Hello all, I'm not sure if this is the correct place for this topic. My youngest daughter is doing a PhD and works in a call centre as a supervisor part time to pay her tuition fees. She has worked in the call centre for 8 years, during the final years of her undergraduate, masters degree and now her PhD. The current call centre manager is leaving at Christmas and my daughter has been offered the role of manager on a part time basis with an increase in her salary. Whilst she has accepted, requesting a trial period (as yet no contract has been signed) she is in a quandary. On one hand this position would resolve her financial difficulties. On the other hand the current manager has gotten the place in a mess. The search for a new manager would have left my daughter in the position of having to clean up the call centre whether she accepted the promotion or not as she has the most experience. One of her main concerns is her PhD, and her employer has told her that she has their full support with regards to her studies. In her heart of hearts she doesn't want the promotion or the responsibility, her focus is her studies. The decision to most people seems straightforward...a promotion with a pay increase, part time hours with her obligations to university supported, however there is a something holding her back and she doesn't know what to do for the best. The call centre is in a mess without any real potential for a supervisory team/management support. She feels caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. If she takes it, the role could become too much. If so doesn't, the place is open to yet another manager who doesn't know the business. My concern lies with her well-being and happiness, and I am of the opinion that I am perhaps too close to the situation to properly advise. Any advice, ideas? Blessings to all.
Greetings. As a university student myself, I say "RUN!" Employers will say they respect your studies, but when it comes down to it, all they care about is how the business is run. I've really messed up my coursework in the past by trying to balance responsibilities in both worlds, and the only person that is going to suffer here is your daughter.
part time management position = full time job without benefits. really, she's the one that knows the company and the business and what kind of commitment the job will require, as well as what kind of commitment her studies require. all i would say is to make sure she considers all angles before jumping to a decision either way.
I would suggest that your daughter find a new part time position. A call center management position isn't something I would risk not completing a Phd for. I imagine she is already over qualified for that type of job.
Wise words. If she's about to earn her PHD, long term it's probably likely better to take a part time job within her field doing anything and borrow the money than it is to take on too much responsibility at temporary gig.
I don't think that accepting the position would gain her any benefits. Tell her to be selfish and focus on her studies. There are a ton of people who would probably want a management job, and even if they don't know the company, and continue to mess it up, she's already used to a chaotic and non-nonsensical work environment, anyway. And like others have said--there is no such thing as a part time manager.
