Should I take this really boring job?

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So, I'm under consideration for a fairly dull, probably undemanding administrative job only 15 minutes walk from my house. This is great in many ways, because I can focus on all the stuff I really want to get done- namely writing, shooting, and editing films in preparation for applying to masters programs in the latter part of this year. However, were I to be offered this job, I would be giving up a poorly-paid but (I suppose) "cool" position in the "industry" (camera tech at a film school). My current job may have some sort of weird cachet, but it pays so badly that I have taken up another part time position and currently work 8-5 Monday thru Saturday, which isn't that great for ACTUALLY GETTING ANYTHING DONE. Oh, and did I mention I have no benefits or holiday whatsoever?

My question to you, the wise people of ILX, is this - do I run the risk of taking this boring job, or one like it, and leaving a gaping hole on my resume should I not get accepted anywhere?

Pros
-Short walk from house (also save some $40 p/w on commute)
-Benefits & holiday
-Reasonably undemanding
-Much more free time
-Slightly more money for much less actual work time

Cons
-Not working in the city (SF)
-Taking steps aways from my career "path" (haha, such as it is)
-Boring

I am baring my soul to you here. New helpful comments please!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh oh another Con

-losing access to film school stuff (namely film transfer and the odd camera loan) that I would then have to pay to use.

There.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:51 (twenty-two years ago)

No. Do the cool thing in the field you want to work in. You'll regret not doing it down the line. You can get a boring desk job anytime.

How much more money is "slightly" more money?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey, bear the lesser money. You can always get a better paid job later. The access to facilities sounds quite key (and expensive otherwise?)

― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:54 (twenty-two years ago)

don't take the boring job. They always seem to have a weird way of keeping you there forever!!!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, technically I would earn only about $1,000 a year more than I currently do with these two jobs, but I would work one WHOLE less day a week.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:55 (twenty-two years ago)

pinkpanther OTM

― stockholm cindy (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Where would you be working? What part of SF?

― Aja (aja), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:55 (twenty-two years ago)

But I seem to spend every sunday just catching up with the laundry and household stuff that I haven't had the time to do throughout the week. That's no good.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Where would you be working? What part of SF?

I currently work downtown, Aja. But this boring job would be in Berkeley.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, so you would the commute be an issue too?

― Aja (aja), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, wait, no.

― Aja (aja), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I find it very interesting that you have all come down so quickly on the side of my current job. Certainly I will take this to heart, thank you.

don't take the boring job. They always seem to have a weird way of keeping you there forever!!!

And yes, Pink Panther, I think you have hit on my #1 fear there! I have just always admired people that get stuff done despite having an unrelated "day job". But I don't know if I am one of those people.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:58 (twenty-two years ago)

walking to work is one of the greatest luxuries on earth. thats all i have to say.

― ambrose (ambrose), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:59 (twenty-two years ago)

I should also mention that I am extremely poor and hungry.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 14:59 (twenty-two years ago)

I used to work in the city, now I work closer to home. I look back fondly, that's all I can say...

― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't go the boring way. It never seems to work out, in my experience. I know you read of great people writing their novel as they stare at an assembly line or whatever, but no.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:00 (twenty-two years ago)

And several credit card companies would like to have a quite word with me.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:00 (twenty-two years ago)

What does your wife think?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:01 (twenty-two years ago)

i've been there. don't do it, man. something better will come up eventually.

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:01 (twenty-two years ago)

You know there will be a better paid job in SF city, soon enough. Need to be there to catch it...!

― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:01 (twenty-two years ago)

i was gonna say take the job but i won't now

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:01 (twenty-two years ago)

She would like to actually see me on weekends. Let's not forget that, a very important factor here (though she of course understands why i have to work so much).

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:02 (twenty-two years ago)

i was gonna say take the job but i won't now

haha! someone should, otherwise this whole thread would be rather redundant!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:03 (twenty-two years ago)

kind of.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:04 (twenty-two years ago)

On the other hand, if you've been doing this camera tech job for a few months then not doing it for a few more is hardly going to hurt your CV. If you're serious about this masters thing then getting as much preparation done by the time you apply is U&K.

Could you not come to some sort of arrangement with your film school employers re: equipment?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:05 (twenty-two years ago)

the most valuable thing that you seem to have at your current job is networking potential (i know that sounds slimy, but). it obviously doesn't put food on the table/minimum payments on the cards, but it's important. from what i can tell, this is why boring jobs often wind up sucking people in - it's not that you get lazy, rather you get further and further cut off from people/opportunities in your ideal field.

