Thank you for your consideration #10

Mixed emotions.

The good, elated, proud, excited - I was offered a job with the college that I interviewed with last week.
The frustrated, let-down, unsure - It was not the job that I applied for and it's not full-time.

Here's the scoop:  I got a call back and was offered the job 'below' the position that I interviewed for. The dude explained that he'd like to have me on board but with the economy and all, there were a ton of applicants okay with lateral moves or down-ward moves just to stay in the field (and basically, I was a new grad looking to move up). So, there were people who interview for the position that I applied for that already have been doing the same job at other schools for years and had a good track record and years of experience doing the exact thing that the job entailed. Whereas, this job would be a step-up for me. He offered me an assistant job to the position that I wanted. It's a bit of a blow to the ego, but any offer is a good offer, right?? Especially one in a department in my field, and that could actually take advantage of my recent graduate training. However, most of the people in this position were typical still in school at the time. And I have my degree, I have work experience, and I'm in my 30s. I feel like I would be struck back down to the level of grad-school kid after working so hard to get my degree and move on and upward.

However, ego aside, there was a bigger issue. The job was 39 hour a week. And they deem 39 hours as part time (!). It's clear that if they are asking for 39 hours, that they really need a full-time person. PT means no benefits. No sick time. No paid holidays. And, no health insurance. No sick time would suck, but no insurance might be a deal breaker. I asked the dude if I could get back to him on Monday with my decision, so I have a few days to scramble and figure out what to do.  With 39 hours, it would be hard to work a second PT job (i.e. barista-ing somewhere to get benefits).

In addition to the dash to my ego this seems unfair, and kinda unethical, and just....bogus.

I know it would be good to get my foot in the door and I would learn a lot. And hopefully, be able to prove myself and move into my desired position. IF it became available.

What do I do....Take this as a opportunity or a gamble? If I do, will I feel like I am settling? Will the unsteady paycheck and lack of health insurance cause undue stress on my marriage? But, my job is soon coming to an end and some work is always better than no work. help.

Decisions, decisions.