This Job???

Updated on September 22, 2010
A.M. asks from Albany, CA
36 answers

I have currently been working at my job for 6 months or so I love my job but here is a little background (I work at a daycare) The pay is 8.00 an hour, I get no benifits and they dont help with daycare costs even though i work there. I love my job and most the people I work with and the boss has been working around my school schedual as well! However, I got a call the other day to start a job at a ISD middle school with benifits and with 8.50 an hour. I just dont know what to do! I need some advice, I am a toddler teacher, but with this job I would be working as a teachers aid in the age group I would want to teach... Please give me some advice :) They will work with my schedual and I can probably get more hours in there... They will also help with me going to school to be a teacher! I guess I know the answer, but I got comfortable and in a routine and it feels really strange... I was out of a job for near a year and half now I have a few options and its sacary... They already called my references and called me to tell me they wanted me to start! I just feel so comfortable at my daycare job! I dont get government assistance at all sept for a little on daycare, but we make to much supposedly... It has more opurtunities and I can easily get a job there after I graduate and they will help

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So What Happened?

I called them back today (the school job) but they were closed :( I am calling back thursday to tell them I am going to gladly accept the job and smile every moment of saying yes. I think I did need a little encouragement bc I do feel so comfortable at the daycare. I am going to tell my boss that I will sub and work during the summer bc I know she will need it and then I wont leave on a bad note... I have had my ups and downs at the daycare and know all jobs will have those, so I am going to be brave and take the leap best for my future! Thanks ladies! Now how do I put a 2 week notice in?

Featured Answers

K.N.

answers from Austin on

Go with the school district job. Change might be intimidating but it sounds like you'll have more opportunities.

1 mom found this helpful

M.P.

answers from Provo on

Go for the benefits and pay raise!!!! Plus it's in an age group YOU WANT to work in. Go for it! You can always make more friends.

1 mom found this helpful

J.B.

answers from Houston on

Well it does sound like you know what you should do:) Go for the job with benefits and a higher wage. Take care!!

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T.C.

answers from Chicago on

I say take the new job at the middle school. The higher pay & benefits..and tuition assistance are definitely good reasons. My sister is the director of a daycare. She's been doing it for a few years & is totally worn out. Many daycare workers get burnt out, or do it as a transitional job...at least in my sister's experience. My personal opinion is that a job as a teacher's aid in a middle school would look much, much better on a resume than working at a daycare. Congrats on the offer!

3 moms found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

There's really no question -take the job in the age group you want to teach that pays more and gives benefits! You evidently have to pay for childcare anyway (and I'm sorry -not at least giving you a break on childcare is pretty crappy on behalf of your current employer).

2 moms found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from New York on

As you said... I guess I know the answer. Don't second guess yourself, you know the answer.

An hourly rate means very little. You need to take a look at the entire package, hourly rate, paid time off, health insurance benefits, retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and possibilities for advancement.

Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Austin on

You said it yourself, you know the answer. You have only listed upsides for the new job, no downside. Better pay, benfits, help with school, working in your chosen age group, all great reasons to take the job. I think you have to step outside your comfort level and go for it. Good luck! You sound like a positive person, and you'll succeed in the new job as well.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Houston on

Sounds to me like you've already made your decision, but just need a bit of encouragement. =o)
Please don't hold yourself back just because you are comfortable there. Change is hard for everyone, but it's so worth it! The benefits (financial & professional) will be so worthwhile to move on. You should reread your own post... It's working with the age group you prefer, they will work with your schedule and allow more hours, help with financial costs of getting your teaching degree, have a job available for you once you graduate, plus the financial benefits... You deserve all that good stuff!! All it takes is a leap of faith. Who knows... you may enjoy this new job just as much or even more than your current day care job.
Go for it, girl! Best of luck!!

1 mom found this helpful

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Girl....go with the ISD middle school job! Benefits, works with your hours, more money, more hours, kids in the age group you want to teach, supportive of getting your career as a teacher.....enough said! =) Good Luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful

T.M.

answers from Modesto on

take the new job Chickie... sounds like its right up your alley. You will adjust. It's always difficult to leave our comfort zone but we all have to now and then if we want to progress to the next level.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.S.

answers from Sacramento on

How do you not know what to do? There is NO reason to stay in your current job. Take the new job!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.E.

answers from Minneapolis on

It's a no-brainer. Take the job that is in your desired field of work. In this economy, competition for jobs, even in public schools are slim. Will you now be able to apply time here toward tenure, or be able to parlay it into a full-time teaching position? If so, waste no more time at the other job, unless you plan on running a daycare someday.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Well, it kind of sounds like a no-brainer. It also sounds like you already know what you want to do. You do not owe your current job any allegiance. Your true allegiance is to your family. Which situation is better for your family? Anything else just doesn't matter.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

1 mom found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

This is tough but only you can answer it. I will tell you this. I was offered a job at $25 per hour! More than I thought I could ever earn at the time, but it didn't not feel right. I was offered a job for $15 an hour and it felt right. I took the lower paying job because I could still make it, and I am not sorry.

Go with your gut, but take the one you really feel is right with NO FEAR.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

Which one will let you go to a higher bracket in the future? Is there a future at the daycare? are there more option at the new place? More room for growth? Will they help pay part or all of your schooling?

1 mom found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

It sounds like you know your answer already. You put a lot of positive in the other job. Will the other job still allow you to work your school schedule?

