Poll
Question:
Does the happiness of where I live outweigh the happiness of the career path I really want?
Option 1: Job outweighs location
votes: 5
Option 2: Location outweighs job
votes: 8
Option 3: Boobies
votes: 14
I am in an odd position. I work in Los Angeles, and I sort of like the town, but not really. I'm here for the industry I've been trying to be successful in.
Right now I may have a choice to leave Los Angeles, move to San Francisco, and begin working heavily in videogame audio. I love San Francisco, I've been trying to take my career there for years, but I think if I get into gaming, it will be difficult to get out and back into film. Game audio can be monotonous and unrewarding, IMO.
So, I have two options. Hate living in LA, but continue to work in film. Love living in SF, but work on potentially boring game audio. Does the happiness of where I live outweigh the happiness of the career path I really want?
That last bit pretty much sums up my quandary.
Please no one tell me I should just be thankful to have a job, my bosses say that whenever I ask for the raise I haven't gotten in two years. ;)
I've allowed 2 votes so that everyone may vote for boobies, as they rightfully should.
I'm the wrong person to ask as I have a 5+ hour a day commute as my questionable solution.
So I only voted boobies as they can make any town tolerable.
you are going to work a long time in your lifetime at a "job"
you have to figure out what it is that you want to do. location is important, but i would go for the job first and then put location second. unless of course the location is literaly unbearable then location may take precedent.
seems like it comes down to money...
like every other decision.
Or...
you could decide to be happy...
it's a concept. ;D
I lived in LA for 20+ years. Yes, it sucks (as far as a place to live) but there are pockets in LA that are nice. I say look around for a better place to live near LA and do what you like doing. SF is a fantastic town but very expensive.
Booobies...
I say give it a shot and enjoy SF and the video game industry until you get bored and move back. Chances are, you'll find other interests in a place you love to occupy your time if your job becomes unsatisfying. After all, you spend more time away from work than at it.
Frisco!! [thumbsup]
job or career?
Career trumps location IMHO. But if you abslutely hate where you live, you need to find a way to like it, or move.
IMO, location is more important.
Work is anywhere, if you look hard enough.
do you enjoy going to work everyday most days? (despite living in LA) thats the big question. You spend most of your time at work, so if you enjoy what you're doing and feel happy and rewarded while doing it then the things around you tend to work themselves out. If you dislike what you do, it shapes your attitude in a negative manner. With that said, if you move to SF and dislike you work, you may end up disliking your situation overall, but if you stay in LA doing something you love, then you may be have a better shot at loving (or at least putting up with) LA
I fell in love with a woman most of the way across the country and pissed away a pretty decent 20 year career in DC to move to a little mountain town in Arizona, working part time and earning about a third what I did before. Then I had my resolve tested when a dream job in DC called me up and was pushing me to move back at about 150% what I'd been making. I said no without even really thinking about it. I have zero regrets, still manage to own two Ducatis (though some months are a stretch) and couldn't be happier.
YMMV.
Quote from: triangleforge on April 30, 2010, 05:42:08 PM
I fell in love with a woman most of the way across the country and pissed away a pretty decent 20 year career in DC to move to a little mountain town in Arizona, working part time and earning about a third what I did before. Then I had my resolve tested when a dream job in DC called me up and was pushing me to move back at about 150% what I'd been making. I said no without even really thinking about it. I have zero regrets, still manage to own two Ducatis (though some months are a stretch) and couldn't be happier.
YMMV.
This is a wise man. Move to San Fran. Its a great city. Change is good. You will not be at that (or any) job permanently. Who knows what opportunities will come your way in SF. Certainly good roads to ride and a lot of Ducati enthusiasts will come your way. Crowbar (of the former DML) does movie stuff in LA and SF. He could probably introduce you to some people.
Don't stay stagnant. Be where you want to be and work your ass off to make it good for you.
Good luck.
sac
/LA sucks balls
Quote from: triangleforge on April 30, 2010, 05:42:08 PM
I fell in love with a woman most of the way across the country and pissed away a pretty decent 20 year career in DC to move to a little mountain town in Arizona, working part time and earning about a third what I did before. Then I had my resolve tested when a dream job in DC called me up and was pushing me to move back at about 150% what I'd been making. I said no without even really thinking about it. I have zero regrets, still manage to own two Ducatis (though some months are a stretch) and couldn't be happier.
