Career question

[RosieLeaLovesTea]

Hi all

I am a middle level manager for a local council. I have 2 DCs almost 7 and one due to be 5 in September and starting school. I work full time. I used to work full time over 4 days but when I got a promotion to this job it was not possible to work 4 days.

I may have the opportunity to study a masters in management and leadership which will take 2 years. Work will pay for it. I know the job well. It’s on my doorstep so only 20mins travel. Flexible with working at home.

Also last week a promotion opportunity had been advertised in another local authority in the county about 30mins-40. Mins drive away. It is a big promotion head of the division.

I feel I do have the skills to do this. But it would be a lot of extra responsibility and stress. The job would demand a lot of extra hours. It’s approx a £10,000 pay rise. I don’t know what their expectations would be about going to the office everyday. But it would be very full every day lots of meetings which may run over at end of the day.

I feel torn. I don’t want to let an opportunity pass me by but also my kids are still so young. I feel I need to let them finish primary school if I want to take that step up.

What you do

A) stay where I am - I know the job very well, it’s on my doorstep so easy for school runs and I can hopefully study for the masters

B) Apply for new job

Doing a paid for Masters is pretty good. Would you ever get that chance again?

I'd stay where you are and do the masters, I have recently taken on a new job that I thought I could handle as DC were a bit older now.
It's a big responsibility and I'm having to work loads of (unpaid) overtime to keep on top of the workload and I think my children are suffering as a result.

There will be other promotion opportunities but the chance to do your masters paid will be rarer. Plus if current job meets your needs financially and works around family commitments then it's worth doing the masters for 2 years and then looking at promotion opportunities after that.

I'm not sure I would think that was worth it for an extra 10K, given the commute and extra hours. If your current role will fund a master's, I would do that now and then consider applying for a more senior role (with your master's) in a couple years time.

Hi all thanks or your replies.

Yes I am thinking sensibly get the masters under my belt and consolidate my skills to take the next step up. It would be really stressful and demanding. I would have to do a lot of extra hours to keep up with emails and prep for meetings. I should really just enjoy my free time with my kids when they are primary age.

There is nothing to lose by applying. You may not get it.

Don’t self reject. Put yourself forward for the job, interview for it, then if you get it you can make the decision.