Leaving Job during pandemic

Sarah11 on 02/11/2020 - 13:32
Last edited 03/11/2020 - 17:46

Hi,

I am a student and have just been offered an internship at a top finance (fintech) company in Brisbane. They want me to work a minimum 6 months, with the potential for it to become ongoing. I teach stem subjects as a alternative educational facility/college.
I work fulltime. Both the internship and my job pay the same, so that is not really a consideration. The company is happy for me to work during starting April and return in the future if they are happy with my work for an ongoing position. That will probably be at the start of 2022. Question is should I quit my job now and take the risk that the internship doesn't work out (and I am left unemployed/working casually) or should I stay where I am and wait another year.
Thanks

Education & Work

Comments

  • dasher86 on 02/11/2020 - 13:46

    Speak to leadership about unpaid leave. The sooner the better.

    • Sarah11 on 02/11/2020 - 13:48

      I'm on a contract so the answer is no.

      • dasher86 on 02/11/2020 - 13:50

        okay.
        the next question i would be asking am i financially able to be unemployed / CRT and for how long.
        Consider chance of COVID-19 lockdown where CRT were not required.

        If it were me and i was could afford it financially i would take it.

  • Drakesy on 02/11/2020 - 14:06
    +1

    I think it's a no brainer, an unpaid internship in a field where you're expecting to grow your career is sometimes touch and go because you have to fund your lifestyle somehow.

    In this case it's paid similar to your existing job then take it. No point in staying in teaching if it's not going to get you into your chosen career path.

    I had to leave my fairly well paid job as a mechanic before gambling it on an engineering internship for $20 an hour, 3 years later and it's paid for itself multiple times over. Given your in the tech sector i feel the demand for you will be huge so job security shouldn't be an issue.

    • Zachary on 02/11/2020 - 15:34

      thought mechanics pays were shit…..either minimum wage or few or so dollars above it, like $22 to $28 an hour….? I guess ur lucky if ur getting $30 to $40 an hr as a mechanic….

      • Drakesy on 02/11/2020 - 15:45
        +1

        Yeah i was lucky to be on ~$30 an hour

  • POSITIVEVIBESONLY on 02/11/2020 - 14:20

    Note there isn't always a role offered where you transfer from an intern straight into a full timer. There may be a break period where they expect interns to go back to uni to decide who will they hire or send offers out to.

    If you are really committed to software, I would go straight for the internship and make it clear to your manager that you are looking for a full time role at the company to start right away. Work hard and smart, mostly likely they'll give you a role there.

    I did an internship at a top tech company where they called me back in April after ending the internship in Feb to offer me the role. That's from my experience, and not all interns got a role offered.

    Also congrats on the role, I recently got a new one too. ;)

  • waterbottled on 02/11/2020 - 15:04

    I would go with the internship.

  • soan papdi on 02/11/2020 - 15:10

    Practically speaking, there are a lot more software developer positions available year-on-year than are teaching positions. So even if the internship doesn't lead to a permanent role in the same company, it might open up other possibilities.

    Not to mention software jobs have more potential for remote employment, work-life balance, rise in pay over time, upskilling, travel for conferences and to other offices etc. If your current financial position allows you to take a risk over the next year or two, it is worth switching to software to see how you like it.

  • Sarah11 on 02/11/2020 - 15:12
    +2

    Thanks for all the advice. One of the issues I didn't mention is that I feel a bit guilty for leaving my school. They have been so good to me, and it feels bad to leave them having to leave them in a bit of a tricky situation looking for another senior maths teacher. If they were a-holes it would be easy to tell them I'm leaving.

    • Davo1111 on 02/11/2020 - 15:36
      +1

      One of the issues I didn't mention is that I feel a bit guilty for leaving my school

      If they had to downsize, would they feel guilty about letting you go?

      If they love you so much, why havent they put you on a FT contract?

      • Zachary on 02/11/2020 - 15:39

        If they love you so much, why havent they put you on a FT contract?

        I think she's referring to the kids being a nice to her and good, not her school being a nice work place, besides having nice kids for her class…

      • Hardlyworkin on 02/11/2020 - 15:41

        ^this
        Love =contract

      • Sarah11 on 02/11/2020 - 15:43

        I am on a FT contact.

        I understand everyone is replaceable, but both the school and staff have been wonderful to me. My boss is wonderful, the kids are great, staff are great. I hate leaving them with the added stress of trying to find a senior maths teacher november, as there is such a short supply out there.

