ASK HR: Will accepting this scholarship affect my career?
A friend of mine is discouraging me from taking up the offer, arguing that a two year break will affect my career, yet I can study the same at a local university, only that I will pay for myself. FILE PHOTO |
What you need to know:
Your friend may have genuine concerns that the break in your career might hamper your career prospects.
To mitigate this, have a candid conversation with your employer through your Line Manager and HR.
Discuss with your Line Manager the opportunity the scholarship will provide you, and the fact that the knowledge you acquire will improve your performance in future roles that you take up.
Q.I graduated in 2014 with a degree in economics and finance. I have two years’ working experience in accounts and tax. I have a scholarship opportunity to study an M.A in economics from either Botswana or Mauritius.
A friend of mine is discouraging me from taking up the offer, arguing that a two year break will affect my career, yet I can study the same at a local university, only that I will pay for myself. What do you advise?
In life, you have to take calculated risks to prosper. My advice would be, take up the Scholarship offer. This is a rare opportunity that will ensure you enhance your education, and hence improve your chances of progressing in your career.
Your friend may have genuine concerns that the break in your career might hamper your career prospects. To mitigate this, have a candid conversation with your employer through your Line Manager and HR. Discuss with your Line Manager the opportunity the scholarship will provide you, and the fact that the knowledge you acquire will improve your performance in future roles that you take up.
Once you have the buy in from your Line Manager, approach your HR Manager. Most organisations allow their employees to take time off for studies, and negotiate on salary and benefits during the period.
However, if your company has no policy on study leave, you can request for unpaid leave, so that after your studies you can rejoin the organisation. The above will ensure that you get the Scholarship you so much desire as well as retain a chance in your current organisation.
You could also take a big leap and resign. This will set you free, who know, you might even land your dream job in the country in which you will take the Scholarship.
If you take the option of resigning, set aside some money to cushion you as you look for a job after studies. The opportunity to study in another country will however present varied opportunity in terms of growing a network of associates who you will need along your career journey. While there, you could also explore acquiring work experience through the connections of the school for a few hours on days that you are not fully engaged. This will give you a chance to learn new work ethics and acquire
knowledge and experience that can further improve your CV.
Just as in investments, the high risk takers are the ones who get more from their investments compared to the risk averse investors. I dare you to pursue your dreams - you will not regret it.
