Foo - Big Dilema- Should I take the job?

So here it is, I just moved recently to California and have been working hard on finding a job, for two months almost nothing, then today, BAM a job offer.

First let me back up first and fill in the gaps, I had taken off 10 months (last year) to travel through much of Asia on a bicycle and loved every minute of that trip, (third long distance trip, first overseas). Then once I got back to the states my sister and her husband moved to Calif and I decided to visit for several weeks. Liking the place I stayed and having a degree in construction management I decided to look into that field of work again and see if I could get a job out here.

Today I had an interview with a company that I have been talking with for the past two weeks and they offer me a position. Before accepting I headed to the job site (the site I would be working on as an assistant project manager) about an hour and half drive. The project manager is definitely driven, the entire field staff work 12 to 15 hour days the project runs 6 days a week. So after a long hiatus from the construction, left the line of work in 2001, as I was burned out and worked as a lobsterman, guide and took many trips in between. (Granted I worked for 5 years in the job while going to college-now in my early thirties) Now that this job is offered, with a very generous salary, I am wondering if I should take it or perhaps, as I was envisioning, work as a bicycle mechanic instead.

Yes I realize the vast distance between the two, but quite frankly the hours of this new job scare the hell out of me, not to mention the commute and I am not so sure I am in love with construction as much as I once was. That said I am in love with the bicycle and would love to follow that dream, but the pay is lousy. I dont mind working long hours while wrenching on bikes but dont want make the biggest mistake of my life by saying no to this company and continuing to look for work in bike shops.
What are your thoughts? What would you do? Yes the construction job offers great potential and I am confident that after the initial break in period I would be able to work the job very well. But is the money the best reason to work for this said company or am I just afraid of responsibility?

Thanks for your help......really.

Journey On

rock48

Forgot to mention, this job that I would be assigned to would last, well perhaps until late January or so then something closer to home. That and I am inclined to take the job as I really do need the money.

thanks once again. I will be up all night thinking about this dilemma.

I think your second post answered your question for you. If you need the money, the job offer with a generous salary is better than the job that hope to do some day. Also, there is nothing to stop you from looking for a job doing something more enjoyable while you're working and paying your bills. And, if you're going to be closer to home in January the job suddenly becomes more attractive, doesn't it?

Take the job, earn your money and go pick up some certifications.

I had a friend with some fancy certification and he worked all summer in Europe with bike touring companies. Of course he spoke a little French and Italian too, but that is not hard to pick up either. He'd come back every winter and work in a shop while finishing college. Now he works as a travel agent but he still gets away one month out of the year to work on a European tour.

I'd take the job and at least get the money for now. Save up as best you can. You can always quit it later and switch to a bike mechanic if the desire is truly there.

Take the job.

Save some money.

Open YOUR OWN bike shop.

take the job, get a tent, and set up camp. Use the spare 3 hours you'll save commuting to cycle about the area.

Take the job.

and ps, maybe its only construction I worked for in my heyday but I am pretty sure all construction sites work 12 to 15 hour days. I don't remember anything less.

take the job, get a tent, and set up camp. Use the spare 3 hours you'll save commuting to cycle about the area.

+1;)

Maybe you could take the job and do some bike mechanic stuff on the side. Post an ad on craigslist doing fixie conversions, or something like that. You will still be able to do what you enjoy, but also have money to pay rent. After you do that for awhile, save some money, and gain some experience, you can reevaluate where you want to be in the future.

You're only responsibility is to take care of yourself and your family. How you do that is up to you and what you do today isn't necessarily what you'll be doing tomorrow. How's that for useless advice? ;)

It's easier to get a job when you have a job and this may not allow you time to really look for what will fit you best but it would probably make a good stop gap. Just weigh the positives against the negatives and if the positives win, remind yourself every day that it won't last forever. Good luck.

I'd take the job and at least get the money for now. Save up as best you can. You can always quit it later and switch to a bike mechanic if the desire is truly there.

Winner!