Take a Leap?

I’m not very good with change – especially when things are very comfortable for me. A couple years ago I went through a lot of change and it really took a huge toll on me (I changed my job, got engaged, moved to a new state, etc). It took me a long time to start feeling like myself again. Now I’m back in a “comfortable stage” and MAYBE I’m considering a change.

For the last two years I’ve worked for a large A/E Company as an administrative assistant. My first year there I was thrown onto a huge EIS project and really excelled at it (I had top compliments from our clients (they even offered to set me up with a job if I wanted to move to DC – nice) and even won a nice award at work for my efforts). During that time, I caught the eye of our Public Involvement Practice Leader, she is so nice and really fun to work with, but when she approached me for a job then, I was just getting over all the changes and I still was gasping for air in my current position. This last year, I’ve dabbled in some different projects, mostly project admin work, I even got to go out in the field (the landfill) for one. Really interesting work, but to fill the time in between I had to play secretary. I don’t really have a problem with that job, but it’s not what I want to do the rest of my life. My “mentor” at work – our department secretary has always really been against me expanding my job – I don’t know if its jealousy or maybe I’m really not supposed to be doing it, but if it’s asked of me – I love taking on new challenges. Her attitude that I’m there to SERVE the engineers I’m under bothers me – I love helping out as needed, but I’m not there to be walked on – I’m better than that. This last year the same girl approached me again for a job when she had one open, but I passed, mostly because I’m a little uncomfortable with the Public Outreach aspect – I don’t know how to run meetings and be a mediator for stakeholders – it’s just not something I’m ready to jump in to. So I passed again.

This Thursday, I was helping her set up for an internal meeting and she mentioned she has a new position open in her department again – she’d love for me to look into the requisition. So I did and even applied (YIKES!):
Public Involvement Specialist
Minimum Experience: 4
Description: The Public Involvement Specialist will manage and provide support for public involvement and outreach activities required for **Large A/E Company** projects.
Activities include:
*Assist in the development of project-specific outreach tools including web sites, databases and schedules.
*Support of formal and informal public meetings, hearings, open houses, workshops, advisory committees or other stakeholder meetings.
*Assist in the design/production/ of outreach materials such as newsletters, websites, handouts, presentations, advertisements and press releases.
*Management of contact databases including database development, reporting and refinement of data
Requirements: *3-5 years related experience
*Strong written and verbal communication skills including experience writing for various media (Web, brochures, newsletters, etc.)
*Strong organizational skills; the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines while handling multiple projects
*Service and client-oriented personality Self-starter; can work well independently or in a team environment.
*Great attention to detail
*Must know Microsoft Access
Some knowledge of the following desired:
*Dreamweaver
*Photoshop
*Illustrator
*InDesign
*PowerPoint
*Microsoft Project

This time I’m a lot more interested, for one because it’s doing things from the office which I’m totally comfortable with – I wouldn’t have to be the center of attention if I did have to attend meetings. Another reason I’m really interested is because I’m ALREADY doing a lot of the tasks. Hopefully there would be a pay raise with a new title – I’m not sure. I have a couple concerns such as the stability of the position and my knowledge level. I’m fairly certain we’d have pretty good stability – I know the lady that does the higher level work in this position and she’s SWAMPED with work from all over the country. As far as my knowledge, I’m a pretty fast learner and maybe they could include some training for programs I’m not all familiar with.

When I interviewed for this company I did mention one of the reasons I left the old one was because I had nowhere else to move –I’d reached the peak, so that’s why I was so interested in this one – there was plenty of opportunity. Is this a good move?

Do you get nervous about change? What other concerns would you have about this job?