Do I go to school, or take formation during work? 11

[PatCouture]

Hi

I'm a 22 years old Technician in mechanical engineering, I've been working for about Three years as a Technician, designing machine for the food industrie in a small company. During those 3 years I learned a lot on the job and I been offered a promotion to be in charge of R&D. There's a lot of potential in that and I would be very happy to fullfil that role. On the other hand I would like to get more knowledge about engineering to be able to do better and more sophisticated machines.

So I am considering going back to school full time, to take the engineering class, and sacrificing this opportunity. Or taking the job and taking some classes paid by the company, at the same time.

What's best learning at school and getting a diploma, or learning on the job?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Patrick

 

[EdDanzer]

Good luck with your decision, I think it is a wise choice.

Ed Danzer

 

[PatCouture]

Thanks Ed I appreciate.

Patrick

 

[Lorentz]

Yes, PatCouture, Good Luck!

One final comment I will make, is that though there has been a lot of talk regarding young employees changing jobs after a few years, don't feel that this is something you must do.

If 3 years from now, you are happy in your work and your company is growing, consider sticking around. The easiest way to reach the top of a big company is to be one of the early birds at a small company that grows into a big success. It is much harder to start at a large company and work your way up the ladder.

 

[PatCouture]

I agree with you Lorentz that it must be easier to grow with a small company that going up the ladder in a big one, In my case, it's a small company of about 50 employees, and I really think that I can build myself in this company, but the fact is that I don't have anyone in front of me to take me under his wings and show me everything, that's why I'm considering School or classes of any kind. I want to be better, I got to say that I learn a lot on the field but some times I need more confidence in myself to do some kind of work and I would like to give me the necessary tools to be successful. I've seen too many people doing things that they really don't know how to do, and making some big mistakes because they were not prepared. I don't want to be in those kind of situations. If I do something I want to know where I'm going.

But thanks for your comments Lorentz because it kind of surprised me when some people said that after three to five years they changed job anyway. I'm not really that king of person.

Patrick