Career change need advice.

Good evening my friends, I have been working for state government as a mining inspector for almost 4 years. The money isn’t the best but you build time as you go alone so you get days off. Well a couple months ago I seen where the federal government has been hiring mining inspectors so I applied and was award a job. The money is almost fifteen thousands more than I make now and by five years would be making really good money. The only draw back will be the commute. There office is about sixty miles one way from my house but the place I work at now is only 12 miles away. What would you guys do? Just need some advice I hate changing but don’t want to pass up a good opportunity.

 

So 60 miles is a good clip, what’s the actual drive like? I helped staff an interlock shop in Gaithersburg MD for over a year, traveling there 3 days a week for a while, then it cut down to one. I could have taken over that shop BUT, my boss knew I hated the commute. It was about 70 miles of highway that would have horrible jams. Traffic would do the worm for miles. So for me, it would depend on that.

 

May I ask how old you are, at my age 60 miles each way would be a deal breaker...when I was 30, I commuted 2 hours each way and it was not a problem.

 

What does the God of your faith say?

Mine left a book of instructions that if read, provides answers for this sort of thing. While He has given me some interesting instructions, He seems to be able to handle whatever barriers I encounter whilst following those instructions.

My commute is now longer, but that is my needed solitude time, opportunity to pray, catch a teaching or sermon. Yeah I spend a little more gas, but I'm in a better place spiritually.

May He guide your every step and decision.

Sca

 

Friend of mine I went to college with is now a professor at said college which is 70 miles one way from his house. The drive is easy…all interstate with very little traffic. I have never heard him complain about it.

He is running an older model Toyota Corolla with almost 500,000 miles on it. Since it is all highway miles the car runs great still, and the gas mileage is good. He saves his truck for weekends and time off.

 

Sirchopsalot makes an great point.

I would also say you're working for the state of Kentucky. I don't keep up with the political side of Kentucky. I can tell you what the current political side of this country is. To me, that is worth taking into account. My wife is a fed, and has to work directly under a political appointment. Yes, this can theoretically change every 4 years. But in some circumstances, 4 years can be a really long and difficult amount of time. The above may not directly apply to you, but I think it's worth considering.

 

The drive would be my main consideration. For me, next to being a doper, there’s no greater waste of life than time spent in traffic. If 15k was going to transform my family’s life, I would make the sacrifice.

 

I did the 120 mile round trip to work for years. It did not account or add the hours driving once I got to work but that was all paid for by the company.

It adds at least 2 more hours to your work day.

I used cars that got good mileage so that helped out a lot.

Bad weather was expected and increased driving times of course.

Another consideration, I missed out on events. Specifically, school events of the kids. Not all of them but ........

The pay was substantial enough to put up with the inconvenience.

I tried car pooling as there were others that took the same job, but waiting on them proved to be too much of a drawback. One of them always had an excuse when his turn to drive came up also.

I would do it again.

Sirchopsalot look at it this way. Plenty of time for my daily prayers too!

 

Are you happy where you're at? What's gonna make you happier? More money or more vacation/free time?

 

I worked 32 miles away when I was younger in my 30's. I ended up hating the drive. I worked 25 miles away only a couple years ago, and I ended hating that commute too. I'm 4 miles away now at 47 and that's what I want. I'll also say that it matters where you are driving to, as in through a big city, or county driving.

 

And what kind of job you're driving to.....

 

Thanks for all the comments guys. The job I would taking will be for MSHA. The drive is good road and no interstate driving. I can probably make the trip in a hour or so. The retirement and having better benefits has made me want to make the move, but everyone worries I guess. I definitely been praying about it. I’ve just never traveled like this before for work. I’m 46 years old .

 

As Eckie says, Under the current regime, unless it’s a lithium mine you will be dealing with who’s to say it will be operational next week.? If it’s coal good luck! Money is only part of life and can’t buy happiness. Go with your gut instinct and not the promises that can be broken.

 

Sounds like if you can deal with the drive, it’s a good move. $15k a year is huge, and I’m sure very welcome in these times. 6 years ago I left my previous job that was 13 miles from home to work for a government defense contractor 30 miles away. Based on straight 40 hours per week, it worked out to an extra $18k per year back then. Factor in overtime, and it was exponentially better. Looking back now, I have no regrets. At the time I was really on the fence about it because I had a great gig where I was at. I got along well with my coworkers, I enjoyed the work, it was challenging, and I had a couple younger guys working under me that I was guiding along. In the end I had to do what made the most sense for me in my situation, as the sole financial provider of the household. It’s worth mentioning that money is not the end all be all to everyone’s situation though. Good luck on your decision, and trust the process

 

I enjoy a little road time before and after work to get ready/unwind, think, and relax. That said my 45 minute one way commute for a job I had was on open and free flowing highway and not a hellhole of congested city traffic. Another big consideration is fuel and vehicle maintenance. Would they let you work longer days and do like 4-10's instead of 5-8's?

 

Don’t overlook factoring the benefits of a Federal job. Including life time health insurance after just a few years. Pension is likely better, too. Most State retirement plans are dismal.

 

The health insurance and retirement is what made me consider this new job. The state job I have doesn’t offer any health insurance benefit like that and the retirement plan I’m under is a tier 3 plan which comes out to be about 14 dollars for ever year of service. Not to good.

 

I can work four days a week from what some have told me.

 

I did a 50 mile each way commute for almost 4 years...it was mostly highway and light traffic, so overall not too bad in an economical car...it was nice being able to unwind after a hard day...tended to be less grouchy by the time I got home...but still, working (5) 12's and then add 2 hours commute time to each day...it was a lot...I was ready to be done with it by the time the gig dried up.
I work 2 miles away now (last 16 years) and I don't think I could do the long drive anymore.
The one downside to working so close to home is, if you leave home late, you gonna be late!

 

That is 600 miles minimum per week (assuming 5 day week). At today's gas prices (around here ~$3.50), and assuming 22 mpg, that is an extra $95 per week. At 52 weeks, that is $5,000 per year in gas costs that you can take right off the top of that extra $15k in pay. Oh, and don't forget the extra maintenance cost for your vehicle - oil changes, tire rotations etc.

I did basically the same thing at the beginning of 2019. Went from 60 miles of easy country driving where only a few miles had a lot of traffic. Bumped up to 100 mile round trip where even the 5:30 am traffic was hectic for the last 20 miles - and horrid in coming home (Just glad I never had to commute in Boston). Added 20-45 minutes to my commute as long as there were no accidents. Aslo had limited "go around" options. However, there was a reason I was looking at other jobs and I love my new boss and coworkers are great. And then everything hit and I'm a WFH person now, so win-win-win.

So, it all depends on how you think you will like the job and the people you work with, the opportunities the job will give you versus how much you value your time that you spend commuting. Also think about the type of traffic you will hit - road rage is real and it could translate to your private life. I actually have never minded the last 25-30 miles of my commute from any of my jobs as it allowed me to play my music loudly, bob along with it, and generally wind down.