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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Which job option would you choose?

70 replies

kravestix · 22/08/2021 11:15

I have two potential options to choose from Job wise. I can't decide. Which would you choose? I have a three year old DS and a DH.

OPTION ONE:
6am - 8am Six Days a Week
Uni 3 Days a Week Term Time 11am - 3pm
Take Home: £1206

  • Potential to earn an additional £219.12 a Month working an Extra 6 Hours a Week which would make Take Home £1425

Positives:
School Holidays off with DS apart from Morning job until 8am. Maybe 9am if doing additional Hours. But Whole Day free from 9am.
Mondays and Fridays off from Uni.
Time with DS. Time at Home.
Eventually opportunities to earn more after doing and have a career after Uni.

Negatives:
Extra Hours not guaranteed.
Will only qualify for 30 Hours Nursery if doing the extra hours. Otherwise only get 15 hours Nursery.
Waking up at 5am, six days a week!
Will need to go to bed earlier. (Night Owl here. Sleep Late, Wake late.)
No career progression with Job.
Higher petrol costs to get to Uni.

OPTION TWO
8:30 - 6:30 FT Job.
28 Days Annual Leave
£1500 - £1550 Take Home + Bonus Opportunities

  • Time and a Half 1 in 3 Saturdays 8am - 1pm

Positives:
More Money.
Bonus Opportunities.
Career Progression may be possible.
Back into FT working Environment after being home with DS for three years and jumping from PT to PT.

Negatives:
No School Holidays off apart from Annual Leave. Less time at home.
Less time with DS but possibly more valuable time?
Higher Childcare Costs.

Option One: YANBU
Option Two: YABU

OP posts:
sst1234 · 22/08/2021 12:05

Those are all very fair reasons and motivations. Teaching will bring job security that the car industry doesn’t have. That said, it takes a special kind of motivated person to study as an adult, it takes a lot of focus which is easier to have if you don’t have other responsibilities. In your position, going by what you have shared so far, I think the full time job makes more sense, because you will still gain transferable skills there. As teaching is not your passion, starting a full time course may mean you lose focus and drop out, having water and time funds.

SmokeyDevil · 22/08/2021 12:10

@kravestix

Fucking hate mum guilt. It's such a little bitch.
It is, but you need to stop letting it control you. Really, you working ft benefits him too, he will learn to be independent from you both easier than having to rely on you. He will manage without you being there constantly to collect him from school etc, an after school club or childminders won't affect him either. He will be fine.
FanSpamTastic · 22/08/2021 12:11

I am going to go against the trend here and say go with option 1. Your children are only young once - enjoy them while you can. Option 1 will give you the chance to be around for your DS while he is small and give you the potential for a future career longer term.

You do not say if you have factored childcare into the option 2 - but if not then take into account that you will likely need to put him into holiday clubs for at least half of all school holidays if you are working full time. Plus you will have to top up the difference between free hours and the hours that a full time job will require.

Coronado2 · 22/08/2021 12:11

Sorry, I missed that.

You seem pretty unsure what you want to do so I'd go with option 2.

As someone who thought they wanted to be a teacher, did a PGCE and does not teach now, I can tell you you have to be very sure it's what you want to do as it takes a lot of work to get through it and it will take a lot of time away from your son.

FanSpamTastic · 22/08/2021 12:16

But if considering a career in teaching then make sure to go and do some proper work experience in a school - it's very hard work and not an easy path. Early starts are the norm - most teachers seem to go in for 7:30 and they don't knock off when school finishes - they have marking, meetings etc to deal with after the kids have gone home.

dreamingbohemian · 22/08/2021 12:17

I would go with Option 2 and return to the degree plan when you have a clearer idea what you really want to do. There's no rush!

BoxHedge · 22/08/2021 12:18

Do you already have a degree in English, or whatever is it you want to teach?

I would think of doing a degree in creative writing as a hobby. To be honest I can’t believe the government is funding ‘loans’ (many are never paid back) encouraging people to spend time studying Creative Writing when the country is short on lots of occupations.

However it sounds like you would be being paid almost as much to study Creative Writing and do a couple hours cleaning each day as you would working a full time job, so I can see the temptation. The cleaning would be great exercise as well. I personally couldn’t do those early mornings though.

secular39 · 22/08/2021 12:22

I'm still not sure. It does not sound like you have a clear direction. If you were under 21, then exploring careers and studying subjects you aren't sure about would have been an ideal time. But your mid twenties is a very good time to be secure or have a plan in your career direction. This is very different from, working/studying somewhere for many years and then deciding to change careers/ directions. Often, these people have a clear trajectory of what they want to do next. You still seem unsure.

MiniTheMinx · 22/08/2021 12:24

Me personally, option 1. I'd rather study than work, I'd rather see more of my DC and less of the adults who I don't give a fig for.

However, if its a first degree you really need to make it pay off by choosing a degree that will lead to professional qualifications. Creative writing is a hobby. I did PPE, but only because it was a purely selfish interest that in no way impacted family or finances. Neither has it positively effected my financial situation. Whilst you are not ambitious you want to provide financial stability, on that basis job 2. You can always study later if you research a career that does inspire you.

burritofan · 22/08/2021 12:27

If you want to make a career of creative writing, you don’t need a degree in it, you just do it. I think in your circumstances, studying would be a very expensive indulgence. Take the FT job with career progression.

