Vantaggi
The KIDS, for sure! Loved working with the kids, the parents were generally great too! Sometimes had quiet time when tutoring sessions weren't going on. Kinda liked decorating bulletin boards and cleaning up the center a little. Nice to see the kids improve. I believed in the system. The tutors were great. Hard to believe so many highly educated and able teachers actually WANTED to make some extra bucks tutoring (especially for the low hourly pay they got)!
Svantaggi
Vacation/time off - what time off? No work/life balance. Usually had to work Saturdays. Such a small center (which most are) that it's hard to leave the building. We literally never went to lunch. I had to bring my lunch or order in. Usually only two to three employees working at each center (besides tutors) so you can't leave your post and they won't allow you to delegate. As Center Director, you're basically just the recruiter. Not really managing much and it really doesn't help your resume like I thought it would. Anyone can own a Sylvan if they have the dough so it's had to know who makes a good owner to work for. Mine were terrible! They micro-managed like crazy and made working there unbearable. The only time I liked it was when they weren't there, but they'd still call a lot! The actual job wasn't bad at all and the system really does work for these kids. You have to keep the seats full, which is sometimes hard, but even if they are full, it's never enough. They will try to find new ways to make a buck and keep you busy! So again, you really aren't managing anything.