Descision at work to make

[ckret01]

I started working at a trading company 6 months ago. When my boss hired me he knew that I had no experience with the stock market what so ever. I didn't even know what a Bond was. Anyway I work as an admin and a trading assistant to the traders. My job as a trading assistant is to enter the trades in a ticketing system when they do a trade. Now after 6 months I can enter the ticket in but I don't undertand the trades . Meaning I know where to enter the info in but an still confused about how the trade works etc. I also take an online college class b/c at the age of 32 I finally decided to go back to school online and earn my degree.

Well today my boss and the other trader that works for him had a long talk about me and why I am not picking up some of the stuff. They cam to the conclusion that I get fustrated when I don't understand something and tend to shy away from it ...even though that is true to a point the other guy I work with doesn't really help me but thats not really the issue.

The issue is my boss called me into his office and told me I have a choice....I can either quit my college class and take financial classes (that won't go towards my degree and I would have to travel to NYcity after work which is an hour and a half from my house to take night classes) or I continue to take my college course and he will help find me another position in the company if there is one or give me a good reference to go elsewhere.

Now my head is spinning b/c even though he was nice about it I still feel like a failure. My boss is a very hard man to work for and evreyone in the company knows that but I still don't want to look like a quitter but I also don't want to quit taking my college course b/c it means so much for me to get my degree. Now there is no compromise here it is either one or the other and i have to give him an answer by Monday.

I know it seems that whenever I post on these boards I am complaining about work but I really need to vent cuz I dont have anyone else to talk to. I know its up to me to make this decision.

Thanks I just needed to get this off my chest.

 

[Tjaleks]

I am sorry. Just do what feels right to you and don't look back.

(Personally, I wouldn't think of you as a quitter )

 

[Mercy]

Well, how much do you like this job? Is it worth giving up your college degree for? Do you really think they will find you another job in this company? Are you up to looking for another job? Not that much help, I know, just some questions to ask yourself.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Well, if you're not using your company time or company equipment to take your college class, he can't FORCE you to quit to keep your job.

As for the financial classes.....he can make that part of your job to attend them, but he has to foot the bill and compensate you for your time going to and from and for the attendance time.

But along with what the other poster said....do what is most important to you. You won't look like a failure to do what is in you best interest.

Kimya

 

[ckret01]

Well, how much do you like this job? Is it worth giving up your college degree for? Do you really think they will find you another job in this company? Are you up to looking for another job? Not that much help, I know, just some questions to ask yourself.

Thank you both!
I'm not crazy about the job but I think it's because I don't understand it. The company itself is really great from what I hear (haven't been there long enough to witness everything but so far so good) Do I think he will find me another job in the company?.....I don't know. I wouldn't trust that not to mention I don't think there are any openings. But who knows what my boss might really actually say about me when he does try to get me in another position within the company. I haven't been looking for another job b/c I hate to keep switching jobs.

 

[ckret01]

Well, if you're not using your company time or company equipment to take your college class, he can't FORCE you to quit to keep your job.

As for the financial classes.....he can make that part of your job to attend them, but he has to foot the bill and compensate you for your time going to and from and for the attendance time.

But along with what the other poster said....do what is most important to you. You won't look like a failure to do what is in you best interest.

Kimya

Thanks! I am taking these classes on my own time at night never at work. He even offered to pay for the class if the college doesn't reimburst me if I drop out.

 

[EthansMom]

I'm trying to figure out (1) how is taking financial classes going to help you understand what information you are inputting on the computer and (2) why the company would encourage you to commute 3 hours for a class that someone with a little patience should be able to explain to you in a few hours.

Basically, in a stock trade, one trader is offering up shares of a particular stock at a particular price (for his clients). Other traders are trying to buy certain stocks at certain prices (for their clients). When you see the frenzied yelling in scenes of the trading floor (think "Trading Places" with Dan Akroyd and Eddie Murphy), traders are yelling out what stock they have to sell and the price at which they are willing to sell. Other traders are yelling out willingness to purchase some number of shares at that price. The information you are entering very likely contains some of the following information: the stock being sold (probably written in the shorthand version by which it's listed in newspapers, etc.), the number of shares being sold, the purchaser, and the price per share. There may be more information, but that's the gist of the transaction.

In my opinion, your boss isn't a very good manager if he can't just sit down and explain that to you...

Good luck with your decision.

 

[pamlet]

Does this seem like something you'd like as a career?

Do they want you just to quit the class you're taking right now.. giving up the money?

Are they willing to pay for the financial class?

It sounds like they really want to keep you - they're coming up with ways for you to "get it"...

