u/AdEmpty5662

Hey Lawyers,

I recently received an offer for a Media Specialist position with the DA’s office in CA.

The role would mainly involve filming, editing, and producing training content for the department. I’m excited about the opportunity to learn more about the legal field and potentially explore a future legal career path as well. Who knows, maybe I’ll even end up taking the LSAT someday since I’ll be immersed in that environment.

I’ve spent the last 9 years working in filmmaking and photography, so this would be a pretty different type of workload and setting for me. I was curious if anyone here has experience working in a DA’s office or government environment and what the day-to-day is typically like.

The schedule would be 9/80s with a pension program, which definitely sounds appealing too.

I’m torn between staying in my current role or taking a new offer and could use some outside perspective.

Current job:
$75k salary

Very flexible schedule (no strict hours)

15 min commute

Low stress, creative work

Downside: not much growth, work is getting repetitive

New offer (government media role):
~$71k salary

Strong benefits (healthcare, pension after 5 years)

Raise every 6 months, would hit 92k in 5 years.

More structured, 30+ min commute

Work would involve filming/editing training content and interviews

My dilemma:
I like my current job a lot because of the flexibility, great coworkers, great management and lifestyle. I don’t really have a reason to leave.

However, Im sort of excited for the role offered, but im more just conflicted. It would be a lateral move. Im basically moving from photo to video. But the county government position sounds like a solid resume boost for future work. I’ll be working with district attorneys instead of RC cars.

The new role seems like a better long-term “career move,” but I’m not 100% sure how engaging the day-to-day work will be.

I’ve been going back and forth for a week and can’t decide.

Would you:
Stay and keep the flexibility while building side income

Or take the government role for growth, benefits, and long-term stability?

Appreciate any thoughts—especially from people who’ve faced a similar decision.

I’m stuck between two options and could use some outside perspective.

Current job (photographer):
$75k salary
15 min commute
No set hours (come and go as I please)
Supervisor is in another state, so very little micromanaging
401k
Outdoor shoots / creative work

Cons:
No real room for growth
Work is getting repetitive and not very challenging

New offer (Media Specialist – District Attorney’s Office):

$71,385 salary
Raise every 6 months
Health insurance covered
Receive pension
Likely good for resume / more “stable” career path

Cons:
Pay cut from current job
30+ min commute
Office is in a rougher area
Work sounds kind of boring / not very creative
More structured environment

Where I’m at:
I actually like my current job a lot because of the flexibility and low stress, especially since I have a young family. But I’m also worried I’m getting too comfortable and not growing.

The government role seems like the “responsible” move long-term (pension, stability, resume), but I’m not excited about the day-to-day work and I’d be giving up a lot of freedom.

I’m also considering staying where I’m at and trying to build up an extra $20–30k/year through freelance photo/video work on the side instead.

Main questions:
Is it worth taking a pay cut for a government job with a pension and “career stability”?

How much should I value flexibility vs long-term security?

Would you stay and build side income, or take the more traditional path?

Appreciate any perspectives—especially from people who’ve made a similar decision.

Hey Dad, need some career advice.

I’m stuck between two options and could use your perspective.

Current job (photographer):
$75k salary
15 min commute
No set hours (come and go as I please)
Supervisor is in another state, so very little micromanaging
401k
Outdoor shoots / creative work
Free time to work on other projects.

Cons:
No real room for growth
Work is getting repetitive and not very challenging

New offer (Media Specialist – District Attorney’s Office):
$71,385 salary
Health insurance covered
Pension after 10 years
Likely good for resume / more “stable” career path

Cons:
Pay cut from current job
30+ min commute
Office is in a rougher area
Work sounds kind of boring / not very creative
More structured environment

Where I’m at:
I actually like my current job a lot because of the flexibility and low stress, especially since I have a young family and a baby girl coming in October. But I’m also worried I’m getting too comfortable and not growing.

The government role seems like the “responsible” move long-term (pension, stability, resume), but I’m not excited about the day-to-day work and I’d be giving up a lot of freedom.

I’m also considering staying where I’m at and trying to build up an extra $20–30k/year through freelance photo/video work on the side instead.

Main questions:
Is it worth taking a pay cut for a government job with a pension and “career stability”?
How much should I value flexibility vs long-term security?
Would you stay and build side income, or take the more traditional path?

I’m stuck between two options and could use some outside perspective.

Current job (photographer):
$75k salary
15 min commute
No set hours (come and go as I please)
Supervisor is in another state, so very little micromanaging
401k
Outdoor shoots / creative work

Cons:
No real room for growth
Work is getting repetitive and not very challenging

New offer (Media Specialist – District Attorney’s Office):
$71,385 salary
Health insurance covered
Pension after 10 years
Likely good for resume / more “stable” career path
Raise every 6 months

Cons:
Pay cut from current job
30+ min commute
Office is in a rougher area
Work sounds kind of boring / not very creative
More structured environment
Less opportunity for freelance work

Where I’m at:
I actually like my current job a lot because of the flexibility and low stress, especially since I have a young family, third baby due in October. But I’m also worried I’m getting too comfortable and not growing.

The government role seems like the “responsible” move long-term (pension, stability, resume), but I’m not excited about the day-to-day work and I’d be giving up a lot of freedom.

I’m also considering staying where I’m at and trying to build up an extra $20–30k/year through freelance photo/video work on the side instead.

Main questions:
Is it worth taking a pay cut for a government job with a pension and “career stability”?

How much should I value flexibility vs long-term security?

Would you stay and build side income, or take the more traditional path?

Appreciate any perspectives, especially from people who’ve made a similar decision.