Would you leave a comfortable job to learn work you haven’t really tried?
Career / WorkThe interviewer asked what attracts me to implementation work. I gave a good answer about solving problems with customers, then realised I’ve mostly watched other people do it.
I’ve spent four years testing the same software product. I know it well, my manager trusts me and my hours are predictable. Lately I can finish a familiar test plan without feeling I’ve learned anything new. I applied for a role helping customers set up a different product, and now I have an offer.
The base salary is the same. The new office would add about forty minutes to my journey each way on its three office days. The team lead described a busy first six months and a lot of customer calls. Some of that sounds exciting. Some sounds like trading a manageable routine for a job I’ve romanticised.
My current manager has offered to ask whether I can shadow our implementation team, but there’s no date yet. The offer expires next Friday. I don’t want to stay merely because I’m comfortable, and I don’t want boredom to make the decision for me either.
What would you try to find out in the time left? How do you distinguish wanting to learn from simply wanting to escape work you’ve become good at?