looking for advice - job courtesy

[jodi]

Hello - just a question I would like some input on. I have a very good PT job with benefits right now with the state. Most of the time I feel like I'd be an idiot to leave it, but I really don't care for what I do. I tolerate it - I don't hate it, but I certainly don't love it. Quite frankly, it's a paycheck and benefits to me. I plan to stay home with my kids once DH finds a FT teaching position with benefits. Until then, I have to work at a job with benefits for my family.
I just ran across two PT positions listed in similar agencies - one with a hospital and the other with a community college. I'm not sure if I would even be qualified for either, but that's moot right now. They both sound exciting and challenging. Given that I only plan to work for another year, hopefully (which is not set in stone if DH does not get a FT position next fall), is it wrong for me to pursue a new job, particularly one that is a bit different from my current field and would most likely take several months to really be comfortable in? I feel like I would be wasting a would-be employers time and energy in hiring and training someone who might only stay for a year. However, if DH does not get a job, then I would definitely stay on longer.
I feel like I couldn't be upfront about my ambitions (or lack thereof!) with a potential employer, or I certainly wouldn't get the job...but I don't like feeling like a liar either! To top it all off, DH and I plan to have another child (hopefully) within the year, meaning I could potentially leave earlier than a year, or have to take several months off.
I guess the good part is that I can take a year long leave of absence from my job (although I might not be guaranteed the same position upon my return), so I could always return to the secure job if things didn't work out. One of the positions is a grant position that only lasts for a year anyway. So much to think about...

[InDebtInDC]

I wouldn't worry about it. Just take the job and see how it works out. Some places experience a lot of employee turnovers so they may not even notice.

It sounds like you're a hard worker. I'd rather have a hard worker for 1 year than not have one at all.

I wouldn't necessarily broadcast your plans to your potential employer though...

[scfr]

On the flip side, if the new positions are with agencies you might want to work for down the road, you may want to just gut it out and stay with your current job. They may be hesitant to hire you in the future if you stayed for only a year.

[Fern]

None of us has a crystal ball and can anticipate every thing that's gonna happen in our future. Your employer can't tell you now for sure that you will never be laid off, downsized or otherwise summarily dismissed, so i don't think you should feel obligated to tell them that you MAY not stay for long.

Circumstances change. Go for it.

[Exile]

My gut says stay with your present job. Based on the brief description of the other 2 positions, if you were to switch it might take almost as long to reach your comfort and competence level as the length of time that you intend to continue working. Why go through all that only to bail out just at the point that you've hit your stride?

[Fred333]

I would stay with the current job as well. I would look around for a different avenue of work that compliments your current situation. Maybe that will give you the challenge you need.

[jodi]

Thanks for the input. I've decided to stay put, at least for a few more weeks. DH and I have a lot going on personally (ill family member, getting my wisdom teeth out), so it wouldn't make sense for me to start looking now. Plus, he just applied for a FT position, which would influence my choice. We'll wait to see how that turns out. I appreciate the input!!