UGH. Two not ideal working options. I'm really conflicted. Let me just vent and try to work through my feelings on this one.
Job goal: I'd like to work 20 hrs a week for an equestrian facility so that I do not need to spend my paycheck or days off on my horse hobby.
Personal goal: I want to improve my riding skills so that I am capable of upper level riding. (Currently there are no upper level trainers in my area. So I have been stuck at lower level riding for the past several years.)
Ok, OPTION #1:
the first option is working as a stable hand for a small multi million dollar equestrian facility (I blogged about it in the past). The facility does not offer horse training in my personal riding discipline.
PROS:
I will be exposed to premium horse care/technology.
Dynamic atmosphere filled with the ubber wealthy and lots of seasonal horses coming and going.
Pay is $8.50/hr (about $800/month take home).
The CONS are:
The job is a non-riding position. The employer told me there are riding opportunities but other barn employees would get the chances first due to seniority. However- I might be able to overcome that obstacle because the other riders do not ride the same discipline as me and horse owners might start requesting my expertise as it is unique among the staff. (MAYBE)
Job is for 29 hrs a week. Work 4 days a week. Add lunch breaks and commuting- it will be 35 hrs a week that I'll be gone from my 3 month old baby.
The trainer at the facility does not ride my particular discipline. This means that any riding I get is on my own as a "practice ride" and there is no instruction available to advance my skills. I will not reach my personal goal to learn the upper levels in my riding discipline, because there is no one to teach me.
Pay is $8.50/hr. I really thought $10/hr is the standard minimum and I don't think I'll be happy working more hrs than I wanted/ not riding/working in the hot/cold elements and providing premium service for below average wage.
OPTION #2:
The 2nd opportunity is pretty opposite of the first. There is a small 6 stall backyard barn looking for horse help in exchange for riding lessons.
PROS
The owner is a trainer in my field of riding discipline. She can teach me the upper levels.
The work required is minimal. 6 stalls to clean, turnout, grooming and feeding. No additional chores to fill a work shift. When I am done, I am done. Looks like it will be about 10 hrs of work a week (20 hrs when commuting and riding is added).
I can create my own schedule.
CONS:
The owner/trainer does not have upper level horses to teach me on. She has a mid- level horse that will help firm up some of my weaknesses- but after 4-6 months I will probably have outgrown the horse.
The facility is small and lacking training tools. There is talk of a riding arena to be built- not currently there.
No paycheck. I work in exchange for lessons. The lessons cost $40/hr so it averages out to about $12/hr which is almost double the first place. But I don't have a paycheck to distribute the pay towards various goals. Payment is in the form of lessons meant to advance my riding skills.
So sigh. I put it all down and I'm still conflicted. I am leaning towards option #2. Mostly because my husband wants me to do it. I think he is really hating the amount of hours the first option requires. And he does not see $8.50/hr as a worthwhile tradeoff for me being away from the baby so much.
He feels that 10-20 hrs of making my own schedule is much more accommodating and the second option gives me a fighting chance to accomplish my personal goal of riding upper level. The first option has a slim to none chance of accomplishing my personal goal.
I just feel that the second option is the equivalent to "not working." Working in exchange for my hobby seems pretty selfish and unnecessary. My husband and baby will get zero benefit from my working option #2.
2 very different job opportunities
January 28th, 2014 at 04:55 pm
January 28th, 2014 at 04:59 pm 1390928388
Goal #2 on the sidebar is add monthly income. I would do whichever offered you the opportunity to achieve that goal. It isn't as if Option #2 gives you exactly what you need either. Good luck determining which is the correct fit!
January 28th, 2014 at 07:06 pm 1390935998
January 28th, 2014 at 09:33 pm 1390944822
January 28th, 2014 at 11:47 pm 1390952861
Option #2 offers a learning opportunity less cost of transportation. Can that stable develop into a pay for work? What is the longer term prospect? What is your long term goal for your equestrian skills?
January 29th, 2014 at 02:19 am 1390961963