YMMV.
thats funny, because I just moved to Az from DC and am working part time making 1/3 of what I used to make. I love my soon to be wife and she bought me my Duc ;D
Priorities:
Family happiness
Self Happiness
Work happiness
The rest will fall into place!
Sage advice I once got:
Work where you have to work, but live where you want to live.
just quit your job do what you want and be happy. Life is too short and if you waste it you will have regret. I live my life for me, I do as I please I am my own girl.
FTW.
BGB.
Thanks for the responses so far everyone, I enjoy having points made for both sides.
Quote from: Duck-Stew on April 30, 2010, 06:01:56 PM
Work where you have to work, but live where you want to live.
That is very sage advice indeed, thanks Stu.
Quote from: djrashonal on April 30, 2010, 05:36:56 PM
If you dislike what you do, it shapes your attitude in a negative manner. With that said, if you move to SF and dislike you work, you may end up disliking your situation overall, but if you stay in LA doing something you love, then you may be have a better shot at loving (or at least putting up with) LA
And also something to think about, thanks.
in my opinion
the word "career" was invented by employers
to make employees endure conditions that would make them leave a "job"
The idea of work is to trade time for money or services necessary to live your life
The people who prioritize their career over a home
are the ones who don't have enough going on at home to want to leave work.
You did not say if you had a family or not. If your single, I say move to S.F.( I love that place) and give it a try,If your a hard worker and an asset to your company. maybe you could get your job back in LA if all does not work out, just don't miss out on any opportunities.
If you have a wife and kids.... do whats best for your family.
I doubt very many people lie on their death beds wishing they had put in more hours at the office
that being said...the correct answer has to do with you setting your priorities in life
if you are younger the career/income may have more importance in order to buy house, raise family etc.
as you get older and your career becomes more of a job, then quality of personal life may become of greater importance...
as you have fewer years ahead of you and more of them behind you...well no matter what they pay you...you can't buy back the minutes of your life with that money
It's all about the Benjamins, baby.
Change is good. I say make the move and enjoy the new city. You only live once, I can't imagine living in the same place and doing the same work for any extended period of time. Unless said work provided a massive amount of "Benjamins" that allowed for an excess lifestyle and travel, and hundreds of cars and motorcycles. HUNDREDS.
Good luck with whatever decision you make. (thanks for grips also)
Ric
I opted the "happy" route.
It's biting me in the behind now.
[bang]
Quote from: winsomelosenone on April 30, 2010, 10:53:37 PM
(thanks for grips also)
You're very welcome.
Quote from: He Man on April 30, 2010, 04:56:14 PM
job or career?
I say career because its a relatively elevated position in a specialized field and is long term. I guess my definition of job would be something that I'd do simply for the paycheck but it doesn't peak my interest and is probably a short lived endeavor.
No wife and kids, or girlfriend for that matter, no property here in LA, I am entirely transplantable. The biggest downside I am seeing to leaving this town is I won't be able to take my bike to Speeddog. :(
Upside to SF, I can get Spidey to show me Stinson Beach. [thumbsup]
I believe the pay could be the same in either industry. There are opportunities in film to reach a very high pay grade, but really only a very small percentage of people make that, and it's not always how talented you might be, or who you know, but luck. I know some very very established engineers, but that hasn't helped me. And games are growing faster than the film industry ever did, there may indeed be some very lucrative opportunities in the future. Also, games are non-union, so there's no need to be independent and wonder where the next paying gig is going to be coming from. I know that for my personality, simpler is better.
As I'm reading through everything, it does bring up questions and situations I hadn't considered, but I feel as though I'm leaning towards taking the gig in San Francisco if they do indeed give me a firm offer. There's actually two positions I'm up for, same title at competing developers, though I think one is more likely than the other.
You know, once you move you can always look around for something better. I'm not sure what you do exactly, but as for film there is Pixar, Lucas films, (Industrial light & magic) as well as smaller film companies around the bay. But who knows maybe you might want a Job painting the GG Bridge, or becoming an elevator mechanic for example. (I hear they have a couple of elevators in S.F. that need work from time to time) You never know you could possibly get burned out on what your doing.
The point is, your job is not your life. Don't be afraid to make a move.