― lauren (laurenp), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:06 (twenty-two years ago)

i wouldnt leap so fast down the turnign down boring job route thing. i think the main con to it is that it is going to take you away from what you want to do. now, the question is, how much is it going to take you away? if you are going to compromise what you want to do, by doing this, then its probably not worth the risk. if its going to straighten things out for a while, and provide a good solid base, where you are able to attack the things you want to do, then dont dismiss it out of hand.

so...is it going to harm your future in the field you want to be working in?

― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:06 (twenty-two years ago)

If this new job is going to free up some time/resources for you to work on stuff that WILL further your whatsit, then take it.
Working two other jobs isn't really getting you anywhere, is it?
So take this one, take advantage of the time it allows you to be with your wife, and bust your chops to get other things happening.

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, what he said.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I should mention that my current employers are some very, very dodgy and unpredictable people with little regard for their employees.

We're not actually SUPPOSED to be using the equipment...

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Gareth - those are good questions, but ones I feel like I wouldn't be able to answer until I am in the position of doing that job. Which maybe means it's not worth the risk, I think.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Quit, then steal stuff from work on your last day. It's your duty as an oppressed worker to do so.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I just need some kind of alternative. Hmmm....

(x-post Matt we're talking about $100,000 cameras here)

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:10 (twenty-two years ago)

$1,000 more a year = what, $20 more a week? don't do it

― s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Crime is always the best answer.

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:11 (twenty-two years ago)

i'm with huck, i think... really, the spot you're in doesn't seem to be doing anyone any good (except for your slimy employers). how confident are you about your apps?

― lauren (laurenp), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:13 (twenty-two years ago)

It's a hard decision, the boring admin job sounds a lot like mine, and yeah, I guess I work there coz it's close to home and not overly demanding. Yet, I'm just sorta meandering through life, but you sound like you have a definite plan, so I'd say take the money but don't let yourself get stuck in the rut of easy street.

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Actually, part of the problem inherent in what Gareth is saying above is that despite working where I do, I am not really doing what I want. This is due to a mixture of things, some of them to do with the stresses of the job(s) I do and lack of time, and also lack of $$$ - I still need money for film processing and other things. Since working at this place for 4/5 months, I have only managed to shoot and transfer a couple of rolls of film and borrow a DV camera once or twice. That has been the extent of my "perks".

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:14 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, i'd at least think about the boring job, all the better to piss about on ilx all day :)

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:14 (twenty-two years ago)

DON'T TELL HIM THAT!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:15 (twenty-two years ago)

ARE YOU TRYING TO RUIN THE POOR MAN'S LIFE?!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Walking to work is sensational.

But walking HOME from work, on a Friday, is an almost transcendental experience. Last summer I remember ringing a friend and buying beer on my way home, on a particularly sunny Friday, and then having a magnificent night out.

How tolerable is the new job? I mean if it's really shit don't think it'll help you creatively because you'll get home frazzled and burnt out and won't do any work at all. But if it has some nice people and is fairly undemanding then I'd consider it. Sometimes the extra money can relax you in other ways.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:15 (twenty-two years ago)

"apps"?

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:15 (twenty-two years ago)

appetizers.

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I mean, bah, I'm too young to be giving advice, but I do have some experience in trying to write while also working various jobs, I know it IS possible with some totally unrelated jobs, as I say, once they're not actually affecting your mood and mindset when you go home.

I'm guessing you want a job where you leave the office or whatever and instantly forget about the office.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:17 (twenty-two years ago)

The new job is just a catch-all admin job. Nothing like dealing with 100s of art students for 40 hrs a week and then sitting in a non-profit posting to ILX for another 9.

Ronan OTM with that last sentence.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:17 (twenty-two years ago)

and you wanna work somewhere where you leave exactly on time!

― jel -- (jel), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:20 (twenty-two years ago)

And you wanna spend time with your wife!

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:21 (twenty-two years ago)

(cuz if you don't...)

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 15:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Skipping 75 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

See that's what I mean!

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:15 (twenty-two years ago)

what?

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:16 (twenty-two years ago)

rtx comic

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Written by Neil Michael Hagerty

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:27 (twenty-two years ago)

and gygax, of course you are kewl, what are you talking about?

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:28 (twenty-two years ago)

did you read this?

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:28 (twenty-two years ago)

omg little star is great! listen to her!

― teeny (teeny), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha! She knows that you are of Hoosier origin and is thus extremely biased.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Not biased. Extremely fond of. It is not every day that you meet wonderful people from Terre Haute (I was born there!).

― little star (little star), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 18:11 (twenty-two years ago)

me too! ah stinky terrible haute.

