Change jobs or live abroad for a while

M442

Hope I'm ok to post this here.

I am at a bit of a turning point and need to make a decision so am looking to the power of the internet for advice.

I am 28 and currently working a reasonably well paid job in Dublin but it's not what I want to do so I will be moving on in the next few months.

I've been offered an AO job in the civil service. The advantage of this job is that its in an area I want to work in (HR) and I have an interest in politics/ government so I think I might enjoy it. Also these roles are hard to get so I might never get it again, and if I do it probably wouldn't be HR.
The disadvantages are that the pay is 25% less then what I am on and progression is slow. It would also mean staying in Dublin for a few years and I am half thinking of moving back west where I'm from.

My second opinion is totally different. I am looking into doing the mountbatten programme. This is where you pay 7,500 and you get to spend a year living in new york. They give you a job and there is a study element. You get a monthly stipend (1,200$) and your accommodation is paid so you break even but don't make money.

The advantage to this is living in NY and I would probably get to work in HR. I have lived abroad before and loved it. I also think this is my last chance before I get serious about life!
The disadvantage is that I wouldn't be making money for a year and the job would be junior enough. I am a bit worried all the others will be 22 and out all the time. I would also be sharing a room!

Anyway I hope I'm not rambling just looking to see what others would do in my situation!

Icaras

Id recommend go abroad, sample a new way of life and culture. Looks like either way youll have a wage drop, sharing a room is not ideal but for a year you can make it work.

dar100

Ask civil service if you can defare for a year or so, they may be open to this. Good opportunity getting into PS/CS

Sir Ophiuchus

As a current AO (two years) looking to find some opportunities abroad, I'd take the year in New York. It'd look great on your CV and would probably be a path to better-paid opportunities than the Civil Service.

M442

Thanks for all the help! So hard to know what to do and I'm just curious what other people would choose.

OMM 0000

OK here's my 2c.

28 is still young, but realistically if you want to get married and have a family, it's something you need to think about soon. I know sooooo many Irish women who left "getting serious" to their mid-30s and now they're all panicking and desperate. The reality is it takes time to find the right person, and it takes time to get married, and it takes time to have a kid. For most people this is at least 5+ years. So I sort of agree with you that your time to mess around will be finishing soon. I understand some feminists will be angry at what I've just said, but it's reality. There's nothing cool about being single and childless at 40.

I think you should go abroad.

1. I'd rather kill myself than work in the civil service. I am ambitious and need to be around other people who are ambitious.

2. If you're not happy in your current job, and you have some savings, and you're confident you can get another job in the future (e.g. you have skills which are in demand), then I see little risk. Note I am assuming you have no one relying on you financially.

3. The New York thing sounds interesting. I'm not saying don't do it. But have you looked at other options? For example, teaching English in Japan or Korea or China. That would be a mad one year. And instead of breaking even you'd be able to save a bunch of cash. I do understand of course that teaching English may not be for you, and also, it doesn't look great on the CV. But it would be a fun year.

4. In the future, you can work in HR in a more interesting place. Like a small tech company or something like that. It'd be a much happier place to work.

So in summary, I think you should go for it.

Have to agree. You could go somewhere and do the English thing for a year. Book a return flight or you'll stay longer.

OMM 0000

Deleted User wrote: »

Book a return flight or you'll stay longer.

Great advice. I know so many people who went to China "for a year" and now 8 years later they're alcoholic sexpats in Shanghai.

OMM 0000

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Great advice. I know so many people who went to China "for a year" and now 8 years later they're alcoholic sexpats in Shanghai.

Sounds pretty sweet to be fair.


(Joking)

OMM 0000

Deleted User wrote: »

Sounds pretty sweet to be fair.


(Joking)

Haha well they're sort of bitter now...

The problem with English teaching is it's great for a year or two, just for the adventure, save a bit of cash, etc.

But it has no future, no real earning potential, and everyone I know doing it eventually gets jaded and seriously, they become alcoholic sexpats.

Saying all that, if you were to get serious about it and do loads of private lessons, you could make a fortune. I know a few lads who only do private lessons, and they make a fortune (few hundred euros a day).

