degree paid for my work

HoneyAndLemon

Just wanted some help.

I previously did 2 years study towards a Psychology degree. Withdrew early from the course and started working in a bank.

Im a cashier on the counter and want to finish a degree part time in the evening. Its a business studies degree. I may be exempt from the first 2 years because of my previous study so it may only take me 1 year to complete.

I've picked business studies because its relevant to what I do now as the course covers the economy, personal finance, management, HR, etc, but its also relevant to the wider world should I ever leave the bank.

I work for a large bank who sometimes pay for study as long as it is going to benefit the business. I think it will. I've applied for it but my line manager has to ok my application. However he fails to see the use a degree is to a cashier. And has said I dont need one to move up. I believe I may as well have a degree as I previously put 2 years work into getting one, and have always thought graduates tend to do better.

Its not down to him to make the decision, head office will. I appreciate they may very well say no but I still think I should try. I dont think he should stop me. He's asked me to justify why the bank should back me. Im struggling with how to put it into words, any suggestions?

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

HoneyAndLemon wrote: »

Im struggling with how to put it into words, any suggestions?

If you're struggling, just imagine the difficulty your line manager must be having. He may be worried that if he okays your application and it is rejected higher up that it may reflect badly on him. Just speculation on my part, of course.

Lovelyjoolz

You might be better talking to HR on this. They would be able to advise you more on what is considered suitable training.

On another point, part of a psycology degree is not going to count towards a business degree. You'll have to do the whole thing I thing. Or if it counts at all, you'll only be able to skip the foundation year.

If I were you, I would look at a degree in Business & Finance, or even just a finance degree, rather than business studies. It is more suited to a banking role, and might be more acceptable to the bank?

HoneyAndLemon

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

If you're struggling, just imagine the difficulty your line manager must be having. He may be worried that if he okays your application and it is rejected higher up that it may reflect badly on him. Just speculation on my part, of course.

Hmm you might be right there. He said he doesnt want to spend an hour on something (all he has to do is click submit but ok) that will be rejected. Reckon hes worried about himself and how he looks.

His main argument though is that he personally doesnt see the point in degrees because he doesnt have one. And that you dont need one to move up in the bank. I understand that but I still would like to do one, and I dont know what the future holds so I may not even end up in the bank.

I also wouldnt want to do a finance only degree as that would limit me in the future. Also I know I may have to do the full 3 years, but again thats not his problem.Its not coming out of his pocket. All he's agreeing to is that he supports the application i.e. time off, which I dont even need as its in the evenings.

ILW

Why do you need anyones permission to do a degree?

Errata

What banking qualifications have you studied for and obtained?

skintandscared_2

ILW wrote: »

Why do you need anyones permission to do a degree?

Because the OP wants them to pay for it. I think the sentence "and I dont know what the future holds so I may not even end up in the bank" reflects the manager's reservations as to what justification there is for funding you for this, if you will just get your degree and leave anyway?

shop-to-drop

Have you checked out the OU? May be more suitable for you than work funded study from what you have said. Doesn't sound like you want to commit to a career at the bank so they won't want to invest time and money in supporting your degree.

podperson

Tbh there tends to be quite limited funding for things like this and you would need to clearly set out and justify how them paying for it is going to benefit them - ie how is it going to improve the way you do your job or how will it benefit your development within the company.

Since you're at lower level they may not see the benefits in this. I don't want this to come across wrong but roles like cashiers can often have a high turnaround so they may feel they would be investing in someone who may not stick around in the company (and you say yourself you don't know if your future will be there).

Also, on the chance that they do agree to fund you make sure you carefully look into the terms and conditions as often if you then leave the company within a set period of them paying your fees then you will be liable to pay them back.

HoneyAndLemon

podperson wrote: »

Tbh there tends to be quite limited funding for things like this and you would need to clearly set out and justify how them paying for it is going to benefit them - ie how is it going to improve the way you do your job or how will it benefit your development within the company.

Since you're at lower level they may not see the benefits in this. I don't want this to come across wrong but roles like cashiers can often have a high turnaround so they may feel they would be investing in someone who may not stick around in the company (and you say yourself you don't know if your future will be there).

The only reason I'm saying I might not end up in the bank is because I dont know what the future holds.

Also, the turnover isnt high here for cashiers. Minimum time for a cashier here, besides myself, is 10 years.

With redundancies and the current financial climate etc I would just like the flexibility of a degree that wouldnt solely restrict me to banking or finance.

I looked at OU but this way works out cheaper, even if I do end up funding it myself. I'm not really bothered if they cant pay for it because I can afford it myself, but if you dont ask you dont get

Claree__x

I would make the point that you may not need it to take the next step in your career at the bank but a step up generally requires more responsibility/resources so you would like to invest what free time you have now into your education, as you may not have the same time capacity as you move through the grades.

Not sure if they'll go for it but it sounds better than "'Cause I want to do it".