Off Topic But....Looking for Insights
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Off Topic But....Looking for Insights
| Mon, 10-15-2007 - 10:46am |
Okay this is off topic but there are so many practical, intelligent experienced women here that I'm looking for any insights or advice you might have.
I am really unhappy in my current job.

I am in the same boat!
No BTDT but plenty of regrets about job/career decisions ;)
The younger boss is tough. My 'boss' is close to my age but a younger coworker is next in line-if my boss were to leave, I cant even begin to fathom working FOR this person as opposed to beside her
Also,she is a very political gal-sad when you are talking social services because it's people who get hurt. But I have had several in my age group comment that this seems to be true of that generation
Which brings us to 'what will your new boss look like?"
I think the more you can learn about your future workmates, the better.
The chaos will most likely pass and the fact YOU were not on the chopping block speaks to what the company thinks of you. All good!
OTOH, what I have seen when DH has been through this is that those from the other company(if its a merger)hook up with each other and almost 'attack' the other group so the newbies, once they have picked your brain, may start to see you as one of those people from the old school
It really is going to be a pro and con list, I think.
We do get pigeonholed and the older you get, the harder it is to make a move. The time may be ripe
9 times out of 10 the people that I have known including my DH who left a company to go with a new one even after 10 to 15 + yrs with the first company have said "I wish I did this sooner".
A long time ago I was faced with a similar situation. I am an RN and was working as a Nursing Supervisor. Some of those above me changed and things were very stressful for me. When I couldn't take it any longer I quit and got a different job. I had really loved the job I was in, but just couldn't deal with the politics of it all any more.
I went to a new job at another facility as Nursing Supervisor. The 2nd day of work I had a small car accident on the way in and had to go home. After that day I never went back, I was totally burned out. I should have left the other job about 6 months before I did, but with the good pay and benefits I kept on going until I couldn't even deal with nursing at all anymore. I ended up quiting nursing all together and have never gone back and never regretted it.
After that I just got a low paying job in a supermarket and ended up advancing there into management positions. The pay never was as good, but I was a lot happier. Once I had Kelsie I stopped working outside our home and business.
My brother also had a similar circumstance to what you have. He loved the work he did, but for him one of the major problems was that he got absolutely no recognition for what he did. And he did a lot with others taking the credit. His supervisor or whatever he was called always got credit for what those under him did. So Kevin ended up changing jobs and was much happier in the new job. He wished he had done it sooner.
I agree with the others that you probably should do a pro and con list and see what comes from that. The one thing that you need to remember though is that peace of mind weighs heavily in a situation like this.
Good luck with your dicision and keep us updated.
I don't know how much help I'll be, but I do
Move. It's long overdue. I know it is scary and it is comfortable being at the same place but you need to be exposed to new ideas, different ways of doing things. It will make you more employable in the future. Change keeps you fresh;keeps your current.
If you haven't moved up significantly where you are, you never will. There is no need,from your employer's POV to "court" you. After all, you have stayed for 20 years. If you are offered a position and its looks interesting, I would take it,if I were you. How secure is your job,given the recent reorganization? Is the "writing on the wall"? If it is and if that "young turk" will make your life miserable, I would move.
Throughout my career, I have reinvented myself several times. Changing directions is stressful but it is also invigorating. I recommend it; it keeps the old brain cells firing.
Although I've never worked for one employer for 20 years, I have had the same kind of frustrations you have in your job. I went from med tech (not challenging enough) to accounting/finance (left in 2000 cuz didn't like work environment--kind of where you're at) to tutoring dyslexics (no degree in education, just specialized training). Once we're unpacked and settled in here in VA, it's the tutoring that I will go back to.
In my finance job I loved 1/2 my work, 1/2 was boring and the people were not very friendly. My boss would pass me in the hall and never say hello or look up. I think she was bothered by the fact that the 1/2 of my work I loved was done for another department, but perhaps my whole salary was in her budget--I dunno--my performance reviews had always been good. When it got to the point that I dreaded going into work and a younger coworker whom my boss seemed to adore got a promotion right before Xmas, my dad's health was failing and my husband was traveling more and more, I thought I'd start the new millenium fresh and gave notice on Dec. 31, 1999. I've been tutoring and served as volunteer coordinator since that time. No regrets.
If you still enjoy your coworkers and look forward to going to work, I would not advise you to leave. Maybe things will gradually improve. But if you see them getting worse, or you don't like getting out of bed knowing what you'll face at work, it's time to get out. The stress is not good for our health.
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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM