What's a Guy To Do?
So, a recent development at my job had me thinking I was finally turning the corner. But…
I work for the government, and as you might expect, it’s incredibly boring. Contractors do all of the real work (I have a mechanical engineering background), so my group is mostly responsible for contractual oversight – i.e. making sure the contractors do what they’re supposed to do. This mostly involves occasionally reviewing documentation, but it mostly involves staring blankly at the internet was I wait for emails to be returned. It’s awful.
So, I decided to be proactive and seek out a more hands on position somewhere else on my post. I found one that seems really great, had an informal interview to see if I would be a good fit for them, and was psyched to find out that they could use me ASAP. I sat down with my supervisor to explain my situation, diplomatically explained that the new position was more in-line with my career goals, and asked if he would OK a lateral move. He denied it because the new job is in another organization (I don’t think I need to explain the ridiculousness of government beaurocracy to any of you guys), and suggested that I seek out another position within our own organization – basically more of the same crap I’m “doing” right now.
So, should I just sit here and continue to collect a paycheck? Should I demand a move to the job I want? Or should I just jump ship altogether?
Comments
What sort of chance is there of advancement in your current position? Would you like any job you could advance to? If you’re bored and advancement is unavailable or undesirable, then that eliminates the “collect a paycheck” option, I think.
So if your options are “demand a move” or “jump ship,” I say demand the move first. At least this way, you still the other option of jumping ship if it doesn’t work out. If you jump ship now, I’d imagine you can forget about trying that other organization.
I say make the move, but in reality, I’d be too much of a wimp to do it myself.
i would demand the move. your supervisor is a tool.
mandy said:i would demand the move. your supervisor is a tool.
She’s right. You work for a guy named Harvey K. Lugwrench, for Pete’s sake.
Sammy said:mandy said:i would demand the move. your supervisor is a tool.
She’s right. You work for a guy named Harvey K. Lugwrench, for Pete’s sake.
wank!
I’m all about making the jump. As evidenced by my recent “I’m moving to Boston!” outlook on life/career. In 10 years, will you look back and regret never changing jobs, or will you be happy you had a boring, yet steady paycheck?
mandy said:Sammy said:mandy said:i would demand the move. your supervisor is a tool.
She’s right. You work for a guy named Harvey K. Lugwrench, for Pete’s sake.
wank!
I don’t understand your usage.
Create an internet startup, and run it from your current job.
Evan said:Create an internet startup, and run it from your current job.
That’s a really common thing here actually. A shit ton of people who work here also have real estate licenses and they setup appointments in the area and use the government’s time to show houses and shit. I don’t think I can ever leave the government knowing how all of my tax money is actually spent.
Am I crazy for complaining about a job that pays me well, gives me every other Friday off, and lets me surf the internet for 35 hours a week? Nothing worse than having the motivation to actually accomplish something.
I don’t think you are complaining at all. It doesn’t sound like you actually enjoy getting paid well to surf the internet and you are trying to do something about it. I think having a work ethic is a good thing. I hope you push for the move. And worse case, they fire you and you can unemployment and keep surfing the internet.
..ride bikes with some bmx dudes wearing animal costume heads?
Work for the private sector…wait no. I’ve worked in the private sector. They expect results!
maggie said:..ride bikes with some bmx dudes wearing animal costume heads?
no. wrong.
OH. oh. yes. the title. yeah.
Such a cool video.
(clearly i have no advice. i had a similar job where i spent all my time doing incredibly boring things punctuated by internet. while it was tolerable work, it was sort of ruining my life because of the commute. i was out of the house and away from my “real” work for like 11 hours of the day, and then didn’t want to do anything fun when i got home. i looked for a new job for four months while still working there with little luck. then i put in two weeks notice because i was at the explodey point, and my boyfriend said we had plenty of safety net for me to stop working for up to two months. i found a job posting on the internet the same day as i put in notice, ended up getting hired, and started working there a few weeks later. it majorly cut down my commute, i work fewer hours a week, it’s a WAY more awesome job, and they pay me more money. i got reeeeeeeeeally lucky. it can’t hurt to cast your net, yknow? i vote jump ship asap.)
maggie said:it majorly cut down my commute, i work fewer hours a week, it’s a WAY more awesome job, and they pay me more money. i got reeeeeeeeeally lucky. it can’t hurt to cast your net, yknow? i vote jump ship asap.)
Wow, you really did get lucky. That’s awesome (I actually think I remember you posting about this here).
I haven’t even given any airtime to the fact that my commute sucks too. I drive about 40 miles each way to get to this place. Most morning I find it difficult to justify wasting that much gas to drive somewhere to dick around all day. What makes it worse is that I live in Weehawken which offers one of the easiest possible commutes to NYC, and here I am driving an hour in the opposite direction every day.
I really do need to make a change, I think. I just wish the job market didn’t suck so much right now.
yeah, see. you’ve got your eight hour day PLUS two hours of crap in a car. that’s a lot of time to be spending on something you aren’t getting fulfillment/enjoyment from.