I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

I know most of you know, but just in case a little background on me.

I am an actress/singer and I work in a popular piano bar in NYC. I have worked there since moving to NYC 9 yrs. ago. There are aspects of my job that I love and those that I hate. I just feel that over the past few yrs. I the aspects that I dislike have outweighed those that I love. My DH has offered to help me get a receptionist position at his company. I have never had a desk job and I have never worked normal hours. The thought of having evenings to spend with my DH is wonderful, but being in the corporate world scares me. It would also mean that I have to put auditioning on hold. Right now I think I am okay with that because I had stopped auditioning before my miscarriage in June and we plan on getting preggo again ASAP.

Basically, I'm a bundle of self doubt and confusion!! If any of you have some thoughts or advice I would appreciate it!!!

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

You should try the desk job out! It seems like the betterchoice if you are trying to get PG... you are off your feet and the maternity leave.

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

I work with a bunch of people here in my office that work the "day job" and still go on auditions. It doesn't mean you can't take an extended lunch hour or an afternoon off here and there. They do it all the time.

If the bad outweighs the good, it's time to move on. Change is hard. I think a reception job is a great way to earn bucks and still have flexibility.

Good luck with everything Heidi. I'm sure no matter what you decide you will end up fine!

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

I have made that switch in the past. I waitressed and bartended(I was even a singing and dancing waitress-but thats another story!) for about 9 years. I quit after I graduated college when I was around 26. I had had enough of the late nights and dribnking and the lifestyle. I STILL miss the cash and the fun though. The first job I got was actually working as a liquor rep for a wholesale distributor. It was a sales job so I was mostly independent and tsill got some of that lifestyle but a salary, benefits, etc. After that I got another sales job where I worked from home and traveled. I currentlt work in an office/travel to appointments and it is boring for me. I can't wait to be booked with appointments so I never have to sit here. It is definitely a hard adjustment!

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

Would you consider temping at a company so that you could pick & choose your own hours? I know many of our temps are/were actors & actresses for the flexibility in auditioning.

I don't recommend taking a job in his company if you're unsure. I would take a job at another company. If you decide it's not for you then it doesn't reflect poorly on DH. The only exception is if his company was desperate for reception help & you were helping them out temporarily.

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

I was actually going to recommend sales. You will have the flexibility to make your own hours, and if you are dedicated and can stay organized you can make a significant amount of money. You may have to begin as a sales assistant, which as also a good way to begin in any office type setting. plus if you are at your job for 3 months & then get PG, you can possible qualify for FLMA.

I was a bartender too for a very long time, as you know, and basically gave it up to have more normal hours w/DH. Although I miss the activity of being on my feet & feeling like life is a big party, i do not miss it. I am happy with the money I make now & bars are not making what they were when i retired 4 years ago.

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

I don't have too much to tell you since U ahve been in the corporate world since I started working really. I would say that you make a list w/ the pros & cons of your new position & your current one. See if that helps. I would also say to follow your heart!

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

What a big decision! I have always been in the corporate world but I never had a "desk job" until about 6 years ago. It was a really hard adjustment even though I was in the same field.

It's very courageous of you to want to make this change. Is there anyway to "test" the new job or even try temping for see if it's really for you? Or, can you look for a job that's in your field but that is more administrative? You may find that more interesting. Maybe a desk job at a talent agency, box office, even at a school or college for performing arts?

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

give it a try. Worse comes to worse, you go back to doing what you were doing. I think if you're trying to get preggo, a desk job would be a lot easier for you.

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

Thank you all ladies!! It would be a long term temp position at first. I think I am going to give it a shot. Working human hours and not having to deal with drunks (although I know you have other types to deal with) just sounds soooooo appealing to me. I guess its time to grow up!!

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

Posted by heidla

Thank you all ladies!! It would be a long term temp position at first. I think I am going to give it a shot. Working human hours and not having to deal with drunks (although I know you have other types to deal with) just sounds soooooo appealing to me. I guess its time to grow up!!

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by heidla

Thank you all ladies!! It would be a long term temp position at first. I think I am going to give it a shot. Working human hours and not having to deal with drunks (although I know you have other types to deal with) just sounds soooooo appealing to me. I guess its time to grow up!!

Personally, I think if you worked in any measure as a career bartender, than you can do anything

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

Posted by heidla

Thank you all ladies!! It would be a long term temp position at first. I think I am going to give it a shot. Working human hours and not having to deal with drunks (although I know you have other types to deal with) just sounds soooooo appealing to me. I guess its time to grow up!!

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

Good luck!!!!!

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

I would definitely go for it!! I know a ton of people who audition on their lunch breaks. You and DH would be able to spend your evenings together which is always so special. Good luck!!

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

I would try the desk job, since you are not enjoying your current job anymore. It might be a good way to reflect on what you have been doing and see where you want to go next.

If you really miss your current job, you could look for another one (since it sounds like you might be on your ay to doing that anyway....) If you hate the desk job, at least you tried it. You may end liking the hours and the time with DH and wonder why you didn't leave the other job sooner.

Re: I'm at a crossroad and confused, advice is welcolmed!!

Posted by heidla

Thank you all ladies!! It would be a long term temp position at first. I think I am going to give it a shot. Working human hours and not having to deal with drunks (although I know you have other types to deal with) just sounds soooooo appealing to me. I guess its time to grow up!!