Ok. I've been working in hospitality (bar/restaurant) for about 4 weeks. I proved I'm not stupid and I can get a job done quick and well. I've also shown an aptitude for guiding and advising other staff members as well as setting a good example for others. As such, I have been pulled aside and offered a promotion and training for team leader/supervisor to start this coming week. It's a pay increase and the apprenticeship is an accredited course.

The problem is I am already doing a degree full time but in my own time (distance learning) and the hours at this workplace make it difficult to fit study in. Especially since we never have rotas ready more than a few days before the new weeks starts, and I'm always on the crap shifts which means my days off or times my shifts finish are ones that mean I can't meet friends or go for an evening class. Even things like dates - I've had one guy I got on with back off because my availability was pretty bad.

However, I'm struggling to find work of the 9-5 variety I want without experience, for example office-based experience.

Also, if I accept the promotion, I'm expected to stay with them for about 2 years as they're paying for the course. Whatever the case, I'm still applying for positions elsewhere with hours to suit me, however unlikely it may be that I'll get them, but I'm not so sure how bad it'd look if I've accepted a promotion but moved on so quickly.

What are your thoughts on the issue?

Will the promotion change your work hours at all? To something close to the 9 to 5 that you want?

Often the expectation of a team leader/supervisor is one of greater hours demonstrating your commitment to the business.
Will you need to put in longer hours?

No change to better hours. If anything, I'll probably be expected to remain on the crappy shifts as they're the busier times. In terms of longer hours, I'll still be on a 30hour contract, though we always do more than that (around 35-40 hours) as standard anyway. The 30 hours is there for them to chop the hours if it goes quiet. What I will probably expected to do is complete some of the work for the apprenticeship in my own time.

"... What I will probably expected to do is complete some of the work for the apprenticeship in my own time."
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And how many hours in a day do you have where you are?
Holy smokes, girl! Talk about lighting the candle at both ends!

I'm not saying it can't be done! It definitely can IF you want it bad enough.
If it's just a stepping stone, I think I would pass!

Is it the money that is enticing you or the inner pride that they could see your potential?
I am seeing your potential from here! Just the fact that you are working 35-40 hrs. per week on a crappy shift AND working on a degree fulltime on your own!

Someone once told me to go for what I wanted in let's say 5 years from now.
They said that each step I took should be in the direction that takes me closer not further away!
Each decision that I make should also be in my goal's favor!

I wish you the very best. I know you will make the right decision for you for right now.

Thank you for your feedback, Ouizee. I can see reasons for the team leadership qualification, but it isn't my only route to where I want to be. There are plenty of other options (most of which will open up to me after I finish my degree, such as graduate schemes).

I just know that the extra money would come in handy, but it'll be a token payment and I'm doubting, the more I think about it, that it'll be worth it.

I think the main reason for me not turning it down outright is the worry that I'm cutting off avenues. This whole fear that what if 'the plan' doesn't work out? What if I NEED it? Obviously, that's just silliness, because if I manage to get my degree completed (and to a far better standard if I'm not splitting my energies) then something will work out, even if it's not what I wanted initially.

If the hours were better, I'd probably have taken it. But, as it stands, I don't see anyone. I don't have time to see anyone. So I know I'm suffering for binding myself to this pattern as it is.

I think I knew the answer, I just needed to talk it out... Especially since managers are pretty darn pushy about these things. Even trying to broach the subject today didn't really work out - he looked a little taken aback when I mentioned about doing a degree and having to do that in my days off, so he's obviously clocked that I'm not a machine and am stretched pretty damn thin... but then he started waffling on about shirt colours and making notices for the staff to hear about "changes". Sigh.

When you say that you are doing some of the work on your own time at home..does that mean that you are actually working with out pay?
Plus you mentioned that you are suppose to work around 30 hours but end up working more..are you on salary?
I think what you need to do is make a list of the Pro's and Con's. Write down what you like and what you don't like about the job. See how it weighs out.
Before you jump into taking the job, I think you need to sit down and really think about it. If you are going back to school and your job is getting in the way...your education is number 1. They should work with you around your college classes.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela

Thank you, unsure. I think my list was very much a mental one but the cons definitely outweighed the pros.

I wouldn't be working without out pay when I go over 30 hours as it's an hourly rate. If I do work on the the apprenticeship outside of work hours, that wouldn't be paid though. That's even if I have the time for that, given my degree takes up most of my free time.

I don't have set classes for my degree as it's distance learning, but that means I have to structure the two days off I have to ensure I am able to go through the course material, discussions in the tutor group forum and prep assignments.

I was thinking that though - that my degree has to be the priority. It's what will get me further so I really don't want that work to suffer by taking on too many other projects when I'm struggling to balance this at the moment. As yet my grades have been really good, but I know that will change if I stretch myself any more.