Quote from: NoisyDante on May 01, 2010, 07:46:08 AM
The biggest downside I am seeing to leaving this town is I won't be able to take my bike to Speeddog. :(
there are a number of more-than-reputable duc mechanics in the bay area...
Quote from: derby on May 01, 2010, 08:40:43 AM
there are a number of more-than-reputable duc mechanics in the bay area...
But none as handsome. 8)
[laugh]
Quote from: D Paoli on May 01, 2010, 08:10:58 AM
The point is, your job is not your life. Don't be afraid to make a move.
My wife is about to quit her job for a number of reasons. She signed on with this company a year ago and they have make the beast with two backsed with her pay and her head so much that last night she came home crying and hyperventilating. Morale in that office is hideous and the owners just dont get it.
So, she is taking a leap of faith in herself and her own abilities and I couldnt be happier. My business, which has been in the toilet; has just started to pick back up.
Point of all this is, the reasons have to be right for you and your situation. Listen to your gut. Sounds like you are making a calculated decision.....Good Luck Mang!
Anyone want to buy a showroom M900 Cromo with only 1709 original miles??
I'd be more concerned about stability more than enjoyment of the job. Why? Because San Francisco kicks ass!!!!
I'd pretty much do whatever job as long as it paid enough to let me live fairly well in SF.
Went to work this morning, and by the end of the day four people had been let go. Two guys had been with the company for 17 years! The simple fact is that the industry is shrinking and the major studios are absorbing the work they have outsourced for years.
I think should I receive a firm offer from either company up North it would be in my best interest to take it.
Quote from: NoisyDante on May 06, 2010, 07:24:46 PM
Went to work this morning, and by the end of the day four people had been let go. Two guys had been with the company for 17 years! The simple fact is that the industry is shrinking and the major studios are absorbing the work they have outsourced for years.
I think should I receive a firm offer from either company up North it would be in my best interest to take it.
I would agree. [thumbsup]
when the canaries just fall dead off their perches in the cages...
it is time to exit the coal mine
FAST
good luck up north!!
Quote from: RAT900 on May 06, 2010, 09:06:35 PM
when the canaries just fall dead off their perches in the cages...
it is time to exit the coal mine
FAST
good luck up north!!
Good analogy
Don't have the firm offer yet, but I'll definitely get politicin' with my contacts.
Maybe sending a fruit basket would help. And by fruit I mean bacon.
Quote from: NoisyDante on May 06, 2010, 11:04:56 PM
Good analogy
Don't have the firm offer yet, but I'll definitely get politicin' with my contacts.
Maybe sending a fruit basket would help. And by fruit I mean bacon.
funny how this morphed into a "not so difficult" career decision...
must have been your instincts or your ancestors or whatever were whispering to you
Quote from: RAT900 on May 07, 2010, 01:16:12 AM
funny how this morphed into a "not so difficult" career decision...
must have been your instincts or your ancestors or whatever were whispering to you
True, when the option came up last week only one alarm bell was ringing, now it's the whole bell tower.
Today is gonna be a weird day at the office.
For anyone who saw my cinco di mayo thread, the sleeping employee was not one of those laid off.
Just to add to all the good advice here:
Film & Television - Large, but ultimately shrinking industry
Videogames - Large and growing industry.
And sound is an increasingly important part of videogame design.
The only downside of the VG industry is that they often treat you like a slave and releases can seems like a Bataan Death March.
Then again, I have no idea what it's like in film and that may actually be an improvement.
Quote from: NoisyDante on May 06, 2010, 07:24:46 PM
Went to work this morning, and by the end of the day four people had been let go. Two guys had been with the company for 17 years!
That's the sound of the universe aligning.
Thanks again for all of your advice and input as I traversed that period of job related stupidity.
I ultimately decided that moving to San Francisco, while very intriguing, was not going to make me happy simply because I could experience 'weather'. The gaming jobs were going to be boring and I would have felt all of my experience and expertise going to waste.
However, I am a firm believer that when one door shuts on a mediocre opportunity, another will open on an even better one.
I just got offered a job at Warner Bros Post Production. It will double my current income, put me in the guild, put me on a path to work only on television and film, no more commercials ever again, there's room for infinite advancement, and I'll rub shoulders with the inspirational teams who did work on The Matrix, Speed Racer, Dark Knight, Watchmen, and Inception.
This calls for a cigar and beer. [beer]
Again, thanks everyone for chiming in!
