Choices

I had lunch with a someone a few weeks ago, and we got to compare notes on recent developments in our lives. Both of us had left high tech over a year ago, and both of us had returned to the industry this summer. So, we spent some time comparing notes on our respective companies, what we had been doing during our time away, that sort of thing.

Somewhere in the midst of the conversation, I made a reference to possible telecommute or “work at home” possibilities in my new job. She responded immediately and strongly; her response was pretty unequivocal that if you had a job where WAH was an option, you were in the wrong job. Apparently the smart career move is the sort of job where your presence in the office is essential and your visibility in the company is high.

I understood where she was coming from, but I knew it didn’t sit well with me, and I couldn’t find the words at the moment to say why. It took some time, percolating in my brain before I understood the disconnect.

This friend is very much in the mindset of making sure the next job she picks is the best possible career move for her. And there’s nothing wrong with that. She’s ambitious, has definite plans and is working hard to get there. More power to her.

But that’s not me. I am interested in making sure the next job I pick is the best life choice for me. Salary has less of a hold on me than it once did, and ego and position even less. I’m mostly interested in opportunities that are going to give me sufficient opportunities to learn, to grow, to broaden myself as a person. And most importantly, I am interested in work that will allow me a healthy balance in life, with ample time to breathe and relax, and room for a personal life outside of work. I’m pretty sure those issues weigh as less heavily on my friend’s mind than they do on mine.

On a related note, I’m still not entirely sure where I am with regards to the now-not-so-new job. I am getting a little more comfortable and settled in it, so I’m not as skittish as I was at the outset. But I still don’t know if this is going to be a long-term gig. I’m not sure it’s the right team, or maybe whether it’s even the right industry for me anymore. And I’m not so sure about the commute. But, I can do a solid year, no trouble. I feel like that’s the honorable, respectable thing to do. I’ll re-evaluate as I get closer to that milestone.