In life, we face many challenges. Some seem almost impossible to us. But we mustn’t immediately dismiss something that might actually be a good opportunity, simply because we think we aren’t good enough for what we’re about to take on, or because we believe we lack the ability to adapt and rise to the challenge presented to us.
Recently, I was approached by an employer with an offer of part-time work in a sector I’m familiar with – one that isn’t entirely new to me, but where I’d previously only been involved in a different capacity.
I’ve had experience in the field for over 20 years, but I’ve always ‘worked’ – or found myself working – at the same company ever since. Many people have come and gone, yet I’ve always remained at that same company.
I felt that perhaps, if I didn’t do something different, my job satisfaction might be at risk. Although the salary isn’t to be sniffed at, it’s by no means enough for me to say that I’m paid above average for the type of duties and responsibilities I have; but perhaps I end up spending too much time for the amount of money I receive at the end of the month.
(I should also invest more in my own personal development, rather than relying solely on the training opportunities and support provided by the company. The last training course I attended was back in 2023, and since then, none of the courses on offer have really appealed to me, as they are neither in my area of interest nor relevant to my profession).
As I was saying, I was approached by a colleague who runs a modern private centre and who had just installed new equipment – some of which I’ve never had at my current workplace – and who would like to get things off the ground with my help, at least for the initial phase of the project.
I went home to think it over, but I was always very keen to accept. The terms would ultimately be those associated with taking on a part-time role. In other words, as I haven’t resigned from the company where I’ve worked for over 22 years, I’d have to use my free time to be able to work. For now, it’s just two afternoons or mornings a week.
The next day, I sent a message to the woman who would become my second unofficial boss.
I accepted!
And now, since I started this job, much of the time I used to have available to do some extra work has ended up being sacrificed. This includes the time I used to have to engage on the Hive platform, and the interaction with users, which is something I usually do on a regular basis.
I hope that in the near future, despite the learning curve being quite steep, this will bring me the challenges and the potential rewards I hope to achieve. With this, I also hope to finally complete my accreditation process for the integrated Master’s degree. I completed my degree before the Bologna Process university reforms, under which courses lasting five years or more would be equated with a Master’s degree, and would henceforth be designated as an ‘Integrated Master’s’, to distinguish them from the ‘standard’ Master’s. My qualification is at Bachelor’s degree level, although I have completed my studies; having had the opportunity, after taking a few more modules and earning the corresponding credits, to be awarded the Integrated Master’s degree. To do this, I have to prepare a presentation in which, based on my CV, I request that a period of work experience be recognized as equivalent, and then move on to an activity report where I highlight my CV and the roles I perform.
That said, and now that I’ve settled into both jobs, all that remains is for me to manage my time more effectively. It’s not a prison, but rather a need for better time management.
At my age, certain decisions I might make are already constrained. Among these is my main job, as everything depends solely on my income. As I am not married, nor do I live with anyone else, any financial responsibility will fall solely on me. And as such, any change to this stability would not be at all desirable.
Let’s see what the next chapters bring. For now, I am very motivated by the new challenges I am facing.
Wish me luck! 🍀
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Original text written by @xrayman in Portuguese and translated with DeepL.com (free version)
