Ava
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Post by Ava on Aug 31, 2013 10:14:11 GMT -5
Background; I've been with my current employer for 14 months. My job is entry-level financial analyst at a bank. The transition from working hospitality, food-industry to office environment was very tough for me, but I adapted. Now I feel comfortable in my job. My manager is beyond awesome; excellent person and good mentor. On the downside, it took me a while to adapt and he has me pinned down as an average worker. I've taken on more responsibilities and tasks, but he still perceives me the same way. I've started an MBA a week ago, love the classes so far, I'm very motivated. Current manager gave me permission to leave early for classes. I've also bought a plane ticket to visit family for the Holidays. The Company only allows one week vacation at a time but I booked for three (long trip and expensive airfare), knowing that my manager will find a way around this. Opportunity; Internal job in the internal website. Working as a fraud analyst. Same Company, same location. One grade up, better pay (supposedly), and 40 hours instead of 37.5. The job seems way more interesting to me. I feel like a I have a good deal right now. I'm covered for classes, and I know my manager will handle my vacation request well. On the other side, I don't want to stay too long on a job that is entry-level. Don't want to change employers because my plan is to move south as soon as I get the MBA. So, I don't want to become a job-hopper. What do you think? Should I apply?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2013 10:42:38 GMT -5
Yes, but you need to talk to your current manager about it to let him/her know that you are going to apply and your interest is just in advancement opportunity. It never hurts to apply for internal opportunities. If you actually have a really great manager, then if he/she thinks you have some performance issues that would hold you back from that position, they will give you that coaching during this conversation so that you know what you have to work on.
It sounds like you have asked for and been granted exceptions for school and vacation. That can be taken a couple of ways - that you are awesome and they want to accommodate you OR that you are kind of a pain in the behind that they keep having to support.
You don't get things if you don't ask, but there is no way I would be pushing both an exception for work hours + a 3 week vacation in my first year of work at an Entry level job. As a manager, you have told me that your priorities are you & you. With the limited information you have shared above and assuming you are competent in this job, if I was your manager, you would also be classified as a reasonable worker, but not a rock star that is going to get promoted. But I would have told you that once you asked for the second exception to work/vacation schedule since I coach entry levels so they can have a career path should they choose it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2013 11:07:38 GMT -5
Rock It nailed it for what I was going to say. You have to make a choice between easy gig and making money and advancing. As a manager I like having people that want the easy gig. It means I'm not going to have to train a new person for a long time. But as much as I like them, I'm not going to recommend them for promotion. They don't work for the best interest of the company if it conflicts with any personal events.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Aug 31, 2013 11:23:57 GMT -5
I think ava's boss really pushed her into the MBA. I could be wrong, but I seem to remember her posting that the boss had said/implied that the MBA was required for her to make it at the company. So I probably wouldn't view the flexible work schedule for school as an exception assuming that is something they offer to others in her situation.
I definitely think you should apply ava. The worst that happens is you don't get it, but even just applying will let your boss know you are interested in more.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Aug 31, 2013 11:29:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the answers. I think you guys are right in many ways. I realize I have a very easy ride right now. My manager accommodates me as much as he can. I like to think is because I'm a good worker and not because he perceives me as a problematic employee. I don't complain, always smile. I don't talk too much and never say negative things, gossip, etc. I'm also reliable and honest. I'm on time and don't call out. I'm not a rock star worker, and I have zero intention of becoming one. There's one of those at my place of work. My manager has this rock star who works with him in several projects, share responsibilities, etc. Then he has me. He gives me extra tasks too, but they are more administrative in nature. I don't mind; I like doing them. I'm also competent in my work function. If I decide to apply for the job, I'll talk to him first. I would never go over him, because I value and respect him as a manager.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Aug 31, 2013 11:31:07 GMT -5
He pushed me big time towards the MBA. And I leave early two days a week in order to attend classes. But those two days I don't take a lunch break. So I work the same amount of hours than before school started.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2013 12:14:16 GMT -5
Why are you pursuing an MBA if you don't have aspirations to be a rock star employee? That is a big investment in time/money to complete!
MBA gives you business strategy knowledge, so unless you have a desire to track towards significant management responsibility, it will have very limited career value to you. Yes, it will help you advance, but you have to want to advance in responsibility for it to do you any good.
