New job opinion...people who travel

[TN94z]

So I have a job offer which includes a 15-20k pay raise. Similar benefits. Opportunity for far more progression which would set me up for an even better job in a few years. The problem is it also requires 30-35% out of state travel each year. My issue with this is that I love my hobbies and I have a 2.5 month old at home now. I am trying to decide if the pay raise and advancement opportunities are worth being away from my daughter.

Anyone in this situation or has experienced this situation have any insight??

[No Mulligans]

I don't like to travel for work... that's my bias.

That being said, two years of sacrifice for future job advancement is worth it in my opinion... that is, if you're young and if that job advancement will lead to a position with little or no travel.

[Abu3baid]

Does your wife have family around? IMO this would be the perfect time for you to do this.. Your kid is still not in school, and I'm assuming you won't be away for like 1 month at a time right? It also depends on wether your wife works or not? If not then consider that you could actually take them with you where ever you go for trips every once in a while.. The potential that you will be able to grow in 2-3 years is huge and by then you might be able to dictate what you will take and what you won't.. Plus, you can't ignore the pay increase either. Although, I have to declare that I'm a huge proponent of no loyalty to anyone but my self and family, so if a better offer comes I usually don't think twice.. Heck, I moved over seas and had to endure 5-6 months of living alone while visa issues were being taken care of for my family,. We were actually in two different countries for That time and I visited maybe twice a month I think on weekends.. But now 3.5 years into it and things couldn't be much better.. So, summary.. Put a lot of weight on the future returns and consider having your kid this young is a good thing as it would be mug more difficult when they are 3-5 to do this.. And you never know when opportunities like this come again? Good luck

[Lihu]

I agree, it's a good time. I did this when my kids were younger, and they are relatively close to me (cross fingers). My wife's family was around at the time I traveled, though.

[rkim291968]

I am trying to decide if the pay raise and advancement opportunities are worth being away from my daughter.

Only you would know what's best for you.    I can tell you from my experience that I hated biz traveling b/c every time I come back from one, I missed something my son did.    At your daughter's age and with your travels, you will miss out.   But if you have plans to have 5 more children, maybe, it wouldn't be so bad.   You would have 2nd chances.

[mdl]

I'd echo everyone's questions about other family around.  I don't have personal experience with traveling jobs, but I have a 1+ year old at home, and I know I for sure wouldn't have wanted to dump a newborn on my wife and disappear 1/3 of days.  But we don't have any family close by, so she would've been solo mission with the kid.  If her mom were around and available to help a ton and my wife were on board with it being worth it for future career prospects, then I'd be more likely to consider something like that.

One other thing I'll say is that, from what I've experienced so far at least, this early part of the kid's life is super fun and moves super fast.  My wife works from home and drops our daughter off at daycare and picks her up at 3:30, so really she only spends 10-15 hours a week more with our daughter than I do, but I already feel like I miss out on some stuff and miss some new things happening that are really fun.  So that's something else to figure into the consideration.

Just my $0.02 as like I said, I have experience only with the newborn/toddler thing, not traveling for work.  And obviously I don't know your exact work/career situation.  That seems a major factor.  Are you already making $150k (where a $15k raise is great but not totally financial situation changing probably) in a job you really like but feel the opportunity for progression isn't as awesome as you would hope?  Then personally I might lean against.  Wait for a better opportunity.  But maybe you're making $70k with absolutely zero advancement opportunities at your current work.  Then the $15-20k bump is a huge raise and you're going from zero advancement opportunities to a place with really great ones.  Then I might consider it strongly.  Etc...

[Kenny Lee]

I did this for 7 years. Wife, daughter 5, newborn son.

I'd leave the house Monday morning, return home Friday afternoon.

It was well worth it for me. I retired when I was 42 (6 years ago). I'll never work again.

But, even with all the free time to practice my golf game, I still suck.

[Lihu]

I did this for 7 years. Wife, daughter 5, newborn son.

I'd leave the house Monday morning, return home Friday afternoon.

It was well worth it for me. I retired when I was 42 (6 years ago). I'll never work again.

But, even with all the free time to practice my golf game, I still suck.

Nice, what did you do?

