I may have asked this before

11 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 26,2024 at 5:47PM UTC

   I've done it. So here are some things to consider:

   1) Part-time jobs generally come without benefits, so be careful about jobs that post a job as part-time with the projected hours just below the state law's requirement for full-time work and benefits (in my state, full-time starts at 30 hours, and you see a lot of part-time jobs posted at 29.75 hours, which is legal but shady).

   2) Be sure you can afford to pay for your insurance. Start with the state insurance ACA workplace (healthcare.gov) to find out what you would qualify for and the cost.

   3) Any time off, including sick days, is likely not paid if you are part-time, and if you get/accrue sick or vacation days, it is at the percentage of full-time (or less) you work.

   4) If you are considering returning for your master's degree, and this is how you feel you can best manage your time, consider online master's degree programs that let you study and do classwork on your own time. There are many excellent and accredited programs out there. You may even want to consider finding a job in your chosen field with a tuition reimbursement program. Checking out the career center at your chosen school can help you find that type of company/job.

   I wish you all the best. It's not for the faint of heart, but you can do it. It just takes some planning, budgeting, and discipline.

2. AnonymousAugust 26,2024 at 9:05PM UTC

   I created an LLC to consult for 2 companies part time first as a side hustle. The work now provides more income and greater flexibility and I've been doing it for years and just recently (last 2 years) left my full time job as a w2 Employee. I am part time and enjoy autonomy and flexibility.

3. GirlBossanova934974August 28,2024 at 12:53PM UTC

   It's time here to say wait a minute or let's give this one some thought. Before you go any further, what is your degree in and how did you get yourself into a call center? I have run call centers and they are designed to make the company money, not provide career advancement unless one gets into a basic supervisor role. So the best thing here is to see if your college degree is better suited for another line of full time work. LAST, before you go back for an advanced degree and go into debt and/or spend a lot more money, the career track should be clear and quantifiable aka you know where you will end up and how much you will be paid. If you are not having much success in your full time job search, perhaps you should go on LinkedIn and look for someone who can craft a resume for your chosen profession. Perhaps a role at a financial services company with chances for advancement?

4. AnonymousAugust 28,2024 at 1:46PM UTC

   I'm glad you reached out. I'm sorry you're experiencing this and it's making you freak out. Take some time to breathe.

   Reacting to a bad experience by going to another bad experience can happen.

   Is there a way for you to carve some time for yourself - to regulate yourself? During the day. Just for wellbeing? Also, to use as time to plan.

   For many people, the years right after graduation are very hard- because the world can be a harsh place and perhaps the supports of home/friends/school aren't there.

   Let's build up some supports. Consider your school's Alumni relations and Alumni Career Services. They are there to help- at the very least to help you review your post-graduation work/further education plan. There may even be alumni in your city that would hop on a call (to help you with a job or just someone to talk to).

   Awful employers are bad for one's health.
   Shore up your supports (family, friends, hobbies, activities, spirituality, therapy).

   I recommend the series "Designing Your Life" by Burnett and Evans. They were college professors and their books are taught on campuses to help grads and adults realign with their skills and goals.

   Your questions are valid. In my experience, going from FT to 2PT only works if the schedule and pay or the grind is getting you where you need. Some theorists are suggesting that FT work at 1 employer is becoming outdated, so by all means don't plan your life based on what some of our experiences have been. Seek to learn more about what you want (and if you know, seek paths that get you there). It does start with a plan- ideas and numbers (costs, etc.). If you can carve out time to get this plan written, great. If you need help, seek out others. Heck, ask the local librarian where to go for career advice- they'll tell you.

   If finances are a big factor, stay true to them as you make your choice. Maybe you have wiggle room to cut expenses (or face moving).

   Go you for expressing your interest in graduate school at work. They responded in an odd way. (Who knows, maybe they thought you'd need money thus more hours- but they didn't include you in the decision). Can you reduce your hours back down to what you want? Shift departments? If you can make your life tolerable for even a couple weeks, use that time to explore. Heck, if you go back to school, there could be scholarships or you could work at/near the school. Some schools have rolling admissions. Some, you may need to start now for next year.

   Use the next few weeks or months to start quiet quitting at work and start looking around- for grad school, for helpers, read some resources, look for other jobs, plan your finances. That way, you're poised to decide your next steps.

   In summary, you're learning now how to go get what you want. Find the helpers in your life. Your current employer is not one of them. Doesn't mean you have to leave yet- if you can keep them in the background. Don't sacrifice your wellbeing.

   Good luck and go get it!

