Jobs: what to do?
As of yesterday, we have an unfilled position in my department at work. It’s full time, with benefits. It’s dealing primarily with an aspect of our department that I haven’t done much with, though that doesn’t take up a full 40 hours per week, so there would be plenty of things that I already know how to do. I’ve been somewhat encouraged to apply for the job, though another girl in our department who already has a full time position has been as well.
I’ve also been led to believe that, if I could get a portfolio put together that shows my (maybe minimal?) web development skills, I might be able to get a position where Jon works doing something that I might enjoy (lot of ifs and mights there..). However, putting together a portfolio when you never ever thought you might go into web design/dev field is a very daunting, time-consuming task. I have the potential of being ready maybe sometime early next year, by which time the job where I currently work will probably have been filled.
The question then, is do I apply for the opening at my current workplace, knowing that it’s possible (slightly) that I might be leaving again in 6 months or sooner? If I don’t apply here, and don’t get the web dev job, then I’m stuck in my current part time job indefinitely. If I apply and somehow get both, then I’m sort of leaving my department here in the lurch. Is that kosher? It feels kind of slimy to me; maybe that’s just how things work, maybe I just need to look out for myself, but it feels funny. And I’m ignoring the possibility that we might move to Austin sometime soonish, too.
Any thoughts?
GeorgiaMom
November 15th, 2005
3 years ago
Yes, (of course!) I have thoughts!! I personally think you should apply for the job at the library. If you felt comfortable and prepared to apply for the web design job NOW, I’d say go for that…but it sounds like you don’t, and there is no way to know for certain that the web design position will still be open when you are ready. But you know the library work, you are already working FT hours, just seems to make sense to apply for the job and at least get some FT benefits for the duration of however much longer you might be there. There’s no need for the library to know that you are *thinking* about the web design, and just taking the FT job at the library doesn’t commit you to any certain length of time that you HAVE to stay there….but it does have lots of plusses until the web design works out!
P.S. Just remember, you asked for comments, lol! Something you don’t usually do with me! /hugs!
Jazzkat
November 15th, 2005
3 years ago
Seconded! Not that a mom’s advice needs any more backup to be good for you
, I fully agree. This is the time to think about what’s good for you, not other people.
cruinh
November 15th, 2005
3 years ago
Just want to say I agree too. There’s never anything wrong with applying for two different jobs, even if you think you’re likely to be offered both. That just puts you in a better position to improve your own situation… and really that’s what careers are about. It’s either that or what’s best for your current company or coworkers, and I don’t imagine you go to work just to make your coworker’s jobs easier. It’s to get a paycheck, experience, and other personal benefits, yes? That may sound like a selfish way of putting it, and I guess it is… but not in a bad way. So go for it, and take the best offer you can get!
And one more thing… it’s really your employer’s job to make sure they’re not depending too much on you, specifically. It’s not your responsibility to pass up a good job if an offer happens to come at a time they really need you. If they think differently, I’d say THAT’S slimy 
Fishhead
November 16th, 2005
3 years ago
Go for it. Corporate loyalty is dead, so don’t even worry about possibly leaving in 6 months for something else. If taking the full time job is something that has lots of plusses compared to where you are now (which it seems like), go for it… even if it is only temporary.
jena
November 17th, 2005
3 years ago
Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I seem to be in this phase right now where I don’t feel confident about any of the decisions I want to make (see: becoming a web developer), so having a few positive comments backing up what I want to think is really helpful.
M. E. Patterson
November 21st, 2005
3 years ago
Do it! Becoming a web developer is easy. They’ve (read: The Man) been paying me to be a “web developer” for years and I’m still not certain I’ve actually done any work yet. And when I *do* the occasional bit of development, they never use it anyway, but still tell me it’s great and give me money, so hey, whatever! Go for it!