I'm going to turn this down. Can you tell me if you think I'm doing the wrong thing?

[winkywinkola]

As I just can't decide.

I've been a sahm since 2005.

I have an MSc in marketing (2001) and a post graduate diploma in direct marketing.

I worked for 3 and a 1/2 years in an agency doing direct marketing.

Obviously the direct marketing world has moved on hugely since I did that.

A local marketing college runs intensive courses for marketing professionals. They are desperate for tutors.

I've been offered two days of intensive teaching direct marketing and sales promotion to marketing professionals.

There are over 100 slides all prepared and apparently, all I have to do is deliver them to the students, as it were.

I wouldn't just do that though. I don't like powerpoint much and I know I'd spend hours researching, brushing up, developing tasks etc for the intensive study days.

Plus I've never worked in sales so I wouldn't have any real professional understanding there.

I don't think I will take this teaching job because I've not worked in the field for ten years. The people I will be 'teaching' will be active and working.

I will feel like a fraud and I'm really not certain i can get up to speed with everything in time for next month.

I need to let them know by Monday.

Can anyone give me some perspective on this? Am I just being a coward?

Would this be a good why to get back into work?

I don't want to teach much but I guess the money would be useful.

Why do I feel like I am just not capable and should not do this.

Long post. Sorry.

[winkywinkola]

I should add I really can't remember much about my qualifications and work! Terrible.

[Hassled]

How much of this is just nerves? I went back to work a couple of years ago after nearly a decade out and the prospect was terrifying - I don't think I'd realised quite how much my faith in my own abilities had crumbled during those years at home.

So is this about that, or is it really about the details of the job? Presumably whoever gave you the job thinks you have the ability to do it - and if you try and it's awful, well, at least you tried and you'll have got past that initial back-to-work hurdle.

[winkywinkola]

The college are desperate for tutors. Five have left in the last year so I'm not at all convinced its my wondrous abilities they are after.

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

Hi,

In most instances I would encourage someone to take the opportunity back into the work place. However, I do wonder if it will dent your confidence rather than help to build it. You need to feel as informed as if not more than your audience and things have moved on so much esp with the growth of with social media since '05.

Having said all that....where does being a tutor it with your longer term plans? Being seen to be a tutor could be great thing to add to your CV.

So if you want to go for it ask for the slide deck to see what it covers (the fundermentals of marketing are still the same)? Get yourself signed up to social media channels and marketing e-newsletters and maybe start attending some industry events to plug the gap/feel current.

Good luck.

[tribpot]

I agree, this sounds like it could be a bad experience for you - and for the sake of two days' work, it could be extremely stressful. I think rather than doing yourself down you are correct in that your skill set doesn't match the requirements of this job. And the fact the college is going through tutors at a rate of knots is a very poor sign as well.

If this were a job that you really wanted but you were having a wibble about, I would absolutely say go for it and don't doubt your abilities. But I think your caution is well placed here. Keep looking - the right kind of work is out there for you.

[winkywinkola]

I turned it down. I felt relief afterwards which told me is done the right thing. And no more anxiety dreams. Thanks for all your thoughts.

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

Sounds like the right decision OP. Something better will be along soon. Glad a weight has been lifted.

[winkywinkola]

So something has turned up without my even applying!

My old job but on a freelance basis. Now the work won't be as regular but it's a great way to get back into the swing of things after ten years!

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

Excellent! See, it was all meant to be.

Great stuff. Do you need to apply/pitch or are you 'in' already?

[BranchingOut]

That is great!

Fwiw, minimum wage situations aside, I do believe in not doing a job that you don't want to do in the first place.

[winkywinkola]

I'm in.

My old line manager has set up her own direct marketing agency and has been let down by one of her usual freelancers.

She didn't think I would be interested and just contacted me on the off chance.

Gosh. I'm nervous as anything but she's a very kind and patient person so I know if there are any problems, she will be okay to help.

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

Yay, go winky!!

Sounds like a great way to get back into work. When do you start?

Btw I subscribe to the free daily e-news from e-Consultancy (I don't work from them honestly!) I find it really good and highlights trends in marketing in an easy format. It sounded from previous posts you might want to look at ways to catch up/stay current.

So pleased for you. Love it when things come together!

[winkywinkola]

Too kind you supportive lot.

I started tonight! Proofing a lot of copy! Need to buy a printer now but until I get my first pay cheque, I can't. Not to worry.