Job Advice Needed: Stay in the job or leave?

Question

I teach college English. I was offered a part-time position doing acadmic advising at night. Honestly, I got the job because my sister works in the same place.

I'm a month and a half in, and I've yet to be trained. I feel completely overwhelmed, and I'm hating the night hours. I feel like this night job is an inconvenience to my teaching.

I feel like a jerk because it is a good job, but I think I realize that this is not something I want to do. But I'm afraid of making my sister look bad or seeming ungrateful.

I know I shouldn't have gotten into the job because of the whole family/work relationship, but I didn't listen to that little voice. Now, I'm kicking myself.

I've verbally committed through May of next year. Should I stay that long and just hate it? Or should I leave now?

I've told my sister that I'm hating it. (She's also supposed to be my trainer and immediate supervisor. She's not happy with how I feel about it, but she understands.) What should I do?

"A month and a half is quite a short space of time to make your mind up that you dislike a job."

While you make a good point, I usually know within the first few days. I'm a little odd that way. I've quit jobs immediately when I knew I would hate it. I've also stayed in them, and I made do, but it never really improved. I think I just know what I want to do in life . . . :)

"Have you spoken to your sister about this?"

I have. She's attempted several times to train me, but every time, she gets distracted. I understand it, but it doesn't make me feel any better. I feel like crying when I'm here.

Thank you for the advice. Much appreciated!

Jack! RJR! My pretties! Oh, how happy I am to see you. :)

Thank you for the advice. :)

Thanks again to everyone! Hi Z->Z^2+C! :)

I've decided to at least stick with my verbal commitment and stay with the job through May. I'm an intensely loyal person, and I don't want to leave these students who I've started building relationships with.

I did, however, propose to my sister changing my hours. Instead of working until 8 at night, I asked if I could move it up to 7. This would allow me to keep one of my teaching jobs (classes start at 8 p.m.), and it would allow me to get home at a decent time other nights. I hate eating dinner at 8:45.

As for training, that's still going to be a major source of stress for me. I understand why my sister isn't there to train me and why it has been a problem for her. I'm not happy about it, but I understand.

As for the rest of it that I didn't really get into, I guess I'll have to make due. But if by February I'm still feeling angry and confused at this job, I'm letting my boss and my sister know the job sucks. :)

Answer 1

Ask your self this- Why am I here? Is it "just for the job" or to help students in an academic advisory capacity? If you fell you are not being treated fairly (in my opinion you are not) by not receiving the proper training, advisement and supervision necessary to do the BEST work you can do, then the job is not right for you and certainly not doing the students justice. However, these things can be corrected with a little gentle agressivness on your part. You need to weigh all the pros against the cons and decide before you get in to deep. I think the main thing here is to remember that the primary function of the position is to assist students in plotting their academic course work and goals.

Dr. Tommy Skelton
Ph. D Comparative Religion

Answer 2

A month and a half is quite a short space of time to make your mind up that you dislike a job. A lot of people take at least two to get into the swing of things so perhaps waiting it out a bit longer might be to your advantage.

Also, it seems that you don't feel happy with the training you've been given. Have you spoken to your sister about this? It may be uncomfortable but, you might find, with some additional training you might come to enjoy the job after all.

However, if you're sure things aren't going to get better, I wouldn't feel obliged to say. Your sister clearly seems to understand the situation so I wouldn't worry about letting her down. It may well be a good job but, if it's not for you and you're not going to be able to give it the attention it deserves, perhaps it's best to pass it up so somebody who will love it can have it instead! People break contracts and leave jobs all the time - it's to be expected - so, provided you follow proper notice protocol, I can't see anybody being too mad at you for leaving. If it just doesn't work out, then it just doesn't work out, right?

Answer 3

That's a rough deal. Since you're verbally committed, you need to talk to someone. Talk to your sister and explain that this isn't going to work. Now, talk to the manager. Tell her that this job is conflicting with your teaching, you've overwhelmed yourself and you can't handle all of this.

Write up your resignation. Make sure you say that you appreciate everything. Everyone was delightful to work for, etc. You shouldn't stick with this job for a year if your other job is going to suffer. After a while you might start performing worse at this job so your sister will look bad.

And know you know why family and employment don't mix.

Answer 4

Sounds like you need to sit down with a clean sheet of paper & write out all of the angst. How will you feel if you quit? Would you feel better with training, can you cope without? What are you gaining &/or losing by staying? By leaving? Is there something you would really like to do with the extra money? Problems tend to morph, goals can evaporate, sometimes they must be roped back in.

Answer 5

I wouldn't stay, personally. If it isn't something you want to do, don't do it. Why spend all those months doing something you hate? When those months are over, you may have finished the job commitment, but you can never get that time back, time you might have spent doing something you enjoy.

Answer 6

You have to quit. You cannot stay that long in a job you hate. It will prevent you from living a happy life.

Sucks for your sister. Hopefully she will understand.

Answer 7

GRIT!!!

I have no advice. The Puritan ethic of this New Englander says stick it out, but than again when have you known me to side with religious extremists?

I wish I could be of more help, but what every you do, trust your self.

Answer 8

Leo Chick: if I told you to do the right thing, what would that mean to you?















Okay, that first thought is negative, so discard it. Now.









The right thing... what is it?













Hooray, if you come up with your own truth... cause only you can answer that question... baby. :)

Seriously, just follow your heart.

Answer 9

leave now no harm trying though the kids need teachers more now than ever good luck