03-24-2023, 05:15 AM
I thought I might add a little bit more information on the situation, so that you can see in what a dilemma I am.
The reason I started the educational company was for three reasons:
1) I needed the extra money. (I'll get into this later).
2) It counts towards tutoring experience for when I apply for teaching positions in Korea.
3) I will eventually "ditch" the tutoring and mainly focus on online consultations for high schoolers, because I actually truly enjoy that work and it's not a lot to be honest.
As for my company, I work at a medium-size logistics company and I have been learning a lot for the most part. Since joining, I've gained significant knowledge in SQL, Geocoding, Cybersecurity, etc. The company also provides me with educational benefits, since I'm technically an employed "student". They give me an educational "allowance" every month, which isn't a lot but it's definitely helping. I also received a full year subscription to coursera for my own personal development.
I've made significant contributions at my work. Management is very pleased with my work and I can honestly say that I've implemented changes and policies that have saved the company a great deal of money.
As for the app, it was my idea and I brought it to our IT director, who then took it to the CEO and that's how that started. I'm currently busy working on a really big geolocation project, but once I'm done with that. My "work" will solely be to focus on this app, along with any assistance I need from our IT team or director. In other words this 3rd company won't have an effect on my hours at all, since that will kind of become my only work.
Now for full transparency: my money issue. Which is why I'm forced to do all of this.
I get a base salary (after tax) of R7250 per month from my full-time job. (less than $400 a month)
My expenses:
1) Rent: R4750 (bachelor flat, that's it). (Left over with R2500)
2) Phone contract: R650 pm (R1 850 left over)
3) Pet insurance: R310 (R1 540 left over)
4) Pet supplies (food and such): R500 (R1 040 left over)
5) Electricity and water: R600 (R440 left over)
6) Petrol: R1 500 (-R1 060 (already in neg))
7) Food: R2 500 (-R3 560)
And thats without ANY extra expenses, no medical aid, no money for socializing, no eating out, literally nothing.
My educational company has a fixed income (at the moment) of around R2 400 (tutor work) and it may vary upwards to about R4 000, depending on how many consultations I get. And I spend less than 10 hours a week on this. I can't "stop" the educational company, because I need that money. I can't focus on "growing it", because I need to work at my job to be able to use the training center. Realistically I could be making x10 what I am now, if I just focused on this educational company, but I can't focus on it without having the training center as a resource.
As for the companies: Once I have my degree, my plan is still to move overseas ASAP. As for my educational company, I'll ditch the tutoring (since my first move is probably to Korea as a teacher) and do the consulting on the side. The app company, the moment it is up and running, I'll remove myself as a "director" and I'll just be a silent shareholder. I'm not 100% sure about this, but I could even still be part of the company even if it is just part-time and remotely.
Yes, I'm being underpaid (by American standards). But that's just the reality of living in South Africa. I should be thankful for my salary, because most people my age and at my education level would just receive minimum wage which is less than R4000 a month.
Yes I'm getting "burnt out", but it's not like I have the luxury to just stop and take a break or even to remove anything off of my workload. I just need to find a way to make time for my uni studies in between, I just don't know how.
The reason I started the educational company was for three reasons:
1) I needed the extra money. (I'll get into this later).
2) It counts towards tutoring experience for when I apply for teaching positions in Korea.
3) I will eventually "ditch" the tutoring and mainly focus on online consultations for high schoolers, because I actually truly enjoy that work and it's not a lot to be honest.
As for my company, I work at a medium-size logistics company and I have been learning a lot for the most part. Since joining, I've gained significant knowledge in SQL, Geocoding, Cybersecurity, etc. The company also provides me with educational benefits, since I'm technically an employed "student". They give me an educational "allowance" every month, which isn't a lot but it's definitely helping. I also received a full year subscription to coursera for my own personal development.
I've made significant contributions at my work. Management is very pleased with my work and I can honestly say that I've implemented changes and policies that have saved the company a great deal of money.
As for the app, it was my idea and I brought it to our IT director, who then took it to the CEO and that's how that started. I'm currently busy working on a really big geolocation project, but once I'm done with that. My "work" will solely be to focus on this app, along with any assistance I need from our IT team or director. In other words this 3rd company won't have an effect on my hours at all, since that will kind of become my only work.
Now for full transparency: my money issue. Which is why I'm forced to do all of this.
I get a base salary (after tax) of R7250 per month from my full-time job. (less than $400 a month)
My expenses:
1) Rent: R4750 (bachelor flat, that's it). (Left over with R2500)
2) Phone contract: R650 pm (R1 850 left over)
3) Pet insurance: R310 (R1 540 left over)
4) Pet supplies (food and such): R500 (R1 040 left over)
5) Electricity and water: R600 (R440 left over)
6) Petrol: R1 500 (-R1 060 (already in neg))
7) Food: R2 500 (-R3 560)
And thats without ANY extra expenses, no medical aid, no money for socializing, no eating out, literally nothing.
My educational company has a fixed income (at the moment) of around R2 400 (tutor work) and it may vary upwards to about R4 000, depending on how many consultations I get. And I spend less than 10 hours a week on this. I can't "stop" the educational company, because I need that money. I can't focus on "growing it", because I need to work at my job to be able to use the training center. Realistically I could be making x10 what I am now, if I just focused on this educational company, but I can't focus on it without having the training center as a resource.
As for the companies: Once I have my degree, my plan is still to move overseas ASAP. As for my educational company, I'll ditch the tutoring (since my first move is probably to Korea as a teacher) and do the consulting on the side. The app company, the moment it is up and running, I'll remove myself as a "director" and I'll just be a silent shareholder. I'm not 100% sure about this, but I could even still be part of the company even if it is just part-time and remotely.
Yes, I'm being underpaid (by American standards). But that's just the reality of living in South Africa. I should be thankful for my salary, because most people my age and at my education level would just receive minimum wage which is less than R4000 a month.
Yes I'm getting "burnt out", but it's not like I have the luxury to just stop and take a break or even to remove anything off of my workload. I just need to find a way to make time for my uni studies in between, I just don't know how.
In progress:
XAMK: Video Game Creation certificate (8/13 courses completed)
Metropolia: Multiple Courses (In Progress: IT Services Sales and Marketing)
Completed:
Sophia: 62 credits
i-to-i: 180-hour TEFL certificate (DEAC- accredited)
XAMK: Video Game Creation certificate (8/13 courses completed)
Metropolia: Multiple Courses (In Progress: IT Services Sales and Marketing)
Completed:
Sophia: 62 credits
i-to-i: 180-hour TEFL certificate (DEAC- accredited)