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Should I spend three more years pursuing a degree in a field I dislike?

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Question - (14 December 2013) 2 Answers - (Newest, 15 December 2013)
A female United Kingdom age 30-35, anonymous writes:

this isnt really a relationship question but more of a futuristic decision. I have never been confident, stuck in a dead end job, got a great degree but all employee's care about is previous experience. I ask myself how can u get experience without a job.

Well I know what I want to do, however I am more than happy to go on an apprenticeship or trainee position if it mean't ganing a fulltime good paid job at the end of it. SInce I havent had any luck finding anything matching my future career plans I decided the best way is to gain some experience of working in an office/administration, with whatever company/industry I could. At least it would be a start.

Now I am stuck, I have second interview for a trainee position, not great paid but thats not a major problem atm. However I have to undertake another degree, it is in something I dont particularlly want to do, which is payroll (this wasnt stated in the job description), and whilst it would be a good thing to learn, I ask is it worth going through 3 years of training, on a rubbish wage, to be qualified in something I dont even want to do for a career?

I ask this because I applied thinking I could gain experience and use that to progress into what I wanted to do, however I cant really can I? For one, how would i explain to my potential future employee why I watsed 3 years doing something i didnt want to do, and secondly, I have read on the interenet that in afew cases the company have claimed back training costs if employee's have handed their notice in. Whether this is true or not i don't know but either way I feel its more of an arranged marriage.

I'm confused which path i should take, I know this job wouldnt be all that benefical except for the extra money, but could the experience help? I am treated awfully at my current job and although I love the people I work with the management leaves alot to be desired! Rota's arent done until afew days before, cannot even arrange appointments and you get penalised if you can't work overtime when they want you to at such short notice. So as you can tell I am desperate to get out, as is everyone else. I currently work in retail so not alot of opportunities within the company as the mangers only promote people who they feel arent going anywhere in life. E.g - those who have a degree and it is obvious they will better themselves and move on are left behind. Yes I am aware its unethical and unfair but action has been taken so many times and due to the owner of the company liking the manager so much she gets away with everything.

What should I do? My ideal career is within automotive retail, so car dealership work mainly admin work to start with and progress as opportunities comes along. Im sorry if I am wasting anyones time but its affecting me emotionally and mentally as I am finding it hard to cope and its getting me down.

Thanks

View related questions: I work with, money, move on

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A female reader, Daisy_Daisy United Kingdom +, writes (15 December 2013):

Daisy_Daisy agony auntI think you're right that you'd have to pay back any money the employers spend on your education - and you may find that they expect you to work a certain amount of time (example 6-12 months) after completion of degree. That would tie you down for even longer than the 3 years, which is already a long time.

That's my experience with an employer who paid for me to do a masters (I stayed on for about a year afterwards) and again with another employer and a PhD (still there 2years later and kind of regret it).

As miserable as your present job is, I'd stick it out and keep looking for something else more suited to you. I know it's tough finding good work at the moment but hopefully you'll get lucky if you keep applying for new jobs.

Good luck.

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A female reader, Ciar Canada + , writes (15 December 2013):

Ciar agony auntThree years is a lot of time to spend doing something you dislike. And there is the possibility that any employer who pays for further education will want to be reimbursed if you decide to move on before they've gotten their moneys worth, which is fair.

There are many who still think that any degree will bedazzle employers and open doors for you but this simply isn't true. The degree must be for something that is actually in demand. In your case if it's in a field which you strongly dislike and plan to leave then it is a colossal waste of time and money.

What is stopping you from working in automotive retail now? Is there a demand in that area? And what if anything do you need to get your foot in the door there? Is it possible to take some other kind of position within that field and work your way up, or across?

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