WWYD .... Work trip, self funding?

[greekypie]

Ok normally this would be very easy for me to answer.... No way in hell would I pay out of my pocket for a work trip. But these are the circumstances:

I have been invited, along with a dotted-line manager of mine, to come present at a rather large corporation as part of their lecture series on recent work that I've done w this manager. Invite has come through networking channels and it would be a good thing to add to my resume, as external validation of my work.

Company approves the activity, but won't pay for the travel.

I plan to leave the company very very soon after this trip occurs.

Trip would run me $400 to $500. I'd have to take a vacation day.

Would you go?

Eta... We are moving soon and I'd hate to drop $500 on this right now but we can afford it. H will support my decision either way.

[atouchofklasse]

Yes

[chessie]

I would not.

[sarahbear]

Why doesn't the corporation who invited you pay? It's their lecture series. Either way, i it had career networking benefits I might pay and go. Depends on where I was i my career though.

[Bonita]

I would go - especially if you'll be able to use this in the future for networking, or if it's something that will be great on your resume.

[greekypie]

Sept 9, 2012 7:22:21 GMT -5 sarahbear said:

Why doesn't the corporation who invited you pay? It's their lecture series. Either way, i it had career networking benefits I might pay and go. Depends on where I was i my career though.

I know, initially that is how I thought this was working ... but alas, they are not.

It does have significant networking benefits. I'm leaning towards yes but still mulling it over.

[MadamePresident]

I'd probably go, but try to keep the trip as low cost as possible.

[vanillacourage]

Yes, because you will be sending out your amped-up resume immediately. If you weren't going to job hunt right away I might say no.

[Deleted]

Sept 9, 2012 10:34:38 GMT -5 MadamePresident said:

I'd probably go, but try to keep the trip as low cost as possible.

This. I've gone to conferences to present on my own dime, and it has always been worth it. Besides networking, I always end up feeling more energized and excited about my job after.

[mskitkat]

Yes. Especially since you will be job hunting shortly.

[heygrey]

yes.

the networking opportunities could/should make job hunting easier and it's money well spent. and if the contacts don't help... you didn't go in debt for it and you still have something new on your resume.

[Doggy Mommy]

Yes I'd do it.

[MrsAxilla]

Sept 9, 2012 10:46:16 GMT -5 heygrey said:

yes.

the networking opportunities could/should make job hunting easier and it's money well spent. and if the contacts don't help... you didn't go in debt for it and you still have something new on your resume.

Ditto.

[Deleted]

yes

[Bumblebee]

I think the cost would be well worth the career investment.

[anna7602]

I pay out of pocket for career networking stuff sometimes. It really depends on how much I think I will get out of it contact-wise.

In your case, however, I would at least insist you don't need to use your own vacation time to go.

[Deleted]

Yes. I would go. I would also try a little harder to get the sponsoring company to pay at least some aspects of the trip.

[rosiedozie]

Sept 9, 2012 10:38:36 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

Yes, because you will be sending out your amped-up resume immediately. If you weren't going to job hunt right away I might say no.

Ditto