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Career Oportunity Arises - Is it worth it?

N

NetCadet

Senior member
I recently was approached by a fellow that I do a fair amount of computer upgrades and maintenance for on a contract basis. He is a local accountant who has offered me a full-time position in his office that pays fairly well, and has also suggested the possibility of helping to pay my way through school to become a Chartered Accountant, and eventually pass his business on to me when he retires.

It really is quite a wonderful oportunity, however I really am not sure what I should do. For one thing, this career would likely be pretty much a lifelong commitment requiring me to stick around here.... "here" being a small town of just over 5000 population. Until this point I had always planned on moving to a city to work or continue school when I had completed my various computer contracts in the area. Now I am not so sure.

If I turn down the job, I will most likely work either as a Database Architect/Administrator, in Network Security, or perhaps even Web Design - or continue my education in one of the following fields: I am considering Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Business/Finance. I have the marks and the funds to do pretty much anything I want in that list....which doesn't make my choice any easier.

At this point I really have no idea what I should do. I was hoping that perhaps some of you may be able to share opinions and perhaps note some considerations that I may have missed. Thanks a bunch!
 
I think you've answered your own question. The position might be secure but it isn't in line with your long term goals. You stated you've got what it takes to pursue something better.I say stick with your original plan.
 
This is what's known as a "life-decision" that ultimately only you can make. I would not even attempt to advise you without knowing you personally. Sorry.
 
as you may be discovering, working on 'puters as a part-time thing can be fun, but as a full-time occupation, it may be different. If accounting sounds interesting, you might want to try the position but consider a merging of the two positions: tech support in accounting. by working with his offer for a year or two, it gives you a chance to make some contacts, get your feet wet, get some experience under your belt and perhaps allow you more information on an ultimate career. In any field, a company prefers working with tech support that knows the demands of the customer's work versus just software/hardware knowledge; that's where prior field experience comes in handy. Consider also, that a normal career today usually involves 5 major job changes, and the normal college student will change their major, at least once.

my dad gave me a bit of wisdom that has saved me several times: get schooling and training for the job that you really want; you may not be in a position to have that job immediately but if the chance arises you want to be in the best position possible.

good luck
 
Long time no see Cadet 🙂 You don't seem like the type that would want to be an accountant full time. I'd probably pass on the opportunity. You don't need to lock yourself into a pair of "golden handcuffs" (working in a job you don't like, but not leaving because you like the pay or feel obligated to stay where you are). Besides, who wants to stay in Alberta their whole life? 😀
 
I would definitely be interested in learning some of the ins & outs of the tax system, however that is only a small part of the big picture in accounting. Both parents of one of my friends are accountants and they have told me that it is the most boring job in the world, however it pays well and is very secure in comparison to jobs in certain areas of the tech industry.

Basically, they said that it's very repetitive and it is most certainly "work". However if doing the same thing over and over for 8 hours per day, 5 days a week doesn't bother you, it's a wonderful job.

I can't really say whether that would start to get to me or not, however I find myself thinking that it would start to bother me after a while. Although, isn't that sort of what every job is like? I mean, a job is just that...a job...it's work - you do your job, you get paid, what you do on your own time is what really matters, no?

The main things that bother me about what should be an easy decision are:
1) Who's to say that my original plan would be better? Or even that I would make more money? If I found myself unable to find a decent job after 4-5 years of school, would I really have made the right choice?

2) Is it really worth investing all my own money in school to study something that I may not like any better (and perhaps would not even pay better) than accounting?

3) I really am not sure what I want to do at all yet, as you can see from all the different fields of education I am considering in my first post. Perhaps this would help me to make up my mind?

On the other hand, signing my life away to this job could be the biggest mistake of my like - I just don't know, I'm really uncertain what is the right thing to do. At the same time, I feel pressured to make a decision because I absolutely hate sitting in limbo while everything zooms past around me.

hx009,

Perhaps you're right...Regarding the Alberta thing: that of course was not in my original plan, however my girlfriend has ties here that are important to her. So, until that relationship is over I'm kind of stuck here so to speak. 🙂 Anyway, check your PM.
 
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