Hey everyone! I'm not really looking for advice, just some input and things to consider to help me make my decision.

I recently decided to start seasonal work and travel again. My plan was to begin this summer. However, I've just been offered the assistant manager position at the store. They would even fire the current manager if I wanted to run the store myself. I would be required to work two nights a week, but would still get to open three days a week, and of course I'd get a raise.

They know of my desire to travel and do seasonal work and are still offering me the position. I told them if I accept, it would only be for six months to a year. The offer still stands.

Doing this would give me the additional training I need to get better positions when I do venture out into the world... Most places I've looked at require supervisory or management experience for their positions.

It's kind of ironic because this morning I was telling myself I need to apply for assistant management positions instead of entry level jobs. Those are lower pay and there's no guarantee of private accommodations. I was thinking how nice it would be if I could find a place willing to train me. Not more than an hour later, the owner's daughter came in and offered me the position, haha.

Working at this store can be stressful. Most likely the manager will either quit or get fired in the next few weeks, if not sooner. I would then be either the acting manager or the manager for however long I stay. It's seldom fully staffed, which means overtime. But, it also means getting valuable experience which will help me in the long run. Seems like a no brainer... take the job and wait until Fall or Winter when I will be in a better position, financially and experience wise, to follow my dream of traveling around the United States. I could be a traveling supervisor or manager, lol.

Anywho, I will most likely take the job offer. Just want a little input and some things to consider. Thanks in advance!

I would agree with you. You can travel anytime but you may not get the chance to work at managerial level again.

I know you really enjoy seasonal work but this chance is too good to pass by and as you said yourself, you’d be in a better position to go after higher paid jobs when you wish to travel again.

Just my two cents worth

Thanks Delightful, I appreciate your input.

On my way to the chiropractors I realized I could always treat this as a seasonal position. I'm willing to commit for six months, and there are still places around here that I want to see. Plus they said if I want to take an extra day or two off, they would try to make it happen.

Reminds me of the drowning man parable... A man was on a roof in the mist of a flood. He asked God to save him. A few opportunities were presented but he refused, he said, "I'm waiting for God to save me". The man drowned, and when in heaven he asked God why he didn't save him. God told him "I sent a truck, a helicopter, and a boat, but you refused all of them".

This morning I told the Universe and my angels that I welcome their support and guidance, and that it would be nice if I could find a place that would train me as an assistance manager.... And they sent that opportunity my way, immediately! Not exactly what I imagined, but exactly what I needed.

Hey river ..

Things to consider ..

Is it just a title ??!
Are you going to get formal education in the role or be self taught ???
I recall they offered you a managerial position in the past ???? The role was given to someone much younger (Please forgive me if I have that wrong).
What is their motive for now offering you the position ??
Is there conflict with the existing manager ??
How many staff would you manage ???
What makes the role different to what you do now ?

If you really want to get into management consider gaining educational qualifications . Or a role where you are provided with study opportunities as well as on the job training .

If you are concerned about seasonal work prospects then It makes sense to stay put .
If you enjoy your job and it was not a factor in you wanting to seek seasonal work then It should be an easy decision .

Best of luck

Definitely stay and get more qualified/experience. There is also Covid 19 to think about. I would stay until things have settled more.

You get more pay, more experience at a higher level which you can put in your resume and will give you access to similar jobs elsewhere.
Win - win!
Go for it girl. More pay gives you more space when you get to travelling as well.
Doing this for a reasonably short time will also benefit you in the future. If you have access to better paid jobs, you may get even higher still, and be able to rent a nice place to live, healthcare etc etc.

I would not give all that up right now. You've worked too hard to get here. Don't throw it away now that you can reap the fruit of your own labour!

All very good things to consider. And yes, I turned the offer down before, a couple times, haha. Mostly because I planned on staying here and wanted a life. The store has serious issues with getting reliable help, so working extra hours generally falls on the manager and assistant manager.

I will give serious consideration to the other things you mentioned.

Thank you Blondey.

Yes, there is covid. And even though I planned on getting the vaccine, as an entry level employee, I might get a single room, but would have to share living space and bathrooms with others. That doesn't sit well with me. As an assistant manager, or manager, I would get my own accommodations.

Plus learning a new skill in an environment that I already feel comfortable with, and with people who adore me, will give me a little more sense of security and safeness. I have a tendency towards PTS, and going into a new place to learn something new would being setting myself up for major stress... kind of silly, lol, when I can learn the stuff I need right here.

Yes, I've worked my arse off in that store. I deserve to reap the fruit of my labor. I want that damn title and recognition, haha.

I was thinking about this yesterday. Starting over again at entry level. It's time to change that, and I'm totally capable of doing it. And now I have the opportunity to do so. Entry level is fine in the situation I am now, of course I'm not really, I'm the lead cashier. But going from seasonal job to seasonal job at entry level, you don't always get treated well. I know this from past experience.

