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orange
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It doesn't matter what your name is!
Feb 2000
time: 00:37
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I'm having a little difficulty deciding what to do and where to go next...but for the first time I have some options in front of me, so I'd appreciate any help/advice you can give.
Graduated from University in January (3.5 years) with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. Started the job search by mass mailing organizations and state/local representatives which I had an interest working for. I also registered through a commonwealth of PAa website for non-civil service jobs with the state. In the meantime, I've been working two jobs - one at a supermarket down the street from me, and the other as a Database Administrator for a Financial Planner. I've received raises at both jobs, and my current combined gross income is about 31,000/yr. I currently work 55 hours a week.
I received very little in terms of positive response from the 'real' job serach, which was a pretty big let down, but I've tried to send our resumes consistently. I turned down one canvassing position because it required relocation, which I am not financially able to do yet, and also took the Foreign Service Exam in April (did well, but not well enough to be asked to Washington for a formal interview).
The financial planner that I work for has spoken about bringing me on full time to work as his Sales Assistant, but to do this I would first have to be registered, which requires studying for and passing a set of examinations. He predicts it will take until December for this to be completed. He has not yet mentioned any potential salary/compensation package for doing this.
I recently interviewed for a position working with the State Police as a Communications Operator. Today I received a phone call letting me know that I am being offered a job pending a background check (which, of course, won't yield anything objectionable). The job involves five weeks of paid training at commonwealth expense in Hershey, PA (about 2 hours away). But, I need to be able to tell them whether I'm accepting the position or not as soon as possible. The position pays 15.25 an hour (Weekdays) and 16.75 an hour (Weekends) with Holidays at time and a half. It involves a rotating shift schedule, as well.
At this point, I'm just thrilled to have options...but I guess I wanted to see what the Apolyton community thinks about the situation I'm in.
As I see it, here are the pros and cons to each:
Sales Assistant Pros:
-Office is located close to home (10 minute commute, zero traffic)
-Established, positive relationship with employer already exists
-Possibility exists for higher earnings with commission
-Steady schedule (M through F 9-5)
-Current Registered Representative is aging, and has already made it clear that he expects to eventually bring me in as a Junior Partner to lighten his load. Claims THAT position can easily yield $100,000/yr.
-Paid Holidays Off
-Allow me to go to night school for Masters degree, which I may want to do in the future.
Sales Assistant Cons:
-Requires delaying full-time employment for several months
-Income level not steady or 'guaranteed' (Commission)
-May require an unknown fincial investment of my own (Courses, registration and liscensing fees, etc.)
-The position has little to do with my areas of interest
-I do not consider myself to be a natural salesman, and moreover, dread the idea of making a living on 'sales'.
Communications Operator Pros:
-Steady, guaranteed income of about $32,000/yr. (Gross)
-Involves a lot of computer work, which I enjoy
-Medical Benefits start from Day 1 of training
-Training is fully paid and expenses (lodging, food) covered by the Commonwealth
Communications Operator Cons:
-Varying shift schedule
-Five weeks of training away from home
-Operations Center located in Norristown, about 20 miles away from home. Commute varies between 25 minutes and an hour with traffic!!
-I have no idea whether or not I will like this type of work or not.
-Probably will not allow me to attend graduate school due to varying schedule.
-I have no concept of the opportunities for advancement.
Any thoughts? I really appreciate all of the help!
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Kontiki
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Canada
Aug 2001
time: 00:37
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I'm guessing neither is going to be a life-long career for you, so I'd counsel on taking a job that can best lead you in the direction you want to go, whatever that path may be.
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orange
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It doesn't matter what your name is!
Feb 2000
time: 00:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Ming
Neither seems like something you want to do. |
Well, the Sales Assistant position is certainly not what I want to do forever, but does have some appealing characteristics.
The Communications Operator position I don't think I know enough about to know if I'd really enjoy it or not, but my guess is, it also wouldn't be something that I'd want to do forever.
quote:
I would add a third option... keep doing what you are doing and look for a job that you truely want. |
Problem being, 55 of work a week, and night shift for 40 of those hours, has been hell on my personal schedule. It's been pretty tough fitting anything in other than work or sleep.
quote:
If you go down either path, you may never end up doing what you really want. |
Well, I don't think it's that extreme...i guess the tough thing is, I don't really know what it is that I want to do. I went to school for education (to become a teacher), but hated the 'education' classes so much that I switched majors (which carried the added benefit of being able to graduate early). The idea of going to graduate school to get a master's degree is very appealing, as is becoming certified to teach...but I can't do either with my schedule as it is currently.
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Flubber
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With a view of the Rockies
Aug 2000
time: 22:37
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My question is which one is better experience for what you really think you want to do? Long term, its clear you don't want to be a financial planner and you have doubts about the other one.
I would recommend taking a job though (one of these or something else). Its amazing but many many more opportunities seem to come to people that are employed. I think potential employers take you more seriously since its like you are saying to them " I don't NEED your job, since I have a good job but I think I would like your job and thats why I'm here"-- Having a job immediately takes you out of that pool of people that are applying for anything-- just to get a job--
If I had to take one of the two, I wopuld say take the Communications one-- immediate pay and to me it looks like a better resume builder-- " I work for the police department"
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orange
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It doesn't matter what your name is!
Feb 2000
time: 00:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Lazarus and the Gimp
Gentle reader, take note. The boy is more concerned with showboating than he is about talking with people experienced in the fields he's looking at. Bear that in mind if you're considering helping. |
Showboating? In what universe is asking for advice about two entry level positions considered 'showboating'? 
So Laz, you've worked as a Financial Planner? Tell me more...
Update:
I sat down with him and explained the position I'm in. He basically told me what he could offer me:
-Appx. $30-31,000 a year salary with 5% commission on everything he brings in in a year. This year, that would have been $5,000. He claims this number is likely to go up since we introduced a new marketing system (the reason I was hired in the first place)
-Exams, license, and study materials paid for.
-Starting in November (which means two more months of my current job situation....ick!)
-Profit sharing after a year.
He really tried to make the case that, if he knew at my age what he knows now, he'd jump at something like this. Thinks I would do really well in this business from what he's seen from me over the past months. The job would be mostly telemarketing to bring in existing clients and prospects and the computer work I already do now as well as him training me in the business until I would be registered...then it would shift to bringing in clients and talking to them about what they're planning for (College for their Kids, Retirement, Growth, etc.) but letting him do most of the 'closing'.
Don't know if that helps or not 
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29-08-2005 20:46
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