I have a dilemma and need some help.
 

A little back round:
Did my under grad, then grad school and worked full-time while doing those. I planned on taking a couple years off and bike tour around the world but I came back after a little while for various reasons. I’ve been working 2 jobs for the last year and a half. One job is the same one I’d worked forever. The new job is an adjunct at a tech. college. I’m selling my house and I’m planning on doing the bike again. The academic dean told me tonight, that I would be getting offered a full-time position—not sure what the benefits and schedule is at this point.

I don’t know if I should take the job when its offered or I should continue with my plans and the tour. I would love to hear people’s opinions or if there is something I’m not thinking about. The traveling by bike for an extended period of time is something I’ve been dreaming about for the last 6-8 years. The job is ideally what I want to do. It’s a tech college and it could be great stepping-stone. Gahh. I don’t know what to do.

Btw, I’m not complaining if that is the tone. I am grateful for having such a decision to make.

Get more details on the job, then ask the dean if you might have "traveling options".

~Roger

Yeah, I wish I had more details. Is it ok to ask at this point?

If you are young, you have your life to tour. Get established first - if it in academia get tenure - then you can negotiate for the next position to start the next academic year and tour in the interim. Life is better when you have the financial and social wherewithal to function within it.

I don't know the content area for your technical college position, but I do know that if student demand is high, adjunct positions will be available now and in the future. In our college we have several adjunct and temporary faculty. Supposing one were in your position, I would tell that person to follow the touring dream because the temporary/adjunct positions will likely remain; for example, our college, in fact my home department, has hired temporary faculty every year since I arrived here in 1992. If the current dean believes you are worthy of hiring now, most likely that same sentiment will arise once you return and demonstrate your teaching abilities again. Of course the open position probably won't be there when you return, but who knows what the future holds. I can predict this, however: if you take the position it will probably be years before you embark on your tour, so I think the choice hinges on which you desire most, the tour or the job.

I got most of my wilder travels done in my teens and 20s. Not held down by wife/kids/mortgage. You already backed off from the super ride once. Does your tech school let you have sabbaticals? Ride then.

Tough decision.
I've heard it said that when people of advanced age are asked their biggest regret in life, the answer is usually not something they did, but something they didn't do.
When I finished college, I was planning to either ride the transAm or thru hike the Appy trail. I was young and physically fit for either and had both the time and financial resources.
But, right after graduation and as I was deciding which adventure to take, I was offered a very nice job in my chosen career making a higher salary than any of my also newly graduated friends. I viewed this as a tremendous opportunity and accepted the job, intending to pursue my adventure at an undetermined future time. Shortly thereafter came marriage, mortgages, and career advancement. I make a comfortable living now in a career that suits me. I am fortunate and I know it.
But there has been a moment of every day for almost three decades when I regret not having taken that adventure when I had the chance.

What do you want in your life?
 

I wonder if they "offered you a position" (and you didn't solicit) might not similar positions be available later? At other schools perhaps.

I think you need to look hard at where you want to be in 5 years down the road. Balance what's important: traveling, experiencing, fulfilling the dream. Or working (for what?) for a family a house a yacht etc.

I guess it boils down to what you really want in your life.

Seneca

P.S. My one month ride in Austria is a highlight of my life so far. I am a 27 year old (adjunct) Community College teacher.

I'd say tour now. You might even want to look into teaching oversees for 6months while on tour-more for an immersed experience in another culture than for $. Might be a good way to get an extended Visa somewhere too.

That sounds like all the reason you need. Go touring and never regret the decision.

I think you've already made your decision.

Personally, I wouldn't ask about travelling until I've officially been offered the job (it means then they really want you, and that's good to know and gives you a little more of a bargaining position). But, onto the question: to tour or not to tour? It really depends. On you, and where you are in life and how you feel about what you want to do.

On one hand if you tour, you will fulfilling something you've been wanting to do, plus you are doing it when you are able to tour. I would heartily recommend you do it while you can (I should disclose I'm writing this as a married man with 3 kids and a mortgage :)).

But.... on the other hand, you might be turning down that dream job (don't know if it is) or that job that gives you a stepping stone to bigger and greater things in life -that then ultimately might enable you to tour more! And unless you're into eschewing all material things (which try as some people might, but you can't) you do need some sort of springboard in life. Of course there are some other practical things to consider (if you are in the USA) -benefits can include health insurance as well as retirement savings plan -both of which you will almost 100% certainly need.

So I say I definitely tour....errr.... no, go for the job.....ehhhh on the other hand, go touring.....but wait, you do need to get a reasonable job so take the job.......no, hang on......

You get the idea, it's up to you! Good luck with whatever you decide, it's a nice dilemma to have!

Get a firm offer, and find out about time off in the summer or other semesters. If you'd like to accept the job, tell them about your touring ambitions and consider taking some 3-month versions of your planned 2-year tour. Even if you did eventually quit and go on your 2-year adventure, you'd have more options when you returned due to your job experience. BTW, what's your major? Can the world tour be an asset to your credentials?

A few of things:

1. I was shoveling scrambled eggs in my mouth this morning and I realized that I posted this in a bicycle touring forum and not a teaching forum. That, to me, speaks volumes.

2. This is going to sound like a personal ad:
I'm 38. Don't have a wife or g/f or kids. I'm in good physical condition, not like Dara Torres, but in decent shape. I like to curl up with a good book and take long walks on the beach. :innocent: :lol: The only financial responsibility is my house, which in on the market and my car (yes, I own a Prius) which will be paid off once the house sells. I have my MFA in Creative Writing(fiction) and have been teaching Comp. and Lit. classes.

3. Teaching English at a tech. college is not the dream job, but it is a way to get classroom experience. But, there are a lot of adjunct positions out there. If I had it in me, I could be teaching at three different schools with in a 50 miles radius of my house, but I do not want to drive that much. I'd rather bike to work and work at the engineering firm (the job I've held since undergrad) and teach at the tech college.

I believe I just talked myself into continuing with my tour plans. For now. :twitchy: And I will wait to see the offer before turning it down. I guess I just needed to bounce this off of people who might have experienced a similar thing. And I appreciate the feedback.