I currently work at a small web design agency with a team of 5. I'm the sole marketer where I do all digital marketing for clients.
This includes SEO/PPC, some social media, and everything else growth marketing related. I love the autonomy, the people I work with, and 'owning' the entire digital marketing role and department.
My only complaint: clients are really small (e.g., electricians, attorneys) and I'm itching for something more challenging and complex.
However, I am learning a lot. Work-life balance is amazing at the agency, allowing me to take on MOOCs and side projects where I'm learning to code.
Recently, a large public company offered me a PPC Analyst role where I'll manage a 10MM ppc campaign. Glassdoor reviews mention poor work-life balance. My brief pros & cons analysis of take the job offer:
PROS
+ higher salary
+ more prestige and responsibility
+ learning, yes, but very focused on SEM in one particular vertical
CONS
+ 50-60+ work weeks
+ less time for MOOCs, self-study and side projects
+ possibility of low job satisfaction (culture, politics)
=== My question ===
What would you do? Do I continue working at the agency where I'm comfortable and can have the autonomy to master what excites me.
Or take the job offer with more responsibility and pay but at the expense of narrowing my career focus and skill-sets too much.
I'd consider finding some middle ground. Be careful of SEM farm agencies where it's a bit more of a factory atmosphere. That said, your current gig doesn't seem to be challenging you. So I'd consider a change but I'd be more picky about where you go so you can find an environment where you can learn but also be happy.
It all depends on what is most important to you...is it work/life balance or a career that is more challenging and financially rewarding? Which company aligns best with your values and long term goals?
