I came across an article in Psychology Today about values and ranking them to help guide one’s like towards one of meaning. I happen to come across this article around the same time that my supervisor was asking me about what my five year plan was, and if I might be interested to fill the role once they retired. The more I thought about this, the more I realized that I did not want to do anything like that role. Being in the bio tech industry, especially in start ups, the higher you move up, the more insecure your position is.
Over the last two years, I have moved to two different employers. My goal has always been to continue to do less, physically, and get paid more. Sitting with a masters of science and agriculture, it was apparent that the best path forward was either through management, or business administration. Through moving positions/employers, I was able to accomplish my goals. The biggest one? To make 100k+ salary. Check. Travel less. Check. What I started to see, is that I seemingly stole Thor’s magic plate. The more I ate, the more it refilled. The more work I did, the more I got. No thanks.
One manager told me that the best way to move up is to do more than what you’re being asked. “The Corteva model” they called it. Do the work for a couple years, and then once the position becomes available, which description entails that work, it’s much easier to justify moving directly into that position. No thanks.
Someone jokingly once told me, “Best advice: don’t be good at your job. If you are, you’ll end up doing other peoples work”. I know that even at hitting my salary goal, I should have been making far more for being responsible for so much.
Biotech/start ups experience “reorganization” and “restructuring” every 3-5 years. My experience has led to me believe that the longer I stay, the more insecure my position is.
I’ve also had mentors tell me that if I want to be successful and climb the ladders, I have to work 60+ hours a week. These people who are well into their 60s also have shared with me over the years that they spent little time with their family, and had to move to different states to find other jobs once they were laid off. No thanks!
I really don’t want to waste my life, sacrificing my health and time to a company that would let me go for any reason. I look back at my childhood and how rarely my parents were around because they were working so often. I don’t want to miss my child’s music recital because I am living in another state trying to make money.
I recently excepted a job with the local state government, which for one year will be about a 21% decrease in salary. After the one-year mark, the adjustment and step increase will bring that closer to 13 1/2% difference. I figured getting my foot in the door, working on policy (I don’t have that skill yet!) would be a good move. Maybe after a couple of years I’m able to move on to another government role, and build a decent pension.
While I am scared and nervous, I also know deep down that leaving short term gains and potential cash cows will be better for my physical, mental, and emotional well being. I’ve experienced burn out countless times, and am tired of being pushed.
Does anyone else think my logic is rational?
TL;DR Biotech industry squeezes you, expecting more year over year. State government is better for work life balance and being happy. How much is a dollar worth?