DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently managed to land a job after months of searching in this tough job market, and while I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity, I’m struggling with the decision to take it. The job is exactly what I’ve been looking for in terms of compensation, responsibilities and career growth. It’s the perfect fit on paper, and it feels like the kind of opportunity I’ve worked so hard for. The problem is that it’s so far away from my family. My parents, grandparents and siblings mean the world to me, and we’ve always been close. I’ve never lived more than a few miles from them, and the thought of being hours away is absolutely crushing. I’m used to being able to drop by my parents’ house for dinner, celebrate birthdays and holidays in person or just spend time together whenever I need the support of my family. This job would take that away from me, and I’m afraid of how the distance will affect our relationships. I feel torn. Do I take the job and risk feeling isolated from the people I love most, or do I stay closer to home and potentially miss out on advancing my career? -- Career Move
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DEAR CAREER MOVE: Your family will love you no matter where you live. Yes, you will miss each other, but you should not turn down this opportunity because of distance. Think of it as an adventure: You can take the job, gain the experience and stay for a fixed amount of time. Nobody said you had to stay in this location forever. Make the most of it. Use technology to stay close to your family while you are away, and plan visits back home as often as you can. Similarly, invite them to come see you.