NEED ADVICE: society standards of "what's best" &a

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Here's my summary...I got into a career path not knowing a lot about it (just b/c a lot wasn't told to me at first) and we sold some of my grandparents land so I could afford to take some courses to advance myself...Due to a corrupt company which I'm now out of, it's now been over a year since those courses and I retain CRAP of course, and I have yet to take the exam (which is about $400)...in order to do this, I must also complete many assignments through my company that are very challenging...my job is stressful and I'm exhausted as it is....

And NOW out of nowhere, they are wanting us to sign a contract saying that after we pass exam (assuming we do) we will stay w/ the company at least 18 months (keep in mind, prolly be a year b4 I'd even take the exam...) or else I'd have to pay $5,000!! !! So I'm signing myself over to stay w/ a company over two years, plus signing on to DEFINITELY doing all this hard work and having to study all this hard stuff I've forgotten instead of playing it be ear to see how much I can handle....If I pass this exam, this doesn't even mean I'll be guaranteed to move up in company, however, I did get told I'd at least get insurance, which I do not have.

So now I've been having crazy anxiety dreams of having to escape my company and dye my hair and cut it so they don't recognize me, etc. etc. (and don't get me wrong, I do love my job--granted, I'm 27 and already can't wait to retire haha, but it's not like there's something else I want to do OTHER than my musical pursuits which I really hope take off)... It's hard for me to draw a line b/t what I can or cannot handle, or just don't want to do b/c of fear and already being overwhelmed....ugh Advice???

Consider the alternatives if you don't take the course. There are a lot of things you could do, but you should expect to have to work to get what you want anyway. The internet is a good resource for all kinds of advice and information. Try to realize that whatever you do there's work involved, and the harder you work with each goal in mind, the greater your chance of success.

Other than that... get support wherever you can. Maybe find someone who does or has done work similar to yours and talk to them about it.

If you're willing to do the work necessary, and you're confident that you can pass the test if you study hard enough, then you might just want to go for it. In any case, be persistent and you'll make your life easier. I tend to have confidence in people's ability to accomplish things if they want to badly enough. I think you can do it, but if you know it's too difficult for you, then start learning about the alternatives.

I'm not sure I'm quite following this.

You took your own money and started taking training courses. You have left the employer you had when you took the training courses, and now have a different job. Now, the new employer - which had nothing to do with you taking or paying for the training, wants you to sign a contract promising to stay with them for a minimum of 18 months after you pass the certification exam? I presume they are threatening to fire you if you don't sign.

Is this understanding correct?

Diff. companies but same line of work. Not fire me, but not allow me to continue on in this mentorship/training for advancement. But originally, we were all pursuing this WITHOUT having to sign such a contract....anyhow, hope that makes more sense.

Based on what little information I have, I wonder if you would be considered to be under duress to sign that contract. **IF** so, it would be unenforceable. I would contact a lawyer, or the state Labor Board, to find out what your rights are in this situation. At the very least, it sounds as if this company is behaving in a very unethical manner, and I would be uncomfortable promising to work for them for an additional 18 months after training, BASED ON THE LITTLE INFORMATION I HAVE. Do NOT sign the contract with the assumption that you can get out of it later, OR refuse to sign it because they are doing something shady, based on my opinion. I am NOT a lawyer, and I don't have all the details about the situation needed to give you advice, if I were. I would recommend a consultation with someone who is qualified to give legal advice.

Sounds to me like the company is footing a larger portion of the testing bill, and asking you to agree to stay a while in exchange for it.

18 months? 'Scuse me for possibly being a bit unfeeling, but what the heck are you so worried about? 18 months is SQUAT. Especially if what you say about "loving your job" is true!

Just DO IT man! Your time will be up before you know it, and you'll be asking yourself what the heck you were making such a big deal over it for.

When you get nearer my age, you'll laugh about how concerned you were.

I'm a girl, not guy And it probably be a year b4 I even take the exam, so that's technically 18 months + year. Anyhow, one of my main concerns was my band and if we got signed or an offer to go elsewhere and not wanting to be tied here, but after talking to them a while, they did add that to my contract, that a record deal, etc. would exempt me. So that def. gave me more peace of mind...

I'm a girl, not guy And it probably be a year b4 I even take the exam, so that's technically 18 months + year. Anyhow, one of my main concerns was my band and if we got signed or an offer to go elsewhere and not wanting to be tied here, but after talking to them a while, they did add that to my contract, that a record deal, etc. would exempt me. So that def. gave me more peace of mind...

Wasn't sure if you meant it generally or not so thought I'd clarify just in case lol. Thanks for your advice though!