Life Dilemma - Advice Appreciated

[coorsie]

Hi everyone, I'm Cori and I'm relatively new to the DIS. I've recently come across some pretty big decisions that I've got to make and I'm looking for some insight.

I am planning on applying for the Fall 2010 CP and I've been into this idea for a pretty decent amount of time (I heard about it sometime when I was in middle school, and I'm now twenty). I'm a hospitality major at the local community college and I've been working in food service for about five years. Hospitality is kind of my thing.

Now I know most of the posts right now are currently about the CP, and I'm hoping there might be some people out there to help me figure out how I should go about my latest dilemma. I'm not looking for you to spell out an answer for me, I'm just looking for other peoples' points of view and experiences to help me out.

My current employer's general manager handed in her two weeks notice a few days ago. I've talked to him about it, and over the next couple of months/weeks, he's willing to train me in what I need to know so that I could potentially run his restaurant for him. He understands that I still have school obligations, and that I am relatively young to be stepping up to take such a position. He's pretty much ok with whatever conclusion I come to, I just need to let him know soon so that he can take other action if necessary.

My dilemma: If I take the job, I will gain much more experience in the restaurant business, helping me out in the future. It's more money, but also more hours. He's willing to work with me step by step to make this happen. If I do take this position, however, I would not be doing the CP next fall, I'd be basically beginning my career in the restaurant business straight out of my A.A. degree. Working for Disney is also an incredible opportunity, should I choose to take that path. Keep in mind, Disney at this point would still be a trivial option, since I do not know if I would be accepted. I'll learn plenty either way, but the decision needs to be made soon and I've got pros/cons lists swirling around my head like crazy.

So... thoughts? Experiences you'd care to share? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[vickalamode]

I say, accept his offer, AND apply for the CP-like you said, you may or may not get in, but it can't hurt to try. And you can deal with the decision making if you get in, but it would be stupid to waste the opportunity you have laid out in front of you not even knowing if you'll be accepted or not.

[coorsie]

Originally Posted by vickalamode

I say, accept his offer, AND apply for the CP-like you said, you may or may not get in, but it can't hurt to try. And you can deal with the decision making if you get in, but it would be stupid to waste the opportunity you have laid out in front of you not even knowing if you'll be accepted or not.

Thing is, I have to make a solid decision this week. For the plan for the next year. If I still apply for the CP even after taking up his offer, I'd have to decline if I'm accepted because I will have committed to this position. I respect him way too much to up and leave the management position in less than a year if I get accepted into the CP. But if I had to decline the CP, it would be depressing.
So if I take this job, I wouldn't apply to the CP in January. If I decide I want a chance at the DCP bad enough, I won't take up his offer...
:

[DisneyAngie]

I have not done the CP, although I am a Fall 2010 hopeful. Obviously, you're the only one who can decide for you, but this is my thinking and what I would do.

I would hold off on the CP, and stay at the restaurant you're currently at. I am not in the hospitality business, so maybe my thoughts aren't worth all that much. But, it seems to me that essentially running the restaurant would be a smarter career move at this point than doing the CP. The CP lasts a semester (or two, if you extend), but this restaurant job could last longer. It sounds like it's going to be a bit of a transition, moving up from your current job, but it also sounds like there are people who are willing to help you out and walk you through it. That's a support system that may or may not be there in the future. Also, you would have a steady job, which in this economy, is not something to be taken lightly. The way I see it is that the opportunity you have with this restaurant is a definite, for-sure thing, which the CP is not (there are no guarantees that any of us will be accepted), and I, personally, would take the sure bet.

If you want to do the CP later, all you have to do is enroll in a semester of college. Other people can explaIin this much better than I can. I don't think you need to be enrolled full time (you might just have to be taking one class in order to apply). Also, if you took the restaurant job now and did the CP later, you would likely present yourself as a stronger candidate for the CP because you have lots of experience in relevant fields (I hear that previous work experience is really being stressed in applications now).

Basically, the CP will always be an option for you later. This opportunity at this restaurant probably won't be.

Again, just my thoughts. There are certainly other factors to consider besides the ones I listed. And if doing the CP is your most important dream, then by all means, ignore what I said, do that now and have fun.

