So I'm at a crossroads...

[Aaron]

JUBbers don't fail me now... I'm at a crossraids I didn't expect.

Life was always so simple. It was laid out in front of me so clearly. Graduate high school, go to university, get a BA and a PDP, become a teacher. I love working with kids, and I know I'd be making a difference. I'm still on my way to this, entering my second academic year of post-secondary education, but I don't know what to do. I have knots in my stomach.

18 months ago I got a new job. Just a job. Part time, at a really busy branch, the manager of which was very preoccupied with numbers an business, and let the culture and philosophy of the company fade away into the background. Enter my present manager and a new store. Six months ago I transferred to a new store and got a promotion in June.

I LOVE my job. I look forward to going to work every day, to seeing all of my regular customers, to learning a few more names. I live and breathe it, and this scares me. Financially, the company is great. I'm 20 and already have full benefits. My wage is above industry averages and I'm comfortable enough to pay for school myself without a student loan, while living on my own.

My manager asked me a month or two ago if I wanted to go into management. It would be full time, on salary. And there lies my dilema. I don't know what to do. I'm so passionate about my job. I was content with finishing my degree (about another three or four years) and then seeing what happened... at least I'd always have my degree to fall back on.

It scares me to death to pass this opportunity up. If I told her I wanted to go into management, it would be realistic for me to expect my own store (not own, but be the Store Manager), by Christmas 2008. It's pretty much a given unless I fuck up majorly. I don't know what to do. I feel like I want to pursue a career with the company, but it scares me to do it without finishing school first. I was always taught that post-secondary school is a necessity to be successful, and now I'm learning it isn't.

The what-ifs are freaking me out. My rational self tells me I should finish my degree, but what if I don't feel the same way about m job after being a supervisor for four years? I know that if I do this now I will love it, and if it doesn't work, I am able to simply demote and go back to school.

I'm so torn. My stomach is in knots while I write this... it kind of scares me. The opportunity to build a career now with this company is so exciting, but I won't have a fall-back.

I need some opinions. I'm not asking you to make my decision for me, but I need some opinions. I don't know what to do.

 

[Inwood]

Go for the job, but continue to finish your degree part time. Twelve years ago I was at the same crossroads as you are now, and I regret not going back to school to finish my degree. There have been SO MANY TIMES over the course of the last 10 years where I've said to myself "I should go back and finish my degree -- I don't have much left" but have never returned, and at 34, I'm not sure I ever will, and that just sucks. I enjoy my job, have advanced to senior management with my company, but I've always had the nagging thought that I should've finished my university education.

If you can make it work, do it. If you think you can't, figure out a way to make it work. You will thank yourself long after you do and not keep thinking "what if?" as I do.

 

[springboksfan]

Just remember, Aaron, that when you step into the management role, your entire perspective will change. The things you love most about your job may not even be your responsibility anymore. You're young. Your priorities will change over time. This will not be your last shot at this type of position if it's something you really want. Make a list of pros and cons and let that be a guide for you.

Either way, as Inwood says, be sure you finish your degree.

 

[TaigaStar]

I'm here for you.

 

[GL]

Aaron, I've been there myself and trust me on this... go for your degree. I say this having been in retail management myself, you may think you can get by without your degree but there will be a point in time when you will find yourself regretting not having earned one. It's a bitter lesson to learn and I would just as soon see you not have to learn that for yourself. You're a bright guy, stay with the company and work your way through. Best of luck to you.

 

[tonyboy]

Complete the schooling man. That's all there is to it. Please do it. Jobs will always be around.

 

[mark72]

Hey, I did the exact same thing. I was in education and needed the graduate school for the student teaching and later required masters degree. Instead I'd
had it with the situation at the time and joined the military. I absolutely loved what I did in the military and never regretted having left school. As much as it is held over the ranks of the military as the haves and have nots -as far as having a degree- I never regretted my decision.
I did go back to school 15 years later and finished not only my BA but also my M.ed. I did this while still Active Duty in the Air Force.

I have known several people in the same position. As a matter of fact my partner's boss never finished his degree and is a junior VP. It goes without saying that his salary is greater than my partner and he is in a position above quite a few people. He got his job because of his desire and love of the work.
College is not about making money, it is all about learning. How you market yourself is about making money!
Enjoy what you have been offered, take what youve been offered and don't look back and wonder what if!!!!!

