A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Dear friends,I need some advice on what to do. When I graduated, the career I had wanted was out of reach because there were no job openings. I was barely able to keep myself afloat participating as a subject in medical experiments and working night shifts at a hotel. A family friend offered his help, because his company has IT courses that cost a lot of money but are free to me because he's known me his entire life. I was hesitant because I don't want to be a charity case and because I'm uncomfortable with people doing things that big for me. I did it anyway. Fast forward to today: the course is going well, my classmates are nice and I got job offers from two companies, where I can start and have a long term career after I finish the course in January. They also said they're willing to fill the costs because it's mandatory for new employees to have that specific course I did anyway. (To them I'm still cheap because they didn't have to pay me salary during the runtime of the course.) In return, I'd have to work there for at least 3 years to be rid of the 'course debt', if you will. Sounds great right? I get to pay back my friend AND have job security for the coming 3 years. Only it just so happens that I just got an e-mail alert notifying they're hiring people for my dream career. This is something I've been wanting to do for years and years but never got a chance to because by the time I had graduated with the right papers, the job offer closed up. I don't know what to do. There's no saying I'd get through the selection process of my dream career, but if I do and they want me, I'd also be set for the coming 3 years at least, the difference being that they wouldn't pay for the course I did at my friend's, because it's not relevant for the job. So basically my friend would miss out on a lot of money and all the time spent on getting people to teach me if I went for this one. I've been thinking about sticking it out for three years to pay him back first and then pray the other job is still open (or open again) but this is the first time this position is opening up in a long time and I'm not getting any younger.Any advice?
View related questions:
cheap, debt, money Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 November 2015): if I were an owner of an I.T. company and I offered my friend to train for free I wouldn't expect them to pay me back ever,certainly not in the financial sense.The reason is that once you have the equipment and courses it doesn't take much to put one extra person into training as the whole show is already going well.He will respect you for your attendance and time but I don't think he will be wanting to ball and chain you.So if your dream job is there you can apply because your friend doesn't own you or want to hear your work related woes for ever,
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (29 November 2015): You only live once. Apply for your dream job, if things dont go to plan then you can use the qualification your friend helped you get to find yourself a job in that field instead.
Believe me, you will regret not following your dream.
There is a saying; some people die at 25 and don't get buried until their 75. Don't be someone who accepts the drudgery and rat race of life. Actually live it! Your friend will understand, it was his idea and offer anyway. You have this opportunity to apply for your dream job, who wouldn't want the best for you? If you get the job - you could write a cheque and offer to pay your friend for the value of the course or at least a gesture towards it. Or you could say you'll donate money to charity in return for his kindness if he won't accept payment.
Please don't give up on your dreams.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (29 November 2015): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionHi everyone, thanks for the answers so far. To clarify: I feel indebted because of his generosity. I haven't borrowed money from him. He owns a company that provides IT courses. He enrolled me in a course for free, that already had other people enrolled in it. I'm taking the same coursework they are and I make the same hours as they are. Companies are paying a lot of money for newly hired employees to follow this course and I'm getting it for free. The idea was that once I complete the course I have a bigger shot at getting a job.
...............................
A
male
reader, Been there Now over it +, writes (29 November 2015):
You say that your friend would "miss out on a lot of money and all the time spent..." Things are not quite clear.
Did you borrow money from you friend or do you just feel indebted because of your friend's generosity? What would the course have cost you if had paid for it? Does your friend own the company? How much do you feel you owe him to bring things even? Did this cost him personally?
If you owe him money or are deeply indebted, pay the guy off. You don't want to be the guy who screws a friend.
If not, have a talk with him. If he did you a favor with expectations that were obvious to both of you, you'd better return the favor.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (28 November 2015): Job security. You've invested time and money in this current path. Not to mention your friend went out of his way to help you.
The dream job may not be all that its cracked up to be. Stick with the more secure option. Plus you should really pay your friend back as soon as possible.
Good Luck :)
...............................
|
