AMA Q&A

What do you do when the only job you’re offered isn’t your dream job?

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I’m finishing one job, and I’ve been offered another short-term contract somewhere else. The thing is, even though I’m obviously really grateful for that short-term security, this next job won’t really do much in terms of advancing my career—I won’t be acquiring new skills or expertise, and I’ll kind of be working on the same stuff I’m working on now. If I don’t accept the new job, I still have enough time to apply for a big research grant, but that’ll be super competitive. What should I do?

(Anon.)

Thank you for asking such a great question. I’m really, really pleased you’ve got an offer on the table! Having been on contracts as short as only 9 months long, I am very familiar with this kind of dilemma: Should I take the security and run? Or should I take a bigger swing (and a bigger risk)?