Difficult and important career decision.

Hi,

I had an interview last week and it left me bewildered about a decision I have to make by the end of the week. It's a small company with a fast-pay system already created by former employee and it needs to be re-written to support iOS (iPhone), maintained and updated every year. The company looks for two people and I could be one of them. I'm going make a list with pros and cons.
Pros:
• The workplace is modern, with everything you need and the space is huge.
• It does not require any previous working experience, which is rare in this field
• If I take the job I’ll have to learn a lot of new things, most of which quite helpful for the future
• According to her the work is not that much (at least once I get used to it) and she offered me to set it as a part-time job so I can work something else or study if I desire/can.
• And the most important thing and the reason that get me so bewildered is that she offered me to pay for my education. This is big! In US or in any other developed country this may be common, but here it’s rare! And considering I had to drop out and start looking for a job because I couldn’t pay my tuition, it’s even bigger.
Cons:
• Even though she says the work is not much I’m going to do the job of four different people – Web Designer and Developer, Software Engineer, System Administrator and Assistant.
• I have to learn a lot of things I have small or non existing knowledge about, which is going to take all my free time
• I’m more interested into freelance web design and development. And I was working on my portfolio until the last week. That’s why I quit applying for professional jobs a few weeks ago, and focused on unskilled and less involving jobs. I've probably sent this application a month or two ago. Taking the job means that I have to cease any of my personal work, at least until I get used to the work and supposedly becomes easier.
• There isn't any superior you can ask for help. She is only going to supervise and not take any part of the coding. And I’ll have to educate myself on whatever I don’t know which I have to find myself, as well. And if there is a problem I’m going to be on my own. Considering I don’t have any experience it may be tricky, but I guess it’s normal and maybe the best learning environment.
• On signing I have to agree to 6 month training period in which I cannot quit and she can fire me anytime she wants, at my expense.
• She will pay for my education only if I make long-term commitment in the company – promise to stay at least 3 years. Which of course sounds reasonable, but it’s something that has to be considered.
• I was too anxious to think clearly during the interview, so when she asked me what I expect to be my remuneration I quickly said – 700 bucks (around 400$). It’s after that I realized that I might've underestimated the work. The sum is more than what I would earn as unskilled worker, but I wouldn't be able to live on my own with that. I would ask for more – 900 (550$) for the first six months. I would be able to live on my own with a roommate and some restrictions.

I hope you understand that this is new to me and it’s frightening. I have low self-esteem and I’m often in depression and working something I know like 40% about is scary as hell. The place is not actually certain. She said she is impressed and it’s looking good, but there is still chance that she might find someone else, which I’m ashamed to admit, sounds relieving. That’s why I want some money so I can begin CBT and get rid of that curse. I’m all about following your dreams and going where nobody has ever been. This would suggest sticking to my freelance web-dev project. But I’m also about facing your fears. At least I’m trying to be. What I ask is for an objective opinion, because since the interview I have this pressure in my chest and I cannot do anything productive.

Hello Xzahn,

Well congratulations on doing the interview. I just want to add a few more thoughts. I can understand your apprehension as this is all new and scary. But you have nothing to lose in trying it. She said you have to agree to not quitting in the first 6 months, well you have every right to make a decision to leave if it does not suit you. Unless you try it, you won't know. Most work places have a probationary period at the start where it is a trial for employee and employer and there is usually an induction so you feel familiar with the company. The money side of things is not as much as you wanted but is there oppotunity to earn more, most emplyers advertise the base pay. Being in a job shows other employers that you can work and means when you move on you are more likely to get the wage you want.

Thank you for replying. I now realize that my post may be a bit too long. I agree with everything you said. I just don't want at 40 to end up working something I don't want and living a live I don't like. I've seen great deal of that and it's probably one of my greatest fears. Today I turned 20 and it makes me think about my future even more. But you're right, I won't know unless I try. Thank you for the help again. All the best!

That is what i would tell you too, you won't know until you try. it sounds like an interesting job, if you don't like it you can always quit. i only wish i could do something like that!!

Its an interesting job indeed, but it has its dark places like any. And yes, despite all I'm going to give it a try.

"Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson