What would you do?

[jknudson]

Today I reapplied for a job as animal care technician at The Mayo Clinic here in Rochester MN... I applied for it in May-June, same time as my current job. I received a letter that they were not going to fill the position until further notice, and today I noticed that the job listing was posted once again.

My dilemma is that I really like my current job, and being a small business I'm the only employee...so I feel really pressured to stay. I know eventually after the business takes off my boss was planning to hire one or two more employees, but as of now he relies on me for saltwater care and general livestock maintenance/sales. It may be a year, two, or more before the time comes for new employees. I enjoy working with aquatics, but feel that the other position would be a better long term career and help achieve some of my future goals.

The new job would start out at a much greater pay, that I know my boss cannot meet due to budget, as well as full benefits (Health Care, Retirement plan...that jazz), and the means to finally move out on my own. I feel so compelled to stay where I'm at though mainly because he was my store manager at the old pet store, brought be over to his store with him, and didn't have to do that but needed my saltwater experience, and he relies on me for many other responsibilities...

The new job is close to what I've been thinking about pursuing for a career (Vet Tech) through a slightly different avenue, but much better pay....and once working there, Mayo would pay for any continued ed.

I feel selfish for wanting this new job, but bad that I'd leave the old high and dry. I believe that the new one is best for me and where I want to go...I just don't know what to do. My mom is encouraging me to take the new position if accepted. (However biased, she works for Mayo as a RN)

What would you do? Stay, or if accepted go work for new position?

-Jason

[mlededee]

go! this is a long term career opportunity whereas your current position is not. your current boss should surely recognize that. you have listed many things that are better about this new position and although you do like your current job your main reason for staying is loyalty to your boss. while that's great, it shouldn't keep you from pursuing a great opportunity doing something you really want to do.

[jknudson]

go! this is a long term career opportunity whereas your current position is not. your current boss should surely recognize that. you have listed many things that are better about this new position and although you do like your current job your main reason for staying is loyalty to your boss. while that's great, it shouldn't keep you from pursuing a great opportunity doing something you really want to do.

Thanks Emily, I definitely appreciate outside opinions. I'm worried if I don't leave my current job, I'll regret it...but also that if I do leave I may regret it. I wouldn't mind working with saltwater still in some aspect, but honestly I've had more fun with it when it's not what I was doing all day everyday.

I would love to have a side business/hobby someday that involves making custom acrylic aquariums and cages...the other job would support that better than now. And I suppose if I tried to do this where I work now, it would become a conflict of interest (competition for the tanks we sell)...and most likely wouldn't be much fun. But my current job could also lead to other opportunities within the pet industry, but also may not...

I've written down the pros and cons of each...and you are right, at this point if I get accepted at the other job and stay where I am its a decision to stay loyal.... but its still a hard decision to make because I get treated very well where I am.

Thanks again ...its too hard to try to figure out on my own. One piece of me wants to get hired at the new job, another is comfortable where I'm at. My parents are all for the change, my girlfriend thinks I should stay loyal because I've only been at the job since June.

[Thunder Kat]

I think/hope your boss would understand that you're trying to aquire your dream. As great as loyality is whats important is your long term and building a life for your self. Best of luck on what ever you choose because with your values deserves the best.

[Jeanne]

I have to agree with everyone else on this.. first, it is good to know that you do have a sense of loyalty, alot of ppl nowadays do not.

However, you also need to think about your career, the rest of your life and your goals. If you expect to meet your goals in life, then it sounds like it is time for you to move on and accomplish those goals; the longer you sit around and do not get to work, the harder it will be on you down the road.

To me it sounds more like it is not so much a "loyalty" thing, but perhaps more that you are worried deep down inside about this type of change since you obviously know it can be life changing; good or bad. In this case, I would cover my eyes a little bit and take the leap!

My advice toward your other employment situation, is to give at min. 2 week notice, in writting, in hopes of them finding someone to replace you when you leave... or give them notice now that this is your plans and that they had better find someone to take your place..so you can train them. And then give notice once again just 2 weeks before your final day.

[rabernet]

Jason,


You sound a lot like me. I applied for an internal job with my company back in March. I worried over this like nobody's business.

I really did want the new position, but how was I going to tell my boss this? I had built my role into what it was, and I was pretty darn proud of what I accomplished (they had to hire two people to replace me).

I finally worked up the nerve to tell my boss I wanted to apply for the job, and I was offered the position two days after my interview. I still hemmed and hawwed over it for four days before finally accepting the new role.

I boiled down to it was business and not personal - and it was the best decision I could have made.

[cassandra]

The new position sounds like a better place for you to be now and into the future and you need to do what's best for you. If you take the new job, your current boss should understand that and be happy for you. =)

[recycling goddess]

your boss left his job and followed his dream, to start a new store... so he'll understand that you too want to follow yours!

keep us posted!!!

[JLC]

Maybe you could work out some arrangement to continue on part-time at your current store...maybe just until he gets a new guy trained up? That would put a LOT of pressure on you, though, to be learning the ropes of a new job while still having commitments at the other.


In any case, I have to agree with everyone else here. These kinds of career-advancing opportunities don't come along very often, and if you get offered the job, I have a feeling your boss would probably be upset with you if you turned it down! (If he cares about you at all!)

[Nate]

Jason, we are in a similar situation, only I am not under pressure to make that kind of decision, although one day I think I will be.

The job i'm working now pays me pretty OK for a college student. I work for a company that deals with performance cars and I really do like my job. It's just me and my boss running the show. If I leave him, I would be leaving him high and dry and I would have an extremely guilty conscious. But the industry i'm working in is not the industry i want to make a living in. I will have to eventually go my own way to do what is right for ME.

The best advice I can offer is to let him know what is going on. Let him know that there is an opportunity that you don't want to pass up. If I were your boss, I would hire another worker and have you working along side him training him to take over your position when you leave...but you could be gone in 2 weeks! That's the problem!

It's a dog eat dog world and when it comes down to business, you must do what is right for you and your family. If you are presented with an opportunity to make more money, have health coverage, and everything that you need to make ends meet, then you have to take that opportunity. If you wish to remain loyal to your current employer, then the best thing you can do is continue to be a supporting customer.

Good luck with your decision and please keep us updated. I may be in your shoes very soon so I really want to know how you play your hand.