CAREER COACH
My internship is going so well that the firm wants to offer me a full-time job, while I finish my degree part-time in the evening. I have only one year to go and I was kind of looking forward to my senior year. But to have a job now is amazing and takes all of the pressure off. My parents don’t want me to take it. What do you think?
I think if you don’t get back to school and finish your senior year, you are going to regret it. Maybe not today, and maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life. (And if you don’t know that movie quote, then you don’t deserve a job, or to finish your degree before watching the film.) The goal isn’t to take the pressure off and find a job. The goal is to finish what you started and get the job you really want. So unless this is your dream job and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, thank the company profusely and decline. If they are that into you and if you stay in touch, I can’t imagine they won’t still be interested next year. And tell your parents, “You’re welcome,” from me.
Why are bosses so bad? I mean, I don’t know anyone who likes their boss. Is it just the nature of the job, that it makes good people act poorly? I ask because I’m in sales and I am not sure if I want a promotion into management. Thoughts?
Great question, and it is true you are not alone — 75 percent of employees don’t like their boss, according to a Gallup poll. That’s the bad news. The good news is that this makes good bosses very valuable because they are in short supply. It’s not the nature of the role, it’s the nature of the person, but the role does sometimes make good people act in stupid ways when they get caught up in their authority and responsibility. Some people just aren’t nice people and never should have been promoted to management in the first place. Let’s assume you’re not a jerk. I still wouldn’t make my decision about going into management because of that. You’ve got to do what makes you happy, and if managing others is your goal, then pursue it. Many sales people love to sell and don’t want to manage other sellers. That’s OK, too.