I need some advice, y'all.

by 2632 on Mar 25, 2008 2:34 PM EDT Comment 24 comments

I'm trying to bust out of my current job, into a new career. Problem is the way into the career involves starting off with a job that involves me having to pay for my own health insurance and facing unemployment in the fall. Most importantly, it means sacrificing an entire summer to lunatic hours. No trips home to B-More, no weekends at the lake in Maine, no baseball live and in person. I love summer, and I don't take the sacrifice lightly. I worked 80 hrs a week on a campaign cwithout thinking twice over the winter, but man - baseball and all that summer business is important to me. Seriously.

Then of course those practical, economic concerns. MA has a health insurance mandate, so I've got to shell out $250/month for some minimal ghetto insurance on a slim salary and face unemployment in a shitty economy when the campaign is over.

The job, in case you're wondering, is running a state Senate campaign here in MA. As some of you may have noticed, I've got the politics bug.

Thoughts? Advice? Ridicule?

FanPosts are user-created content and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of Camden Chat or SB Nation. They might, though.

0 recs | Comment 24 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

If you have the bug...

Then go for it. If you win, you have a job. If you lose, you are bound to make connections that will help you line up your next job. But be sure you've got a good chance of winning and, if not, then try to find a different campaign job that will keep you in the game.

As far as the baseball aspect, look for as many opportunities as possible to marry baseball and politics. Rallies/meetings at games and pubs. That kind of thing. I know the hours can be hell, but be sure to take occasional time off for your sanity. It's in your employer's interest. You know what to do with said time off.

And remember, it's just one summer. There will be more out there for baseball. If you're going to miss a season of the O's, this might as well be it.

But if you are unemployed come 2009, kindly forget that I posted this.

by silverstadium on Mar 25, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That'd take guts, for sure

I'd like to think that if the opportunity came along for me to take a giant risk to do something I love, I'd take it, but I'm not sure that I would. I've gotten very comfortable with financial security, and I'm kind of a pansy.

It sounds like a very exciting opportunity, though, and worth giving up your summer and your current lifestyle if it's something you really believe you ought to be doing. If it works out, great. If not, you'll survive, and you'll be a better person for it.

And like silver stadium stays, if you're going to miss a summer of baseball, make it this one (his comment got autoposted while I was typing. So cool.)

by Stacey on Mar 25, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

opposing view

consider long and hard. a buddy of mine was a number cruncher for a house campaign a few years ago and despite getting the guy elected, ended up on the outside looking in. hard work be damned, a lot of jobs end up getting farmed out to party players and such and i'd imagine the budgetary constraints of the house of representatives v. mass senate are pronounced.

just something to think about.

by j.q. higgins on Mar 25, 2008 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Few Questions

What are the chances of this candidate winning?

Is he/she running against a seated incumbent?

How well funded is he/she?

What is the candidate's current profession? (My guess - Lawyer. If my guess is right - what type of lawyer?)

Could he/she make something happen for you if he/she doesn't get elected?

by Jonny Pops on Mar 25, 2008 3:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The candidate:

- Challenger running against a 14 yr incumbent with heavy establishment support.
- Ran 2 yrs ago in the same district and was narrowly defeated after a recount.
- Well funded
- Not a lawyer. A professional policy wonk, fomerly a public school teacher.

Chances of winning? Decent as any challenger in MA. State Rep and Senate positions are practically lifetime appointments here. But the incumbent in question has some real baggage and it was a close contest last time around.

The idea is certainly that win or lose, the campaign propels me into other job opportunities - whether they be other campaign jobs or a more steady position in advocacy or govt. I just need experience and this is the best way to get it.

I did a campaign management program last month and luckily the person running the program liked what she saw in me and has sent several campaigns my way. It's down to this one and one other. The other one is more complicated.

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again."

by 2632 on Mar 25, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well funded?

I'd go for it. Continue to network and see what other professional political ops do during the offseason. Perhaps there's some "consultant" work you could get yourself involved with. Make some noise. Shake some shit up. And show some folks what the new generation of politics looks like - that being a hell of a lot more like what you're doing right this second than the Elks Club Lodge.

Now I have no idea what the deal is with the health insurance laws in MA. But you might want to investigate a High Deductible/Catastrophic Policy that'll cover you past, say, $2K. Then you can squirrel the $2K into a tax deductible Health Savings Account for Doctor's visits. Then if you don't need to spend that much - and as a young person there's a high chance you won't - you can hang onto it rather than flushing it all into el crapo state health insurance premiums that you'll never see back. Just an idea.

by Jonny Pops on Mar 26, 2008 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

HSAs

And, many banks will offer CD-like rates (not that they are great right now) on your HSA account. Insurance companies will try and tell you that you can't have your account where you want it but you can shop HSA rates and let whatever bank you want service the account. Should you not need it you can continue using it as a type of savings.

"When you are in with the Lord there's just one reward, and they'd just as soon make it come true." -REK

by BPinOK on Mar 26, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been teaching too long...

I saw HSA and thought, "What do High School Assesment tests have to do with this discussion?"

"Do we get some sort of prize?"

by duck on Mar 26, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I need to do more research on this

It is of course cheapest to just forgo insurance and pay the fine for not having it. But I'd really prefer to have coverage. Because it would be just my luck to acquire some awful disease as soon as I don't have insurance. And then I'm the cliche under 30 person "gauging the system"...