I think the conversation with your boss will be good. For me if I had a strong & steady employee that wanted to advance but I need them more in their current role . . . I'd at least figure out how to give them a good raise to keep them in their seat!!
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Aug 31, 2013 12:59:08 GMT -5
A good raise will be good, too . But they only give raises once a year, in March. The reasons why I am pursuing an MBA are to advance in my career and also because I need the extra 30 credit hours for the CPA. I am not a rock star but I'm a quiet, reliable, and very honest person. An MBA is a big investment, but it's an excellent tool to advance. I don't see why it wouldn't work for me. I don't talk much, but I get along well with others. Managers in general love me.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Aug 31, 2013 13:40:41 GMT -5
I think that you need to figure out what you want. Do you want more responsibility, or do you want your degree? I think that trying to balance both of these might be tricky.
Also consider that you just started the MBA a week ago and you have no idea yet as to the time commitment. Going to school and working becomes a balancing act and it is VERY helpful if you are comfortable in your job first, because you can do it on auto pilot and don't have to put 100% thought into it.
i know you worked while getting your undergrad degree, but you don't want o o anything to jeopardize your first professional position.
JMHO
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Nazgul Girl
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Post by Nazgul Girl on Sept 1, 2013 7:57:07 GMT -5
I would just wait it out on my current job. Right now, you have the schedule you want and your boss is accommodating your needs. Since you're planning on moving to another continent in a year or so, why rock the boat ? Get what you want out of your current situation.
A new boss may not like you as much as this one, and may not care about getting you the time off for your trips home. They may not give you the time off that you need for your classes, either.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2013 9:29:59 GMT -5
She's moving to another continent in a year? What did I miss!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2013 10:04:11 GMT -5
She's moving to another continent in a year? What did I miss! I believe in another thread the OP mentioned how she was unhappy where she is: work, life etc. She is contemplating moving to Florida or back home. I believe Florida after her CPA was the final choice: more friends, people from the same background/culture, she would feel more at home.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Sept 1, 2013 11:14:40 GMT -5
I'm not planning to move to another continent. I'll move south; Florida is my first choice. If that doesn't pan out I'll consider other states; California, Arizona, Las Vegas NV. I'll travel home as often as I can. I decided against moving back because of lack of opportunities and all the time, effort, money, I dedicated to obtaining a professional degree here.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Sept 1, 2013 12:42:00 GMT -5
Hmmm, that's a tough one. Normally if anyone asks "should I apply for this job," the answer will usually be a resounding yes. Judging from your previous posts, it appears family is exceedingly important to you. So I think if your new boss in this new position wasn't as understanding with your vacation time, it would be a serious blow to you.
Unless you can somehow verify your vacation situation will be to your satisfaction at the new job, I'd hold off on applying. I don't know how long your MBA program will last, but I wouldn't think more than a couple of years. I'm just worried that you'll get depressed and upset if you couldn't see your family, since in the past that has been an issue for you.
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Nazgul Girl
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Post by Nazgul Girl on Sept 1, 2013 13:03:00 GMT -5
I'm not planning to move to another continent. I'll move south; Florida is my first choice. If that doesn't pan out I'll consider other states; California, Arizona, Las Vegas NV. I'll travel home as often as I can. I decided against moving back because of lack of opportunities and all the time, effort, money, I dedicated to obtaining a professional degree here. Oh, sorry, I had left off at the point where you were going to move back to S.A. So now, Florida. I think that's a good choice. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. If you are staying in the U.S., then by all means, apply for the better position.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2013 15:50:34 GMT -5
Ava I would apply. But you should talk to your manager first. It seems that you have a good relationship with your boss and hopefully he will be honest with you. He may tell you "great", or he may tell you that he thinks that given the MBA and the extra vacation time you take, it's not the right time / job for you now.
A couple of other thoughts: - a new boss may not be nearly as accommodating about so much time off, which I know is very important to you so that you can go "home" - how often do these opportunities come up? If they come up relatively often, I might opt to let it go for now. There's something to be said for "having it easy" while you do the MBA. (I assume you'd do the CPA exams after the MBA, right?)