Sugar Free

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Saying all that, if you were to get serious about it and do loads of private lessons, you could make a fortune. I know a few lads who only do private lessons, and they make a fortune (few hundred euros a day).

I'm pretty sure the poster you're quoting does or did just that!

OMM 0000

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Haha well they're sort of bitter now...

The problem with English teaching is it's great for a year or two, just for the adventure, save a bit of cash, etc.

But it has no future, no real earning potential, and everyone I know doing it eventually gets jaded and seriously, they become alcoholic sexpats.

Saying all that, if you were to get serious about it and do loads of private lessons, you could make a fortune. I know a few lads who only do private lessons, and they make a fortune (few hundred euros a day).

Been at it for seven years in Vietnam, but have started a business and am pretty much done with teaching. Not a sexpat.

The money is actually good though after you get some experience. I work two full days and three half days and my net pay is $3k a month, in a cheap country.

A few years ago, I worked a lot and was saving nearly $4k/month.

OMM 0000

Deleted User wrote: »

Been at it for seven years in Vietnam, but have started a business and am pretty much done with teaching. Not a sexpat.

The money is actually good though after you get some experience. I work two full days and three half days and my net pay is $3k a month, in a cheap country.

A few years ago, I worked a lot and was saving nearly $4k/month.

I like how you didn't claim you're not an alcoholic :pac:

Yeah as I said I know some people making a lot of money from it.

The problem really is when they go back to their own country, they don't really have many skills to show for it.

Good for you opening a business. Hope it works well. I've been to Vietnam before and it's a good spot.

OMM 0000

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I like how you didn't claim you're not an alcoholic :pac:

Yeah as I said I know some people making a lot of money from it.

The problem really is when they go back to their own country, they don't really have many skills to show for it.

Good for you opening a business. Hope it works well. I've been to Vietnam before and it's a good spot.

Anyways back on topic.. I've never heard of any program like that before in New York. What would be the advantage of it?

PhoenixParker

I haven't read anything about the New York program except what you've written there, but from what youve written it seems kinda pointless- a low level position and you've to pay for the program? Realistically what are you getting out of it careerwise?

If you want to go abroad, go abroad but there are probably better options.


The CS is not the worst bet. There are opportunities to go abroad within the service though it depends alot on your luck of the draw in terms of role. You can also do things like take career breaks and chunks of unpaid leave, ie you can travel abroad with a guaranteed job to come back to. HR as an AO is probably a good bet for future promotion as you'll get both policy and people management experience. AO will have limited opportunities to move outside Dublin.

Your two options are so different I think you need to sit down and really think about where you want your life to go. Then look at these and other options. I suspect neither that you have on the table is right.

MarkY91

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Been at it for seven years in Vietnam, but have started a business and am pretty much done with teaching. Not a sexpat.

The money is actually good though after you get some experience. I work two full days and three half days and my net pay is $3k a month, in a cheap country.

A few years ago, I worked a lot and was saving nearly $4k/month.

I tried to pm you but your inbox is full. I'm just wondering what kind of business you opened up in Vietnam? I'm hoping to someday do the same except in the Philippines.

MarkY91

MarkY91 wrote: »

I tried to pm you but your inbox is full. I'm just wondering what kind of business you opened up in Vietnam? I'm hoping to someday do the same except in the Philippines.

Software for schools. Pet project for the last four years taking off. Wooo.

Pelvis

Not to be a pedant, but you won't live in NYC for a year, you'll live in New Jersey.

Minimum wage in NYC is $15/hr in a business with >= 11 employees. Based on a 40hr week that's $2600 per month. So you're essentially paying $1400 in rent to share a room in an apt with 5 other people. Plus paying 7.5k upfront for the pleasure?

Your $1200 stipend is before taxes, you're going to need more than that to survive over there imo.

Getting around the 90 day holiday visa seems to be the only attraction of that program.

M442

Thanks for the replies. I suppose the advantage of the New York thing is that the visa, job and accommodation are sorted for you. Also since I'd be going on my own it would be a good way to meet people. The job might be junior but it is still relevant experience.

I did the teaching abroad thing and have travelled a little in Asia so not for me.
I might see if I can defer the AO role.