Which Job to Choose

Oh - the job in North Dakota will pay me a relocation bonus and/or pay for my move up there. I do not think the job in Wilmington will do that, even though the cost of moving will be considerable (obviously more to move farther in ND, but still).

I'd take the job you'd enjoy more over the location you are in and it's not even close..

yeah, most of your life will be spent slaving away at work, so go with the work environment you will enjoy the most imo. I'd feel much more empowered in the industrial one. Even if the city is small, can still find things to do, I'd go camping often and join some sport clubs. Anyway, It's hard for people on the internet to advise 'cause this is a super complicated decision that only you have the full picture on and depends on weighing up what you think is important in life. But one thing is for sure, 'Bismarck' is a cool name, sounds like a battleship!

Would go for Bismark, especially if you're not considering staying there for the rest of your life. Incentive to work harder, better education and more money for the future beats out the location imo

On October 06 2013 20:08 djforever wrote: I'd take the job you'd enjoy more over the location you are in and it's not even close..

Sounds like DJ can say that with some experience now eh? :D

Well, do you want happiness or money?

I'd rather stick with my friends/family/nice city than move to North Dakota. I mean, wtf is in ND other than awesome wilderness? A bunch of hicks and nothing.

Just IMO of course and I really don't know much about NC or ND but from what I do know, I'd snap call the NC and not even think twice about it. If you want other options, check out east/west coasts.

2nd choice and does not even seem close, not to mention accounting in a public institution sounds like the most boring job ever

On October 06 2013 22:28 GoTuNk wrote: 2nd choice and does not even seem close, not to mention accounting in a public institution sounds like the most boring job ever

+1.

i think you've broken down the pros/cons pretty well so you just have to look at whats good for you in your life right now. like most people - id choose the second job. choose decision by ev of much better life down the road + being adaptable to new places (even if its the worst location ever id still be happy enough just working at a job i like and having the internet for a year or two)

you painted the second job in a better light so I think you should pick that one. Also I'm guessing the cost of living in ND is cheaper than NC, so that would make the salary worth even more.

did cost of living calculations and they are basically the same cost (forgot to mention it, but good thinking Whoosel)

I think maybe I did paint the second job in a better light, I am not sure. It can be tough living in a crappy/boring town. For example, the town I am in now has only ONE BAR. There are no girls that go there. It is terrible here, so either place will be better.

The thing is, North Dakota is COLD. My concern regarding the future is location as well; if I am in ND it might hurt me later from the location, but again, as mentioned, it's surviving someplace new. Oh, the internet is really, really fast. Like $45 for 50-100 Mbps.

As for the hicks; it cannot be worse than where I currently am, lol

Accounting in a public institution isn't necessarily boring; I would be processing insurance premium payments and reconciling all the premiums to payroll withholdings and deductions for about 3500 people each month, with different insurance plans, etc.

Each month would be like putting together a gigantic puzzle.

I appreciate the comments. If you guys have any advice, or things to consider I have not mentioned, fire away!

Thanks again!

On October 07 2013 00:43 thewh00sel wrote: you painted the second job in a better light so I think you should pick that one.

On October 07 2013 00:43 thewh00sel wrote: you painted the second job in a better light so I think you should pick that one.

From what I understood, the main difference between the two jobs is salaray, and not so much about one being more interesting than the other. If it is only about money vs location, I would choose the location.

Getting your Masters would cost you a shitload of money otherwise, right? I think choosing option two is wiser, just for a 'free' Masters alone.

SNAP call #2, get your masters, and go job hunting again with your new experience / increased credentials.

Looks like obvious choice as described, #2 all day long.

To those who suggest #2 - Location doesn't seem to really matter to you guys. Is it not important?

To whose who suggest #1 - Are you happy making less money for the rest of your career to live in a nice place?

The job in Wilmington will pay $34,000 a year, plus benefits and a retirement contribution, with 2 weeks paid vacation. It is for a school system of about 3,500 employees and an annual budget of $223 million. I have asked about relocation assistance and paid education and am waiting for a response. I think it is unlikely they will offer either.

The job in Bismarck will pay ~ $40,000 to start, with a yearly bonus in February and bi-annual evaluations and raises (but I was not told how much the raises or bonuses would be). The company would also give me stock every year. It pays some insurance benefits and matches some retirement contributions. It would pay for my relocation and my education. It is a private company that has about $75 million each year, but is one of 40 subsidiary companies from APi Group, and I would receive stock in APi.

Those are the specifics of each job, in terms of salary.

Obviously the job in Bismarck is better, but the location in Wilmington is so much better. It is a tough, albeit fun, process and choice. I will update with more info as I receive it.

Thanks guys

Is the location #2 that much worse then #1? Have you been to either of these places or are these just general assumptions you are making based off someone's opinion or something you read online? You should make a pyramid list of needs / things that will make you happy and then compare of each of these opportunities will fit in to your list, try not to think of right and wrong more along the lines of "location #1 will give me 80% happiness in my social life, but location #2 will be ~70%". There is also the issue of money, it does not buy happiness but it does buy peace which ultimately leads to a higher quality of life. I find a lot of what happens in life is directly correlated with what you expect to happen, if you think you will be unhappy and unsocial in location #2, you more then likely will be, a positive and optimistic outlook will open more doors and opportunities for you. Sometimes it's better to meet and know 4-5 really awesome quality people then to know 500 who gives a shit people in a bigger city.
Try and make your decisions on a comparable numerical scale instead of a right or wrong one

I would pick the one which you believe you can enjoy more. There's no point in more money if you hate your job, you really just have to ask yourself what do you want out of your life and which job best aligns with your own personal values and expectations.

Best of luck regardless and let us know :D