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Sept 1, 2013 18:51:16 GMT -5
DNephew2 is doing CPA exam while taking the MBA. However he is in a full time program. Wants to have CPA along with MBA when he graduates. Kid got a great internship this summer that resulted in a job offer, which he accepted. He is not going through his final year of program job hunting. Got a sign on bonus and will stay 2 years for sure, longer if he likes it as much as he thinks he will.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Sept 1, 2013 22:05:15 GMT -5
I have a good relationship with the boss. He's very reasonable and a good manager. My plan is to do the CPA after the MBA. I decided to work for current employer around two more years, in order to finish my MBA. Then move south and do CPA there. I have read all the comments and really don't know what to do. I don't think managers in general are as understanding as my current manager. Basically I'm leaning towards staying at the same position for now. I'll like to get promoted at least once during my tenure at the bank, though. There are internal jobs opening up now an then, but this is the first one I'm really interested in. A couple of months ago there was a job opening for the same employer at a location literally five minutes from home(my current commute is 45 minutes each way). I asked my manager if he thought I should apply. He said it wasn't a good idea because that was an admin. job and I need to go forward and not backwards. He also said if I decided to apply anyway he'll back me up and give me an outstanding review. I decided not to apply to that one. My situation now is more complicated due to my planned vacation and my school schedule.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Sept 1, 2013 22:36:29 GMT -5
Ava, I think, if I were you, I'd stay put for now. Getting your MBA is important and will require a lot from you, considering you're working, too. With your vacation plans, and your need for more than the usual amount of time when you decide to visit your family, you've got it pretty good right where you are. The chances of all those things coming together for you under another manager isn't good, in my opinion. You need stability for the moment so you can concentrate on your studies, and you need someone who understands your unique situation. You have that right where you are, hon.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2013 23:43:56 GMT -5
You should check your company's tuition reimbursement policy. Most places I have worked have you reimburse what they paid in the prior 12 months. If you are planning on leaving in 2 years, then you should be aware if you need to pay some money back.
They aren't educating you out of the goodness of their hearts. Their expectation is that they educate you and you stay with them and they get some benefit from your schooling.
Does this business have a location in FL that you could transfer to?
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Sept 2, 2013 0:30:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the information, Rock It. I checked and it looks like they don't have a time commitment. They only cover tuition for degrees related to their business. I am applying for tuition reimbursement next week. They don't give much; enough to cover one class a year. Better than nothing, though. They don't have any locations in Florida or any other southern state I'm considering. They are regional (Northeast). I would love to stay with them if they were in the south; I like the Company.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2013 8:42:27 GMT -5
I would stay in your current position. Doing an MBA can be difficult and it's much better if you have a job where you are comfortable.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 2, 2013 9:08:31 GMT -5
Yes, you want to apply for internal jobs so you can keep moving up in the company and get a variety of experience.
That said, most of the jobs where I have been have a 2 year minimum for being in one job before you can hop to another. Although, I guess at one job if you were "special" you could move after 18 months. 14 months seems short. I feel that it takes people a whole year to actually become productive - especially entry level people. I would be kind of twerked if I had just gotten someone trained and they bailed on me. I have a department to run, this isn't a classroom. My job isn't to spend 12 months training and mentoring someone just so they can leave the desk empty. You will have to talk to your current boss and ask what (s)he thinks is the right time to move around in the company.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Sept 2, 2013 10:42:16 GMT -5
You can apply for a new internal job after 12 months in your current position. But after thinking about it and reading all the comments, I've decided to stay in current position at least after I come back from vacation and finish my first semester for the MBA.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2013 14:45:30 GMT -5
I hope you dont take this the wrong way but im gonna be really honest here. From reading your posts in other threads you started i think you seem to have issues adjusting to new situations. I dont know if i would call you a problematic employee but i think you are a person that needs to be handled more delicately than an average employee. And you and your current boss seem to have this balance figured out so i would stay put.
Of course this is my opinion only, it is based on how i read your posts. I may very well be wrong and you are in the best position to judge if a move to a different job where you dont know what to expect as far as the job duties and an accomodating supervisor is a good fit for you.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Sept 2, 2013 14:55:45 GMT -5
You can apply for a new internal job after 12 months in your current position. But after thinking about it and reading all the comments, I've decided to stay in current position at least after I come back from vacation and finish my first semester for the MBA. I think that's the best decision you could have made, ava. Once the vacation and first semester for the MBA are behind you, you can make better plans and decide if seeking another position is the right thing to do at that time.
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