Comments on: How Long Should You Stay at a Job? Or What is Your Best Career Advice?

By: Rhett Smith

Rhett Smith — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:52:44 +0000

Hey everyone:

Thanks for all the comments. Good stuff. It’s interesting to see how everyone has different pieces of advice and how they fit into the context of their situations; who they are; relationships, etc. Thanks for sharing.

rhett

By: JD Groves

JD Groves — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:58:54 +0000

i constantly struggle with this, but as someone who has been at my current job about 18 months, I will say that I have not at all mastered it.

Part of that is because Annie and I were promoted from apprentices to directors 9 months in and the nine months since have been us learning the new bigger responsibility, and growing into this challenging role.

Probably another part of not feeling like I have mastered this is that really, who can master youth ministry. It is constantly changing, the work is never done, and you spend your days pretty much only giving out and getting little back in terms of tangible results. So as an occupation, it seems that youth ministry on the whole is one of constantly shifting job demands and challenges.

I think, however, of people like Doug Fields, who stay at their places for years upon years and their ministry and roles grow, shift and change. I am not saying I aspire to the megachurch thing and all that, but because he has spent so much time there, he is able to write books, curriculum, make movies, and all sorts of other ways where he is able to impact so many more on so many levels.

All that to say, I look forward to spending some time, getting in the groove, setting my roots into the community, and watching kids come through from JR High, and through High School. Anyway, I know that isn’t advice but I appreciate the discussion you are opening

By: Neal Locke

Neal Locke — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:36:47 +0000

Dunno on this one — your previous two commenters sound like they’ve got a jump on me in terms of life-experience. But (if you count high school, college, and now seminary) I seem to go in 3 to 5 year cycles. It’s worked for me so far–there were some jobs (like teaching high school) that I left reluctantly, and still felt like there was so much more to do, and others (like the youth ministry position I just left) where I was ready to go.

Ray Kurzweil (wikipedia or google him) talks frequently about the accelerating pace of change in technology and culture. (Have you heard of Moore’s law?) The fact that career spans seem to grow shorter and shorter seems to track with this. But that (to Kurzweil) just means that the “singularity is near,” which would mean something kind of like “the Kingdom of God is at hand” except he’s an agnostic.

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:42:38 +0000

I’ve been out of college for over 24 years and looking back I have to say that the best times I had in a job was working for a great boss. A boss who you learn from, who supports your growth, and who believes in you. I think a great boss is often overlooked and that reasons for staying in a job is the money, the position, the responsibility, or “it’s a cool company” don’t compare career growth opportunities and benefits when working for a great boss. A great boss takes care of you getting promoting, making sure your job is challenging, that you’re not bored, that you excel at your job, that you work and family life is balanced, and that you will get paid well. And a great boss will support and champion you when it’s time to move on to a greater job at another company.

So, my best career advice is “Work for a great boss”. If not move on, be it 6 months or 7 years.

By: Andy Coticchio

Andy Coticchio — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:03:09 +0000

I spent almost 23 years with the same company through two mega-mergers. I had my ups and downs but achieved a lot of career success during that time. While I had many different assignments, being at the same company allowed me to build a trust level, an integrity factor with colleagues, subordinates and leadership that you do not get if you are moving every few years. I was not the happiest my last year or so, but I stuck it out. Then, when God was ready he moved. I am now retired, enrolled in seminary in the Dallas area and am in a position that allows me now to listen closely for God’s voice and head where He wants me to go. When is it the right time to move in a job or career? I do not know, but listen in your heart for God’s will and purpose for you. Then do as he says.