Opinions required for life/professional decision.

[gkdmaths]

Okay, this is a little convoluted, so pay attention.

I need to make a decision upon which rides all of my near-future plans. I will split it up intop categories, all proceeding simultaneously.

My work:
I graduated two years ago and took two jobs. My full-time job is as a medical researcher for a company called BSI. My BSI funding expires this month. The other job is part-time as an SIT (scientific instruction technician) for a local university during the academic year. I was told at the end of last academic year that I would be renewed as a full-time SIT this year, which wuould offset my lack of funding from BSI. The problem with this is that there are two 32 hr/week SITs with seniority who have each gleaned 8 hours from my allotted 40 hours to bring themselves up to full-time and leaving me with 24 hours per week. I cannot live with this salary.

My home:
The state of Washington is buying my house to build a road over it. My appraisal is in two weeks. It takes two months after that to sell, and we had planned to rent back from the state untill I had finished the academic year as an SIT before moving so I can attend grad school. I cannot afford the mortgage payment with the SIT salary now, though.

My health:
Some of you are aware that I've just broken my leg last weekend and that I opted out of BSI's insurance plan and invested the difference. the SIT job would afford me basic medical coverage, but not enough money to live.

SO, my options are next, please comment on what you would do:

1. tell the college to shove it and that Im sick of getting the short end of the stick, write some more grants for BSI and try to receive more funding before moving.

2. Work the SIT job for minimum wage for one quarter and then cut out (which I would rather not do, I like the folks and the college, my alma mater) then move to Seattle or Portland to go to grad school in December.

3. Leave both jobs and move to Seattle or Portland now and just wing it in between.

4. Work the SIT job at minum wage through the end of the 06/07 academic year.

5. Work a few MacDonald's jobs to make ends meet (I dont think this really would be conducive to my plans, though as grad school requires 2 years of professional experience).

ugh :eyes: whaddya think? thanks for reading.

[liberalhistorian]

1. My suggestion would be to do option four;

it may not want to be what you want to do forever, but it will give you the experience you so badly need and will get your foot in the door for other professional options. It will also make you appear solid and dedicated, which is the kind of reputation you'll want in your professional career.

[gkdmaths]

3. I am 'kind' of leaning that way

and just treating this year as it was last year, both jobs with a focus of writing more grants and going for contracts with more hospitals.

thanks. :thumbsup:

[Fredda Weinberg]

2. I always feel better when I have *sumpthin* I can do

The grant proposal thing sounds like it gives you the most power.

[gkdmaths]

4. I think you're right,

but if I stay here until June at the latest, I would have to move twice (once in october and then once after June to go to Seattle).

Not the best option, and certainly not the one my partner wants to deal with.

Thank you kindly for you advice. :)