A few years ago, I faced a classic dilemma: I’d just landed a significant promotion at a big company. The new role came with a hefty pay increase, over $10 more per hour than my previous position. It was exciting, fulfilling, and a testament to my hard work. But there was a catch. The new role required a significant increase in hours, at least 50 hours a week and the shifts were all over the place, including overnight shifts. This was a problem because I was still in school and needed a more stable schedule to balance work and education.
Despite the appealing compensation, I had to make a tough decision. My education was a top priority, and I knew that in the long run, completing my studies would open even more doors. I tried negotiating with the company to adjust my hours to the same as they were before the promotion, but they couldn’t accommodate my needs.
In the end, I decided to leave the job after just a few months. It was a difficult choice, but it reinforced an important lesson: sometimes, even when compensation is enticing, it’s crucial to not lose track of your goals/values, even if the money is good.