I hope I helped even a little bit

[Princess Ash]

Honestly...

I'd take the position. This is a huge opportunity for you. You can always bow out gracefully and start applying for the Fall CP if you don't like it/time commitment is too much, etc. And, like you said, the CP isn't even a guarantee. You may find that you apply and by that time they are looking for someone new again. When you get IN to the Fall CP, it is then that I would start contemplating what to do.

If the CP means that much to you like it does to me and the rest of us here, then you will have to weigh the options then, but your managerial experience at a restaurant will look fantastic on the application!

But that's my opinion...hope it helped! Good luck!

[Princess Ash]

Originally Posted by DisneyAngie

I have not done the CP, although I am a Fall 2010 hopeful. Obviously, you're the only one who can decide for you, but this is my thinking and what I would do.

I would hold off on the CP, and stay at the restaurant you're currently at. I am not in the hospitality business, so maybe my thoughts aren't worth all that much. But, it seems to me that essentially running the restaurant would be a smarter career move at this point than doing the CP. The CP lasts a semester (or two, if you extend), but this restaurant job could last longer. It sounds like it's going to be a bit of a transition, moving up from your current job, but it also sounds like there are people who are willing to help you out and walk you through it. That's a support system that may or may not be there in the future. Also, you would have a steady job, which in this economy, is not something to be taken lightly. The way I see it is that the opportunity you have with this restaurant is a definite, for-sure thing, which the CP is not (there are no guarantees that any of us will be accepted), and I, personally, would take the sure bet.

If you want to do the CP later, all you have to do is enroll in a semester of college. Other people can explaIin this much better than I can. I don't think you need to be enrolled full time (you might just have to be taking one class in order to apply). Also, if you took the restaurant job now and did the CP later, you would likely present yourself as a stronger candidate for the CP because you have lots of experience in relevant fields (I hear that previous work experience is really being stressed in applications now).

Basically, the CP will always be an option for you later. This opportunity at this restaurant probably won't be.

Again, just my thoughts. There are certainly other factors to consider besides the ones I listed. And if doing the CP is your most important dream, then by all means, ignore what I said, do that now and have fun.

I hope I helped even a little bit

I meant to say the bolded too! So ditto!

[coorsie]

It's just difficult because although I know that the position will definitely help me in the future, I'm still a college student, and it's still relatively early in life to take the 'safer' stance just to gain experience in my future career... You know?
I've been looking forward to the DCP for so long, and being a live-at-home student paying my own tuition, I was not only looking at the CP as the experience of a lifetime that I've always wanted to do, it would kind of be that away-from-home college experience that I never had.
I've also considered taking a class and getting into the CP later on, but it doesn't make much sense for me to do something like that once I've taken the step of getting a 'big girl job'. To go from being a manager making whatever amount of money, to moving to Florida for a few months for an entry-level-type job... I don't know. I always kind of considered the CP as another way to gain this 'experience' and get an in with an awesome company. And to wait to do it after everything else just seems counter-productive based on my previous plans.

[allison k]

Okay, old person here. I had a similar decision to make when I was 19 and I agonized over the decision. So, I thought I'd put in my two cents.

When I was younger, I was in Drum Corps. The group I was in was doing well for a good comeback that summer and it's something I loved doing. In drum corps, you basically give up your life for the summer to travel around the country on beat up old busses and sleep on gym floors, just so you can perform...and you pay to do it.

Anyway, back to the decision. Before I was mentally committed to my group, I had interviewed with Creation conventions, the group that does Star Trek conventions and now a whole lot of other kinds. Part of the job would be to travel with the convention once a month or so and help with overseeing set-up, etc. Okay, pretty darn cool. Well, at first, I didn't get the job. About 3 weeks before my group starts hitting practices really hard, I got a call that they wanted to hire me. I could take this way cool dream job or pay $1200 to go on the road with my corps. I agonized. It was one of those life-changing decisions I wasn't prepared for. Anyway, I decided to stay with my corps. The fact is, you could only do it until you were 21 and it was truly one of the most awesome summers of my life. Oh, I also happened to meet my husband of 15 years that summer, he was my bus partner. Do I look back and wonder what would have happened if I took the job? Where would it have taken me? Absolutely. But you know what, I have no regrets. However, I regret not marching in drum corps my age-out year when I was 21. That's a bigger regret to me than not taking a job.

