Work?! What should I do?

LegacyUser

Lads, serious head melting going on with me at the moment. This is the situation-

I have been working in a small family-run Estate Agency business (only myself and father) since I left school, and I got a degree in property studies through a part-time course which I did a few years ago.

My father has never been big into the business and as a result is very relaxed about the whole thing. I am allowed do what I like within the business which is great but my father is not exactly the hardest boss in the world and I am now thinking about going somewhere else to get some 'real' experience, but I really don’t know if I am doing the right thing.

I go into work some days and enjoy it, but then other days I feel as if I’m getting no-where, and if I were to work somewhere else it would give me great experience to bring back to the business in the future, and I could use this to push the business to what I would really like. I feel that I have no focus in the running of the business and end up getting pulled all over the place, if you know what I mean. It can be very daunting sometimes and some days I just can’t face work at all and feel totally lost.

My parents are unbelievably supportive and would close the doors on the business in a heartbeat if I didn't want to work there anymore, but I feel that would be a bit stupid and would like to give it a good stab and see if I really like the property game by working somewhere else for a time.

I hope that this makes sense and am just wondering what your thoughts are on my situation. Any help or advice would be great as I’m feeling a little low on the whole thing.

Beruthiel

Confused.. wrote:

if I were to work somewhere else it would give me great experience to bring back to the business in the future

Will the business be still there if you leave it?

I could use this to push the business to what I would really like.

Have you no ideas on that already that you can try?

tbh

is there a professional organisation you could join? Irish Estate Agents assoc. or something like that? You could make good contacts and maybe they might have a mentoring programme.

LegacyUser

Beruthiel wrote:

Will the business be still there if you leave it?

The business may not be there if I leave, as my father would not be too pushed if I were to leave, I was also thinking would firms be willing to take on the likes of myself for say one or two days a week just to gain experience with no pay.


Have you no ideas on that already that you can try?

I have plenty of ideas but I have a real itch to learn the running of a business somewhere else as I feel that this is where I am failing.

milkerman

You have another choice.
Why not work at expanding your family business? This process will provide real experience and if all goes well - money! I have a friend that went through the situation you describe, he chose to plug away, building the business slowly, eventually his dad retired and he continued on. Now one of the most respected players in his field in the country. Filthy rich too and this should not be forgotten.

jimmycrackcorm

OP, spend some money getting help in. Hire experienced staff for example - you can learn from them just as much as going elsewhere, except you'd be in control.

Carrigart Exile

tbh wrote:

is there a professional organisation you could join? Irish Estate Agents assoc. or something like that? You could make good contacts and maybe they might have a mentoring programme.

Superb idea tbh. OP don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Strokesfan

I think taking a years break would be invaluable as long as you dad can cope and you'll be coming back...

It's amazing the littliest things you learn from other jobs - what you could do better, what you would like to avoid doing. If I were you I'd throw a little travelling in there too.

I would leave for a while but definately sit down with your family and make sure everyone knows what's happening and that you'll be coming back.

LegacyUser

Why don't you suggest you open another branch that you will run ?

That way you can leave and learn, while still having the main office to come back to with your newfound experience...?

LegacyUser

tbh wrote:

is there a professional organisation you could join? Irish Estate Agents assoc. or something like that? You could make good contacts and maybe they might have a mentoring programme.

I am a member of the IAVI.

You have another choice.
Why not work at expanding your family business? This process will provide real experience and if all goes well - money! I have a friend that went through the situation you describe, he chose to plug away, building the business slowly, eventually his dad retired and he continued on. Now one of the most respected players in his field in the country. Filthy rich too and this should not be forgotten.

That is a great story, I feel that it's my self-confidence that lets me down on expanding the business. It just seems stagnant. I am sure I have the head to do it, but my confidence won't allow me to.

OP, spend some money getting help in. Hire experienced staff for example - you can learn from them just as much as going elsewhere, except you'd be in control.

I was going to ask a friend of mine who has been working elsewhere to join me in building the business and give them a good slice of the pie, starting from the bottom.

I think taking a years break would be invaluable as long as you dad can cope and you'll be coming back...

It's amazing the littliest things you learn from other jobs - what you could do better, what you would like to avoid doing. If I were you I'd throw a little travelling in there too.

I would leave for a while but definately sit down with your family and make sure everyone knows what's happening and that you'll be coming back.

The problem there is, if I take a year off, my Dad will just close the business and I don't think it would be easy to go back.

Why don't you suggest you open another branch that you will run ?

That way you can leave and learn, while still having the main office to come back to with your newfound experience...?

One office is too much for me to grasp at the moment, therefore opening another would make no sense for me. I need to sort what I have.


Many thanks for all your replies guys, they really are much appreciated!