WIll you work?

[CheckingMyPrivilege]

I'm in uni, finishing up my masters. My schedule is not heavy this semester because I have done the difficult subjects already and I only have three subjects to go before I finish.

I saw an ad for a shop assistant near my place. I have not done retail or shop assistant or hospitality, but I do have experience as a medical receptionist.

My husband said I don't need to work. Will you work, if you were me?

Definitely try it. I hadn't worked for 9 years after having children and it really got my confidence low.

I recently started work in a beautiful shop and feel much better about myself.

Why don't you apply and see if you get it first?

Working and new experiences are good for you though, broaden the mind and all that!

And it always looks good on your CV to have lots of work experience, no matter how unrelated to your chosen field.

IMO No life experience is ever wasted -- if you feel you can cope then try it.
Good luck

I always think a job is good for having structure in your life, meeting new people, gaining new friends and a respect for people that do the type of job that you may not fully appreciate from the other side of the counter.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained and you may not even get it. It could go to someone with more experience or longer term plans to be employed there.

I'd apply for it. It gives you other things for your CV, recent experience, interpersonal skills, cash handling, possibly responsibility of handling problems, cashing up etc. all of which are good to have on your CV, even in an IT role.

But if you don't have previous retail experience, I'd try to get it before considering other issues like whether you'll see old colleagues.

If people look down on you for the type of work that you may be doing currently, then THEY have the problem, not you.

If you want to go for the job - then do. You may find having a few hours away from your studies and doing something completely different will help - if you have less time to study it might actually focus you more, IYSWIM.

Also, any work experience is never wasted. It is something for your CV, and will also provide someone to give you a reference if/when you look for work in your chosen field.

If you don't need the money but want to be busier, then I'd do some volunteering or some relevant interning/ work experience in the field you are qualifying into. Leave the job for somebody who needs it for the cash/ isn't embarrassed about working in a shop.

Do you have other paid work on your CV? Because if not, I'd definitely suggest you go for the job now - having been in employment demonstrates you can turn up on time, do what you're asked, and be reasonably pleasant to colleagues. None of which is necessary when you study. If you've got plenty of work on your CV, then that's not an issue.

If people look down on you for the type of work that you may be doing currently, then THEY have the problem, not you.

Yup. A lady from my master's (very specialised field of psychology) is an insanely talented film set photographer and jewellery designer, and on the weekend helps out at a local market bakery stall. She seems to duck out/avoid eye contact when she sees me, but I'd love to tell her that I think she is kicking ass career-wise and doing amazing work not to mention the free sourdough.

Yeah, I did have a whole other career in another country before we moved here. Here, I had a three-month experience as a medical receptionist. Then I did the one-year internship, that was paid.

I would if I were you. It sounds like a nice job and you might get to try nice cakes. I wouldn't worry about your colleagues, if you meet them you can tell them about your masters but in general they won't care.

I would work - it gives you change of scene, a change of pace, experience and some extra money.