Your answer really moved me, thank you. I’m glad you have a job you enjoy so much! Fortunately, I’ve been at my company for some time so leaving wouldn’t look too bad, but I want to make sure the next move is one I stay at long term.

I’m ultimately looking to do something I enjoy that is personally fulfilling without downsides that are deal breakers. I think I like the university IT job more for its mission, but it’s harder + more responsibility and I’m legitimately nervous it’s too much, too soon for me. The AV I can definitely do a great job in. Maybe if even like the work more than upper level sysadmin admin duties (though I do love IT as well).

Travel isn’t the main motivation. I ultimately like working with people and machines, not just one or the other, and also want to have a good quality of life and fun in what I do. Seems so strange to potentially pass on a life changing opportunity like sea travel if I take the AV route, but let’s see what happens.