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Houston on

I am going to be the dissenting voice. It sounds like a no-brainer, but I think you have to consider two things: 1) Will you be able to continue on your educational path? 2) What is your out of pocket expense for your share of the benefits?

I don't know how it works in the school districts, but in my company, my share of the cheapest insurance plan for my daughter and I is $1700/year--that is five weeks of pay before taxes at $8.50/hour. Add to that co-pays and deductible and I can be out of pocket another $1000/year.

If you qualify for some sort of state assistance (medical and otherwise), you are probably better off where you are...at least for now.

My company has a great 401k match, but I struggle to pay everything on my own and contribute. I have to put something to get something. Same with insurance.

The sacrifice you make now may just be an investment in your future, but you should consider the immediate impact on your cash flow. 8.50 is less than $1000 a year once you take taxes into account. You could end up with less than you have now.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Houston on

If you are going to school right now, your current boss already knew he/she would not have you working there forever. You should not feel guilty about this decision.

And you should take the job not just because it is an increase in salary and benefits but because it gives you valuable experience. In my line of work, we will usually give the college graduates who have relevant summer job experience an edge on those who did not especially when comparing other criteria such as gpa. Experience speaks for itself.

However, if I were you, I would make sure I turned in at least a 2 week notice to give your current place of employment time to find your replacement. And I would certainly make sure the boss knew how much you appreciated the opportunity to work there. In other words, leave on a good note.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

its a perfect time to take the next step in life. yeah it will feel like "the first day of school" with butterflys and all. but you have a chance to better your lives take it! give fair warning to your current job. congradualtions!

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R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I hope you went for the new job!!! Good luck.

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L.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Having benifits is a key, would you have enough money if you or your child had to go to the hospital or er. room. Will the school work around your school hours, do they have someone who can watch your child all these will weigh in on your answer. Good luck.

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S.H.

answers from Dallas on

Go with the new job. Benifits are important and so is an increase in money.

M.M.

answers from Houston on

congrats, take the job... what a way to move up!!

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L.M.

answers from Houston on

TAKE THE ISD JOB and don't look back.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

yep, go for it... you are lucky.
Lots of people without jobs now... or with jobs they hate.

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N.D.

answers from Houston on

You should always challenge yourself. I think since your so comfortable at your current job that is the only thing keeping you there. Pro's- you would be getting set up for a better career in the future. You would be making more money, you would be teaching the age you want to, need I go on. I think you just need to say yes, and don't burn bridges, just explain the situation to your current job. Maybe you could even volunteer or still help out there so they know you appreciate what they have done for you. Good luck!
N.

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L.G.

answers from Austin on

Congratulations! It sounds like things are working out well for you! Each job has its positives and negatives. If you take the new job, which we all agree with you that you should, just remind yourself that you CAN handle whatever negatives come your way. There are people there that will help you with the hard things and then you will be more prepared for your eventual teaching job. This sounds like the perfect stepping stone to your eventual job - getting to learn the good and bad, the easy and hard, while not having to be solely responsible for the kids yet. Enjoy the opportunity to be mentored. The more you compliment the teachers that you are aiding for and offer to go the extra mile for, the more help they will be to you.

Stand up straight, pull your shoulders back, put a smile on your face and look in the mirror and tell yourself that you will be awesome!

Oh, and remember that hurt kids hurt kids. When you see a kid that is being mean or difficult, it is because they are hurting inside. Be sure to start with, "Are you having a bad day?" instead of doling out the discipline right away. There are a lot of hurting middle school kids these days. They need someone like you to care about them each day.

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M.F.

answers from Houston on

The job as a teacher's aid gets your foot in the door with the school district. :-)

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C.B.

answers from Austin on

I think you should take the position. Here's why, it is a .50 per hour raise, benefits, it is the job you want, they are flexible with hours and you have to pay full price daycare anyway. It is scary but take the leap! I am sure if you give notice, they would be happy to have you back at the daycare. It sounds like an opportunity you should not pass up. Never let fear paralyze you into inaction. Good Luck.

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H.D.

answers from Topeka on

Take the job. Benefits and more pay. always looking for a stepping stone to make things better.

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T.M.

answers from Austin on

Like everyone else has said, yes take the job! It sounds like it will not only be beneficial now, but will get you further in your future career. Good luck and don't feel bad for leaving your current job, you are headed in a better direction.

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J.B.

answers from Houston on

Take the new job!!!!!!!!

Staying in one place because of comfort will only continue to hold you back. I know, I've done home daycare and my neice was working at a facility daycare like you and it held her back.

The new job will take you further with even more opportunities in the future. Go for it and I bet you will enjoy the new job even more than your current one. Good luck with it and I wish you happiness and success.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

It can be very scary to do something outside of your comfort zone. But usually, there are great opportunities out there, once you take the step.

K.S.

answers from Augusta on

Congratulations on the new job offer. {{Hugs}} Go for it. Benefits and more money is always a plus. Change is good embrace it :)

K.
http://www.EarnGreatPayAtHome.com

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L.L.

answers from College Station on

I will give you the same advice that I gave my daughter with very similiar circumstances. TAKE the new job. If it will offer you more with a schedule that works for your family you will probably regret not taking it. You say they will help you with returning to school to improve your options for improving your job. It seems like it is a no brainer. Good luck with your new job. I think deep down inside you know what you should do.

L.

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