Gizlotsmum · 22/08/2021 12:29

Echoing others assuming the uni course would give you more potential warning power the job progression of the first job is irrelevant. Would uni open the doors you want for you? Does the uni have a nursery you could use? Might be cheaper? Short term I would do job one (if you could cope with the early mornings) and finish uni then look for full time

BerylBeaver · 22/08/2021 12:30

Studying at university
Writer
Teacher
Working in a car dealership

They're all very different and require different skillsets. Maybe none of them are right! Which one energises you?

If you want to be a writer I wouldn't bother going to uni.

LIZS · 22/08/2021 12:31

How much longer is the degree course? A minimum 4 year commitment is different to 2. What age group would you hope to teach?

Gizlotsmum · 22/08/2021 12:31

Having read your last post I think the second one would give you the financial security you crave.

Original poster
kravestix · 22/08/2021 12:34

@BerylBeaver

Studying at university Writer Teacher Working in a car dealership

They're all very different and require different skillsets. Maybe none of them are right! Which one energises you?

If you want to be a writer I wouldn't bother going to uni.

I do want to be a writer, yes. But that's something I'm already pursuing in my free time. Part way through my first book!
OP posts:
Original poster
kravestix · 22/08/2021 12:34

@LIZS

How much longer is the degree course? A minimum 4 year commitment is different to 2. What age group would you hope to teach?
It's 4 years. Then a PGCE would be an additional year. So, five in total.
OP posts:
PerpendicularVincent · 22/08/2021 12:35

I wouldn't commit to a degree unless I loved the subject.

As you aren't entirely sure what you want to do longterm, I would take job 2 and give yourself some breathing space to decide on long term plans whilst earning a steady income.

You may decide that you want to do a degree after all, in which case you can reapply to uni. Bear in mind though that creative writing may not give you a vast amount of career options post degree.

Whilst wanting more time with your DS is understandable, I wouldn't make this a deciding factor as he'll be at school fairly soon. Ultimately, you need to look at the best long term prospects for you.

Your DS will be fine whatever you decide, he's obviously very loved Smile

secular39 · 22/08/2021 12:38

4-5 years is too long to commit to a subject that you don't really want to do. I would go for option 2.

Original poster
kravestix · 22/08/2021 12:39

If I did the FT Job, I would still be pursuing creative writing in my free time and I will continue to write my book.

OP posts:
RubyFowler · 22/08/2021 12:39

Originally I put option 1 as I hadn't read your updates.
But I had assumed the two option were in a related field and the uni course would help you get on in that field.
Now I think option 2, if you're not totally career minded and think you can make a good living and be satisfied in option 2, do that and keep up the writing on the side.
Unless you really want to be a teacher I'd forget about the PGCE, I think that requires true dedication to the profession to maintain the level of work needed.
All of your desires sound like they can be achieved with option 2.

Original poster
kravestix · 22/08/2021 12:40

@BoxHedge

Do you already have a degree in English, or whatever is it you want to teach?

I would think of doing a degree in creative writing as a hobby. To be honest I can’t believe the government is funding ‘loans’ (many are never paid back) encouraging people to spend time studying Creative Writing when the country is short on lots of occupations.

However it sounds like you would be being paid almost as much to study Creative Writing and do a couple hours cleaning each day as you would working a full time job, so I can see the temptation. The cleaning would be great exercise as well. I personally couldn’t do those early mornings though.

I don't have a degree or A Levels. Yes, that was the temptation of Option One. But the early mornings are putting me off.
OP posts:
Original poster
kravestix · 22/08/2021 12:42

@RubyFowler

Originally I put option 1 as I hadn't read your updates. But I had assumed the two option were in a related field and the uni course would help you get on in that field. Now I think option 2, if you're not totally career minded and think you can make a good living and be satisfied in option 2, do that and keep up the writing on the side. Unless you really want to be a teacher I'd forget about the PGCE, I think that requires true dedication to the profession to maintain the level of work needed. All of your desires sound like they can be achieved with option 2.
Yes, I think you're right. Go with the FT Job Job continue my writing in my free time. I'm definitely swerving toward this option.
OP posts:
RubyFowler · 22/08/2021 12:44

Also with option 1 you'll have to find time to study outside of uni hours, so might not be as much time with DS as you imagine?

I understand about the holidays, I had major concerns about that when I went back FT.
My DC are fine though, and my advice is to find other parents in the same boat as you so you're not comparing yourself and your DC experiences to SAHM.

Doyoumind · 22/08/2021 12:51

Surely there are alternatives to a degree that would help with your writing? Don't do a degree unless you're dead set on it, particularly if you ate relying on loans. Why build up debt doing something you're not sure about? Work in the dealership for a while and reassess your options when you don't have the burden of childcare costs.

Gwenhwyfar · 22/08/2021 12:56

8.30 to 6.30 five days a week is a very long day for not much more money than option 1. I don't really understand how option 1, which is only two hours' a day would give you so much money. Have I misunderstood?