My Career?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
My Career?
7
Fri, 07-28-2006 - 9:11pm

Ok. First, just to warn everyone. This is gonna be long. Nevertheless, for those of you who have the patience I would welcome any advice you may provide.

I titled this post "my career" because that is what has me disillusioned lately. I'm happy with dh, the kids are behaving reasonably well, I have everything I need and much of what I want but I'm beginning to dislike my job. Before I begin I think its only fair to tell everyone that I'm somewhat of a malcontent when it comes to my career. I generally only stay in one place for two years or less. I get bored/frustrated/etc and move on. I'm feeling that way again (I've had my current job about 20 months). I know its me but I don't know what to do about it. Maybe I need to change career fields or strike out on my own. Before I get to my options I want to explain the current situation.

When I took a job with my current employer I was "grand puba" of my field in my division. Another lady, we'll call her Mandy, had the same position in a "rival" division. We had totally differing views of how the department should proceed in our field (information technology) but there was not really any one person or group in charge. Anyhow, fast forward about 8 months. A new governor was elected and state government was reorganized. Mandy and I are basically demoted to work for the CIO. Because of politics neither of us was put "in charge." We both worked as equals in the program management office. Just to throw in a twist. Her boss, who I didn't like, was also demoted to the pmo even though she had almost no IT experience. Basically, they couldn't find anywhere to put her.

Ok, fast forward another 6 months. Mandy quits and we hire her replacement (who was "acting" grand puba of my former division before I was hired). Now there are three of us working equally for the CIO - me, John (mandy's replacement), and Sam (Mandy's former boss). Now keep in mind that all other units in our division actually have someone in charge. Our little three-man shop all are equals and work for the CIO. Our boss is promoted. I go to our new boss and tell her I want to be in charge of the PMO. She agrees and draws up an org chart. She goes to tell the other two and all heck breaks loose. Sam happens to be a friend of the new governor and pitches a holy hissy fit. John reluctantly agrees to work for me. When the new org chart is published their names are listed below mine but we all still appear to be working for the CIO (even though John actually sends his time/leave requests through me). Anyhow, I'm the "manager" in fact but not in name. I find this rather irritating.

Now we come to the dilemma. For the most part I work with great people. I'm assigned important projects and given a sufficient amount of "glory" but lately (the last two months or so) I am just unhappy with my job. I get bored with things that I used to find challenging. The thought of finding a new job seems very fun and exciting although it would be difficult to get much of a pay raise without leaving the area which isn't an option because dh owns businesses nearby. To top things off I just spent 2 years of my life and a big chunk of change getting a master's degree in my field.

I see myself having four choices now:
1. Get another new job.
2. Get another degree/job in a different field.
3. Stick it out
4. Join dh's entreupreneurial endeavors (I don't know if I'm up to this one)

I don't know if my discontent is related, in any way, to being bp but I do have a strange work history. Lately I can barely stand to be at work. I'd say I need a vacation but I had a little mini-vacation (4 days) w/dh recently and it made me want to leave more than ever. I just didn't want to go back and I don't want to go back Monday. If I had the "right" job then shouldn't it feel something other than tedious? Am I just being persnickety because I didn't get a promotion I felt I deserved? I like to think that's not it. My other top two career choices would be an artist or a psychiatrist. Neither of these is very realistic because, first, I can't draw, and second, I'm not reliable enough to be anyone's doctor. Anyhow, I feel much better after getting everything out. I just wish I knew what to do. Any suggestions are welcome.

Morgaine

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2006
In reply to: morgaine_iv
Fri, 07-28-2006 - 11:30pm
I can help you out, simply because I am JUST like THAT. The job I am currently in is my new record - 2 years, going on 5 months. I thought it was interesting when you asked me what I did yet didn't offer up the same. IT - different breed, indeed. I have never stayed in a job for long - my previous record was 2 years. All the exact same reasons that you stated - boredom, etc. IT (as in information tech) is different, I was an MIS help desk - at one point. BTW, it's totally BP because we can't help it.





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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2006
In reply to: morgaine_iv
Sat, 07-29-2006 - 1:10am

Hi Morgaine ~


In the 2+ years I've been posting here and getting to *know* you IMHO if you're interested in psych, maybe you could consider a career in counseling. No, they don't earn as much as a pdoc but it's a challenge and I think you'd be good at it. It sounds as though you already have a bachelor's degree in some field of study, you could go for a master's in social work and go from there.


I know nothing about IT except it's beyond my scope of understanding. I can turn a computer on and post but that's about it.


I can also relate to the job restlessness. That's how I get. I think by going for my bachelor's of social work will get me pointed in the right direction. After I get that I'll go for my masters, then I'll sit for my license. That'll tie up a few years. Then I'll go into private practice where I can set my own hours. That sounds like something that would suit you as well. Just something to think about:)


Keep us posted. Have an enjoyable weekend.


Hugs,
Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2006
In reply to: morgaine_iv
Sat, 07-29-2006 - 8:25am

I can completely relate to your plight. I have an incredibly difficult time sticking with one career (and one train of thought for that matter). I'm a paralegal now, but I've had dozens of jobs. I become very restless and going to work becomes torture because the thrill is just gone... the enjoyment has dissapated. I haven't exactly found a cure for this, but I have found ways to preoccupy myself in ways that do not involve work. Try taking up a new hobby outside of work. This might satisfy your subconscious need for something *new*, which is something that I think all bp sufferers crave in spurts. Throw yourself into the hobby and really explore it. If there's something you've always wanted to try, but have always managed to put off, then maybe now is a good time to do it. This way, your energy will be focused on being excited about your new endeavor and not about being bored at work.

Some suggestions for hobbies

- Scrapbooking
- Cooking/baking
- Writing (poems, stories, childrens' books)
- Photography
- Candle making
- Flower arranging
- Finger painting ;)

FYI - Most local high schools offer low-cost adult night and/or weekend classes that teach things like photography, drawing (in case you wanted to learn), yoga, ballroom dancing, archery, typing, and other educational and leisurely activities.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
In reply to: morgaine_iv
Sat, 07-29-2006 - 10:54am

Sorry about asking you what you did and not offering the same. Did you say? I lose track of the posts sometimes. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. I could never work at the helpdesk. I think that would drive me batty in very short order. Right now I describe my job as "herding cats." The project manager seems to have to follow up on a million little details. Lately I've been doing some systems analysis. Maybe that's what has me bummed.

Morgaine

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
In reply to: morgaine_iv
Sat, 07-29-2006 - 10:56am

Counselor. Hmmm. I will keep that in mind. Perhaps that would be more gratifying.

Morgaine

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
In reply to: morgaine_iv
Sat, 07-29-2006 - 10:59am

Ophelia,

Thanks for the suggestion. I did just start a new crosstitch even though I wasn't done with the last one. That didn't really do the trick. Perhaps a new hobby would help. I'm trying to talk dh into buying me a nice digital camera so I can get back into scrapbooking.

Morgaine

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2005
In reply to: morgaine_iv
Sat, 07-29-2006 - 12:34pm
OK I have no advice expect to say congratulations on actually having a career in the first place! I think wanting change is normal for us. I can't even pick a major. Hah, yea. I've been through them all. It must be a bipolar charactaristic.