You're only young once. Think about what would make you happy, not what you think might be best for you. If it's the job that would do it, then go for it. But, don't live to regret not doing something you always wanted to do since middle school. It's okay to hold off on getting a big girl job. I have a feeling the memories you would get from the CP will be with you a long time.

BTW - I just happened to see the thread title on the main board and it caught my eye. I just had to read it!!!

[MarinaAndCharlie]

I can't decide either! I've rewritten this like ten times.

Here's what I would do. Think about it in baby steps.

1) Disney aside, would this manager position be too difficult for you at this time in your life?
- Its your last semester of school.
- Its a lot of pressure and stress
- Its a lot of hours and it will be exhausting
- Will you still have a personal life? (remember that you're 20!!)

2) How long would you want to stay in that position at that specific restaurant anyway? Is it a year, 2 years, 10 years? If its on the shorter end of the spectrum, you would still be able to do Disney relatively soon (after the manager position). Also, if its a short time period, think about if you were a potential employer. Would you rather have someone who can run a family owned restaurant or someone who can deal with a high volume of guests (thousands!) in a widely respected resort?

3) Is it really so bad to take things slow? I'm 20 as well and I got an internship in the marketing department in the office where my mom worked at the time when I was 15. I wear nice dresses and work in a cubicle but this place is way too ahead of where I want to be at 20. Thats a main reason I'm doing the CP. Make sure you pace yourself. You'll have the rest of your career to work your way up and a lot of the time, the hard steps in between are the best part of the whole processes. Its like Miley says "It aint about how fast I get there, it aint about whats waiting on the other side, its the climb"!

PS I think the CP is a wonderful way to celebrate graduating!!!

[Princess Ash]

Originally Posted by MarinaAndCharlie

I can't decide either! I've rewritten this like ten times.

Here's what I would do. Think about it in baby steps.

1) Disney aside, would this manager position be too difficult for you at this time in your life?
- Its your last semester of school.
- Its a lot of pressure and stress
- Its a lot of hours and it will be exhausting
- Will you still have a personal life? (remember that you're 20!!)

2) How long would you want to stay in that position at that specific restaurant anyway? Is it a year, 2 years, 10 years? If its on the shorter end of the spectrum, you would still be able to do Disney relatively soon (after the manager position). Also, if its a short time period, think about if you were a potential employer. Would you rather have someone who can run a family owned restaurant or someone who can deal with a high volume of guests (thousands!) in a widely respected resort?

3) Is it really so bad to take things slow? I'm 20 as well and I got an internship in the marketing department in the office where my mom worked at the time when I was 15. I wear nice dresses and work in a cubicle but this place is way too ahead of where I want to be at 20. Thats a main reason I'm doing the CP. Make sure you pace yourself. You'll have the rest of your career to work your way up and a lot of the time, the hard steps in between are the best part of the whole processes. Its like Miley says "It aint about how fast I get there, it aint about whats waiting on the other side, its the climb"!

PS I think the CP is a wonderful way to celebrate graduating!!!

While I see your valid points on all of that I always am thinking of this economy...is Disney going to hire you after the CP? Who knows? I hope with all my heart that they will, but you never know. And doing the CP in the future STILL wouldn't be a bad idea, imho.

That all being said...

SO TRUE to the bolded above!!! HENCE GRADUATING IN JAN AND HERE'S TO HOPING TO GOING IN JAN!!!

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Originally Posted by Princess Ash

While I see your valid points on all of that I always am thinking of this economy...is Disney going to hire you after the CP? Who knows? I hope with all my heart that they will, but you never know. And doing the CP in the future STILL wouldn't be a bad idea, imho.

That all being said...

SO TRUE to the bolded above!!! HENCE GRADUATING IN JAN AND HERE'S TO HOPING TO GOING IN JAN!!!