― teeny (teeny), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 18:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Me too!
(not really, but I've decided to be Zelig today.)

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 18:32 (twenty-two years ago)

You've obviously never seen Zelig.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 18:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Zoinks!

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 18:46 (twenty-two years ago)

i think the true decision-making element of this job would be "How much time do I get to fuck around on the internet?"

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 20:48 (twenty-two years ago)

No, enough of that already.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 20:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I think having benefits and paid holiday is a pretty big bonus...

― mandee, Wednesday, 14 April 2004 20:53 (twenty-two years ago)

adam, i have a friend that makes short DV films and occasionally does film projects for work. would you like me to get in contact with him and maybe you guys could chat, or you could get some hands on experience working on things with him?

― JaXoN (JasonD), Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes please! Hey, your mom just hooked me up nicely! She is SO cool.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:58 (twenty-two years ago)

But I'll never get to come to another SF FAS!

hey guess what?! I got laid off yesterday. i may not either

but just a week ago, i was given a counter offer by an old freelance job/friend. i couldn't decide if i should take it (same money, small 2person company, supposedly less stable [until my big company just lost Nestle and Apple], but more freedom and creativity). i guess my decision was made for me.

― JaXoN (JasonD), Thursday, 15 April 2004 17:59 (twenty-two years ago)

what show are you working? the AIR show? if so, Mrs JaXoN if you're nasty is gonna be pissed

― JaXoN (JasonD), Thursday, 15 April 2004 18:00 (twenty-two years ago)

cue "jokes"

(x-post sorry to hear about that. Take whatever you can, though!)

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 15 April 2004 18:01 (twenty-two years ago)

yes, is is the Air show. Sorry, but I'm excited.

Plus it's in the East Bay!!!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 15 April 2004 18:02 (twenty-two years ago)

After reading that other thread, I am inclined to tell you to RUN SCREAMING to the boring job.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 15 April 2004 18:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I know!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 15 April 2004 18:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, I am interviewing for the boring job on Monday...

BUT

A new and interesting alternative proposition has come up (a lucrative one too!) that may yet bear fruit.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Saturday, 17 April 2004 00:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Running drugs?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 17 April 2004 00:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha, it's not like I haven;t thought about it.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Saturday, 17 April 2004 00:07 (twenty-two years ago)

seriously.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Saturday, 17 April 2004 00:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Dude, tell me these things next time when you visit, I don't want you barfing up cocaine on my shoes.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 17 April 2004 00:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha. Look behind the sofa. Next to your ivory backscratcher.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Saturday, 17 April 2004 00:13 (twenty-two years ago)

BASTARD! < / Vyvyan >

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 17 April 2004 00:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, I am interviewing for the boring job on Monday...
BUT

A new and interesting alternative proposition has come up (a lucrative one too!) that may yet bear fruit.

That's great! Either option sounds better than where you are right now.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Saturday, 17 April 2004 12:09 (twenty-two years ago)

go for the $$$$$.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Sunday, 18 April 2004 01:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, today I was hired for a sexy and well-renumerated position that doubles my current salary. I love it when stories have happy endings, especially when they are about me.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

yay! did you find out why your predecessor quit after two weeks?

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Because they were a pussy.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

did you make sure to ask them how much time you can spend wasting on ILX? These are important considerations!

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

if that was their actual answer then you have the scariest bosses in the world

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Hurrah for @d@ml and his good fortune! Drinks are on him.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

My boss is Phillip Baker Hall-cool. I really like him. Old school.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Although it is quite clear that I will be on ILX a lot, lot less. A blessing in disguise?

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:43 (twenty-two years ago)

And no, that wasn't their actual answer.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Congratulations!

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:45 (twenty-two years ago)

This job also involves a fair amount of domestic travel, so to make up for my diminished presence on ILX, I shall be inviting my fellow posters to hurried FAPs in hotel bars the length and breadth of the continental US.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Well done @d@ml!

J@X0n, let me know what's up.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 16:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Yay hurried FAPs! Furtive meetings near airports, movable ruin hither and yon! (So what exactly is this job?)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 17:00 (twenty-two years ago)

woohoo congrats!! more details plz!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 17:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha! I actually can't really talk too much about it on a public forum. But I'll be on AIM one of these days...

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 17:02 (twenty-two years ago)

when do you start? when do quit the old job?

― s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 17:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I start in about two weeks. I guess I get to quit tomorrow. It's going to be strange telling my current boss that I'm leaving to earn what I know for a fact is a fair amount of money more than him. Not that he's paid all that well, really...

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 17:08 (twenty-two years ago)

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