        • Davo1111 on 02/11/2020 - 16:14

          Ok fair call. I misread a previous comment

    • Zachary on 02/11/2020 - 15:38

      DO you teach high level difficult maths or the easy maths?

      • Sarah11 on 02/11/2020 - 15:44

        Senior maths and physics

        • Zachary on 06/11/2020 - 02:16

          ….ssoooooo calculus?

    • POSITIVEVIBESONLY on 02/11/2020 - 16:53

      I understand completely, I have some teacher friends and they love their kids. It's hard letting go but you got to pick what you want to do in life.

      • Willco88 on 04/11/2020 - 10:30

        You get new kids every year

    • WreckTangle on 02/11/2020 - 18:45
      +1

      You need to do what suits you…no one owes you anything in life

  • w37hsyea on 02/11/2020 - 15:37
    +1

    Don't be fussed with leaving. DET and the principal will sort all of that out - it just comes with the job.

  • w37hsyea on 02/11/2020 - 15:37
    +1

    And hi-five for completing an incredibly difficult qualification.

  • mshanann on 02/11/2020 - 16:34

    The fact that it is a paid internship - I'd definitely consider it if the proposed work is of interest. Scout out job websites - or the company job page - and see if they are hiring in general in the region. Check the company stock price and see if it has been steadily rising over the last few years and that there have been no major lay-offs. If all the signs look good, take it.

    Make sure you complete the degree though!

    • Sarah11 on 02/11/2020 - 16:48

      They said if performance is satisfactory, there will be an offer

  • Scythic on 02/11/2020 - 16:41

    I was in somewhat similar situation, however my side job during uni was worse (CS mentor/casual tech support). I went with the unpaid internship which eventually became my job when I graduated

  • cille745 on 02/11/2020 - 17:33

    I'd get some clarification regarding whether there will be a job at the end of it, and what you'd need to do to meet that.

    I'd be hesitant especially considering that they've told you straight up that you're the nominated 'diversity' hire, and that your main appeal to them is your gender, and from what it looks like you really enjoy your current position. All up though it seems like a good opportunity, especially considering it's paid. I'm currently doing a university placement (also engineering) and the experience I've gained has been fantastic.

    I'd also check out what they'd actually have you doing, have they given you a position description? It would be a shame to end up doing admin work, as that happens for some placements.

    Best of luck though in whatever you choose, engineering is a hard gig

  • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2020 - 17:51

    If it really is a top tech company (which would not require or want you to abandon your education, in fact they push the opposite) and you have your opportunity there, you will be a top end industry salary, RSUs, ESPPs, unlimited holidays, free top of the range healthcare and insurances, free gym memberships etc. Also somewhere with great career development prospects and work specifically relevant to your field of study. Pay your dues with a the internship.

    It's a complete no-brainer.

    However, internship programs at top tech companies won't say you're a diversity hire and won't encourage you to abandon education.

    • w37hsyea on 04/11/2020 - 10:27

      Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s. 21A(1) A person must not stalk another person.

  • whooah1979 on 02/11/2020 - 20:08

    What is more important? Potentially making bucketloads of money or shaping young minds.

    • Sarah11 on 02/11/2020 - 20:33

      I'd like good paying pay that involves a lot of programming with the option to travel or even work overseas. That might be too much to ask, but that would be the dream job.

  • ms_caz on 02/11/2020 - 21:18

    Take the internship.

    You are a Maths and Physics teacher, and a good and committed one by the sound of it. You will ALWAYS be able to get a teaching job - we need Maths and Science teachers like we need air to breathe. Fair enough, if you leave then have to come back to teaching you will be back at the start of a contract again but it really will still be there for you if you need it.

    I know your school is great and that you will miss the kids but honestly the wheels keep on turning - they will miss you, and then they will deal with it and within a very short timeframe you won't even be a wrinkle in time.

    Teaching can be an immensely satisfying and rewarding career but you don't want to be in a place where you are left wondering "what if?"

    • POSITIVEVIBESONLY on 02/11/2020 - 22:36
      +1

      It's really hard to secure FT teaching spots at local schools that you want to teach at, there won't be a teaching role to come back to most likely.

  • OzHunterNSW on 03/11/2020 - 09:46

    I recommend you download the movie, To Sir With Love.
    There you will find your answer.

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