I have this problem with my job and studying (university)??

[VCC]

I'm a university student and work as a part time carer (agency). I love the job, it's completely flexible to fit in with university etc but i was offered a scholarship to study at a university in the USA for 4 months (the autumn semester). It completely depends on the grades i get this year, which come out mid-late July (about 2/3 weeks before i would have to leave). But i should almost definitely get the grades, you never know though.I'm pretty sure i would like to go back to working the same place when I return (it's quite a distance away which is why I’m not 100%). Obviously I’m not completely counting on still having the job when I get back. I'm right in expecting that I’ll have to quit right? Also when would be a good time to tell my employer about the possibility i might be studying abroad? Another problem is I was offered a contract for 3 months (so many hours a week) at one place and they want to know if I want it, I might have to leave in 2 months! ...Should I come clean now about why I can’t take the contract or just say I can’t do it/don’t want it even though I asked for as much work as possible and they know I don’t start until again until October (October is when I would start back in my main university if I don’t get the grades). I only have to give a weeks notice according to my job description etc but would obviously tell them as soon as I know for sure because I get on well with them.

[Scarlatti]

I suspect they'll let you take a leave of absence for 4 months. There are always tonnes of jobs available for carers and there's often high staff turnover so you'll always be in demand. Don't pass up the opportunity to study in the States whatever you do.Just explain the situation, say you really want to go to the States, you're giving them plenty of warning, but you love working there and would like to come back to it - is it possible? They can only say no - in which case you'll have to give a few weeks notice.