Haha, I've been doing card readings. The same cards keep popping up about new beginnings, leap of faith, an opportunity coming to me, and reaping the fruits of my labor. They said the opportunity that comes to me will pave the way for a better future. I was thinking that meant I should jump at the chance for seasonal work right now, but now I'm thinking this is the opportunity they were talking about???

I'm up for the challenge! If I turn it down to take an entry level job that pays $3 less than I'm making now and have to deal with 25 year olds in my living space, I will probably kick myself over and over again. So, I'm taking it.

In the meantime though, Blondey makes a really good point about formal education. I can always take a couple classes while I'm doing this job.

Ha, just thought of something. I already have the Bachelors Degree. It's in psychology, so all I would really need is a certificate in either management or hospitality. Cool beans!

There you go!

And yes, I think the opportunity for the future is to stay here just a li'l while longer.
You don't always need certificates and diplomas btw. These days more and more it's your experience that counts. And having the skills and showing this.

In any case... I'd say staying is the winner in this.
Your ticket into a better life, no more living with young girls, but your own space.
You deserve to get that!

I have no words of wisdom, River, but good luck.

Thank you cat. :)

Thanks! And yes I do! I agree about the certificates. Most of the places want hands on experience. Some want you to have a four year degree, which I already have, so with a little more experience, I'm good to go!

Haha, my roommate is going to go crazy. I'm good at doing that to him. He just got used to the idea that I'm leaving, and now I'm staying a while longer.

Oh well, changing your mind is a woman's prerogative :)
And he gets to enjoy your cooking, brownies, and cleaning for a li'l while longer.
He'll get unused to the idea of you leaving when you bake him something nice, haha.

I worked a few retail mechanic jobs where I advanced to ast manager of the shop.
If you find the job stressful now, ast manager/manager is a rude awakening.
Dealing with the public is fickle at best, add to that the responsibility of keeping face, making sure complaints are handled fairly, only increases the stress level.
Customers with complaints can be difficult to handle in the name of "the company".
Make sure the company provides management training (even for ast managers).
Many in management gain salary but they are paid a fixed rate with bonuses vs hourly pay. I spent many hours into the night handling my duties with no 'extra pay'.

Many times a management position advancement sounds good but doesn't fit once you live it.
Do a bit of research which includes talking with others from other stores in your nerw position and look at the turnover of old management at your own store. If they go thru managers fast, there's probably something they don't tell you.

See if you can do a trial run with the option of returning to your prior status. At one shop I got it in writing 'before' I agreed.

Be prepared for issues which started with the prior manager to rear up on you. Customers which were not 'handled' correctly which give you trouble because they can. Problems with reports, sales figures, the list is enormous and comes unexpected. Plus, its all stressful far beyond the stress you know.

If you can make it all work and handle it right, it can be rewarding. Bonuses and bennies are nice. Plus the resume beefs up a lot with manager experience.
But, ya gotta be strong and emotionally sturdy.

Good luck to ya!

You are smart to look before you leap.

What exactly do you have in mind for traveling the United States?

If you want the best end, it can be proactive to begin with the outcome in mind. Whether that be a specific end date with a specific learning objective, or beginning having in mind a permanent responsibility / specific career outcome.

Hi River, just read this. I didn't know you had turned down the manager position offered to you before. Well, if you want experience as a manager take this opportunity to gather managerial experience. I think in a small store like yours which seems to be under-staffed most of the time, it will be more work for you. But just remember, you are gaining experience which will look good in your resume.

I agree with others. If you are looking to go up the ladder in the hospitality field, take online courses to get a certificate or diploma in this field.

Whatever you decide, my dearest friend, do want makes you happy.

Thanks Tom, all good things to consider. The last manager had been there for years, she and I worked extremely well as a team. I've there for 15 months, five months in the past, I'm pretty familiar with the downside of being in charge there. Which is why I've turned it down in the past. Saying yes now would only be to get trained in areas that would help me get a leadership position in about six months from now.

I will only except hourly. The last manager was salary and lived at the store, haha. Being hourly, they will make sure I don't work too many hours. The current manager is hourly and they bring in extra help so he doesn't have too much overtime.

The biggest issue is do I want to add more stress in my life, even if it's only for six months? Also, what am I willing to do and sacrifice so I can get to where I want to be? It would be nice to have an easy job and just ride horses after work, but am I going to be happy with working entry level positions and making a dollar or two over minimum wage. I worked my tail off to get what I'm getting paid now, taking a significant loss in income might hurt me in the long run.

There's definitely a headache that comes with the position, least in this particular position. Fortunately, if I do take it, it won't be cast in stone. I won't be forced to stay there, I have the choice to walk away.

Thanks Lane. I don't have anything specific in mind. I mostly like to travel, so seasonal work and travel is a means to do that. I like variety, so working in different fields and areas works well for me. The cool thing with seasonal work is that you can try all kinds of different roles and learn new skills along the way.

The main issue is with housing. I prefer my own living quarters, and I have a tendency to take leadership, so I want to explore that aspect. It would ensure private occupancy with housing, and give me a sense of accomplishment. I'm capable of much more than I often give myself credit for. I end up getting bored with the entry level positions.