I'm not sure how old you are - but if you're fairly young - and you do NOT want to do this as a career - I'd get out now.. BUT if it IS something you want to do - go for it. See what you can do to "get it" .. maybe studying up more on it at home? I once worked for a BRIEF period at a car dealership - I took home all the sales videos and brochures I could - just so I could learn about the business.



And remember - there is NOTHING WRONG with getting involved with a job and find out it's not the right fit for you! You WILL find it - whether it's this job or another!

 

[LadyyRedd]

Thanks! I am taking these classes on my own time at night never at work. He even offered to pay for the class if the college doesn't reimburst me if I drop out.

Good luck with your decision and lots of hugs!

Just one word of advice.....get whatever he says in writing if you don't plan to walk away from the job and company. Especially the reimbursement for the college class, etc.

Kimya

 

[diznygirl]

Well, if you're not using your company time or company equipment to take your college class, he can't FORCE you to quit to keep your job.

As for the financial classes.....he can make that part of your job to attend them, but he has to foot the bill and compensate you for your time going to and from and for the attendance time.

But along with what the other poster said....do what is most important to you. You won't look like a failure to do what is in you best interest.

Kimya

That's a good point. Go in and impress your boss with a counter-offer. Tell him what LadyRedd said. "Sir, you've made some very valid points. I'd be willing to take some financial classes if the company would be willing to pay for them. It would have to wait, however, until I finish with my current class, since I have already made a financial and personal committment. I'm sure you understand."

If he doesn't, then he's a jerk and you don't want to work for him anyway!

Good luck!

 

[Laurajean1014]

You are not a quitter or a failure. Don't think that way at all.

They have ineffectively trained you. They, as your managers, should show you how things are done until you are comfortable to execute yourself. If they cannot, they should elect an associate.

As a manager, I look at every new recruit as an 8-12 month project. That means that I will need to work with them, train them, coach them and steer them in the direction of the job, department scope or company. After they are trained, I start getting a return on my investment. Within 1.5 years, I have a self supporting staff.

Your manager does not have the time or foresight to see this technique work.

Do you want to do this line of work as a career? Don't have a job direct you, - you direct your life/career, etc.

You may want to opt for being able to transfer to a job that you are more comfortable with and that has a training type environment. Your knowledge of the company will be desirable for other managers in the company.

However, before agreeing to this, make sure that your manager understands that you want to meet with the hiring manager and discuss the job. You do not want to get caught in this same situation again. Then they will tag you as "untrainable." Which, of course, you are not.

Keep your head up................let us know what happens and what you decide.

 

[Mary Anne]

How big is this company? Does it have a Human Resources Department. Before I did anything, I would talk to someone in HR. My money is on the fact he is doing all of this talking to you behind their backs.

I agree with what most have said, do what is right for you.

 

[clh2]

Does this company have a website with job openings? I would check out to see what's available. He is saying he will try to find you another position in the company, what if no positions are available to you.

 

[ckret01]

Thank you all for the advice and words of wisdom. What I want to do and what I did are two different things. I went into his office today and said "I am totally willing to take courses to learn and I want to learn BUT...I really do not want to give up my college class and that I would do both" I told him that this was important to me for many reasons. One b/c I got laid off at my old job and when I went to look for another one not having a college degree kept me from getting those jobs. I said What if this comany goes under in 2 years (which I doubt it will but you never know) I need to worry about myself. I also told him that I made a personal goal in my life and that was to get my degree. He flat out told me that he just wants me to stop my class and put college on hold for at least 10-12 months and that maybe next summer I can go back to him and ask him if I can start back up again. He told me that I have to dedicate everything to this job and he only wants me focused on this so I can succeed and told me I need to put school on hold there is no other choice. I feel like I am stuck b/c I want to stick to what I WANT and what I believe in but he also said there are things in life that you have to give up to go forward in life which I understand but its hard.

As far as going to another position in the company.....I thought about that and even though a lot of people don't like him and know how difficult and whiney he is....I am afraid that when he tries to find me a job he will tell them I am not willing to go the extra step...which is not the case I just wanted to do both (take my college course and the classes he wanted me to)

He told me that the only reason I want my degree is to show other people that piece of paper....I told him well that is half the reason b/c sure....if I was to lose this job that piece of paper will help me get another one and the other reason is because it's something that I personally want to achieve and will feel so good about myself when I do.

He has told me that this job is all about physchology and how I handle myself and that I need to stop using crutches on everything I say (crutches meaning I make excuses as to why I want my degree example: b/c the company could go under amongst other thing)

 

[Mary Anne]

You need to talk to someone in HR NOW! He cannot tell you to put your personal commitments on hold. How many employees are working in this company?