Help me: Choosing a right path

[a consultant..]

All,
I am 32yr old & working :
1) as a programmer (for an ERP product) , take home around $4K per month
2) Work pressure: NIL (some times no work)
3) Go home on dot@ 6PM everday
4) Stable job in a govt. sector
5) No travel rqd
6) max. salary I can reach maybe 5-6K

on the other hand, I hav optins to:
1) get into functional consultancy (like SAP implementation)
2) Can reach a salary of 10/15K + benefits
3) Need to put 12 hrs a day (some times week end)
4) little/no time for family
5) Job may be unstable & may need to look for next client if project based
6) require to travel
7) always need to keep upgrading my tech/fun. skills

Which one will you choose & why??

My only concern is, I don't want to get into an unstable career path (since I am already 30+ with kids).

otherwise I will choose option 2

[headspace]

Looks like you just answered your own question?

Before you jump, make sure your income projections are REAL and verifiable to some extent, and not just hearsay.

You don't want to end up as a glorified street-peddlar.

[Old Mike]

This is a question only you can answer.
It is really a matter of temperament. Some people relish the risk and reward of a freelance type job. Many more are prepared to settle for regular hours and regular, smaller pay packets.
Today on this board there are two threads from wives moaning about the time their husbands spend at work or away.
Freud wrote that if he had a difficult decision to make he would toss a coin, and then see if he was pleased with which side it came up.

[Stress is fun]

Definitely the second option. You only live once. I made the switch years ago and have often faced issues caused by job instability, but unless you've only got 2 brain cells to rub together, how can you seriously contemplate sitting in a corner writing program code for the rest of your working life. Taking the second path will be stressful, but unlike many other people, I believe stress is good for you.

[a consultant..]

Agree with "Stress is fun",

though now I may enjoy this free time/salary, few yrs later it may not b a happy ending.

My past exp. says, in the end, struggling makes me more satisfied/ confident/stronger (which is a must in this world of  uncertainities....)

[beppi]

Nobody does a stressful job like consultant as a long-term career. All people I knew in it changed after a few years. That's fine when you're young, energetic and want experience and high salary fast, but if stability is what you're looking for, forget it!

[3rd opinion]

The only possible source of excitement, stress and interest in life is NOT, contrary to what you read here, work.

You could be a librarian for 40 years and live for free rock climbing and deep sea wreck diving.  You could be a civil servant who's goal is to travel to every nation and territory on earth by age 50.

Or, you could be a busy busy 15-hour-day consultant who does nothing but sleep and eat outside of the office (but wow, the challenges!).  You could be a gutsy entrepeneur who spends 5 years slogging to build your little company up into a big profitable enterprise - and then realize that you haven't gotten laid in 15 months nor taken a vacation in two years.

Really kids, think of some balance in your lives.  There is more than one way to live meaningfully.

[Stress is fun]

It is not just about working hard. It is also about pushing yourself, in terms of stepping outside your comfort zones. Every time you feel secure in what you are doing, it is time to move on to something new and more challenging.

[a consultant..]

I am choosing option 2 out of obligation & still trying to enjoy it

If I was a librarian/civilServent, I would hv loved to spend all my time in my hobbies. But unfortunately I am in IT line (thou my position is stable for now), every morning v hear abt change in technology,outsourcing, retrenchments etc.,

We need to struggle & upgrade our skills & keep fit for tomorrow's job market.

agree.. still I hv to live today & need to allocate some time for my hobbies,family etc.,

But this fine balance depends on lot of things & differs from each person  

[aaaa]

to the poster:

it looks like you consider your current situation as a permanent deal. have you not thought about life, work etc that everything is temporary and especially work permanence is an illusion. Companies in private or public sector change, constantly - the only factor is frequency of change. Public companies have different drivers to private and change can be more rapid.

The career planning books point to mid and long term goals and purpose. If you know what yours are based on your abiliteis, interest etc then you can navigate when an opportunity presents itself.

From my own experience I wouldnt bother about risk or percceived permancen of job, you just never know. I would however consider the lifestyle changes imposed by a high travel load - that could be a positive thing or may be the worst thing for you.

[obvious]

Is there any way you can take a long term leave from your job?