What's the riskiest career decision you've made?

[Anonymous]

What were the results? How old were you, and would you make the same decision again?

[Anonymous]

Moving to DC without a job to be with a man I'd only spent a couple of weeks with. I was 25 and it worked out very well. Got an awful job, married the man, left the awful job, got a fine job, transferred to a good job at the same company, had babies, still at job.

[Anonymous]

First time, moved to Upstate NY for college to an area where I was 1200 miles away from home. Second time, moved to DC after college without a job with boy from Syracuse supporting me. Took about 6 months unemployed to secure a job. I would do both again and he agrees.

[Anonymous]

Telling my job I wouldn't come back from maternity leave if they didn't let me work one day a week from home and another day per week from the office an hour closer to my home.

I was 27, got what I asked for, and yes I would do that again.

[Anonymous]

I was 35.

I left a position where I was a big dog in a small company to take a position where I was a well paid cog in a bigger company.

Financially it worked out, but it was the worst job experience that I ever had. Partly because of the work environs and partly because I took a step backward just for the money.

I would not do it again

[Anonymous]

Quit a high paying job in my 40s because my new boss was misogynistic and it was unpleasant enough that it just wasn't worth it anymore. Ended up starting my own business and it's been great.

[Anonymous]

Left a job without another lined up. It was a toxic environment and I cried going to/from work every day (so unlike me.) I had already interviewed for my dream job before I left, but they weren't ready to commit and couldn't give me a time frame. I fiercely pursued my dream job and ultimately landed it. Still here 13y later.

[Anonymous]

When we were just out of college newlyweds, dh and I moved cross-country without jobs. It was almost 10 years later before we both had "career" jobs and more than 2 nickels to rub together. We did have fun, and we survived, but if I could go back in time, I'd slap some sense into both of us.

[Anonymous]

Went overseas to do volunteer work for two years in my late 30s. It was a great experience and it remains with me each day.

Careerwise and financially, it was awful. My employer was bought out while I was away and I've never gotten my career on track and never made that kind of money ($90k) again.

I would do it again, though perhaps when I was 15 years younger or 15 years older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moving to DC without a job to be with a man I'd only spent a couple of weeks with. I was 25 and it worked out very well. Got an awful job, married the man, left the awful job, got a fine job, transferred to a good job at the same company, had babies, still at job.

Wow, I could have written this! (Except I got the good job before I married the man, and now WAH as a contractor for that company plus a few others. And I was 21 when I moved here. But otherwise, same story!)

[Anonymous]

Turned down a job offer at 24 because i knew i was worth more money. Freelanced for 8 months, got a job that pays me $20K more than what the original offer would have.

[Anonymous]

Left job at a critical point in my career to take care of my infant with special needs.

It was a no-brainer at the time, but now my field has changed so much that I am not marketable.

Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What were the results? How old were you, and would you make the same decision again?

Quitting to take care of children. I was 36. I made the best decision I could at the time. I wish we could have made it work and for me to stay in the work fore, but it was not in the cards for us. Flexible part time jobs are rare in my former career. I about 2 1/2 years left on this part of our odyssey. I hope to go back to something then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went overseas to do volunteer work for two years in my late 30s. It was a great experience and it remains with me each day.

Careerwise and financially, it was awful. My employer was bought out while I was away and I've never gotten my career on track and never made that kind of money ($90k) again.

I would do it again, though perhaps when I was 15 years younger or 15 years older.

What field are you in? With two years overseas experience you should be able to get a GS-13 in the gov

[Anonymous]

Left biglaw to clerk with my eyes on USAO.