In desperate need of advice for my career
For context, I am just about to graduate high school. I have decided that at this time college is not the right move for me. I’m not opposed to it in a year or two, but for right now that is off the table.
I started in this company of grocery stores as a sophomore in high school. Since then I have worked as hard as possible and been moved up to a manager as soon as legally possible. I love this company. The flexibility, love, and support this company has given me is something I would have never thought was possible to a person in my age range. They have trained me in almost every department, I know the store inside out, and have gained deep relationships with the people that work here. I have recently been offered the assistant store director position at one of our locations. The pay would be a little under $60k/yr with benefits, the amazing flexibility someone my age could use, and basically the option to make my schedule. I would ideally work 7AM-3PM or 1PM-9PM 5 days a week.
On the other hand, I have been offered a job at Coca-Cola as a merchandiser which has amazing benefits, starting pay of 25.95/hr with tons of overtime opportunities. The drawback of this offer that is completely ruining it for me is a start time of 2 or 4AM depending on the route 4 days a week. With the overtime available, and from what I have heard this could be between $75k-$90k my first year. I am having serious doubts about the schedule and not really being able to have a life outside of work, however I feel this could be an amazing head start on life making that kind of money. Worth mentioning Coca-Cola has amazing room for growth and advancement in the company.
If you were in my shoes and valued time with loved ones, but were also presented an opportunity to get a jumpstart on your early life, what path would you pick?