5. JenniferAugust 28,2024 at 5:39PM UTC

   I work a day job and then another job at a shop that allows me to work 6-10, I don't know that I can do anything else!

6. AnonymousAugust 29,2024 at 5:20PM UTC

   Just like your current situation at work (with sudden uptick in hours), part time work can often do the same. Even if we let our employers know we have a fixed schedule they may not "hear" that and prioritize the needs of the business vs your needs to continue your education.

   It may seem flexible to have 2 part times, but my experience was daunting. You run the risk of burning out quicker and there's no built in vacation time without sacrificing your pay. You've got 2 years in your current workplace and you seem to have mastered what you do there, are there any other opportunities to advance/transfer where you are now? That may help get you back onto a normal schedule.

   I'm sorry that you're in this bind and being in a micromanaged department adds to the frustration, I'm sure. Going with 2 part times though may have a similar effect as you have now. Remember that you won't really know until you get past the first 90 days at any workplace to really know your managers and work environments, so you may be jumping from one frying pan into another.

   Tough job market to try and stand out in right now too. I might try getting in your management's face a bit more and ask for special projects and expressing that you'd like to advance there, doing that in combination with your job search gives you more options.

   I found that 2 jobs was more mentally taxing than anything and although I made my schedule clear to both jobs, there were definitely times that they interfered with my other commitments. Having said this, that's my experience and could be different for you. Only you can truly determine what works for you and how much you (mentally and physically) can handle! Good Luck and be kind to yourself!

7. AnonymousAugust 31,2024 at 4:17PM UTC

   I'm about to go from full to part time. I was laid off in June and will start a new position 9/9. The pay per hour is more than I was making before (25%) and I'm nearing retirement, so I thought it was OK to make this change. I may pick up something really low key (front desk at the Y on the weekend).

8. AnonymousAugust 31,2024 at 8:34PM UTC

   it may be tempting however you intend to work two part time jobs , you may not be able to pick and choose your hours, when I managed a retail store the part time people were scheduled evenings and weeks and holidays , first consideration went to full time then sometimes I had to cut hours part timers were cut first , now that again is retail however I have known people who worked part time jobs and it was a juggle leaving one job going to another sometimes 14 hour days , and if your hours are cut nothing you can do,

   also I don’t know if you need health insurance but once you leave full time most places dont have it for part time and if they do it costs so much it’s not worth it

   lastly I have not seen part time jobs that offer vacation or sick time or mental health days you may be giving that up as well

   good luck !

9. AnonymousSeptember 1,2024 at 2:23PM UTC

   your question is authentic and I hear your concerns. But you're also "all over the map" with this. You have bills to pay. You have educational goals and other things you want to do. You "want" to go back to school. But do you NEED to work full time, or can part time suffice? It sounds like you NEED full time work, because you are proposing "two part time jobs"- I am having a hard time, therefore, understanding what you need. Decide on what you NEED to move ahead with school and "other stuff"- My initial response here is to say: "hold the plan"- keep your current job, and spend more time on knowing PRECISELY what you need financially and a timeline to move ahead with your education. You're going to need to map out a very clear plan before you decide that your current job (which is boring, stressful, too many hours, etc) isn't working for you.... You're not going to accomplish ANY goals, nor be any happier-- by zig zagging all over the place..... This is what I sense when I read your post- Your feelings are understandable, but realize that your employer is NOT RESPONSIBLE for your goals and if the employer increased your hours/made your schedule crazy-- that is a different issue entirely. No one is stopping you from doing anything! make your plan and then execute steps very carefully.

10. AnonymousSeptember 6,2024 at 9:35PM UTC

    Honestly, I would follow my spirit versus asking on a forum where you’re going to get all different kinds of answers which may eventually make you feel more confused. I posted recently, and deleted it because some people respond in ways that are not necessarily user friendly, and they don’t know everything, but your spirit does. If you pray, then let that guide you as well because people can never give you the correct answer on these life-changing decisions. Personally speaking, I’ve always lived outside of the box and always follow my own spirit and that works. Life is too short to be miserable and working for a company that could care less if you stay or leave. I do like that idea of starting your own business and you could do that while you’re working full time. You just have to pace yourself and also there’s a thing of doing the least amount of work as possible to keep your job until you’re ready to leave. Call centers can really make things seem more hyped than they are and usually you have to do something really radical to get fired so just use it as a bridge. Someone asking you why you are in call center work is an example of what I mean because maybe that’s all that was available at the time so like I said, some of the answers will just make you feel worse. So, follow your heart and your inner spirit.

11. Jennifer WehrendOctober 6,2024 at 12:59AM UTC

    What did you decide to do?