Dear asktrp

My name is Fluffles I just recently turned 19 and took some advice to get a trade in Heating and Air Conditioning at my community college down here in Jacksonville Florida. I've been getting very good at it so far and my professor thinks I will do well in the trade. I'm getting ready to finish up my one year program to graduate into a 3 year apprenticeship with the North East Florida Builders Association. However due to an injury while bench pressing at the gym in march I discovered I have a Labral Tear in my left shoulder which stops me from being able to lift properly without pain. The orthopedic doctor instantly brought up surgery which I dont mind following through with but there would be a recovery time of at least 4-6months possibly even more! I am at a crossroads on whether I should continue to get the surgery so I can lift or thug it out with my apprenticeship. I don't want to wait 3 years when I'm finished until I can lift but I really wanna make some money as soon as possible. The plus side is that there are plenty of jobs available but I was really looking forward to becoming apart of this association. For now i have been using resistance bands given by the physical therapist I have been seeing. I officially start August the 20th and they called me to schedule surgery for the 1st.  What should I do and what would you do in my situation?

Update 1: I have already gotten an MRI and talked to my physical therapist which I will be seeing again tomorrow he did seem to lean on the surgery but didn't want to interrupt my career. The only good he had to say was that the surgeon was legitmate and pretty good. Basically he told me the only thing physical therapy will do is strengthen the muscles around the joint and prevent further injuries but it wont fix this one. He wants to watch my progress until I meet with the surgeon on the 19th. I called the association to see what they had to say and I was told to send a resignation through e-mail ;( This really sucks guys I know we preach lifting here on Trp but pleassseee practice your form and know what your doing.