I tell you, with the way the economy is in our countries, you are probably better off having such a career. I think you are smart to do that. Many people these days get a college degree and then can't find a job. I expect another job will come along. I suggest you tell the company that you would like to work for them in the future, as you say, but the timing is just not right at the moment. That local job sounds perfect.

As long as your girlfriend is not bothered, then I don't think you need to worry. I had a friend with a Ph.D. who was a college professor. She married a janitor at the college she worked at, and they were very happy.