wisely the returns will more than pay you back.

Don't worry too much about the dip you'll take in salary. Focus instead on doing so well at your new job that your value becomes quickly reflected in those first and second dividends that we call raises.

Answer 3

A very dear friend of mine had to make this decision just over a month ago. He chose to leave everything (including a 60,000+ salary) to go be what he really wanted to be in a new state several hundred miles away. He currently makes about $20,000 less, but is really happy there and doing great. Unfortunately, it's one of those questions that you have to answer for yourself. My friend made a good decision, but everyone is different. You have to ask yourself if what you want to do will make you happy, how important that is to you, and if you can live the way you want to live on a lot less $$. Good luck!

Answer 4

Yes.... My brother-in-law quit a job as plant manager to join the FBI... Took a big pay cut but absolutely loves his FBI job and eventually the pay went up to his previous job's level... Live is too short... Go for it!

Answer 5

Most definitely! How many people do you know who hates their job. Nearly everyone you talk to these days. It's less stressful if you truly love what you do. Your eager to get up in the morning to go to a job you truly love and you do better at it because you want to be there.

We spend so many hours at work that you need to be happy. If you do what you truly love, the money will follow.

Answer 6

Anytime you're working at a job because you enjoy it rather than for the money you will always prosper. It's very lucky when you find what you really like to do early in life.

Answer 7

Depends if you're not going to hurt with money. If you need the money, keep looking for the same kind of job with higher pay. but if you're ok, go for it!.

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

i think it is worth it , it might open other doors and opportunities.Go for it