I'm needing to move to another (very high COL, deep blue) state for at least the next year for personal/family reasons (people that can't be relocated here). I've both recently gotten tenure at a public university in my current low COL deep red state (that can be done remotely for at least one year--see below) and been offered a FT clinical job at a VA in the state I need to move to. My priorities are job stability, location, and salary. I'm in a deep red state, although they haven't threatened tenure (yet).
Academia pros:
-I like my job a lot in that I like the content of what I do. I publish well, get good teaching evals, and have some success with grants. I have recently been granted tenure and gotten consistent (though small) merit raises.
-I like my students and colleagues and even my administration.
-Lots of flexibility in actual work hours and physical work location
-I have an outside fellowship that pays me an additional ~$30,000 on top of my salary for this year and possibly next (if it gets renewed) that I couldn't keep if I went VA.
-My department head and Dean have agreed to let me work remotely this coming academic year, because my work is essentially remote as is (I teach online, don't do work that requires physical lab space, and my only in-person meeting is a monthly department meeting).
-Currently good benefits (pension, retirement max, health, short- and long-term disability, etc)
Academia cons:
-No idea if remote would be a possibility after this year if I end up needing or wanting to stay remote, especially as we'll have a new Dean next year.
-There's unlikely to be another VA job in my area in the state I'll be remote in, and I'll likely seriously burn bridges if I turn down the VA job at the FJO stages, especially as the hiring process took forever, so I feel like this is my only chance.
-The state legislature here is, er, not well aligned with my views at all, and I fear what they might do, both socially and, of dir4ect consequence, with the university. (this state hasn't threatened tenure yet but....)
VA pros:
-They are starting me out at the top of the GS step, so I'd actually be making about the same as I do with my current 9-month academic salary.
-Supervisor seems really nice
-Gives me a permanent way to stay in a state I prefer with my SO
-Stricter hours
-VA job stability
VA cons:
-Because it's a single grade position, and I'm starting out at the top step, there's likely no room for salary growth.
-Much less day-to-day schedule flexibility, both in hours and physical work location
-Would have to go through the probationary period (so, essentially, would not have tenure again for a year)
-Good benefits
-I'd miss academic work a bit.
What is your take? What are other things to consider?
Thank you!
Academia pros:
-I like my job a lot in that I like the content of what I do. I publish well, get good teaching evals, and have some success with grants. I have recently been granted tenure and gotten consistent (though small) merit raises.
-I like my students and colleagues and even my administration.
-Lots of flexibility in actual work hours and physical work location
-I have an outside fellowship that pays me an additional ~$30,000 on top of my salary for this year and possibly next (if it gets renewed) that I couldn't keep if I went VA.
-My department head and Dean have agreed to let me work remotely this coming academic year, because my work is essentially remote as is (I teach online, don't do work that requires physical lab space, and my only in-person meeting is a monthly department meeting).
-Currently good benefits (pension, retirement max, health, short- and long-term disability, etc)
Academia cons:
-No idea if remote would be a possibility after this year if I end up needing or wanting to stay remote, especially as we'll have a new Dean next year.
-There's unlikely to be another VA job in my area in the state I'll be remote in, and I'll likely seriously burn bridges if I turn down the VA job at the FJO stages, especially as the hiring process took forever, so I feel like this is my only chance.
-The state legislature here is, er, not well aligned with my views at all, and I fear what they might do, both socially and, of dir4ect consequence, with the university. (this state hasn't threatened tenure yet but....)
VA pros:
-They are starting me out at the top of the GS step, so I'd actually be making about the same as I do with my current 9-month academic salary.
-Supervisor seems really nice
-Gives me a permanent way to stay in a state I prefer with my SO
-Stricter hours
-VA job stability
VA cons:
-Because it's a single grade position, and I'm starting out at the top step, there's likely no room for salary growth.
-Much less day-to-day schedule flexibility, both in hours and physical work location
-Would have to go through the probationary period (so, essentially, would not have tenure again for a year)
-Good benefits
-I'd miss academic work a bit.
What is your take? What are other things to consider?
Thank you!
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