Tuesday, January 05, 2010

The Decision

With torn emotions I announce that I have received a job offer. Prestigious firm. Fortune 100 company. Interesting opportunity. Training and development program. Doable start date (likely a tidbit earlier than preferred). Good numbers.

Then there's the but. Likely the only reason I sit here still contemplating yes or no. It's in a different city than my significant other. The city difference has the potential not to be permanent, though that potential is not guaranteed either way.

It's interesting. Many people arrive at business school with significant others, husbands, or wives. Some of these significant others or spouses live in the city in which the student attends business school. Others stay at home, bringing home the bacon while the student furthers their education in a land far away. I've seen it work. I've seen it not work. Relationships in business school blossom and others faint away. Sometimes I think the level of intensity in business school fast forwards relationships that start here. And perhaps, it also fast forwards relationships brought here. There's a lot of stress on both individuals, whether one or both are attending business school. So what does the relationship have to do with the post business school job?

On one hand, I'd love to hold out for a chance to move to Chicago. On the other hand, I believe that after business school each individual needs to take the best opportunity that they can for their career. We didn't pay enormous amounts of cash or acquire substantial debt for an MBA for no reason. So I suppose the end question is, at what point is it appropriate to be a little selfish? And can that selfishness be balanced with not destroying one's personal life? While my significant other is incredibly supportive of me, my opportunities and my future, I can't help but wonder what happens if I take the path to which I'm leaning versus the alternative.

To be continued...

8 comments:

mbarunnergirl said...

Congrats on the offer! Keep the blogosphere updated (I've been following your blog even though I've stopped blogging) I'm still looking for a full-time job and it is scary stuff.

Amardeep Dabass said...

Congrats on the offer. It always is a tough decision and as one progresses in a career, such tough choices only get more frequent. Never loose sight of what you really want - and just go for it...

A said...

A big congratulations on the offer. It's good to hear that even in this market, smart MBAs can land good and interesting jobs.

I think long-distance relationships are difficult, but they can work as long as both people are committed and if there is an end date in sight to the distance.

As for your question on "selfishness" - I don't think it's selfish at all to want to be rewarded for your business school experience and have the beginning of a great career you've worked so hard for.

Good luck with this decision.

Ameya said...

Hey P, congratulations on the offer! Great news. About the 'but'- tough tough decision... wont really provide any suggestions but I sincerely hope that you and your significant other make the best decision!

So, congratulations for the job & all the best for the decision making

Anand said...

Congrats on the offer Paige! On the decision making, ultimately its question of what will make you most happy. Self interest is evident is both options i.e. living away for a better job or living in the same city with your bf. Its just different interests. So you should it see it that way and not feel guilty. Look at what your day to day life will look like, and how you might feel in 6 months, 1 years time in both options and see if that helps you make a decision. Good luck and congrats again

Johnny Bravo said...

Congrats on the offer!

And lots of luck with the big decision. Long-distance relationships are hard but definitely doable.....I was in one for 8 months and survived.

Gaurav said...

Congrats!! And well its just life. So cherish the moment and thank the Almighty for what you have at this point :)

Jeremy C Wilson said...

Congrats and good luck with your decision.