 

[Andreus]

i would shoot for the take the job and do a part time college schedule solution as well

but....

if you arent sure about finishing your degree, then forget the job, the degree needs to come first

just dont have regrets in either case

make your choice and dont mindfuck yourself afterwards

i do that and it just sabotages my ability to make the best of something

 

[josher]

You must do what's right for you, BUT: being in management is very draining physically and emotionally. You may say to yourself, "I'll finish school part-time while I work.", and then find yourself putting it off because you don't feel you have the time or energy for it. Also, without the skills your university education might give, this could end up becoming a dead-end position, a good job for you now, but not one you can advance from. I'm sure many people achieve great success without a degree, but it just isn't as likely in many professions. Finally, I don't want to guilt you out, but we really, really need dedicated teachers who care about their students. It isn't the best paying profession, but it can have many non-financial rewards. But again, you have to choose what will make you the most happy and fulfilled.

 

[Sausy]

It may sound like a broken record,but go for the degree .You seem talented and bright enough to have lots of options,and the degree gives you a lot more flexibility regarding your future,whether it be with the company or teaching.You're only 20,putting too much pressure on yourself right now would probably not be the best thing for you.Springboksfan is right,yoiu may well find your duties and responsibilities as a store manager a lot different from those duties you currently have.The bottom line is going to be a lot more important to you,and the enjoyment and excitement of coming to work every day may change with the new expectations you would have put on you.Don't limit yourself.Keep doing what you are doing so well now,leave the future open and continue with your degree.

 

[Auburn]

I think going part time would be a great idea, as mentioned.....you still get the best of both worlds....working a job you love and making good money, plus you will still be working toward getting your education, so that if in a few years you decide you don't like your job anymore , then you will have plenty of options..keep your head up!

 

[hotdog1846]

I'll add my voice to the chorus saying "get the degree!".

Not having the degree can only hold you back. You may still be able to advance in some companies, but not very many. It's not so much that the degree is a check-off-the-box item (although sometimes it is), it's more that the education teaches you how to learn, how to accomplish goals, how to address new and difficult situations.

I've been in the industry for 16 years now after finishing my degree, and I've seen time and time again that people with degrees from top-notch schools definitively outperform those with degrees from diploma mills or no degrees. They make better decisions, they get the work done faster and better, and they're more innovative with their ideas.

Hope that helps --

 

[JayHew]

Go for the degree. When in management, things change big time. Priorities change too. What was wonderful about the job can turn to sluge when in management. Unless you are willing to breathe, eat and shit the company line, your degree is better to have. I've been there, working "the line" so to speak and loving it, then moving into management and learning to hate it. Now back to doing what I love with more opportunities coming in for management moves and all I do now is smile and say a heartfelt, "No Thank-you".

Go for the degree while working part time or vice versa, but keep your eye on ball for the degree. It never hurts to have it and it is definitely a fall-back position.

Good luck.

 

[luminum]

I agree, take the job and finish school more slowly. By the end or along the way, you can more accurately determine what it is you want.

 

[Soilwork]

I say finish your degree.

If you're that good, you'll have a job just as good and maybe better waiting for you when you get out of school.

 

[blackbeltninja]

Go for the degree.

I know a guy who worked full-time and studied part-time and in the end because of pressure at work he took 10 years part time which would have taken 4 years full-time. Admittedly, he was going for an degree to become an accountant/financial manager and was working as an auditor/accountant at the time, so perhaps his situation is different to yours, but he regrets how long it took him in the end.

I speak from the position of having done Bachelor's, Honours, Master's and now PhD without a break at all because I know I wouldn't have got around to going back to school if I stopped studying at any point.

Either way - best of luck with it. You seem like a good guy.

-d-

 

[NickCole]

Continue as you've been doing and finish your degree.

You love your job as it is and you earn enough to satisfy your needs -- enjoy how incredibly fortunate you are to have so much opportunity, be so passionate about it and competent.

Do not quit your studies and go into full time management, not now. Build more of a base, a bedrock, for yourself in your professional and personal growth. It will serve you well in years to come.

 

[Dobson73]

Do you know how rare it is to be in a position of loving your job as you do?

You seem to be highly regarded within your company and are showing a lot of promise. Without a doubt, defer the study and take the promotion. The practical, life skills that the job will give you will be more valuable than any degree will ever be.

Having said that have you discussed being able to complete your studies whilst still being employed? Is your degree complimentary to your work? If so, you company may pay/support you to complete it.

There are 1,000's of highly qualified waiters and waitresses with degrees coming out their arse but no job. Teaching is a wonderful profession but if you love your company and what you're doing, then follow that love for as long as you can. At 20, the world literally is at your feet. Study can be deferred, a career and being happy in a job that fulfills you can't be.

Good luck. Let us know what happens.