Take the money and run? Severance and a job I love.

[Fizgig]

Thank you everyone.

Deep down I already knew what the right choice was, but it gives me more peace to hear the sentiment echoed from people I respect.

This morning I informed my management that I am volunteering and filled out the paperwork. Now I just have to hope that they accept. Thanks again - I know this is the right decision.

[Ima saver]

Good for you, I think you made the right decision.

[woodie96]

Fizgig,
Something about being in control of one's destiny gives us peace for the soul. The stress caused by the unkown makes us old.....

Hope all works out well.

[Fizgig]

UPDATE

I got the job in Boulder!

It's at the University of Colorado Boulder, so the pay is not as much as I could get in private industry, but I am SO excited about this job because of the possibilities for personal/career development and pure job satisfaction. There is also a great deal of aerospace in the area, so I can make contacts and prepare for the next step in my career. (Probably with way more dollar signs.)

This really could not have worked out better. I'll continue to work at NASA until April, collect my nice severance, then move to a beautiful new place with an exciting new job in June. Even if this job hadn't come through, volunteering for the layoff would still have been the right choice - but now it was the PERFECT choice!

Thank you all for helping me ease out of the nest. I'm so excited for the future.

[feh]

UPDATE

I got the job in Boulder!

It's at the University of Colorado Boulder, so the pay is not as much as I could get in private industry, but I am SO excited about this job because of the possibilities for personal/career development and pure job satisfaction. There is also a great deal of aerospace in the area, so I can make contacts and prepare for the next step in my career. (Probably with way more dollar signs.)

This really could not have worked out better. I'll continue to work at NASA until April, collect my nice severance, then move to a beautiful new place with an exciting new job in June. Even if this job hadn't come through, volunteering for the layoff would still have been the right choice - but now it was the PERFECT choice!

Thank you all for helping me ease out of the nest. I'm so excited for the future.

Congratulations!

I'm envious - Boulder is on my short list of places I'd like to live. The only downside I can think of is that it's kinda pricey.

I used to work at the Space Science and Engineering Center at the University of Wisconsin; lots of aerospace and NOAA folks around. I realize what you say is true - Boulder is one of those cities rich in those industries. I took a couple business trips to Boulder; beautiful area.

[disneysteve]

Congrats! That's terrific. I'm sure you've made a great choice for your future.

[MonkeyMama]

Congrats!

Boulder is a very nice place to live (my family is from there - was born there).

Anyway, I couldn't help but think that it was best to quit and get a leg up on finding a new job. I'd rather leave early than compete with everyone else when 95% were laid off.

But anyway, glad to read it turned out so well!

[Ima saver]

Congratulations, that is good news!

[SnoopyCool]

Congratulations!

[snafu]

What wonderful news! Congratulations, you've opened a new door with bright challenges. Saying adieu to your current colleagues will be tough...hope you stay in touch and continue to build your network.

[Fizgig]

What wonderful news! Congratulations, you've opened a new door with bright challenges. Saying adieu to your current colleagues will be tough...hope you stay in touch and continue to build your network.

Absolutely. Space flight is a small community, and I expect (and hope) to run across the same people over and over. I use LinkedIn quite a bit (that's how I learned about the CU job, in fact, from an old friend), and I am fortunate to walk out of here with excellent relationships. That's like gold.