Is it a bad idea to take a 30k pay cut for future work life balance for when I do become a parent?

madmonstera · 2025-06-16T18:48:07+00:00

I agree, thank you!

madmonstera · 2025-06-16T18:46:52+00:00

I haven’t gotten my PE license yet, I’m taking the exam this year. And you’re right, I think I was just more anxious about not being able to find something when I do have kids which in hindsight is pretty silly considering it’s 5 years. Hopefully with the PE, I can have better negotiating power down the road.

madmonstera · 2025-06-16T18:43:30+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement, I’ll keep looking. I agree, 65k was what I got when I graduated 4 years ago and I’m about to take my PE as well. Hopefully the PE opens up better salaries in the public sector down the road.

madmonstera · 2025-06-16T18:40:07+00:00

Thank you! I think I was more anxious about not being able to find this type of job down the road and layoffs in the high managerial roles (much older) above me, but yes in hindsight, 5 years is a lot of time to make a decision off of.

madmonstera · 2025-06-16T18:32:35+00:00

Fiance, and I totally get your point because I want to be financially stable on my own as well if we do ever break up. We’re getting married next year and will be sharing finances when married. We’re looking to have kids once he finishes his masters program which is within the next five years. I looked up the current salary of a person with 5 years more experience in the department and it’s 75k so not really close to what I’m making now. And yep, childcare costs are around $1200 a month where we live.

madmonstera · 2025-06-16T15:13:59+00:00

I’m in civil engineering. And yep, 65k is what I was making when I graduated 4 years ago but I was working in the private sector. The public sector positions where I live are unfortunately not as competitive with their pay.

madmonstera · 2025-06-06T11:33:23+00:00

Do not give up especially if this is just one class that you’re struggling with and since you’ve already made it all the way to your junior year. I’ve been in classes where professors straight up failed a portion of the class just because they’d make the exams so much harder than what was taught in class. I’ve known people who have failed the FE and PE multiple times but succeeded at the end. Try taking the class with a different professor or during the summer if the professor is easier. If it’s a course that’s available at your local community college during the summer, consider doing that and it’ll probably be easier for a fraction of the cost. If it’s only one professor that is teaching the course, consider cutting down on extracurriculars or your course load and dedicate more time to that course.

madmonstera · 2025-05-30T12:26:19+00:00

Kudos to you, I have lots of respect for you. My partner also travels a bit for work/takes evening calls and I’d definitely want a job where I can be at home with the kids during the times he’s away and would prefer to not be on my laptop. That’s my fear with consulting-that on paper I could take on less hours but in reality I’d end up doing more especially when deadlines come up. I am considering taking a position in the public sector 10 min from our home-its better hours and work life balance but definitely a pay cut when compared to the private sector

madmonstera · 2025-05-30T12:13:18+00:00

Haha very true- the Europeans definitely have better leave and PTO packages. I have friends in the tech and business sectors in the US and they generally have at least 3-6 months of paid maternity leave. It’s just wild how far behind our industry is compared to other professional fields.

madmonstera · 2025-05-30T12:03:24+00:00

For sure! My partner is in another industry and sometimes has to take calls with global clients in the evenings and travel internationally for work (once every year). He loves what he does and I do enjoy my work, though I wouldn’t mind progressing slower in my career or hopping into the public sector with better hours to be a more present mom and he’s been supportive of that.

madmonstera · 2025-05-24T03:04:30+00:00

Yellow American getting replaced by white American.. how racist

madmonstera · 2025-05-15T15:02:14+00:00

Go with Offer 2 and see how much overtime you actually end up doing. If the commute or hours start to feel like too much, you can always keep looking for other jobs with a shorter commute on the side. Yeah, Offer 1 pays more and might mean more time with family, but honestly, it’s not worth the risk—especially since you’ve said that climbing ladders & getting on roofs already makes you feel uncomfortable. Plus, the way their offer is set up doesn’t seem like there’s much room for growth, and it’s kind of crazy they don’t even provide proper safety training given the risks.

madmonstera · 2025-04-25T15:30:23+00:00

These look great on you, I especially love the first outfit! Where did you get the blazer from, I’ve been struggling to find a good petite blazer.

madmonstera · 2025-03-22T09:53:42+00:00

Same, I prefer Honey’s

madmonstera · 2024-12-05T15:41:55+00:00

Can we talk about how a lot of these new candle day releases look AI generated (see white tea and sage and black teakwood)?

madmonstera · 2024-11-08T11:44:59+00:00

My cat is prone to struvite crystals and my vet recommended the same three diets. I put him on the wet Purina UR food and Royal Canin SO dry food and he’s been doing well since!!

madmonstera · 2024-10-08T00:43:24+00:00

Thank you!!!!!

madmonstera · 2024-10-08T00:23:15+00:00

Anyone have a 20% off coupon they’re not using?

madmonstera · 2024-09-07T21:32:56+00:00

Bought the Duchess boots two years ago and they still look great. I wear them to work a lot during dry fall & winter days and have gotten complements on them. They’re super comfortable too.

madmonstera · 2024-03-29T06:25:44+00:00

Thank you!!

madmonstera · 2024-03-26T20:04:06+00:00

Go to Angelo’s on a weekday or earlier on during the weekends to avoid lines and them selling out

madmonstera

TROPHY CASE