All week I have been getting flack for turning down an internship with the triple-A baseball team in Portland. No one understands why I didn’t pounce on the first opportunity I got to go work in sports public relations/marketing.
In the end, it wasn’t the right fit. I thought about it long and hard. I asked my parents. I asked friends. I asked classmates.
What was it that scared me off? I have a hunch it was the 40-plus hour workweek with no compensation in sight when not including the free tickets to home games for friends and family twice a month.
It wasn’t easy turning down an internship that I was absolutely giddy about when I first got the interview, but it felt strangely liberating to say, “No.” As a marketable job seeker, I know there will be other opportunities. Opportunities where there is a much better chance of getting a promotion or hired as a full-time employee, which the Work Coach says are important factors when deciding whether to accept a job offer. I’m confident that I’m worth more than bimonthly baseball tickets, but how much more? It turns out that it tough question to tackle.
Before I go any farther, I just want to say that I am well aware that doing what you love can be more important than being paid handsomely to do something that you absolutely despise. But just for fun, I found the average amount of money it takes to live a “happy” life while stuck with a less-than-ideal job. Drum roll please…As the Brazen Careerist reports, it looks like $40,000 does the trick for most folks.
I would love to make $40K right out of the gate. But that is asking for a lot. Karen Burns, the Working Girl, has some great posts in regards to putting a price tag on one’s contributions to the work place.
These links were about as far as I could get. There is a scary amount of posts/blogs regarding happiness, money and striking a balance. But there is nothing to help me determine how much my time or assets are worth. Where am I going wrong?
Until next time.
Hi Lee! I just wanted to wish you all the best in finding the right job for you. Considering the networking possibilities and reputation you can build for yourself, some internships are well worth the time spent without pay. And some are created just to get something for nothing. In the end, you have to trust your gut. I think you did the right thing because something inside you said “no”. I’ll bet it wasn’t just the lack of money.
I have a feeling something more interesting will come your awy. And then you can buy yourself your own tickets!
Oh…and thanks for the mention. My very own PR agent. What a treat!
Good luck!
Ronnie Ann (aka Work Coach)
Great post Lee!
I loved hearing your initial struggle and final justification of turning down an opportunity you had once dreamed of. I have had many similar situations lately and I’ve really recognized this stage most of us are reaching when, after so many years of nothing, suddenly offers are starting to crop up. Great post idea. The topic of searching until a perfect fit comes along is key right now.
Good luck!
I’m also looking for work in public relations/marketing and I’m finding it to be really tough. But I also know that I’d be in deep trouble if I wasn’t fully committed to the entity that I was supposed to be selling to the public. If you weren’t entirely sold on the team, you probably made the right choice in holding out for something that truly clicks with who you are.
Lisa,
Thanks for still checking up on my blog. As people have mentioned in comments, in the end it wasn’t just the money that turned me off. The culture in the front office seemed to be very chaotic and unorganized.
You are certainly correct, though. Finally getting offers – after so many years of hard work and sometimes rejection – is fantastic.
As June 14th (graduation day!) approaches more and more pressure is building. I have a couple of second interviews in the coming weeks.
I just have to be confident.
Barsi,
Are you still in school? I’d love to hear about your hits and misses along the way.