Hi OzB,
Firstly a bit about myself. Mid 30's, married, looking to start a family with the wife.
I worked in the IT industry for about 10 years all up. Started on an ISP's helpdesk and worked my way into an engineering role. In the end my job was sent offshore and I was made redundant. I found another job elsewhere working with a small group of people on an IT helpdesk. That job was actually really good, the people were great but I did find myself from time to time losing patience with a few of the "slower" staff who couldn't grasp even the most basic of computing tasks.
At the same time I'd had actually applied for a job in the same place as a friend. It's essentially an admin position in the legal field. I ended up being successful in obtaining that role and made the decision to leave the IT helpdesk role. I've been here now over 18 months and it's okay. There are two pay levels in this job, I'm still on the first but will hopefully move to the second shortly. I'm not on permanent staff - just keep being giving contract after contract which is somewhat annoying.
When I was a kid I wanted to be a lawyer. From speaking to people in my current job, jobs as even a junior lawyer are hard to come by and the pay sucks in your first few years - even less than what I'm getting now. If I was to stay in this job my intention would be to study law part time which will take almost 8 years.
I was speaking to a friend of a mate the other night and he mentioned that a similar type helpdesk position as the one I was working had come up at his work (it's a university) but that it has a lot more face to face work with clients. The pay is actually about the same as the second level at the current job but the salary also comes with 17% superannuation.
So, what would you do if you were in my position?
EDIT: I should note that the current job is a government job - should that change anyone's opinion.
Lol. Like there's an option who to start your family with.
Would the new role be permanent or contract?