Anyone ever transitioned to a more travel based job?

What does your wife think?

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More interesting work that could effectively lengthen my career (which could be very advantageous to my family), opportunities to learn and progress my skill set. Join a leading company in the industry

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Would be the only reason to take it if a large amount of travel isn't permanent

I had a job a while back and would be gone for 2wks at a time minimum. Rarely longer than that but there was a couple of times. The first time I got stuck out of town and couldn't fly out and I subsequently missed my son's birthday was the day I started looking for another job.

It was a great job too but I, like you, value my kids too much to do that sort of stuff. I enjoy being home at 6pm and eating with my kids and hanging out with them on the weekends.

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disadvantage of not having you around?

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That is an unknown. I guess how much travel is the question. I wouldn't think it would be more than a Monday morning to Wed-Thursday ever...if that.

I guess my point was that you can't just look at it as you missing them, but them missing you as well.

It's a tough balance... doing what's best for them and what's best for you.

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, but for a year or so it would be traveling to other sites. I'm not sure how that will effect my family. We have one child in 1st grade. I think I'd be lonely on the road, but I doubt it would be more than 3 days a week.

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Some are cut out for it, some are not. I like being home.

I hate travel but could do it for a year if it meant career advancement and more flexibility in the future. If you head out early Monday and get back Wednesday, etc...it isn't too bad and you really don't miss much.

However, if you end up being out 4 nights and it lasts 3 years, it could turn to misery.

How do you like your current gig, and is it getting you where you want to go and stable?

I did the true consulting gig for about a year not too long ago, Out on Monday back on Thursday or Friday. The travel was interesting, I racked up beaucoup points and I got to work on a (somewhat) different task each week.

However being on the road that much gets very old, and this coming from someone who loves flying/traveling. My weekends turned into an exercise of find a dry cleaner to swap out a set of shirts, grocery shopping and catching up on house work. My fiance (now wife) didn't like it very much either, I can imagine with a kid at home it will be even harder for yours.

Sit down and list the pros and cons WITH her, knowing she is on board will make your life easier if you take the job, and she will know what you two are getting into from the get-go. If it is going to have a very strong positive impact on your career, it may be worth biting the bullet and doing it. Good luck!

I remember the first game I missed my son pitching. Having to get updates in a hotel room via text doesn't cut it for me. I'd prefer making beans in the short run, consider other options once my kids are out of school. Kids are only kids once, you can never get those years back.

I have no kids, but am married, so not an exact comparison. I made the transition 4 years ago and couldn't be happier. I hated sitting at a desk all day and now travel 3 days a week, but work at home the rest of the time.

I rack up tons of hotel points that allow us to take great vacations that we probably couldn't afford regularly. I make a lot more money than I was previously, which makes our life easier. Also, the travel during the week makes me appreciate the time at home that much more. We spend our weekends taking trips or doing things together because we want to do as much as we can while I'm home. So, in that aspect it has actually strengthened our relationship because we appreciate our time together more.

I recently made this transition. It's odd at first, because you're doing work in non-familiar locations with people looking over your shoulder, and to be honest I'm still not used to it. I also went from working at an office in a cubicle to my house. It's been a rough transition for me.