Well I think this isn't supposed to be a decision between career paths. The OP should understand that the CP is a temporary detour. Most everyone comes back home after the CP and resumes their lives. If this owner has enough faith in her that he'd make her GM, I'm sure he wont have a problem hiring her back in January, even if its not as GM. And the end of her potential program is a full year and a half away, the economy may be moving back up by then and she could stay in Florida if she wanted to!

Also, good luck on getting that glorious purple email! I was all too fortunate and got a quick answer!

[Princess Ash]

Originally Posted by MarinaAndCharlie

Well I think this isn't supposed to be a decision between career paths. The OP should understand that the CP is a temporary detour. Most everyone comes back home after the CP and resumes their lives. If this owner has enough faith in her that he'd make her GM, I'm sure he wont have a problem hiring her back in January, even if its not as GM. And the end of her potential program is a full year and a half away, the economy may be moving back up by then and she could stay in Florida if she wanted to!

Also, good luck on getting that glorious purple email! I was all too fortunate and got a quick answer!

Hm, I didn't think about going back to the position later...

Then again, they don't really hold those positions for people either...every place needs a GM and you can't really just kick someone out after you've hired them (I mean, if they're doing a good job).

I can see why you'd be confused hun...we're all debating for you.

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Originally Posted by Princess Ash

Hm, I didn't think about going back to the position later...

Then again, they don't really hold those positions for people either...every place needs a GM and you can't really just kick someone out after you've hired them (I mean, if they're doing a good job).

I can see why you'd be confused hun...we're all debating for you.

I meant she'd have a job in general. It might not be as a GM but it would at least be where she is now, which isnt such a bad thing.

[Melinda22]

You say you have a pro and con list in your head but have you actually written them down? It will sort out your thoughts and help to see things more clearly.

You have to ask yourself: what is my ultimate goal career-wise? Can I do the CP and still reach that goal? Or is this position the best way to get there? Most importantly: 5 years from now, which will I regret? Not trying for the CP or not taking this position?

I guess my thinking is that a manager in a restaurant is not a once in a life time opportunity. You will get this chance again. If you take this position, do you honestly think you will enroll in a class and do the CP later in life? You are young, do what will make you happy and leave you with no regrets.

[dnoyes]

Originally Posted by allison k

Okay, old person here. I had a similar decision to make when I was 19 and I agonized over the decision. So, I thought I'd put in my two cents.

When I was younger, I was in Drum Corps. The group I was in was doing well for a good comeback that summer and it's something I loved doing. In drum corps, you basically give up your life for the summer to travel around the country on beat up old busses and sleep on gym floors, just so you can perform...and you pay to do it.

Anyway, back to the decision. Before I was mentally committed to my group, I had interviewed with Creation conventions, the group that does Star Trek conventions and now a whole lot of other kinds. Part of the job would be to travel with the convention once a month or so and help with overseeing set-up, etc. Okay, pretty darn cool. Well, at first, I didn't get the job. About 3 weeks before my group starts hitting practices really hard, I got a call that they wanted to hire me. I could take this way cool dream job or pay $1200 to go on the road with my corps. I agonized. It was one of those life-changing decisions I wasn't prepared for. Anyway, I decided to stay with my corps. The fact is, you could only do it until you were 21 and it was truly one of the most awesome summers of my life. Oh, I also happened to meet my husband of 15 years that summer, he was my bus partner. Do I look back and wonder what would have happened if I took the job? Where would it have taken me? Absolutely. But you know what, I have no regrets. However, I regret not marching in drum corps my age-out year when I was 21. That's a bigger regret to me than not taking a job.

You're only young once. Think about what would make you happy, not what you think might be best for you. If it's the job that would do it, then go for it. But, don't live to regret not doing something you always wanted to do since middle school. It's okay to hold off on getting a big girl job. I have a feeling the memories you would get from the CP will be with you a long time.

BTW - I just happened to see the thread title on the main board and it caught my eye. I just had to read it!!!

This is a great post.
Another old person here. What I get from your post is that you must be a pretty sharp person to be considered for a GM position at 20 years old. Don't let one job offer derail you of a dream. Do the CP and and live a life without regrets. You'll be better for it in the long run. Good luck