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Old 01-09-2008, 06:23 AM
 
6 posts, read 12,484 times
Reputation: 10

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Hi All,

I've been in NOVA for almost 5 years now, and I just cannot put up with the lack of work-life balance. It's taking a toll on every relationship I have - my family, my friends, my boyfriend, my dogs, even myself...everything. Before it was "Everyone understands" that I'm up at 5:00 am and home by 6:30 or 7:00pm and there isn't time for anything else but what everyone loves in this area but WORK WORK WORK!! But now, there isn't even that understanding. I miss my friends, my family...I hate that I have no time to work-out or take my dogs on walks. And most importantly, my relationship with my boyfriend is severly suffering. My boyfriend and I talk about moving, but we just bought a home in Centreville in May. I hate how you have to be punished because you cannot afford to live close to where you work. And all companies preach work-life balance, but it's basically just BS - at least, in my case.

I currently do consulting, and of course came into it with such great hopes...only to find out that if my lead asks me one more time why I didn't get his email at 3:30 am, I am seriously going to lose my mind. I need a career change with a better balance so I can keep my sanity as long as I'm here. I cannot afford to go back to school full-time AND keep paying morgage and bills...so I need some advice please. Are there career choices in the area that I am overlooking, maybe some that would be a better balance...or consulting companies in the area that DO allow work-life balance. I want to come in at 6:00 or 7:00 am so I can get out of there early and not sit around because my co-workers don't arrive until 9:30 or 10:00. I'm just at my wits-end and lost basically.

I would appreciate some advice if you have any to give. Thanks everyone.
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Old 01-09-2008, 06:47 AM
 
2,482 posts, read 8,735,969 times
Reputation: 1972
What's your background? Sounds like you need to get out of consulting. Yes the DC/NoVA area is a work hard-play hard area but I haven't had any terrible issues with work/life balance so far and I work in a fairly stressful position (Business Development/Sales). I'm thinking its the industry you are in as well as the company you are employed with...though there is a chance that you have overlooked something in managing your free time as well.
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Old 01-09-2008, 06:55 AM
 
6 posts, read 12,484 times
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Yeah, I know. I guess it's that I just don't know what else to do - or how to do it. My background is in IT and psychology. I've worked for five years doing consulting in VA and DC. At work, I've got the wide range of tech and functional skills, but I mainly focus on change management type work - training, communications, organizational change. I've thought about going back to school for teaching or for something with psychology. But without huge loans, I just don't know how to do it. And I just cringe at thinking what I'd make after getting out of school - less than what I do now with more expenditures. I feel like it's rough for everyone that goes the career change way, but living here really hurts you with the cost of living. Everyone always tells me money isn't everything, and it's not to me, but I need to be able to live and survive, you know?
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Old 01-09-2008, 07:14 AM
 
2,482 posts, read 8,735,969 times
Reputation: 1972
Quote:
Originally Posted by psublondie View Post
Yeah, I know. I guess it's that I just don't know what else to do - or how to do it. My background is in IT and psychology. I've worked for five years doing consulting in VA and DC. At work, I've got the wide range of tech and functional skills, but I mainly focus on change management type work - training, communications, organizational change. I've thought about going back to school for teaching or for something with psychology. But without huge loans, I just don't know how to do it. And I just cringe at thinking what I'd make after getting out of school - less than what I do now with more expenditures. I feel like it's rough for everyone that goes the career change way, but living here really hurts you with the cost of living. Everyone always tells me money isn't everything, and it's not to me, but I need to be able to live and survive, you know?
Since you do have IT to fall back on, why not look for something in the IT industry? And yes, I definitely hear you with the need to balance money/having money/having a life/paying bills. Definitely not easy. What's your "acceptable" salary range? Is your current company paying you big bucks and that's why you're with them?
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Old 01-09-2008, 07:33 AM
 
