Holy Crap! A New Opportunity Just Fell In My Lap!

I got offered a job today.

Two actually, but one was much more to my liking.

I was floored.

A woman I work with (and have complained about on this blog) is leaving my company to head up a division of a wireless management consulting company and she has asked me to come work with her as her Divison Operations Manager. She offered me a different position first, but then decided I might prefer the other one...it pays more too. She asked me what it would take to make me leave our company, so I told her what kind of pay (among other things). I couldn't believe it. She was COOL with all I said it would take.

This new job would be a huge step up for me and a huge pay jump.

Seems like a no brainer right?

Well, there are some things to think about.

Pro's where I work

1. I work for a company that is about to make me a "work anywhere" employee. I won't have cube at work, I'll work from home everyday which means I can roll out of bed at 8:00 AM and I won't put any miles on my car or empty my wallet/max out my credit cards at the gas pump!
2. I get 4 weeks of vacation where I work and unlimited personal days.
3. I have GREAT benefits
4. I've been there almost 7 years.
5. Free cell phone service and discounted service/phones for my family.

Cons where I work

1. There are 70K employees so job competition is STEEP
2. I really don't have a career path out of the job I'm in at my company.
3. I make "okay" money, but I should be getting paid a lot more for the bullshit I put up with and all the assistance I give above and beyond my job description.
4. Those in my current position are always having to "prove our worth" to make sure we won't being targeted for layoff since the merger. Not a given to say the least.
5. I travel for work a lot and I hate it. It wears me out!

Pros about the new offering

1. Obviously, a LOT more money, almost a 20% pay increase.
2. A job with some power to do good things for the industry
3. A chance to do something NEW and be a part of a young, growing, successful company.
4. Much better chances for advancement in a smaller company
5. I won't be just a number amoung tens of thousands of employees.
6. A much more worth while job title to add to my resume.
7. Great benefits
8. Get to work with all Wireless carriers which would add to my marketability in the industry

Cons about the new offering

1. Subordinate to MSC everyday
2. Drive in ATL traffic twice a day
3. Start over as a new employee and earn my vacation from scratch
4. Can't work from home.
5. Don't have all the details yet, won't get them all until Tuesday afternoon.

Okay all. Help! Both jobs have pros and cons that kind of equal out. I'm torn by this.

Since she and I currently both work for the same company, MSC has sworn me to secrecy. Only a handful know she's leaving the company to run this divisional office, but they have no idea she's asked me to come with her.

MSC told me she chose to offer me this opportunity because the others on my team in my position, when asked if something can be done, will tell her that it cannot and end it there, whereas I tell her, "I'll make it happen, one way or another." It's true. I do make a lot of stuff happen just by sheer diligence and digging to find a way. It's my job. Pleasing my customers, giving them the tools they need to make their business grow, manage their wireless services and needs to save them money.

Guess all that working my ass off, going above and beyond, may be paying off.

So my friends, given the information above, what would you do? Any suggestions or advise to offer?

I should tell you that I'm a 35 year old, divorced, single mom. I get no child support, NEVER HAVE, and I'm struggling to make ends meet right now. That might help you to come up with some good advise. Oh, I want to buy a house soon too, I just need to pay down some credit cards first and build a down payment. I've been trying to do this for 3 years now and I feel like I'm getting no where!

Hope this info helps you help me! (Damn! I sound like crazy-assed Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire! Fucking C o $...)