Job hunting and TTC

[Anonymous]

I know I'm not alone in this, but this has been a crazy year career-wise: I left my prior firm (govt. contractor) in January after seeing the writing on the wall, and started with a new company that is also a govt. contractor but more DoD-focused so a bit more stable.

The job has been a poor fit: it's boring, the company culture is not what I'm used to, and there are no growth opportunities. I've been casually job hunting and am fortunate enough to have some interest from people in my network. I could see at least one of these panning out, and the roles seem exciting. A couple are fully remote, which would be huge.

My dilemma is this: I am 34 and plan to start TTC in the new year. Obviously this does not align well with starting a new job, if I got pregnant quickly I likely wouldn't get paid maternity leave due to not being at the company for a year...overall I feel like it's not a good look to start a new job and go out shortly after.

WWYD - stay at boring, stable role or make a change? (And yes, I'm fully aware it could take some time to get pregnant anyways).

[Anonymous]

it'll never be the right time. take the new job if its a better fit for you.

[Anonymous]

I would stay a while longer. Boring and stable will be really nice if you conceive quickly and have a babe at home within a year.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for boring job. Unless it is toxic.

[Anonymous]

Nah go for the more exciting job. There is never an ideal time and you will make it work regarding leave, etc. The economy and job market is haywire in this administration so you do not know if the job will be there in a year.

[Anonymous]

I would go for it. This is coming from someone who took 5 years get pregnant. BUT, if you do get pregnant stop looking for a new job until after the baby is born. It is not ideal for anyone if you start a new job already knowing you are pregnant then have a million appointments and go on leave after only months on a new job.

[Anonymous]

Boring job. Having a baby in the first year is rough. You will need all the grace, boring-Ness and leave. You also don't want to jump to a new company only to discover they will fire you quickly.