How important are long-term career considerations for a mustachian?

[HappyHoya]

I have to decide between taking a job outside of my professional field or trying to make it work doing what I've been trained to do. The job opportunity outside of my field has very relevant job responsibilities, and I would be well qualified to do the job. However, the field I was trained in is very competitive as is, and any time spent in this new job would likely not be perceived as valuable experience if I ever wanted to switch back. I am having a tough time finding a permanent, full-time job in my field that's at the level I should be in. The field is so competitive that everyone is working several levels below their capabilities and is being paid to reflect that. A lot of open positions are temporary (some really short-term, others for 1-2 years, but rarely permanent). Many people within the field are making due by stringing together different temp jobs, and that's quickly what's becoming expected for younger (under 35ish) professionals. I am leaning towards the opportunity outside of my field, since I am eager to take on real responsibility and I need to get paid for it. I am paying back student loans, so being paid more now is worth more than being paid better in the distant future. My only reluctance is that, if I leave my current profession, I will not have the training that  I would most likely need to advance to the higher levels of the field the new job is in. This is my biggest dilemma, because I feel strongly that I will not invest any more money into my formal education, which would likely be required if I wanted to advance or make more money. I am hoping I have no aspirations of making it to Director/CEO/Etc. level, as I'd love to not have to work for long enough to make it to that point. However, I don't want to be stuck in an entry-level position, since the more money I make, the sooner I make it to FI. I wish I had more details so I could run the math, but unfortunately most job listings do not list salary, so I only know what I would make for the one offer I have in the position outside my field.

[beanlady]

It doesn't sound to me like you have a lot to lose in taking the job. If I understand correctly, you don't have great opportunities lined up in your original field that will lead to advancement anyway.

[HappyHoya]

While I agree with what you're saying, I should clarify that I do have opportunities in my field to do what other people at my level are doing. It's not perfect, since I will likely have to have a few short-term jobs before I'll be considered for a permanent job, but I could find work. My income would almost certainly be lower in the short term, since it would be difficult to time temporary positions so that I was working continuously. I assume that I could eventually advance in this field, since I have all the training and am just in a phase where I am accumulating the necessary experience.

It boils down to a choice of starting making more money now, with relatively low chance that I ever advance, or making less money now, equivalent money around 2-5 years from now, more after that, and the possibility of making significantly more after the 7-8 year mark. I expect to be working long enough to have the opportunity to advance, but of course it's not a guarantee and I am not sure I really want to advance to the absolute highest that I possibly could.

[beanlady]

Worst case scenario, you start over again in your current field a few years from now if you become dissatisfied with advancement opportunities. Or if you have a lot of energy, you moonlight or freelance and don't even lose that experience time. Also, a lot changes in a few years; totally different opportunities may open up.

[HappyHoya]

All good points, beanlady. Thanks for the thoughtful response!