Now, who can tell me the best commute from Culver City to Burbank!? :(
Quote from: NoisyDante on July 23, 2010, 04:55:14 PM
Now, who can tell me the best commute from Culver City to Burbank!? :(
believe it or not, it's probably going to be 405 > 101 > 134...
pm sqweak (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=31), that's similar to his commute.
That's what I've been doing for the meetings . . . took 45 minutes each time with the car. Could be worse I suppose, and it will be on occasion.
And that's why I thank jesus for lane splitting in California.
Quote from: NoisyDante on July 23, 2010, 05:09:20 PM
That's what I've been doing for the meetings . . . took 45 minutes each time with the car. Could be worse I suppose, and it will be on occasion.
And that's why I thank jesus for lane splitting in California.
somebody once told me it's faster during the morning commute to go all the way up to the 118, over to the 5, and back down to burbank (even though it's ~10mi longer). of course, i think he was more near the airport.
Quote from: lethe on April 30, 2010, 03:24:45 PM
I'm the wrong person to ask as I have a 5+ hour a day commute as my questionable solution.
So I only voted boobies as they can make any town tolerable.
Why ?
Can't you find a place to live closer that you like , or does the traffic move that slow ?
Dolph :)
Congrats. That sounds like a sweet job! [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
Quote from: NoisyDante on July 23, 2010, 04:55:14 PM
Thanks again for all of your advice and input as I traversed that period of job related stupidity.
I ultimately decided that moving to San Francisco, while very intriguing, was not going to make me happy simply because I could experience 'weather'. The gaming jobs were going to be boring and I would have felt all of my experience and expertise going to waste.
However, I am a firm believer that when one door shuts on a mediocre opportunity, another will open on an even better one.
I just got offered a job at Warner Bros Post Production. It will double my current income, put me in the guild, put me on a path to work only on television and film, no more commercials ever again, there's room for infinite advancement, and I'll rub shoulders with the inspirational teams who did work on The Matrix, Speed Racer, Dark Knight, Watchmen, and Inception.
This calls for a cigar and beer. [beer]
Again, thanks everyone for chiming in!
Now, who can tell me the best commute from Culver City to Burbank!? :(
lucky bastard!!
sounds like you have a great opportunity right there. enjoy the ride. [clap] [clap]
Quote from: sbrguy on July 23, 2010, 09:41:20 PM
lucky bastard!!
sounds like you have a great opportunity right there. enjoy the ride. [clap] [clap]
Quote from: Triple J on July 23, 2010, 07:16:31 PM
Congrats. That sounds like a sweet job! [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
thanks guys [thumbsup]
Quote from: NoisyDante on July 23, 2010, 04:55:14 PM
I just got offered a job at Warner Bros Post Production. It will double my current income, put me in the guild, put me on a path to work only on television and film, no more commercials ever again, there's room for infinite advancement, and I'll rub shoulders with the inspirational teams who did work on The Matrix, Speed Racer, Dark Knight, Watchmen, and Inception.
This calls for a cigar big-ass slab of bacon and a beer. [bacon] [beer]
Congrats Dante! [thumbsup] Worked out that way for me too when I was looking. 8)
So, you're buying the bacon tomorrow, then... right? ;D
[bacon]
Quote from: Junkie of Bacon on July 24, 2010, 01:37:16 PM
Congrats Dante! [thumbsup] Worked out that way for me too when I was looking. 8)
So, you're buying the bacon tomorrow, then... right? ;D
[bacon]
T'would appear that I am! [bacon] [bacon] [bacon]
I may have bacon dreams tonight.
For anyone who did see Inception, I think if I had to choose a totem, it would be bacon.
Quote from: NoisyDante on July 24, 2010, 02:49:08 PM
T'would appear that I am! [bacon] [bacon] [bacon]
I may have bacon dreams tonight.
For anyone who did see Inception, I think if I had to choose a totem, it would be bacon.
After that movie I want to shoot myself in the head, just to be 100% positive I'm not asleep..
Quote from: Veloce-Fino on July 24, 2010, 07:41:02 PM
After that movie I want to shoot myself in the head, just to be 100% positive I'm not asleep..
Made me wanna wear 3 piece suits and use pomade
Quote from: NoisyDante on July 24, 2010, 08:49:15 PM
Made me wanna wear 3 piece suits and use pomade
I already do that, sono italiano sucker.