Dilemma: Experience in field VS pay in a non-relating field.

Daneil3144

I recently gave my job a two week notice as I’m currently in the criminal justice field, and attempting to branch in the IT field.

I obtained my A+ (took the 901 & 902 back to back) and received a formal job offer as a help desk specialist. Also, I’m in the process of starting WGU December 1^st for a degree in BS – IT Security.

Yet, this help desk position only pays $15.00.

I recently received a job offer (contracted) for a position in the criminal justice field for $23.00 an hour with potential for overtime, which could last at least a year.

I’m still going to finish this other degree through WGU. I’m just not sure what I should do in terms of employment.

I know experience stands out in the IT realm. But by then, I should be finished with my IT degree, and hopefully there may be entry positions that pay at least $20.00 with a CCNA (and all the other certs) & degree.

I just know at $15.00 an hour, I’ll be wanting to leave in 6 months, if not quicker…

Welly_59

Can you afford the lower wage for 6-9 months? At some point you will have to bite the bullet and take the lower pay. I'm not sure what the wages are in the USA compared to UK but I had to take the equivalent of $10k pay Cut to move to IT

Russ5813

It depends on your living situation. Do you live in a location with a reasonable cost of living? Can you sustain on $15/hr? If the answer is yes, consider biting the bullet for a year and getting some help desk experience. It'll pay off in the long-term.

koz24

Hmm, tough one. 8 bucks an hour adds up quickly. I honestly don't know what I would do in your shoes. I also took a paycut for my latest position but the experience it offered was too valuable for me to pass up for a $10k difference.

Just think of it this way-- that 8/hour difference is what you are paying for the experience this position offers. Is it worth it to you? You can always decline to provide your salary in the future when you negotiate for better paying jobs.

Daneil3144

Just thinking out-loud....to you guys..

I think my biggest hesitation is what the help desk position entails.

The department is essentially a call-center, for businesses(not civilians) of merchandise that we lease to them, and remoting into their computers or sending techs their way.

And then not to mention the difference in pay is 16K, not to mention overtime. Nothing like a dream deferred when it is drowned in debt.

I wanted mind doing a help desk position if I wasn't on the phone 24/7, like at a school system or an in house help desk. I've worked a call center before!

I thinking I can still get the experience from working part time or on the weekend at one of those mom and pop shops, or a place that needs a part time IT I can find through craigslist....

koz24

Daneil3144 wrote: »

Just thinking out-loud....to you guys..

I think my biggest hesitation is what the help desk position entails.

The department is essentially a call-center, for businesses(not civilians) of merchandise that we lease to them, and remoting into their computers or sending techs their way.

And then not to mention the difference in pay is 16K, not to mention overtime. Nothing like a dream deferred when it is drowned in debt.

I wanted mind doing a help desk position if I wasn't on the phone 24/7, like at a school system or an in house help desk. I've worked a call center before!

I thinking I can still get the experience from working part time or on the weekend at one of those mom and pop shops, or a place that needs a part time IT I can find through craigslist....

Seems like you are leaning towards the criminal justice job. 16k is a lot, I don't think anyone can fault your for that. Just try to maul through the CCNA and then maybe you can get better offers where it won't be that big of a hit. I don't know how WGU works--can you start with the CCNA course? If you can't then just do it on your own and have them credit you for it when you get around to it.