Posted on 09/12/2006 by the cynic
Viewed: 171 times
OK so I've posted a few "cynical" stories here lately about my new job. Actually, as my boss gets to know me, he's become less and less of a pain and is actually very nice. So the abuse issue is slowly going away. And the pay is good (for a dual-income household) so no complaints there.
The thing is, I came to this job only because I was forced out of my last one (which I loved) due to outsourcing, so I've felt a little resentful of it from the get-go. The last one was fun and despite the whistlers, singers, and nose-pickers, it was challenging work and I felt that I could have done it easily from home with kids in tow in the future, or even built up to a technical career (I love computers).
I liked database work. I looked forward to building some credibility there, then the bottom fell out. I figured with all the tech jobs going to India, I'd better stick to secretarial/admin because it's "safest" and the only thing I don't have to go back to school for (not my cup of tea at this phase of my life). But I am definitely "settling."
This job was a new addition to the staff, not a replacement, so I'm wondering what they were thinking in adding it. My boss was insisting that he was going crazy and "needed an admin," and assured me I'd regularly be there til 8 p.m. with all the piles of work. In whose universe?
I figured things would pick up when my boss got back from vacation, but he's here and I still feel either unnecessary or in the way. At this job, if there's work to do, I do it, but with a boss who's out of town much of the time and runs a very small department, I have much less to do than my counterparts at the headquarters. Sometimes I wonder what he was thinking hiring a full-time assistant when a part-time temp could just as easily do my job.
My point? I've come to the conclusion over my past month here that I am bored to death and am not sure if this work is for me. My boss requires a 8-5 day (9 hours to do 2 hours worth of stuff), and doesn't seem like the kind who would let this go part-time or from-home because he "needs my help" at the office in case anything comes up.
I'm afraid that I'm going to take something dead-end, then when kids do arrive, I'll be forced to keep them at a Manhattan daycare 9-10 hours so I can do work that could easily be done in a half day and then twiddle my thumbs (so I can be "on the clock" when he requires). In short, I feel like I'm wasting something here. (either my brain, or career compatibility, or later my kids' growing years. If I have to be away from them to work, I'd prefer it be something involved).
That probably sounds rather spoiled because many jobs come with tons of stress, and I should be happy to be paid decently to do an hour's worth of work a day and then surf what isn't blocked of the Web (aka, very little). But I can't help but think, "I got a college degree to do this?" I feel like a security guard--sitting here in case something happens and getting a living wage, but not feeling particularly fulfilled.
I'm also definitely starting to feel like "the help," and as if they don't consider me as smart as I am. Such as feeling like they have to "remind me" not to blurt out passwords to classified information as if I'm 5 ("Now Janie, be good today" sort of thing). Common sense things that I'm not dumb enough to slip-up.
It's scary that the reason I'm typing on here is that if I do my day's agenda now, what will I do til 5:00? So I am purposely stalling.
I felt more challenged as a data entry specialist (another job that's going to India).
Now I'm not really interested in fighting my way up to VP at this stage of my life becuase of my plans for my family. I see my boss's schedule (he's a VP) and honestly I can't see myself being on it esp. while pregnant or nursing or even raising a grade-schooler. Especially with all the constant, weekly plane travel and late nights.
So, the point of this post is, what would you do if you were bored to death at your position, but didn't feel it was the right time in your life to climb the corporate ladder or pay for school? I paid enough for college, so going back just isn't an option--this is the time to make and save money, not spend it. Ideally, going back to school will have to wait a good 10 years or so. But if I want to go into programming or anything like that, I'll need some sort of courses or certificates, and I'm beginning to think it's worth it to get out of this rut. I have to stop being a psychology major on my resume in order to get anything better.
If someone took my piano away and said I could no longer play, I'd be mad. Likewise, I am mad that the career I want seems like it sadly won't exist in US borders in 5 years so I'm forced to settle for something that is just "okay." I seriously have days when I want to quit this job and take a data-entry long-term temp job (they pay up to $30 an hour here), silly as that sounds but at least there's work coming in and you feel useful.
Anyone have any ideas for someone whose favorite jobs are all being sent overseas, who doesn't want an executive management position, but wants something family-friendly? What are your thoughts in general about my post?
Or is programming even worth it what with all the offshoring? Or are there other careers that are "back-office-ish" that are staying? Can anyone throw out ideas?
POST A COMMENTthe cynic(09/12/2006)
Anyone who knows me and my situation (aka, someone besides trolls who like to assume shit) want to respond? The previous comment will get no further attention from me.
twiz(09/12/2006)
I'm in the software/programming field. My job was outsourced a few years back, and I ended up finding a small manufacturing company that still hired people for people. Not as a resource, a person who could become part of their family and help the company succeed. So my point is, there are companies out there where you can do the things you want to do, they are just fewer and farther apart. Be creative, check out some companies that you wouldn't normally think would need your skills and you might be surprised what you find. Every company needs technical folks, and if you stick with smaller/mid-size companies you'll have a better chance of finding a place that doesn't care for outsourcing. One more note, my old job that outsourced me is now calling trying to get me back due to the failures of the outsourcing firm. Outsourcing is not the end of tech jobs for U.S. workers... as the outsourcing firms get more and more expensive, U.S. workers will find more companies looking back onshore for workers. Hope this helps!
the cynic(09/12/2006)
Yes that's exactly what I needed. Very helpful. thanks!! Just wanted to know if these jobs still exist or if I would be forced to change careers.
blola(09/13/2006)
Please accept my apology. Instead of being objective, I was judgemental. You apparently have a great passion, a fighting spirit and a will to make your life a better one. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and their thinking gets a bit misconstrued and I lashed out in the wrong way. I hope your life is filled with great success stories and that you find your niche.
Dharmadee(09/13/2006)
It is refreshing to See someone who can admit a mistake in judgment-that alone gives me some hope. And Cynic- I agree with the last comment. Let us hope that you and I both get through this stuff with our integrity and self-esteem intact.
the cynic(09/13/2006)
Blola--thanks for the apology, therefore I take back my comment that you're a troll. :-) And thanks to everyone else for the good wishes. I'm sure I'll find a niche eventually. I'm leaning toward staying with this job for now regardless of how "compatible," and possibly taking a few courses but nothing is decided yet. Will keep everyone posted of course.
avid reader(09/13/2006)
blola: right on. You just earned a lot of respect for apologizing. Welcome to the board. =) Cynic: Here's my thought for you. I know you've mentioned in the past that you were hoping to have kids soon. How do you feel that fits with your working and education goals? I ask because maybe it is better to start on a new career path after you have kids. Being in IT myself, I know that you absolutely must keep your skillset current. So my fear for you is that you will invest time and money into an IT profession only to have kids, take time off and have your skillset become outdated. I know many women in IT who are frustrated with the fact that "the boys" have time to learn and keep up while they are spending their after hours taking kids to dance and practice and picking them up from day car, etc. I have heard this many many times over the years. This is not to discourage you, but just a thought from my experience.
the cynic(09/13/2006)
Yeah--exactly. That's why I'm thinking maybe it's best to stick it out now, even if bored in this particular industry--and then later on think about a switch.
blola (09/12/2006)
You sound very smug; no wonder you are bored. A phschology major would have figured out how to beat "their oh I'm above every one else" complex. So leave already.
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