In the current economy, I have no right to be so stressed about choosing between two great jobs, but they are both so different. I've never posted anything in an online community, but I'm really looking for feedback. My family and friends are A. tired of hearing me change my mind every 20 minutes and B. not willing to suggest either for fear I will remember their advice only if I regret my choice. So here's my choice, please tell me which you would choose....

Job 1: Keep the money!I am a corporate writer at a Fortune 500. I love my job and the people. Typical 9 to 5, but the company was taken private. There's a lot of pressure and insecurity right now. My position is in transition, so I will be doing more work for new (and not my favorite) people. My soon to be supervisor, (who I like fine) walks in this week and tells me my new role in the organization warrants an 11 percent raise (And this is after I'd accepted a new job but hadn't returned the offer letter). Until this my choice definitely in favor of Job 2 (even if it meant a pay cut)

Job 2: Take a break!: A university instructor. What else is there to say.... it's rewarding; the vacation time is great. Who could turn down more than 3 months vacation every year, especially when I have 2 beautiful little girls and their dad is headed to Iraq in '09. My choice was clear, but now I've spent a week weighing the new raise, I'm tempted by the money.

I'm the primary breadwinner. The money is close annually because of a state educator pension plan and summer teaching, but the monthly income teaching is about $800 a month. Big Cut!

There's more security at the university, but there's more room for career advancement and overall lifetime earnings in corporate communications.

I've prayed, made pros and cons lists and changed my mind 20 times a day. I love both jobs (I teach as an adjunct already).

Help!
Working Mom

Hi, and welcome to the tribe! You definitely have a big decision to make.

I have a friend who worked for years in corporate communications before becoming a University professor. She has 3 kids and a husband who works several months a year out of state. When her kids were younger, it was very difficult for her to manage her University schedule. She had to teach 1 night class each semester, plus keep regular office hours, on top of her regular day class schedule. Although, she said it was hard at first to adjust to the pay-cut going from Corp Comm to University - she was broke after paying the sitter, and it was tough to go 3 months each year without a paycheck, she felt the time pressure and demands of her previous position would have been totally unmanageable during the months that her husband was working out of state.

She stuck with teaching, and now that she has reached tenure, and her kids are older - ages 12, 14, and 17 - she loves the flexibility and time off. And, she can always go back to Corp Comm in the next few years as the higher pay would help her pay for the kids college educations.

Personally, I would go with the position that would allow you the most flexibility and time with your girls. But, only you can decide what will work out the best for you and your family.

Good Luck! 

FWIW I would stay with the 9-5 corporate job.  You can always switch to become a Univ. Prof. later if it isn't working out, but quite frankly financial security is worth it. 

I work for a university, not as a prof. but in a flexible position, and the pay is low compared to corporate stuff and after a while the flex schedule can't make up for scraping to make ends meet.