Thanks for the advice, all. It's not a sure thing yet that I'll be offered a job with either campaign I'm in talks with, but I need to know what I'll say if they do offer me the position(s).

by 2632 on Mar 26, 2008 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Get the insurance

While young and perfectly healthy in my mid-20s I suddenly had 4 hospital stays and 2 surgeries in 4 months. I don't want to think about what that would have cost if I had no insurance. Thankfully I never even saw an invoice. The security is worth it.

Then after you win, work to improve the Mass Health Insurance Plan so it makes sense!

by silverstadium on Mar 27, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baseball

In terms of baseball, if you had to pick a summer to miss, this would probably be a pretty good one.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Mar 25, 2008 5:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am about to leave my decent paying job

I am heading off to grad school, where I will plow most of my savings into tuition and living expenses for the next 2-3 years. I'm not even positive about what I'll do with my sparkly degree(s), but probably something that pays less. In other words, I had financial security but was still unhappy and itching to do something else. I say take the job.

By the way, with the transition to the new format, I changed my username from Cockeysville Crony because I am actually feeling optimistic about the long-term future of the team. Also, the CRC marked the peak of my baseball career in 3rd grade, when I was the all-star game starting pitcher.

by Cockeysville Rec Council on Mar 25, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

re

You are in a profession I know next to nothing about. But the old work has evidently run its course? It seems you already jumped into the new one. Can you get a good idea of probable career trajectories for someone in your position, and with your background/experience/education? Do you feel comfortable with it?

Screw the Orioles. Seriously, what have they offered in terms of investing your time in them? The harder part is the rest of your life. It's tough, but if you think you have to go for the new work, snap clean for a year (or so) and never ever look back.

by drj on Mar 25, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You're only young once

Go for it. I mean, you're smart enough you're not going to end up homeless. If there's no SO to consider, go for it and see what happens. Throw yourself into the experience. Five, 10, 15 years from now, you'll be content in the knowledge you tried. You'll know you gave it a shot, and whatever happens, happens. But you won't spend the rest of your life wondering "what if?"

"Do we get some sort of prize?"

by duck on Mar 25, 2008 9:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Shieeeeeeeeet

If nothing else, you could just pretend this state senator is like State Senator Clay Davis and go around saying shieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet all the time.

by Cockeysville Rec Council on Mar 25, 2008 11:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Now THAT is some sound advice.

The opponent actually reminds me of Davis on some levels, come to think of it.

by 2632 on Mar 25, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

career change

I used to make a lot more money then I do now, but I'm happier, or at least less miserable. I think it would be thrilling to work on a campaign, especially if you believe in the cause. Plus, it's a lot easier to do that sorta thing before you have kids and other responsibilities.

And playing that what if game is a lot like playing a game against yourself, the kind you only lose.

Good luck though. And if you ever run into Mitt Romney, ask him how pray tell he wants to open a few more Gitmos. Just kind of curious.

Librarians are hiding something

by dfa on Mar 26, 2008 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I believe

he wants to stack levels on top of the current one.

by Jonny Pops on Mar 26, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the words of St. Stephen

"Don't bother THINKING, just go with your gut!"

You can't fix stupid. Stupid is forever.

by sluggo 2.0 on Mar 26, 2008 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I just can't help but think

that the here and now may not be the best time to switch gears. With the economy currently deep in the shitter, unemployment rates and health care costs rising, no plan to get us out of this mess and no relief in sight, is this really the time you want to be responsible for your own health insurance along with the possibility of depleting your savings account to get you through any length of time if indeed you do find yourself unemployed? If you can wholeheartedly and without any doubt say yes to those questions, then I would say go for it. But if you have any doubt whatsoever, now may not be the best time.

by Bluehen on Mar 26, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

savings account? hahaha.

Yeah, I have no savings as it is.

I have all the worries you expressed. Big time. The economic aspect terrifies me. It is balanced only by the fact that
a) I'm 28 - if I don't do it now, when will I?
and
b) If I start turning down offers now, while the iron is hot and I have people circulating my name for jobs, will the jobs keep coming?

Also, if I were to wait to be financially secure before making the leap, I'd probably never be able to do it. My student loans have guaranteed that.

by 2632 on Mar 27, 2008 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

part a) is the main thing in my opnion

You're 28 and single. You're only responsible for yourself. The time is now, and the place is also now. Once you're older with a husband, a kid, and a mortgage to think about, you'll be trapped financially. Right now, so what if you end up poor for awhile? You're smart enough and resourceful enough that it won't last forever, and you know that. So you eat some ramen for awhile? You'll be ok.

Formerly known as Javylicious.

by Stacey on Mar 27, 2008 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sound logic here...

Also, if I were to wait to be financially secure before making the leap, I'd probably never be able to do it.

Same thing with kids - if you wait until you can afford them, you'll never have them.

"Do we get some sort of prize?"

by duck on Mar 27, 2008 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds good

It sounds like you really like this field, and wouldn't other jobs have the same downsides, like the long hours over the summer and having to buy your own healthcare?

In that case, it sounds like you're just picking the candidate you like the most. Go for it if you like this one!

I can't really give any advice for your field, but just don't ever take a job you think you won't like just because of the money, unless you really have no other choice. I had a lot more money-related stress at my last job, when I wasn't making as much as I am now, but I think I'm a lot more miserable now.

by BrianS on Mar 26, 2008 5:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs