Job Dilemma please help.

Pandabunnie

I have a job decision dilemma.

I have been offered a new job as a trainee Optical consultant with the prospect of good career advancement. My dilemma is do I take this job as I can advance in it even though I'm not sure if optometry is something I really want to do . Or do I keep my current job which I enjoy but has no career advancement opportunities within the next five years.

Any advice or insight will be greatly appreciated and valued

My current job is an onboard train host so basically a train trolley dolly

Valli

You will have to do a pros and cons list then

Clearly you enjoy working with the public; both jobs offer that

What are your lifeplans - for instance, if you were to have a child (I'm assuming you're female from the 'trolley dolly' reference) could you easily do either job? Would they both fit in with a family? (If, of course, you choose to continue working).

To my way of thinking the optometrist job would offer better options to work part time; fit in with a family more easiily, compared with the train job so I would be thnking along those lines; I'm assuming you are quite a few years younger than me;)

So compare salary/hours worked/other benefits - you may, for instance GET reduced rail tickets - if you do do you make use of them?

With all due respect to those in customer facing sales roles (and I have DONE this) there never is lots of opportunity for advancement in them; nor are they especially well-paid but dealing with the public; handling cash etc are still good skills to have and you would be taking these skills to your new role, should you accept it.

On the face of it, at the moment you're doing a 'job'; you now have the opportunity to start a career.

Pandabunnie

Thank you for the quick response Valli Your right about the customer facing sales roles their is little advancement as I have worked in a few jobs of this nature with little progression.

Sadly I don't get any free or discounted rail travel it would be brilliant if I did

The optometry job does have benefits of having 70% off glasses and contact lenses which is a good advantage for me as I am a glasses wearer it would certainly make the yearly purchase less of a shock :eek:

I'm 22 and I feel its time I begin a proper career so I can begin to develop and advance in it. The optometry job also offers more sociable working hours which fit better with my personal life and as its with a large well known company which is Boots it has a high level of job security even in economically difficult times.

It is a nice dilemma to have but it is still a hard decision

Valli

Pandabunnie wrote: »

I'm 22 and I feel its time I begin a proper career so I can begin to develop and advance in it. The optometry job also offers more sociable working hours which fit better with my personal life and as its with a large well known company which is Boots it has a high level of job security even in economically difficult times.

If it were me then I would be going for the optometrist job, really. There's no contest.
I'm a regular in our local Boots and the staff turnover CANNOT be high - many staff have been there a good while now; so they must like it! And I am talking years.


Enjoy your new role!