Hi everyone,

I am in a little dilemma. I have the opportunity to travel abroad for one month soon, just for a holiday with family and to relax. I am in two minds on if I should go or If I should not go.

My main concern is my job. At the moment I am not working in the field I would like to, I basically work in retail in a low paid, minimum wage, part time job. It’s one of the jobs I got when I finished university and got my degree, I don’t really see myself staying in this job for life, and do not really enjoy it too much. I see it as a job which just basically pays me. I have been in this job for nearly a year now, and have not really applied for anything since.

Now I have this opportunity to go abroad for one month. It is something that would give me a break, something which I think I need. Also it could give me the motivation to apply for better jobs suited to my career goals and educational background when I come back.

The problem or fear I have is I may have no job to come back to when I return, as I don’t think they would allow me to take a month of work to go on holiday. And my main concern is that I may not find work straight away when I come back, due to the recession. Therefore may be stuck. Although my job a simple job, at the end of the day it does pay me money.

So I have these two minds, one saying I should go, and one saying I should not go.

I just need some thoughts and opinions, and what you all would do if you were in my position?

Thanks

Hey Dean,

I've just found myself in exactly your situation, only mine wasn't a relaxing holiday for a month, it was for a month's work experience in London (I live in Warrington). I have a flat and it is paid for by my low paid menial job for BT... or it was. I took the opportunity but only went for two weeks, and still lost my job! I don't know what to advise you really - I can only tell you what happened to me. I know that I'd already made up my mind straight away though, and that that's what I ended up doing. I absolutely loved every second of my two weeks in London, but now am desperately having to hunt for a job to keep the flat I live in! If you don't have this kind of responsibility I'd say go. Go now, and don't look back! I agree it's a motivation to find a better job and try and do something you want to do. However, if you're like me and have some more responsibilities, I'd consider it a bit more thoroughly first. But like I say, I'd made up my mind almost instantly and went with it regardless - I guess it all comes down to one question that only you will ever know the answer to - is it worth it?

Sorry it was quite vague and inconclusive, but I hope it helps in some way! Good luck!

Hey man,

Go for it. You have ambition to do something else, so go and do it. It can become a trap to be stuck in a low-paid job 'just because it pays the bills'; the reality is you'll stay stuck in that job with no prospects until you force yourself to get out and do something else. Not that my personal experience will match yours, but similarly I graduated last year and had been doing a terrible, thankless call centre job until last week when I got the sack last week because they didn't need me any more - I was a temp and I guess they just needed me for a few months, it was easy for them to just end my contract and here I am unemployed. I've done a bit of part-time teaching and although its also not my field, I may go abroad to teach English for a bit - it beats effectively being hired to deal with complaints about a company that doesn't care about its customers and rips them off, which is fine because you're there as the lackey that gets all the blame..ha ha man do we really need these modern sweatshops?   The job market is different these days, employers have the upper hand and there are going to be a lot more employees getting the short end of the deal.. anyway I don't want to go on about it too much, but really it's your life and you've got to ask yourself if you're doing what you want to do or have worked for.. if not, just make the decision to change it; because unfortunately at the lower, service-oriented sectors of the economy; your decisions WILL be made for you, like it or not...

Warren82. SPOT ON!! I think you need to go..go and don't look back...the fact you have already mentioned that going will inspire, you are not in your field, and trapped..GO FOR IT..what are you waiting for? And yes, a job is a job..but if you are on minimum wage you can't do any worse when you get back..and trust me..someone is always willing to pay someone the minimum wage to do something! Best of luck...