Part time job

bleach94

Hey, I hope this is the right place for this post but it's been on my mind for a while now.

I'm a 20 year old student in first year of college who last month got their first part time job. The timing was a bit odd, as it coincided with the start of my study month for my first college exams.

Unfortunately, I think I have taken on too much for my first ever job. I'm working in a newly opened retail store which is quite small, therefore everyone must know about every part of the running of the store. I've been thrust into something in an area I know next to nothing about, and I feel totally overwhelmed. I also live a decent drive away, and these are things I didn't really consider when I was applying as, honestly, I didn't think I'd get the job.

It's cut into my study time a lot this month, and my exam preparations have suffered as a result. It is a lot more intense (lots of expectation and constant evaluation) than the majority of part time jobs people I know have gotten, and in the month I've been there so far it's left me stressed, tired and unhappy coming home, and with college and family issues as well I am struggling to cope.

I know I am lucky to have a job, and that if I quit now I will probably be deemed as the one who gave up when things got tough, but I honestly think I have taken on too much. I have hopes of a couple of small trips away this summer, and I don't feel I need the money so badly that I would hold onto the job at the expense of the trips I already know I won't get the time off for (I have already lost a lot of money on a one day trip to England as I could not get the day off. Basically, I want to enjoy my summer and not fit things around a job I'm not happy in and that I don't particularly need.

I know I will be frowned upon by people for jacking it in after one month, given that I also had to do three weeks of training before starting, and that it would leave my manager even more short-staffed in the short term than she is (we were originally supposed to have one more employee than we do, which is why everyone, me included, is on extra hours).

What do I do? Stick it out and see how the summer goes or just bite the bullet with something I don't think will realistically work when I return to college in September anyway?

Tramps Like Us

First thing first, when you are in a job like that (min wage, retail) you should not feel unduly indebted or responsible to owners or managers because they will fcuk you over and get someone new handy enough so don't feel guilty about quitting.

Do you really need the money?

If not I would ask for time off to study and if they say no then just quit.

Chattastrophe!

It seems to me that you've already made up your mind, that you're going to quit anyways.

It's unfortunate. I get the impression that you don't need the money, but it's good to have decent employment references.

Lou.m

bleach94 wrote: »

Hey, I hope this is the right place for this post but it's been on my mind for a while now.

I'm a 20 year old student in first year of college who last month got their first part time job. The timing was a bit odd, as it coincided with the start of my study month for my first college exams.

Unfortunately, I think I have taken on too much for my first ever job. I'm working in a newly opened retail store which is quite small, therefore everyone must know about every part of the running of the store. I've been thrust into something in an area I know next to nothing about, and I feel totally overwhelmed. I also live a decent drive away, and these are things I didn't really consider when I was applying as, honestly, I didn't think I'd get the job.

It's cut into my study time a lot this month, and my exam preparations have suffered as a result. It is a lot more intense (lots of expectation and constant evaluation) than the majority of part time jobs people I know have gotten, and in the month I've been there so far it's left me stressed, tired and unhappy coming home, and with college and family issues as well I am struggling to cope.

I know I am lucky to have a job, and that if I quit now I will probably be deemed as the one who gave up when things got tough, but I honestly think I have taken on too much. I have hopes of a couple of small trips away this summer, and I don't feel I need the money so badly that I would hold onto the job at the expense of the trips I already know I won't get the time off for (I have already lost a lot of money on a one day trip to England as I could not get the day off. Basically, I want to enjoy my summer and not fit things around a job I'm not happy in and that I don't particularly need.

I know I will be frowned upon by people for jacking it in after one month, given that I also had to do three weeks of training before starting, and that it would leave my manager even more short-staffed in the short term than she is (we were originally supposed to have one more employee than we do, which is why everyone, me included, is on extra hours).

What do I do? Stick it out and see how the summer goes or just bite the bullet with something I don't think will realistically work when I return to college in September anyway?

I worked through college. And it's tough but it can be done.

I worked a fair few jobs and went through them until I found one I thought I could do alongside study.

I cleaned offices at night, I did reception work,waitressing, sold sky door to door! (yes I was one of though annoying people sorry:o) I even did work as a dealer at poker tournaments. If something did not work out I left as soon as i found something else. This is not for your c.v don't worry if you look scattered on paper you need to do what you need to do.

When I finished my degree I did a year long WAY OVER PRICED drama course full time and I didn't work and it was A BIG MISTAKE...i took out a loan to do the course and what with that and life it took me a while to pay off the loan.

What I would say is PLAN out your finances. What do you need to pay for and give yourself a monthly budget.

It's up to you don't put yourself off having a job at all because you don't like this one ...look around for something easier. Or something you can freelance at.

Rubberchikken

The exams dont go on forever, but if you dont enjoy the job its not worth it. A part time job should help towards finance and be a learning experience not stressful.

beauty101

That's retail for you, unfortunately most retailers couldn't care less if you're studying/want a day off if it doesn't benefit them in some way. If you can afford to be without a job then quit, there's no point staying on if you're not happy. But if you need the money/experience then don't cut off your nose to spite your face!

meeeeh

A degree will be a lot better reference on your cv than a part time job in a shop. Do some part time work if you can but always prioritize your education.

December2012

How many hours are you required to work per week? Going from none to something will seem like a big adjustment.

bleach94

December2012 wrote: »

How many hours are you required to work per week? Going from none to something will seem like a big adjustment.

Supposed to be 10 but currently doing 16-20 which I feel is a little ridiculous..

December2012

In my experience that's not a lot of hours. Would you spend all of this time studying? Maybe you could reorganise your time to fit in work and study?

I think it's important that young people get used to work and earning their own money.

Is there somebody you could talk to about the family issues?

Fluorescence

16-20 is not very much at all. Unless you're putting in 50-60 hour weeks in college I really don't see how it'd interfere all that much tbh. You could probably just organise your time better tbh. It'll be a good experience for you to juggle work with college.

irish gent

PACK IN THE JOB ! untill your exams are over not worth the stress .........

tenifan

meeeeh wrote: »

A degree will be a lot better reference on your cv than a part time job in a shop.

I disagree with this. The op should balance both study and work experience.

Penny Tration

16-20 hours really is not a lot. I worked 30-35 while in college full time, and it's difficult but manageable.

Sounds as though you need to organise your time better, to be honest. 16 hours is what, 2 days? That's really not much. You can study after an 8 hour shift, and even before it, too.

Legs.Eleven

Yeah, I think you've made your mind up already anyway but I worked from 4th year in school (I worked 16 hours then) right through to the end of college (24 hours). It was what I had to do to get money if I wanted to go out, buy clothes beyond the necessities or go on trips etc. I didn't like any of the jobs I did and they were often stressful but it was good for me and has given a strong work ethic and some independence.

This is going to sound patronising but at 20 years old, I think it's time to start earning your own pocket money and not depend on your parents so much if you can (who I presume will be giving you money for the trips in the Summer). I used to work full time during the Summers back then but if you're only going to be working 16 hours a week, it's not much at all and you'd have plenty of free time.

bleach94

I understand what people are saying about earning my own money, but my issue is I actually have more than enough saved up that I'm not going to run out during the summer (or for the foreseeable really) and that I don't want to sacrifice my summer trips for a job which is complex and outside my comfort zone when I'm not in dire need of the money. Selfish it may be, but I'm looking at it from the perspective that I only have four summers in college and want to make the most of them.

When I was in college I worked double shifts on weekends, even taking up an internship in my third year, managing to get a pretty decent degree. Plus all those decisions benefitted massively in me getting the job I have now.

You seem to have made your mind up, but the truth is that the hours you're putting in aren't a lot and are actually pretty standard fare, especially for students who don't receive the grant or money from parents.

December2012

How complex is it though? There are lots of skills learned through part time work that benefit you in life - prioritisation, time management, business skills, people skills.

Not to mention a hard work ethic, showing trust and responsibility and reliability.

MagicMarker

OP, are your savings going to last you for the whole 4 years? What are you going to do when you have no choice but to work 30 hours a week just to feed yourself?

It sounds to me like you have a decent opportunity with this job, you're one of the first in the door, if you excel you can move up the ladder pretty quickly. It sounds like this is your first job, do you really want to be leaving college at 24 without ever having a job? (as I assume you won't be including this one on any CV).

Have you actually requested holidays for this Summer?

bleach94

MagicMarker wrote: »

OP, are your savings going to last you for the whole 4 years? What are you going to do when you have no choice but to work 30 hours a week just to feed yourself?

It sounds to me like you have a decent opportunity with this job, you're one of the first in the door, if you excel you can move up the ladder pretty quickly. It sounds like this is your first job, do you really want to be leaving college at 24 without ever having a job? (as I assume you won't be including this one on any CV).

Have you actually requested holidays for this Summer?

They may not, no, but I have no intention of leaving college without having had a job. I'm just not sure this one is the right one, as I find they don't seem flexible at all (something friends who have worked for the same company can vouch for) and a little demanding given that I want to do well in my degree. As for climbing the ladder, I'm not sure this is an area I have any interest in climbing the ladder in if that's what you mean?
And I haven't asked for holidays yet. It would be a good idea but given that I'm a part timer they probably won't give it to me.

MagicMarker

bleach94 wrote: »

They may not, no, but I have no intention of leaving college without having had a job. I'm just not sure this one is the right one, as I find they don't seem flexible at all (something friends who have worked for the same company can vouch for) and a little demanding given that I want to do well in my degree. As for climbing the ladder, I'm not sure this is an area I have any interest in climbing the ladder in if that's what you mean?
And I haven't asked for holidays yet. It would be a good idea but given that I'm a part timer they probably won't give it to me.

What happens in 4th year when your degree really matters, you've no more savings and you have to work 30 hours a week?

You may not be interested in the area per se, but having experience as say a supervisor/assistant manager would be invaluable to you when you decide what area you want to move into.

You're complaining about giving up your summer holidays when you haven't even asked for time off yet. You do realise you have a better chance of getting time off if you give as much notice as possible? Part timers are entitled to holidays too.

TBH, you're a first year student who works less than 20 hours a week in a shop. You should be delighted you have it so easy.

danslevent

bleach94 wrote: »

They may not, no, but I have no intention of leaving college without having had a job. I'm just not sure this one is the right one, as I find they don't seem flexible at all (something friends who have worked for the same company can vouch for) and a little demanding given that I want to do well in my degree. As for climbing the ladder, I'm not sure this is an area I have any interest in climbing the ladder in if that's what you mean?
And I haven't asked for holidays yet. It would be a good idea but given that I'm a part timer they probably won't give it to me.

of course you will get holidays. usually paid ones too!

stick with it OP. don't be lazy!

Time Now Please

I get the feeling from your post that if you gave up your job you would still be financially sound, if this is the case then it begs the question as to why you are working in the first place, or have I missed something here.

bluemagpie

I think if you hate the job then quit, do your exams and look for another. You might not find another but if you have the funds you are in the lucky position to job hunt until you find something else. You are far better off trying to pass your exams first time and giving your self the best opportunity to do so. No one is going to care that you threw in a job after a month, big deal, loads of people have thrown in jobs after a day, or less than a month.