Take a lesser paying job for a chance at career satisfaction?

hmm, when asking a statistician or an economist for a solid answer they likely respond "it depends", same in this case, it depends on how large a "haircut" in salary/comp. you will take...details matter.

Mike S. said:

Sometimes the grass is real grass and is greener.

Click to expand...

More often than not when you look straight down at your feet after getting there you still see dirt.

I made a similar move recently. Left a Management role where I was wearing multiple hats, leaving little to no time for life outside of work. Health and Family issues obviously accompanied by the lack of time.

I took a step back, luckily with a company I have history with, and I have been quite a bit happier. Family is happier, and health is improving.

It could have always went the other way though.

As some stated above, weigh out the options. What might be right for me or others, may not make sense for you.

Best of luck

Regret. We all have it and there is no antidote. If you say yes or no odds are your mind will nag you at you later.

Sometimes it takes time to decide if you made the right choice. Sometimes in the moment you think what is happening is terrible, but later you realize it was a blessing.

In my professional career I've had about a half-dozen cases where I had to make a conscious decision to change jobs. There were several other opportunities that I decided not to take. Some turned out better than others. Even with the benefit of hindsight there is not one that I would go back and change. YMMV

I ended up leaving my relatively high paying job 2 1/2 years ago now as my employer put me on "Leave of Absence Awaiting Assignment". Best thing that ever happened to me. I had intended to keep working until age 70, but reality was I had sufficient savings to retire. So now teaching online (which provides health insurance) and going on cruises. Yes, "it depneds", but take a look at your finances and your goals for life (and retirement).

Steve Prevette said:

Best thing that ever happened to me. I had intended to keep working until age 70, but reality was I had sufficient savings to retire.

Click to expand...

Intended to keep going until 70? Wow, that's in my rearview mirror! I'm hanging until 75 or so, and now with remote work it might go a tad longer just to stay busy.

As for cruises..........I did some on big grey boats, water is water.

Randy said:

Intended to keep going until 70? Wow, that's in my rearview mirror! I'm hanging until 75 or so, and now with remote work it might go a tad longer just to stay busy.

As for cruises..........I did some on big grey boats, water is water.

Click to expand...

Also on a grey boat - but underwater. Did an all expenses paid Med cruise in 1986 . . . Much better this past October on a cruise ship. Though was a bit strange to stop at Toulon France on both cruises.

Steve Prevette said:

Also on a grey boat - but underwater. Did an all expenses paid Med cruise in 1986

Click to expand...

Did 4 of those as well, but y'all kept kicking us out in the dark to paddle someplace. At least you did sit around and wait.

Randy and Steve - I have a deep respect and appreciation for what y'all did in your military careers.