Which job should I take. Job1 = Fun, Happy ; Job2 = Money ?

Question

I just recently got a job at a well-known company that process electronic funds over the net.

I already worked there for 2 weeks and the job is beyond easy, mostly because I like the work they give me. This job, job1, is full of people of my age, 23-25 and are still playful and not all that serious. The problem is that I can only work part-time, which is fine, I can use such time for school, and still can survive part-time due to the rate they are paying me. Plus there is this girl who works there that I really like.

Job2 is a corporate environment where people are in their 30s and up. It's well developed company where people are serious about what they do; however, I don't like the work environment, it's life-less. People there are not ambitious about meeting goals, they just want to do the bare minimum. They just want to do their 9-5 and get home to live a steady life. In other words, they will not risk it all or try new thing because of their newfound viewpoint "Why bother".

However, the pay rate for job2 pays more and allows me to work full-time. I also get to meet heavy hitters such as the CFO, Controller, and management. It’s just the work environment that I am worried about. I can image the conversations that goes on around the water cooler, “What receipts should I use for my daughter’s bake-out?” or “Hey Bob, did you watch the game last night?” In other words, useless conversation that deals with nothing, useless nothings.

So what do you think? If you were me, would you choose job1 or job2. Keep in mind that I am still young and have plenty of time to build my skills. Job2 will get me where I want to be sooner but eventually I will get there if I stay in job1.

I’m smart and hardworking so being successful comes naturally. Common senses however, seems to do me wrong on all occasions. Please help.

The problem that people keep trying to tell me is: Work is work; it's not suppose to be fun. However, I beg to differ, work should be fun, doing something you're good at should be rewarding at the end of day. Work is part of your own creation. It is a part of you. Now do you see why people say that I lack common sense?

Answer 1

The biggest mistake that most people make when choosing a career, is not factoring in every aspect of it.

The paycheck is only one factor, (as you were able to pick up on in your description). You need to factor in happiness, job fit, job security, benifits, etc.

It sounds like, if you take pay out of the equation, then you would choose job number one. If you are happy with the results, (less pay, slightly longer to achieve your goals), then go for it.

I know people in their 40's that still work at McDonalds. (I'm not dogging McDonalds, just the minimum wage aspect.) They do it, because they throughly enjoy doing it.

Don't worry about what other people think. Write down the pro's and con's of each postition on a piece of paper, and go from there.

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

It is always better to work where you are happy, you can learn to live on a lower amount of money.

But, think ahead in life, where do you want to be in 10 years, Which job offers the most for advancement, ??

The second job, you complain about the people, that you will work with, but like the idea of having access to higher up people. If you go to work for an organization, composed of slackers, and you apply yourself, you will stand out in that crowd, the bosses will notice, and promotions will happen.

All my life, I changed the job I had, into something that I controlled more than the work environment controlled me, always worked hard and efficiently, and was nice to co-workers, even if I thought they didn't measure up, and made my own fun in a business context.

So think about both, it's not a black and white question

Answer 3

Take Job2 because:

a. the money is better.
b. as a go-getter you will likely advance fast, given your description of the competition
c. associate with the positive co-workers, stay away from the malcontents
d. you do the things necessary to make your job fun. that is within your power.

Your chances of advancement internally or externally will be better because you are judged in your career by how much you make. If you ever decide to change jobs you will move to a higher paying job.

You maximize your career upside in Job2. Go for it!!!!

Answer 4

Sounds to me like you already know what you want. Job 1. It isn't always about money. The money doesn't matter all that much in the long run if you end up miserable, unhappy or dread going to work. Like you said, you can survive. Wouldn't hurt to stick it out where you are at. Employeers tend to look at how long you've been at a job before hiring. If they see you've "jumped" around from job to job too much, it affects your chances of getting hired, no matter how good your reasons for "jumping jobs" may or might be. And about the girl...Don't crap where you eat! If something happens and say it doesn't work out, it will be ackward. So caution on dating co-workers. It can be a very sticky situation (been there and done it and regreted it). Best of Wishes...

Answer 5

ask yourself if you would rather have fun at work or have fun when you are not at work. The bigger paycheck will allow you to do more while you are not at work.