Ask Slashdot: How Much Is a Fun Job Worth?

Nicros writes "I have the good fortune to be a lead software engineer in a really fun company. The culture and people are great, and while the position has some down sides (distance from home, future opportunities), in general I'm quite happy there, and I wasn't looking for a new job. Now, I've had an offer to go be a software director for a new company. The pay is more than 10% better, the location is closer to home, and the people seem nice. I would get to grow a new group as I saw fit, following some regulatory guidelines. Problem is, I just can't decide what to do, and I'm not even sure why I can't decide. Maybe it has to do with leaving a job that I like (something I've never done) that just doesn't sit well with me. Maybe it's fear. I'm 40, so maybe it's just getting older and appreciating stability more. But then again, I have my current position dialed in, and could use a change. I have ambition, and my current company has made every effort to work with me to develop my career — probably more in the business development side, but that could be fun too. That career path is just more vague and longer-term than jumping right into a director position, with no guarantee that it would even work out. In the new company, software is not what this company does primarily; not many people would use the software, so the appreciation level would be much lower than my current position. Has anyone made a transition like this in software? How did it work out? Did you stay or did you go? Why? What's more important, the people and culture at a job, or the opportunities that job presents for future growth?"

Comments

What motivates you?

[debest]

This all comes down to if you want to play it safe (stability motivates you), or if you want to roll the dice and gamble (change motivates you).

I speak from experience. I made a risky choice in 2000 and joined a startup, quitting a secure job at IBM that I would (in all likelihood) still have today. The job I went to paid better, was a lot of fun, exciting, challenging, and in the end a failure. My career has never fully recovered, and I am certain that had I stayed at IBM I would be finincially way further ahead than I am now. By all reasonalble criteria, I should regret my decision.

Yet I *had* to do it: I crave re-invention and change. I wouldn't be happy stuck in the douldrums of a stagnant work environment. I work for myself now, but I have no problems envisioning myself going back to being a cog in a big machine again. I'm open to, and embrace, the possibilities.

But as for you, you have to make that decision for yourself. The operative word about your job is not "fun", it's "happiness". You're in a fortunate position of being satisfied with your career, so you need to decide if you will regret not taking the opportunity to do more (and risk that you will fail). Good luck.

Re:Quality of Life is #1

[Pseudonym]

If a job offered me a 100% raise, but I had to commute an hour each way, I'd say no.

It depends how you're commuting. Two hours of driving a day would send me crazy.

However, I do commute an hour each way every day by train. I get two hours a day to listen to podcasts, read books or papers, and generally do anything that doesn't take up more than one seat or annoy other people. I also managed to score an honorary appointment at the university campus, so I have access to a well-stocked library. My hours are flexible, and my dress code is nonexistent (beyond basic health and safety requirements).

But the best part is this: I get to go to work every day and work on potential cures for cancer.

I could probably get a 100% raise working in the finance sector, and the commute would be shorter. But I get to wake up each morning and feel like I'm going to do something that matters.

The age is the key factor

[ktappe]

Many posts will talk about happiness and growth and pay. I will concentrate on age. I was all with you staying at your current job and being happy until I saw the one crucial tidbit: You're 40. That's the killer age after which finding a job in IT becomes very difficult. The job you have at age 40 is likely the IT job you'll be stuck at until you retire. Companies deny it, but they hire 20-somethings because they're cheap and (the companies think) they're moldable to anything they want them to be (they aren't).

Don't think my post is coming from a young'un who is putting down older workers; I'm 44. You're literally at the end of your rope, career-wise and so am I. You have a chance to get a 10% raise and transition into management (away from the deathtrap of IT). OMFG, DO IT NOW NOW NOW. Do it while you can. Get the money now before the industry pegs you a "has been".

Seriously. Go. Even if your'e a bit less happy you'll be better off career-wise and retirement-wise. It's the adult, smart choice. Go.

He is talking about 10%

[SmallFurryCreature]

So it is 70k vs 77k. Not worth it in my opinion. Not if he is happy where he is. And 10% more for a director role? Seems low.