Recruitment is back on

[addi564]

Typical, today I get offered a decent job with good pay.

I get home and in my inbox is an email saying that recruitment is back on and I am now pencilled in to start in January. However this start date may still not happen and get put back again.

Oh what to do, both jobs I believe suit me to the ground, but I really want to be a PCSO even if the pay is much lower than the engineer pay.

Thoughts please people

[Bert Moffat]

Engineer surely.

[addi564]

Engineer yes, because it is skilled and well paid

however I applied to be a PCSO because it is a skill in itself, may not be well paid but I see a lot of job satisfaction in it.

[Bert Moffat]

Hardly skilled though.

[wiggum]

Find myself in the same tough spot.

Significantly better pay in current (mundane) IT position, but the job satisfaction in an imminent PCSO position will be so much higher... I figure it's better to live without regrets and and give it a shot - I can tolerate a bit less take-home if I'm doing something I'm passionate about. Rather than resenting my career every day for the sake of a few quid.

That's my current perspective anyway, good luck making the right decision for you

[addi564]

Thanks Wiggum

on that theme though I am worried I will regret not taking the engineer position because that job is something new for me after spending so long in the army.

I am lucky to have a choice, just need to make the right choice.

[Bert Moffat]

No-brainer surely?

[addi564]

Bert

I wish it was actually a no brainer, however both jobs have appeal

I am leaning towards the engineer position simply because of the way Wiltshire Police have messed me around but that is the only reason I have so far

[Victor]

Engineer better

[ninjamonk]

Although I do like doing the job however there is no career progression or any chance to earn more money. There are a lot of positives but if the two aspects i have mentioned are important to you than think carefully as i would imagine the engineer job would have a lot more to offer.

[powdermonkey]

I think Wiggum makes some very good points about job satisfaction, not having regrets and how doing a job you enjoy can make up for a lower pay packet. Could you live on the PCSO pay bearing in mind you'll hit the top of the pay scale after 5 years at most, knowing there's no promotion ladder? Is it feasible for you to go for the PCSO role, see how it goes and then go into engineering at a later date? Which do you think would cause most regret to turn down, the engineering job or PCSO?

I had a short spell in an office based job before becoming a PCSO and whilst it paid more than the PCSO role I didn't like the job and hated going to work. I'd much rather be in a job I enjoy - you spend about 40 hours a week at work so you might as well do something you enjoy!

I disagree with Bert Moffat's comment of "hardly skilled". There's a number of skills involved (communication, problem solving & time management to name just 3) and not everyone can master them.

[JimmyRiddle]

I would stay as an engineer. Being a PCSO is a soul destroying job!

[powdermonkey]

Maybe engineer is one of those "proper jobs" I often get told to get!!! Usually by some unemployed ball bag.

[wiggum]

Interesting post powdermonkey, the more I think about it the happier I am that I've decided to accept the offer of PCSO training next year - as long as I've got enough money to stay solvent and enjoy life, I'm happy to leave the desk job for something more fulfilling.

Addi564, what did you decide?

[Raven]

The PCSO role is a satisfying career, I have ben doing this for 11 years. It is constantly evolving and not always for the better.

I am pleased that the recruitment has been resumed, what area are you?