Leave current training for one job to accept an offer for another? I feel awful.

[Misfit Marie]

I am one month into training for a clerical job with the local police department. I have received a counteroffer (see back story below) from my first prospect, a large private company (we'll call it Option 1) that is a mass producer of computer processors.

 

Backstory: I was offered a job with Intel last April; however, mass layoffs were announced the very next day and hiring was frozen. My application sat in "pending" for six months, during which I continued to interview for other positions with other employers. This past October, Intel reached out to me with an official offer; however, it was for a lower tech position than what I had originally been offered. I countered the job offer, but it was turned down, and thus I did not accept the offer that I had waited months for. Instead, I took a clerical job with the local police department and am now one month into training.

 

Option 1 reached out to me again this past week, with a significantly better offer than what I had even originally interviewed for. The benefits are amazing, and the salary would be significantly more than what I am making at my current position with Option 2 (clerical police department records job).

 

Here's the kicker... Option 2 has already made a huge investment in me with my training over the past month, as well as all of the security clearances and classes and certificates required to be able to do the job. There are four more weeks of training to go. My coworkers are awesome; however, the job is sounding a little mundane. And I will constantly handling public records and any negative information they might contain (think of me as a type of sensor that handles raw case/report material and makes it ready for public eyes)... creating missing person reports, missing vehicle reports, etc. It's an extremely important job, and that gives me a slight sense of satisfaction, but Option 1 had always been a "dream" of mine...

 

To back out of my Option 2 now would cripple the new department that I have been hired for. But I am struggling to let go of Option 1, to let it slip through my fingers, after pining for the position for so long. The money, the benefits, the schedule, etc... is all better with Option 1. Since Option 2 is a union-based government job and Option 1 is a private company, they are quite different from each other in all aspects of the position and attached benefits... both are good opportunities, but again... Option 1 is better in all ways except job security where a union-based government job is obviously better.

 

In a nutshell... I want to take Option 1. But I can't bring myself to leave my current position. I feel like such an awful, terrible person for even considering "jumping ship" with my current position and making it extremely difficult on the new department that I am a part of.

 

I want to justify taking Option 1 in my mind, but I can't seem to do that. I want it so bad, but my conscience will probably haunt me forever (lol).

 

I don't know if I am looking for simple reassurance either way, or maybe just some advice? Is it the right thing to do, to hang on to my current employment and let Option 1 slip away?

 

Either way, I'm going to be struggling with the what-ifs and will end up upsetting someone.

[gebaird]

This seems like a no-brainer to me. You clearly want to take option 1. I understanding not wanting to look bad or create problems for your current employer, but that's life in a free market economy. Employees leave. It happens. If the police department didn't want you to leave, they'd pay you better.

 

Instead of telling yourself a story about being a disloyal employee who cost the police department a bunch of money, tell yourself a better story about how much happier you'll be in your new job at Intel. You'll be doing work you enjoy, which will make you a happier person, which your loves ones will certainly appreciate. The police department will find someone new. They'll be okay, and if they choose to resent you -- oh well.

 

I struggle with similar things at work sometimes. I am actually considering leaving my current firm, and we're only half-way into our project. I'm the manager, so it could leave my team in a bad spot. But I have a 2-hour commute and the benefits are crappy, so as much as I'd like to stay I've got to put myself and my family first.

 

You're the one who has to live with the decision you make, but honestly I think you'd be crazy not to take the Intel job. Heck, if you don't want it maybe I'll apply

[catfeeder]

My heart goes out to you. If you want to deal in business, then treat your career like a business. I understand that this can be difficult when you personalize it and appreciate the people you work with, but work is not a therapeutic environment. I'd size this down to thinking of myself as a candidate in training who has received a better offer. The place will not collapse without you--they will hire someone else.

 

Head high, and best wishes for a clear focus on where you want to be.