Which job to take?

[kiwon]

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Posting for a friend:

Hi everyone,
I'm in a difficult situation with 2 job offers and I'm unsure of which to take. It has led to sleepless nights for the past few days and I would really appreciate input.

1. Outpatient pharmacy manager at a medical center. ~$71/hr, great benefits, close to home.
2. Entry level position at pharmaceutical company (industry). ~$55/hr, no benefits ( I applied through recruitor so it is a contract). Far from home, will have to relocate.

So I have been working in retail for about 3 years now, sort of tired of it but pay is good. I've been looking for change, had no luck with hospital due to lack of inpatient experience. I have a couple friends who worked in industry who seemed pretty happy with their work and did not seem as stressed as retail. It is definitely something I want to try out. I was all for it when I first got the offer even though the pay was low and I would have to relocate but I was happy for a change from retail. But now I heard back from outpatient manager position (I only applied here b/c it took awhile to hear back from industry position) I'm having such a hard time rejecting the great pay/benefits and the fact that it's close to home. Even though I hate retail at this point my head is telling me maybe I can put up with it for this increased salary lol.

Honestly, not sure what will make me happy. There's always the chance I wont like the pharmaceutical company job since I've never done it before. I would regret so much not taking the manager position. But again it is so hard to get into industry that this may be my only chance to get in and maybe I shouldn't let it go?

Help!

 

[Sine Cura]

What do you want to do with your career? Retail is a dead end for most. That's another reason why you want to get out.

 

[samven582]

definitely the industry job. You are never going to have this opportunity again. likewise, the QOL will be so much better. I bet your friends work from home from time to time.

 

[egyptianmau121]

Honestly, I would take the first option like right away. I know it's retail but it's close to home, has awesome pay, and at least it's not at a chain retail so the job won't be as bad. Your friend can pay off the loans faster, it'd be a win win for me


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[steveysmith54]

I hate making recommendations like that because I can't walk in your shoes, I don't know how much retail is affecting your life, your personal situation is with family/spouse etc...

From a financial point of view, it's not easy to give up the extra 33k plus benefits it appears.... but you have to think about it from a life style point of view

 

[gwarm01]

A lot of good points have been made in this thread. My answer would depend entirely on what stage of my life I was in. The industry position appeals to me the most, and there could be the potential for growth there. However, if you have roots in the area or a family to consider.. the higher paying job might be better for you. Outpatient pharmacy in a med center is much better than any retail pharmacy too. Play your cards right and you could transition to hospital admin eventually.

 

[cozypark]

I will choose 1.

If it is contract job, there is no guarantee that you keep the job. And no benefit is another downside.

 

[coronagrey]

Pharmacy is on a downward spiral. How will you differentiate yourself from everyone else? Outpatient pharmacy managers will be a dime a dozen. Working in industry will give you experience most don't have. It will open up other doors for you. Take less money now, may equate to more money later.

 

[confettiflyer]

$33,280 is a lot to walk away from, take the outpatient manager position, it's not quite the retail grind since you're embedded with a medical center. Shorter commute is also a boon...I view the pharm company as a bigger risk to take as your position lives or dies by the profits and patent extensions of your company and is subject to more economic headwinds.


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[deleted462159]

I would definitely take option 1.

Advantages of:
1. Benefits, extra $33k, more stability, short commute.
2. Quenches your fear of missing out.

 

[Lnsean]

yolo---go for #2.....outpatient pharmacy manager isn't really anything special.

 

[KARM12]

How long is the contract job? I'd probably take the first one.

 

[John Detter]

I would take 1. A retail pharmacy at a medical center is a different world compared to the traditional CVS/Walgreens/RiteAid. Many times they are opened because the medical center wants to improve care by doing Meds to Beds, patient counseling, and giving employees easy, discounted access to medications. Of course the money always matters, but there usually isn't the tooth-and-nail approach from traditional retail that becomes the bane of your existence. The health-system usually expects to recoup costs through better outcomes, reduced readmissions, etc.

 

[Momus]

I believe that is market rate in socal retail pharmacy pay. So, any manager position with the big 3 will give you that much $3 difference give or take. Chump change.

You need to pick whichever get you closer to what you want to do in 5-10 yrs, choose that.