This past Tuesday I resigned my position as a Corporate Educator with a large healthcare company. Though I was well-paid, I didn’t feel very valuable. A large portion of corporate training nowadays is designed for face-to-screen encounters. Even Basic Life Support classes are offered via computer-based learning, with a short, live skills-assessment component. Therefore, a great deal of corporate educators’ function is administrative.
I am moving into the role of Academic Advisor at a large university. While I can already tell that my skills will be useful and valued, I am taking a large pay cut–about a third of what I was making as a Corporate Educator. The deal is sealed and I am extremely excited about moving into higher education. There’s no turning back–and I’m good with that.
In my excitement and anticipation (the new job begins September 22), I must say that I am a bit worried. Worried in a way, though, that moves me to action . . . worrying wisely. The pay cut is significant, so how will I earn the lost income? I have nights and weekends available. I could teach piano again–something I love passionately. I would love to return to church work on a part-time basis, as long as it was a good match theologically. College ministry, children’s ministry, congregational care . . . Coaching is definitely on the table too. More chaplaincy shifts with another health care system? The Wise Worrying upon which I have embarked is allowing me to think creatively about my financial future.
Wouldn’t it be terrific to have a working Magic Eight Ball? Or, remember the movie “Oh, God!” with George Burns and John Denver? Remember when George Burns’ voice (God) came over the radio telling John Denver’s character the next steps? I don’t know what the future holds–even the parts I have some say-so about. What I do know, though, is that life is short. I might have just committed the dumbest financial move ever. But life is more than financial decisions. Taking a cut in pay (by a third), and being twice as happy in my work seems like good math. No worries.
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