Upgrading my Job

Okay,

I've been working in the family firm for eight years. I'm my dad's right hand man and although I spend a lot of time among our workers and customers, I'm also highly privileged. For example, I live at home with my folks, eat fifty dollar dinners when I go out, drive a Grand Cherokee and have a decent looking best friend/girlfriend. I did the math and I'm earning just under 40 grand, if you count the expense account and free company car and gas. I did once have a job working for the government at the Legislature and I earned 43,5 a year and was laid off after three months.

I know a lot of people feel I'm spoiled, but I've got some advantages and feel I am either worth more at my current job or should look for a better job. I have a degree in Political Science, am working on a Masters in Theological Studies via correspondence and have a nice wardrobe with lots off generic suits and odd coats and a few nice pairs of basic shoes. For a 27 yo, I'm a pretty nice catch (my dad doesn't mind if I spend a few bucks now and then to take care of my fille de jour).

However, I've got some reservations about getting a different job. Firstly, I'd keep the CC and car (the car is mine at any time for one dollar, and my folks will continue to pay for gas) but would lose the cushy workday, the respectable titles (CSR) and the ability to basically take time off when wanted. I have some medical issues and take medication for a problem I've got so I need a decent health plan.

What I really want is to work in government and get another job at the Leg doing something. My old boss has moved on and the new guy says the only thing holding me back is that he has no money in the budget and has already made lots of people redundant.

My dad has suggested I get a second job in somewhere. I don't want to work fast food, but would consider it if it were a night shift. Does anybody hire political science majors who don't want you to wear a dorky brown uniform?

Thomas

So what if I don't earn 80 grand a year as a consultant. I'm very new to the working world, worked hard in school and just want some input into how I can move to the next stage.

Tom

Globe,

That's constructive advice and I appreciate it. I am in a terrific position right now where I have a job that could potentially pay the bills and still get a second job. I'd like to try a different field, but can't jump directly into it because some local situations make my father's life stressful and now is not the time to abandon him. To be clear, there was a major acquisition by a company in town that isn't traditionally affiliated with my field, and another business which was collapsing just got a major injection of cash as this takeover (another company, not us) is placing us over a barrel. So far we haven't lost a single account, but obviously there will be problems. We're worried that they'll undercut us in price points, so I can't just jump ship. My dad is getting older (61) and mother and him are starting to do things like take weeklong vacations or visit other relatives and I would not want him to feel obligated to remain at work if I want to go work at Old Navy or sell iPods.

What I would really like to do is carry on with my current job and get another job in a field which would be easy to do. Retail, wholesaling, etc. My grad school career is by correspondence and I hope that once I'm done a MTS I'll be able to enjoy my true passions. Teaching at a bible college or running my own NGO would be ideal and I think that's where my skills are. It's somewhat rare to find somebody with a MTS who didn't go the whole, bible college-religious studies degree-M.Div or MTS route.

That said, what are some easy second jobs to break into? I don't want to resort to walking around the mall in a suit and nice shoes and hand out resumes. Political careers pay okay, but they sure suck the life out of you (especially if you make it as an EA where you often end up picking up your Member from a late night session or coming to work at 3AM to catch a flight to who-knows-where.). My cousins all got nice jobs working in various fields, but two of them really love what they do (CSA at Westjet and the other is a waitress at Earls). So I'm not saying I need to be upper level management to get started, but I would like a decent health plan and some spending cash at the end of the month.

Oh yes, I also like to dress for work. So working in the trades or food service isn't preferable.

T