How would you interpret this? Work

[Whatsupbuttercup5]

I had a setback at work in terms of a professional qualification I’m studying for (exams wise).

The head of the team took me to one side and chatted to me about it. She empathised and said she had also had setbacks in her career. My progression is dependent on achievement of the qualification and she mentioned that everyone’s path is different - I may decide to stay in their team or may decide to move into another job, but I should just focus on getting the qual rather than the progression, which will happen.

While I appreciate the message, a ridiculous part of me was thinking that by mentioning my moving out of the job, it was a hint that she wants me out? I’m a good worker but still in my first three years in the workplace so quite junior all things considered

Are there other people in the team at the same level as you, who will now move on while you can't for the moment, OP?

I'm making an assumption in my head about the type of exam here and there are only one or two chances a year to taken them I think? So you may have a few months waiting time, but it would still be possible for you to work towards the next exam as well as any potential retakes? (if that makes sense!)

Yes that does make sense and think you are on the right lines :)

No one else in the team is doing them, they are all several years into the job and qualified. But it’s correct that lots of people do move on post qualifying

What held you back from getting the qualification? Is it that workload in this team is so heavy you don't have enough study time, so another team might make it easier to manage?

A combination of workload, little teaching time and being burnt out after finishing something I was working on, which all ate into study time. Some other people have failed historically also.

It just made me feel a little paranoid - she wasn’t rushing into encourage me to stay! I think the chat was more holistic though, encouraging me to think of a more long term plan rather than being so short termist

I'm not going to say what I think it is, but I know someone who has failed the last part of a series of exams a couple of times and did move on from the firm because she didn't feel supported (in terms of study leave, actually). You have reminded me that I should check how her last attempt went!

But hopefully the manager was just trying to be supportive, especially if the workload is heavy but is not giving you the right experience if you see what I mean - they may be wondering if you would be tempted by a different team for the experience side of things.

I agree that they may think your role isn’t giving you the right experience. In some industries like accountancy students will be encouraged by their tutors to find other employers if they fail as passing is only possible if you have access to the right experience.

Sorry think I may have explained things badly!

It is essentially my boss who has told me this.

I mentioned that I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to progress to the next level without passing, as this has delayed the next available exam opportunity.

She said, it’s not all about quick progression, think about your long term goals. Ie get the qualification and it will open many doors - you may wish to stay, you may wish to leave. This was all said in the context of my having obtained the qualification

I would just forget what she said and concentrate on the exams. She can’t force you on the basis of this conversation

Ah, that does sound supportive and not at all like she's expecting you to leave now, just that it may be a possibility when you have qualified.

Sounds like the sort of way I'd phrase it - give all the options, so you're not thinking about the single fail but all the possible ways forward. I must remember to mention "and of course I want you in the team so I'd welcome you going for it again, but I'm fully supportive if you feel you want to do something sideways".

It's fine, you're overthinking. Good luck on your next try!