Career Advise Needed - Sorry LONG

I really could use some opinions as to what I should do about this crossroads I seem to have come to in my career. I'll give you some background.

For 2 years I worked in Marketing at an Assisted Living Community here in AZ. I loved this job and I was very good at it. I was considered one of the up and comings in the area and was well respected by other professionals in the AL community (Drs, Social Works, Placement Agents, Case Workes, etc). I had the dream boss, I loved her and we are still very close. She was more like a mother/friend than a boss. This was the first job that I have ever had that felt more than 'a job'. I was really helping people. On the down side there was no place for me to go in my career. I was stuck in that position. It was just me and my boss and that's it. The only way for me to move up was if she was to leave, and that wasn't happening. Also the pay was waaay below what I should have been paid and the raises were only 17 cents a year. I'm not kidding when I say that.

My father worked for a company that is well respected out here. They own and operate high end steakhouses in AZ and CA. The company has been around for a while but are taking off opening more and more restaurants each year. They are doing amazingly well. It was a company that I have always had an interest in.

An opportunity came up to get into the company in way of a receptionist position. Now this would have been a step down job wise from where I currently was, but they were offering to match what I wanted to be making and it would be an "in" into the company. The big downside is that it is 60 miles away from my house. So I leave my house on Monday mornings for work and I don't come home until Friday night. I stay at my mom's house the rest of the week.

I took the job in Nov and I have been miserable ever since. I really don't see anywhere just yet for me to go in the company and i'm not sure if there is anywhere I want to go. When interviewing with them I made this big case as to how I'm looking for a Career, not a job, etc, etc. But I hate the way I don't live at my house anymore, how I would have to sell it in order to fix that problem and I love my home. I fell like I can't leave because my dad really went out on a limb to get me the job.

I just don't know what to do. Should I grin and bare it because i've only been here since Nov, or would you look for something else. I've been thinking about working for a Wedding Planner, because events and event planning is my specialty.

Thanks so much for listening, I just feel really alone in this.

Message edited 4/12/2006 5:36:08 PM.

Re: Career Advise Needed - Sorry LONG

I think I'd approach your father and tell him how you feel. He should hear it from you first. I'd also start looking for something else...something closer to home or at least that you can commute every day. Being unhappy in your job really affects all the other different aspects of your life.
I think your father would be disappointed a bit but then I'm certain he'd be happy because he wants you to be happy.
Good Luck with your decision and job search if you decide to look.

Re: Career Advise Needed - Sorry LONG

aww sweetie...its so hard to make decisions and many times they dont work out perfectly...
i guess you need to figure out 2 things-

what makes you happier? your home or a job with potential?

if you chose the job- are you willing to wait for a promotion and really stick it out?

if you chose home- are you really ok with .17 raises each year and no chance for advancement? will you even be able to get your old job back? or do you have another backup job that you can take?

i will say this- you were seeking out of the other job for a while and you took a chance on a job that isnt perfect- right now- and you knew that going in...but are you sure, before you let the opportunity slip by, that you really want to leave this streak house job to go back to something that wasnt making you happy?

also -maybe its bothering you that you feel obligated/trapped to stay because of your dad's help? try ot think past that and think why you really got this job

its been a few months ther now...before you either quit or sell your home 60 miles away, i wwould speak to someone at the job you can trust and tel lthem how you are feeling

tell then you were hoping for advancement and you are not sure if there is potential.
be prepared to tell them why you deserve this advancement and where you want to go with your career. have you been there, kicking butt, showing them how much you want to be there? or are you giving off the vibe that you hate driving and not sure about the job?

some things to think about.


good luck though- i have been in a similar situation, and i know what you are going through. just try to figure out what is most important to you.