6 posts, read 12,484 times
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I guess I'm unaware of the difference between just IT and IT consulting. That may be because anyone I've known working down here that was in IT basically was consulting - even if they were involved in the more technial aspects. Could you enlighten me on what you mean by just IT? Haha, no the big bucks is definitely not why I am staying. For my years of experience and skill set, I'm making 5-10,000 less than most of my friends. I've been what you call a company hopper for different reasons, and I've only been at my current employer for just over a year. I've just received my Top Secret clearance, and I am not even being given added compensation for that. Nor, after discussions with my manager, am I even going to be placed on a project to use it. If I stayed in IT, my acceptable salary range would be 75+ to account for my own cost of living increase that I've yet to receive and the fact that I am cleared on the TS level. If I could find a job that I enjoyed, would I accept less? Totally! But for now, that's what I'm looking at.
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Old 01-09-2008, 07:51 AM
 
2,482 posts, read 8,735,969 times
Reputation: 1972
Quote:
Originally Posted by psublondie View Post
I guess I'm unaware of the difference between just IT and IT consulting. That may be because anyone I've known working down here that was in IT basically was consulting - even if they were involved in the more technial aspects. Could you enlighten me on what you mean by just IT? Haha, no the big bucks is definitely not why I am staying. For my years of experience and skill set, I'm making 5-10,000 less than most of my friends. I've been what you call a company hopper for different reasons, and I've only been at my current employer for just over a year. I've just received my Top Secret clearance, and I am not even being given added compensation for that. Nor, after discussions with my manager, am I even going to be placed on a project to use it. If I stayed in IT, my acceptable salary range would be 75+ to account for my own cost of living increase that I've yet to receive and the fact that I am cleared on the TS level. If I could find a job that I enjoyed, would I accept less? Totally! But for now, that's what I'm looking at.

What I mean by IT is working in the IT of a large, IT-unrelated company. There's many of them around here in the DC area! And for having your level of clearance....girl, if I were as stressed out as you are, I'd be looking for opportunities because I know the DC area is super hungry for people with clearance! Good luck.
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Old 01-09-2008, 07:53 AM
 
6 posts, read 12,484 times
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Thanks SmerkyGrl

You wouldn't happen to have any names of places would you?
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Old 01-09-2008, 08:52 AM
 
50 posts, read 186,691 times
Reputation: 26
PSU....Have you tried at all to get a contract with DOD? Federal Jobs Digest seems to be overflowing with positions.....

Also check on telecommuting positions....Would probably set you back as far as pay for awhile, but sounds like you really need a change of scenery.

Good luck and try to work out.....Most work places have some sort of fitness allowance through the lunch hour. Sounds like being able to work out would help to relieve some stress.

As far as the boyfriend is concerned....I'm an old married lady, but my husband and I "make" the time to do fun things together...schedule it..I know it sounds odd, but you have to keep yourselves as a priority...Meet right after work for a drink or for a walk before you head back to the house.....Even just schedule a time to watch a movie together....I hate to say this...but if you all marry, have kids some day etc....time becomes even more of an issue...

I hope you find what you are looking for....Good luck Don't let it get you down...
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Old 01-09-2008, 02:32 PM
 
Location: Manassas, VA
352 posts, read 1,592,811 times
Reputation: 91
I think the thing to realize is that consulting is one of the most high-pressure/long hours positions in this area. (Other than some sales fields, and probably stuff like being an on-call doctor.) Almost anything else that you go into will relieve the stress, and I'd appropriate most of your stress to your consulting gig, NOT the area. You could be living in Atlanta and be equally totally stressed out by a consulting job...
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Old 01-09-2008, 06:36 PM
 
3,650 posts, read 9,509,269 times
Reputation: 3812
I would change companies. My husband was working for a company where most of these young guys would not stroll in to work until 10 AM!! Of course they had no responsibilities or wives or kids to hurry home to - just the bar scene late at night.
In the company he is in now they all are in work by 6 AM so he is able to leave early. Sometimes it is all in the corporate culture.
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