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Anonymous

11/26/19 at 1:45PM UTC

Career

Transitioning to Part-Time

I'm transitioning from full-time employment to part-time employment. I'm going back to school for an advanced graduate degree and want that to be my main focus, but I still want to work. I have 7 yrs. of finance experience and over 20 years of professional work experience in various fields. My current job is too demanding and stressful for me to stay onboard while pursuing my degree, and I've already had that conversation with my boss, so I see that it's not a viable option. I recently received an offer for a part-time bookkeeper position and I'm excited about the opportunity. It's closer to my home, I have the skills to do the position, it's a small office and the staff seemed happy and were very friendly. I met w/ the owner for the interview and we had a very interesting conversation about life in general, and I think that she is someone I can learn from and would work well with. Besides the decrease in salary, hours, and benefits, what are some other things I should consider and negotiate before accepting the position?

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LEANNE TOBIAS

4.13k

Investment real estate/sustainability

12/04/19 at 9:23PM UTC

Congratulations! I agree with the advice that you might want to let your employer know that you will not be available during exam periods. (You might consider making up the time during slower weeks or vacations.)

Anonymous

12/05/19 at 8:25PM UTC

Thank you!

Helen Hanison

436

Helen Hanison's Leadership Coaching

12/04/19 at 5:30PM UTC

Congratulations on this find - and not least, on piecing together a picture that has synergy between your work and life. I wanted to hop on quickly because I juggled a second degree too. While full time studying wasn't the same as full time work had ever been, there were real 'crunch times'. I think my advice to you would be to be direct about timetabling changes each semester and also anticipating seasonal crunch times around deadline or exam priorities from time to time. I wouldn't necessarily get into this level of detail until you hold a job offer to be clear - but anticipating the need to 'bank' more hours at work ahead of any calendar crunch will mean you can direct your attention where it matters at those times and will be something everyone appreciates when it comes to it! Good luck - and enjoy!

Anonymous

12/05/19 at 8:24PM UTC

Thank you for sharing.

Naomi

Writer, Artist.

12/01/19 at 5:05PM UTC

Congratulations on that degree, first of all! As a person who's currently pursuing my Master's, let me tell you, juggling school and a job is really difficult! Finding a job that also respects your decision can be difficult as well. I think my advice would be: - NEVER let them guilt you into being more flexible than you can. I was finishing a temporary position when I started my degree and they wanted me to do more than I could juggle. I was firm with them that, though my job arrived first, my education has always been a priority, and that when I spoke to them, they agreed that they'd honor my requests so neither my job performance nor my education were affected. They backed off. So I would say that 1) always be upfront that you're studying and that you still need a certain amount of time during the week to focus on your studies, and 2) never let them guilt you into thinking you can stretch yourself more than you could probably handle. Job flexibility is what I mean. I can't tell you much about salary or benefits, seeing as your experience in your field is way beyond the amount of experience that I have. Best of luck!

Anonymous

12/01/19 at 10:44PM UTC

Thank you for the advice. I definitely have stressed w/ them that school comes first. I've worked full-time and attended school at the same time, but I cannot do it at this point in the PhD program so I'll be working part-time and focused on school full-time.

Anonymous

11/26/19 at 7:18PM UTC

Hi! I would check in with the owner and make sure she is ok with changing schedules w/ school and see, just generally, her idea of workplace flexibility to ensure you can manage both while still taking care of yourself! It sounds like this is a great opportunity. Congrats!

Anonymous

12/01/19 at 10:45PM UTC

Thank you for the advice. My school schedule is set since I'm at the stage of writing my dissertation. It's independent study at this point and I've set a loose schedule w/ my advisor as I start the initial writing process.

Kuznetsova Vera

Digital and programmatic savvy

11/26/19 at 6:31PM UTC

Also here to congratulate you with the good changes! This is your first part-time job, but, as soon as you get used to it, I am sure - you will be able to get one more abroad, as you will see some difference in part-time book-keeping. Maybe even couple more! Not so complicated, but still with stable income ;) So, I am surely believe, that you will have only more positive, more flexible and more interesting jobs soon! Plus - education! Maybe, you will able to find part-time job in your college even! And a lot of employers, who is providing part-time job, are seeking among the students.

Anonymous

12/01/19 at 10:48PM UTC

Thank you for the advice. I've considered working abroad. That may be a more realistic goal once I finish this agree, but I have gone abroad a few times while completing my undergrad and master's programs, and have completed work abroad, so it's something to consider.

Crystal Rhineberger

2.29k

professional rofl nevermind lets just wing it

11/26/19 at 4:26PM UTC

I would say definitely let them know any changes in your schedule. Even though its part time there can be that “we need you outreach”, the guilt that comes w this is so strange to deal with. You feel torn between work and education priorities. However big congrats on taking this major positive life step!