How important is Job location to Job satisfaction?

[RainyRainyDay]

Originally Posted by usamathman

You are right in saying that all my work experience is in academia. Somedays I regret not pursuing a career in IT. Seems like that is where all the money is right now. I am still leaning toward the IT field as an alternative just in case I can't find a good teaching gig in a decent metro area. I recently applied for a government gig with Bureau of Census in ATL. I am a pretty ambitious and likeable guy. All I need is a foot in the door and the rest will take care of itself.

"IT" covers a broad range but presumably if you're a Ph.D. professor you're thinking of relatively high-skill positions, not taking calls on a help desk.

I have a master's in computer science, was a top student, and have a parent, now retired, whose working career was as a university professor (not in computer science). I work in the high-tech end of my field, love my job, and probably the main reason I'm still employed is because I'm far more able than average (as is the team I work with) and willing to work really hard. The people I'm competing with to keep my job are offshore outsourcers - talented, highly educated citizens of India, Ukraine, et al. who are willing to work much longer hours and for much less money than Americans are accustomed to thinking reasonable. American employers don't hesitate for a moment to replace their onshore staff with offshore, any time the cost/benefit analysis favors offshore.

In good conscience, I can't recommend that young Americans entering college today consider the computer science field. It's so vulnerable to offshore competition. Maybe the US government is likely to remain a privileged enclave of actual American jobs. However, being familiar with the working conditions in academia (my parent) as well as my own, I think the OP could be at risk of making a terrible mistake. I'm with the chorus saying, try to find an academic job in a location you like better.

[anothertntony]

Originally Posted by RainyRainyDay

In good conscience, I can't recommend that young Americans entering college today consider the computer science field. It's so vulnerable to offshore competition.

Having a graduate CS degree myself, I certainly agree that there is fierce competition from much lower cost nations for many of the CS-oriented jobs. That leads to unstable employment, lower salaries, high stress, and long hours. However, most other professions are under the same pressures. Corporate legal jobs (e.g., drafting patent applications) are rapidly being moved to India. There are even some hospitals moving radiology jobs to India because the images can be read remotely.

At this point, I don't really know what major/profession to suggest to young people. Medical may be an option, but medical costs are entirely unsustainable in even the short-term. Something will have to give in the healthcare industry, and that something may in part be doctor salaries. Given the amount of debt incurred for an MD (often 200k+), it is disconcerting for the future of the field to be so uncertain.

As to answering the OP's question, I think that location definitely impacts quality of life. It has a much larger impact if you're single. I moved from upstate NY to Atlanta and like it here MUCH better. I don't know if you have a tenure-track position or an adjunct position. If it is tenure track, then I would agree with the other posters that you have a cushy position and I would seriously consider staying. If it is not tenure track, then I would start packing (after finding another job, of course).

[usamathman]

Hey all,

Great advice. Have definitely given me something to think about. My current teaching position is with a military institution and would be considered tenure. However, if budget cuts occur and positions are reduced I would be one of the first to be booted due to being the newest hire. Every now and then I hear talk about government cuts and I worry that my job will be next.

If I can find another position (as a professor/mathematician) that starts out at least 65K, has good job security, and is in a better location than upstate NY I am definitely going to consider it.

But until that door opens I am definitely not going to leave my current job. I just don't want to be one of those people who spends 30 years of their lives working and not ever being able to enjoy life outside of work.

[SW30303]

If you haven't already, maybe you can visit the Atlanta area to see if you like it OK to live. It is very different from where you live now.

Academia generally has lots of job security, so I would view that a definitely plus over the private sector despite the salary differences. I know as a professor it can take you about 7 years or so to get the coveted tenure. That is a huge job security factor that is not offered much anywhere else as you already know.

On the other hand, many of the IT people who work in federal government are contractors as you probably already know. You could try something else and return to academia, you are still young to sort that out.

If you want to make a change, now is a good time for you. It is definitely much more difficult as you get more set in your career and start a family. No matter what you do, that is the case. It sounds like you are at a great crossroads to make a big decision. Good luck.

[usamathman]

Originally Posted by SW30303

If you haven't already, maybe you can visit the Atlanta area to see if you like it OK to live. It is very different from where you live now.

Academia generally has lots of job security, so I would view that a definitely plus over the private sector despite the salary differences. I know as a professor it can take you about 7 years or so to get the coveted tenure. That is a huge job security factor that is not offered much anywhere else as you already know.

On the other hand, many of the IT people who work in federal government are contractors as you probably already know. You could try something else and return to academia, you are still young to sort that out.

If you want to make a change, now is a good time for you. It is definitely much more difficult as you get more set in your career and start a family. No matter what you do, that is the case. It sounds like you are at a great crossroads to make a big decision. Good luck.

Hello all,

Thanks for the advice. I definitely have a lot to think about in the upcoming few months. Worst case scenario is that I end up moving closer to NYC and just making the 50 mile commute each way to work. I really don't care to make such a long drive, but if that is what I have to do to make my experience better than it is worth it. My job is a good one and I wouldn't leave unless I was offered major $$$ in a better location. Ahhh!!! Decisions...Decisions.

Thanks again.