What do I do?? :(

[Blighter]

In a bit of pickle with jobs atm. Unlike a few people I have the (possible) fortune of having a choice between two jobs...

As some of you know I'm starting at Cotswold tomorrow. Pay isn't all that but it's a great job and has a lot of benefits that apply to me (paid training abroad, BIG discounts on stock.. which I need, etc).

Now I have had a letter from Kent Police inviting me for an interview for a job as Communications Officer. Better pay (£17.5k) but crap hours and not something I'm 100% into.

My dad has been in the police all his life and really wants me to go for the Police job, but it's not something I want to do, although the money is better.

What do I do? :'(

edit: Obviously a question I need to answer, but am looking for some advice :)

[Haly]

Purely my opinion (i.e. if you take my advice, don't blame me if it goes wrong :p):
You have a choice of a job that is something you really enjoy from what I can tell (the Cotswold job) or doing something that you're doing because of your Dad but that your heart's not in it.

While you're able to, go with your heart :) If money's not too much of a problem then do the job you enjoy. Not enough people get that opportunity imo so while you've got that chance, do it.

You seem mad keen on outdoorsy stuff so makes perfect sense to me why the Cotswold thing is right for you and hopefully your Dad would understand that too.

[Knipples]

You should do what makes you happy, and not what your dad would like you to do, its your life, and you have to make your own happiness, if you were living your life for someone else, I doubt that would happen.

If your Dad wants you to be happy, he will understand that.

[Briggykins]

In your position I'd go with the Cotswold job. I've done the Communications officer job for our force and it's horrible :) Or at least, certainly wasn't the job for me (I know some people enjoy it).
If you were older I'd possibly say follow the money and take the police job, but at your age I'd go with something you enjoy. Also you've got time to see if you can make a career out of it, and if you eventually decide you want to move on you've got plenty of opportunity to look for something else.

[Blighter]

Thanks peeps, you've kinda confirmed what I was hoping you would :p

The only thing is, is that I want to be in the outdoors industry, I just don't know where - and I know that if I say to my dad that I don't want the police job, then he'll want to know what it is that I want to do instead....

[LeperousDust]

Don't sell out, both jobs should have career opportunities, you enjoy one. Whats a little extra money really, 17.5k isn't the end of the world, if you really don't need it don't stress yourself out over that. As a guy who worked a year in a job i hated (truly hated :D) don't put yourself through it :p

//Edit: Grown a spine tell your dad he'll understand if not now eventually anyway, it makes things much easier for you and him in the long run. He might not like the answer, you will grow to despise "his" choice if you took the job you don't want. Just talk to him, if he doesn't understand its his problem not yours.

[NokkonWud]

Depends on the pay difference for me. I would do something I'm not into for a lot more.

[Blighter]

It's about £4k difference a year.

[Pheebs]

Dude. My CV is as long as my arm (and then longer). I have been in so many different jobs due to moving and doing temp work and occasionally realising "OMG wtf... why am I doing this job!?" and moving on.

I'm still young and no doubt have a lot to learn but there's one big major thing I have learned in all of my times working... and that it's really not worth going for a job based on the pay/making other people happy (obviously this depends on your financial situation).

If you have money... great! Woohoo, yippee! You get to go out and play a little bit more at the weekend and in holidays. But... if that means you're going to wake up every morning of work and think "Oh God not again... ground hog day" and do something your heart's really not into... is it really worth it? To me... no. 100% no.

As said, I've been in many places. Bar Manager, Estate Agent, Admin Jobs, Teaching Assistant, Volunteer to Train Special Constables, Police Civvy work. The main bulk of the jobs I have just mentioned I have been in them for... a year... maybe 2 for some. Out of all of them, Estate Agent was the best paid... and it was horrendous. Police work followed closely and it wasn't in the line of work I wanted to do... and that too (after about 3months) was tedious and horrendous. And so many people... such a great amount of people on the way through these jobs have been so miserable with their lives. Completely and utterly miserable... and yet they'd been stuck in the same old job for 20years.



It's not worth it. Honestly... 100% not worth it. Plus... this jobs "only" 4k less. If you're much more enthusiastic about it and have more energy for it, you will no doubt go through promotions and build yourself up. It's only... what... £400ish more before tax a month? If you're money concious and get a plan sorted for what to do with your wonga you can save and not be that far behind it.


:)

My nine eggs :) Good luck Mister :D

[Kitten]

It's about 360 before tax Pheebs, generally 1k works out at 20 quid a month iirc.

I agree with the majority here. If you're not in a position to have to do what you *have* to do, then do what you want to do. You'll only end up packing in the other job when you can't take it anymore, and end up without the other option.

Unless of course it turns out to be better than you think, then you could be onto a winner, but personally, I've worked very closely with the Comms officer for Merseyside police and she found it a very difficult (and I don't mean 'challenging') and thankless job. Police comms involves a hell of a lot of spin and it only takes one 'wrong' comment and you're out on your bum.

You're young, you have choices. If you earn more, you'll just spend more and it won't mean anything (stereotype, but it happens to most of us). Doing something you enjoy is worth so, so much more than 4k, if you don't actually *need* that 4k :)

Good luck with making your decision :)

[Wryel]

I could never understand why anyone would want their kids to do the same job as them, my parents let me make my own decisions. Not to say your dad's wrong, that's just my opinion. Perhaps his experience and knowledge of the police would help you. Its not going to make you enjoy it though which is the most important thing. A job at Cotswolds would surely be a good start for a career in the outdoors wherever you end up.

[Rusty Shackleford]

No harm in going to the police interview, useful experience perhaps, and it's hardly a sure thing is it?

Pretty much agree with everyone else though, do what you want while you're still young.

A good move anyway, Cotswold certainly presents more opportunities in the outdoors industry than Blacks did.

[Blighter]

Well I phoned them (the police) up and said thanks but no thanks.. :)

[Knipples]

Good for you
:)

[AboveTheSalt]

"Clear your mind, and follow your heart grasshopper"

. . . oh, you already have done . . .

You are wise beyond your years . . . with a little bit of help from your virtual friends ;)

[Blighter]

"There isn't anything virtual about our friendship"
Blighter, 2009.



;D

[Matblack]

As a qualified careers adviser I recommend exactly what you did :)

MB

[Blighter]

That's actually very reassuring :) Ta!