[TN94z]

I don't like to travel for work... that's my bias.

That being said, two years of sacrifice for future job advancement is worth it in my opinion... that is, if you're young and if that job advancement will lead to a position with little or no travel.

I didn't mind it when I was younger. I hate the thought of flying nowadays as crazy as the world is getting.I am 37...some consider it young I guess...haha

Does your wife have family around? IMO this would be the perfect time for you to do this.. Your kid is still not in school, and I'm assuming you won't be away for like 1 month at a time right?

It also depends on wether your wife works or not? If not then consider that you could actually take them with you where ever you go for trips every once in a while..

The potential that you will be able to grow in 2-3 years is huge and by then you might be able to dictate what you will take and what you won't.. Plus, you can't ignore the pay increase either.

Although, I have to declare that I'm a huge proponent of no loyalty to anyone but my self and family, so if a better offer comes I usually don't think twice..

Heck, I moved over seas and had to endure 5-6 months of living alone while visa issues were being taken care of for my family,. We were actually in two different countries for That time and I visited maybe twice a month I think on weekends.. But now 3.5 years into it and things couldn't be much better..

So, summary.. Put a lot of weight on the future returns and consider having your kid this young is a good thing as it would be mug more difficult when they are 3-5 to do this.. And you never know when opportunities like this come again?

Good luck

Yes her parents are in the next town over and my mom and step dad are about 10 minutes down the road. From what I'm being told, as an example, I would be gone a week for a project, come back home for at least a week maybe more to configure, then go back for a week for cutover and support. We decided that my wife would not go back to work so that she could finish her RN next year and the company told me that they can come with me. BUT we also have a 13 year old that will be in school most of the time.

Only you would know what's best for you.    I can tell you from my experience that I hated biz traveling b/c every time I come back from one, I missed something my son did.    At your daughter's age and with your travels, you will miss out.   But if you have plans to have 5 more children, maybe, it wouldn't be so bad.   You would have 2nd chances.

Missing out on our newborn's stuff is what I am most afraid of...No plans of any more children...we didn't plan this one...haha

I'd echo everyone's questions about other family around.  I don't have personal experience with traveling jobs, but I have a 1+ year old at home, and I know I for sure wouldn't have wanted to dump a newborn on my wife and disappear 1/3 of days.  But we don't have any family close by, so she would've been solo mission with the kid.  If her mom were around and available to help a ton and my wife were on board with it being worth it for future career prospects, then I'd be more likely to consider something like that.

One other thing I'll say is that, from what I've experienced so far at least, this early part of the kid's life is super fun and moves super fast.  My wife works from home and drops our daughter off at daycare and picks her up at 3:30, so really she only spends 10-15 hours a week more with our daughter than I do, but I already feel like I miss out on some stuff and miss some new things happening that are really fun.  So that's something else to figure into the consideration.

Just my $0.02 as like I said, I have experience only with the newborn/toddler thing, not traveling for work.  And obviously I don't know your exact work/career situation.  That seems a major factor.  Are you already making $150k (where a $15k raise is great but not totally financial situation changing probably) in a job you really like but feel the opportunity for progression isn't as awesome as you would hope?  Then personally I might lean against.  Wait for a better opportunity.  But maybe you're making $70k with absolutely zero advancement opportunities at your current work.  Then the $15-20k bump is a huge raise and you're going from zero advancement opportunities to a place with really great ones.  Then I might consider it strongly.  Etc...

Yeah, like I said above, missing out on her stuff would bother me the most. I cherish every minute that I have with her now. I don't mind stating it, I make about 75k now and really have zero chance for advancement unless I'm lucky and the work I am doing now has really changed to be much easier and not challenging at all...so I feel my skillset is dropping....    In the new job, I would most likely make around 100k, get tons of experience and they encourage advancement. I am a CCNP Voice right now (for those that know Cisco Certs) and they would encourage me to try for CCIE in a few years. I figure with a few years of experience (even without achieving the CCIE) I could find a more "onsite" type job where I didn't travel at all.

I honestly never thought the decision would be this difficult....

[Kenny Lee]

Nice, what did you do?

Quality Systems- ISO 9000, QS 9000. That kind of crap. I hated it with a passion. That's why I charged so much $$.

