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Balancing Act: How Much Time Should You Spend at Work?

By Francine L. Huff
Learning & Life Columnist
December 18, 2006

Itching for a new job? It's important to consider how much time you want to spend at it. With the holiday season in full swing, you may be fondly remembering those three-week vacations from school--or you might be ready to sacrifice some free time in order to get ahead.

Predictable Time Off

Becoming a teacher is a good way to develop a schedule you can rely on. Although you don't really get afternoons off (it's prime paper-grading time), working as a teacher allows you more predictability with scheduling holidays and vacations. Wouldn't it be nice to always know you'll be on vacation from Christmas through New Year's? You can take courses online, or at a university, to get the credentials for transition to this career. However, keep in mind that there may not be as much opportunity to advance as with some other careers, and you may be teaching the same courses for years.

Long Workdays

If you're looking for more opportunities to move up in your career, a job in marketing and sales may interest you. You can learn about marketing and sales through a certificate or degree program that focuses on business. If you enter this field, expect to work long hours, evenings, and weekends--especially if you want to move up. You also may be required to travel a lot and attend industry meetings and trade shows. Some marketing and sales jobs may be tough for people who want to spend a lot of quality time at home with their family, but if you're single and on the move, it may be a perfect choice.

Deciding what kind of work/life balance you require is an important part of choosing a career. Think about what you want before you invest a lot of time and money hunting for your dream job.

Sources

• U.S. Census Bureau
• Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author
Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist and the author of The 25-Day Financial Makeover: A Practical Guide for Women. She has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows.

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