My advice to the OP would be- if your new travel job will enable you to retire young . . . DO IT.

Otherwise, stay home and enjoy your current lifestyle.

[rkim291968]

Missing out on our newborn's stuff is what I am most afraid of...No plans of any more children...we didn't plan this one...haha

Yeah, like I said above, missing out on her stuff would bother me the most. I cherish every minute that I have with her now. I don't mind stating it, I make about 75k now and really have zero chance for advancement unless I'm lucky and the work I am doing now has really changed to be much easier and not challenging at all...so I feel my skillset is dropping....    In the new job, I would most likely make around 100k, get tons of experience and they encourage advancement. I am a CCNP Voice right now (for those that know Cisco Certs) and they would encourage me to try for CCIE in a few years. I figure with a few years of experience (even without achieving the CCIE) I could find a more "onsite" type job where I didn't travel at all.

I think you have your answer above.   If money, career advancement and early retirement isn't as important as missing out on your kid growing up,   you'd keep your current job (and even look for a better opportunity which does not require traveling).   If money, and others are important to you, you take the new job offer.   I only had one kid (and no plan for another) so it was an easy call.

[Ernest Jones]

I travel a ton and love it, but it's not for everyone. FaceTime on the iPhone helps with the family. Rarely gone for more than 2-3 days at a time.

[TN94z]

I think you have your answer above.   If money, career advancement and early retirement isn't as important as missing out on your kid growing up,   you'd keep your current job (and even look for a better opportunity which does not require traveling).   If money, and others are important to you, you take the new job offer.   I only had one kid (and no plan for another) so it was an easy call.

The thing that keeps me on the fence is that if I take the new job, in a few years, I would be in a position where we would be better off as a family. Maybe I could give her more opportunities in the future because of the advancement potential. I just have to decide if that is worth missing out on stuff.

In my head, I'm thinking that even working at my current job, I could miss out on things as well. For example, she could start walking while I was away at work during the day. Yeah, I would be home that night to see it compared to when i come back into town, but I could still miss out on the actual "first steps" regardless. And I guess, as stupid as it sounds, I'm afraid that we won't be as close as father/daughter if I travel compared to me staying where I am now.

[TN94z]

I travel a ton and love it, but it's not for everyone. FaceTime on the iPhone helps with the family. Rarely gone for more than 2-3 days at a time.

It sounds like I would only be gone M-F when traveling. And usually gone for a week and then home for 1-2 weeks. But the guy said that the 2nd quarter this year, they weren't gone much at all and were at home most of the time.

[Gipper]

I love traveling for work. I have over 50 overnight stays so far this year and the big thing is prioritizing your time when home. One of the big possitives is I have so many hotel honor points I never have paid for a hotel when vacationing. Your spouse has to be on board though. I would not sacrifice that, if it ever compromised my marriage I would find a new job in a heart beat.

[mchepp]

I travel a fair amount. I also have a small child, she is 4 now.

Pre-kid, in my younger days I traveled an enormous amount of my job. 50+%. I would take 2 week trips to Asia, 3 week around the world trips. Really long trips. No way I could do that now. Would put too much stress on my wife.

I think that if the travel is within the US, which means you won't be gone for weekends, there is family to help your wife, then this is a no brainer. You should definitely take it.

[newtogolf]

It's a tough call, I worked long hours getting my business off the ground and traveled a lot but we had a lot of family and a good set of babysitters to help out my wife when I wasn't around.  Overall it worked out great but it's tough at times when your kids reach a milestone that you miss out on.

I never like doing something that's life changing without a backup plan.  If you find the travel or being away from family is too tough what are your options?

[TN94z]

It's a tough call, I worked long hours getting my business off the ground and traveled a lot but we had a lot of family and a good set of babysitters to help out my wife when I wasn't around.  Overall it worked out great but it's tough at times when your kids reach a milestone that you miss out on.

I never like doing something that's life changing without a backup plan.  If you find the travel or being away from family is too tough what are your options?

That's a good question. I could possibly return to my current company. I have even thought about leaving my 401k with my current company just in case I come back.  The problem is, there just aren't many options in my area. I mean, I could find a job, but not making the money I make now....