How happy are you at your current Job?

[Gypsy]

I've been pretty happy here until recently, and I'm thinking it's because the honeymoon has worn off (I've been here 15 months). And I find myself day dreaming about job-hunting-- and I know it's too soon, I have to wait till the 2 year mark before I can realistically leave. So I'm wondering about everyone's job satisfaction. It's the company I'm unhappy with and the way it treats the employees. Not the work I'm doing, BTW.

 

[isaku5]

I''m currently retired, but have to say that I loved my high school teaching job!! Keeping one step ahead of teenagers was a challenge and a delight.

If I hadn''t chosen teaching, it would have been law (don''t know what type).

 

[Octavia]

None of the options fit for me, but if I could vote, it would be "My job was okay as a placeholder, but not what I''d like to do long-term. So I quit and went back to school."

I think that if you like the work you do but don''t like the company, you should keep eagle eyes out for something similar at a different company. It''s too stressful to work for a company that doesn''t treat you well. I know that it doesn''t look great on a resume to have job-jumping, but honestly, if you can find a job at a different company you love and you stay there for a few years, it won''t matter that much (in most fields, not all). Just because you''re looking at job postings doesn''t mean you have to take another job right now, or even apply for one...but don''t miss out on the job of your dreams just because you think you ought to stay at this company a few months more.

 

[onedrop]

I just lost my very detailed response, but I can sum it up by saying that I am mostly satisfied with my job right now. There are times where I hit the wall, but at those times I usually try to volunteer for a project that is not anything like what I am currently doing.

Gypsy: I understand your concern about the new direction that the company is going. We underwent a regime change at my job some time ago and it didn''t go very well. This current regime doesn''t have the same esprit d''corps of the last one, so employees are not as excited about what they are doing as they used to be. It''s sad because I remember coming in so fresh and eager to work and do good, and now sometimes I feel I am on a hamster wheel just trying to keep up with numbers.

 

[sumbride]

I''m unhappy for a variety of reasons... I don''t like my commute, I''m bored with what I do as I''ve been here 3 years, and my boss has become a micromanager as things aren''t good in her home life. I''m trying to get something else and as time goes on I get more and more annoyed over every little thing. It''s time to go.

 

[sera]

It's basically a not-forever-job (not quite a "temp" job). I'm working as a one on one aide with a student with quite a few serious issues. Most days are pretty good (though even those require a TON of patience and compassion)... the bad days can be quite horrendous. It pays less than half of what I was making 9 years ago, so that's a bummer! (Had bilateral knee injuries so couldn't continue with my old job). I do have medical and dental insurance which I am very thankful for, and I have more hours than most aides. The people I work with are nice so that's a big plus.

All in all, I'm pretty happy being there for this time in my life. I'm not in a rush to leave and will consider staying on to keep the benefits and do interpreting part time. It's also nice to know that you are making a difference in someone's life.

********************

L's for love.

 

[BigDiamonds]

If I had to vote last week, I would have said, "Get me out of here!!!!" This week is not so bad.

I have been working on a huge project that has just been a nightmare, and it finally came to a (rather ubrupt) end. It is not good news for my already-struggling company that it didn''t go well, which is stressful, but at least now I''m not working 80 hour weeks. I still need to keep an eye out, but I''m not crying every night dreading work the next day, so that''s good news!

 

[Haven]

Date: 12/3/2007 7:21:06 PM
Author: isaku5
I''m currently retired, but have to say that I loved my high school teaching job!! Keeping one step ahead of teenagers was a challenge and a delight.

If I hadn''t chosen teaching, it would have been law (don''t know what type).

I love my high school teaching job, too! And try this on for size--I went to law school before choosing teaching as a career, what a coincidence!

I get to talk about my favorite thing in the world (literature) all day long, AND I get to work with teenagers--never a dull moment! (I do hate grading papers, though, I''ll admit.)

 

[gailrmv]

My job has its ups and downs like most I guess. Some things I do aren't what I want to be doing long term, but I'm pretty happy for now. I have a great schedule and really like my boss and coworkers, so that counts for a lot.

 

[Clio]

I do really like my job, however, I''ve been here 3 years, and I''m feeling that it''s time to look into moving up a step. Because of my agency''s size and structure, that will probably mean moving to a different federal agency (although I did recently interview for a position 1 step up in my current division; haven''t heard about that one yet).

 

[basil]

Where''s the option for "the job''s good, but I want less of it"?

Tomorrow is Day 3 of a 14 day stretch without a day off. Most days I work from 7am-6pm with no lunch break. I like what I''m doing, but I''d like to do it from 9-5 with no weekends, please.

 

[iheartscience]

I chose number 2, but number 1 is almost true. The main problem with my job is that there's nowhere to go! I can't get promoted or move to a different position because it's an independent business and there really are no other positions for me! I'm the buyer for a men's and women's clothing boutique and I LOVE clothes, so that's awesome. Plus my boss and most of my coworkers are great. But I want to be able to move up and get promotions and whatnot.

I'm finishing college right now so I'm not really sweating it but when I graduate I'm definitely going to have to move to NYC to further my fashion career or change careers altogether. I'm leaning towards moving to NYC but if something came up in my area in a (completely) different field I would think about staying in the area I'm in. I'm a big giant mama's girl (I'm the baby of the family!) and my parents live about an hour away, so that's nice. Plus most of my siblings are all pretty close, too. But I can always take a quick flight from NYC so it's not the end of the world if I move there.

ETA information so my post makes more sense!

 

[isaku5]

Date: 12/3/2007 8:34:40 PM
Author: Haven

Date: 12/3/2007 7:21:06 PM
Author: isaku5
I''m currently retired, but have to say that I loved my high school teaching job!! Keeping one step ahead of teenagers was a challenge and a delight.

If I hadn''t chosen teaching, it would have been law (don''t know what type).

I love my high school teaching job, too! And try this on for size--I went to law school before choosing teaching as a career, what a coincidence!

I get to talk about my favorite thing in the world (literature) all day long, AND I get to work with teenagers--never a dull moment! (I do hate grading papers, though, I''ll admit.)

That''s really interesting, Haven! In my 19 years of teaching, I never met anyone who came into teaching from law school. A few came from the business world, and a few went to law school, but the majority, at least in the school where I taught, made teaching a lifetime career.

You''re right about the marking of essays etc. being really tedious

, but the interaction with the students far outweighed that. Best of all was sharing students'' enthusiasm

 

[KimberlyH]

I am a substitute teacher working towards my MEd in elementary ed. Substituting has helped my to find my true passion, working with autistic children, and I am so grateful. Unfortunately, this means I''m going to have to return to school, eventually, to earn a second credential in Special Ed so I can do what I am called to. But in the meantime I really enjoy working in lots of different classrooms, both general ed and special ed, and meeting so many fantastic kids. I love what I do.

 

[KimberlyH]

I am a substitute teacher working towards my MEd in elementary ed. Substituting has helped my to find my true passion, working with autistic children, and I am so grateful. Unfortunately, this means I''m going to have to return to school, eventually, to earn a second credential in Special Ed so I can do what I am called to. But in the meantime I really enjoy working in lots of different classrooms, both general ed and special ed, and meeting so many fantastic kids. I love what I do and look forward to having my own classroom so I can do and give more to the wonderful kids I am so lucky to work with.

 

[pennquaker09]

Lot''s of teachers here I see. Currently, I work for a home builder, Toll Brothers, but my last day of work is this Friday because I start my student teaching next month. If I wouldn''t have moved to Pennsylvania, I would already have my teaching license, but it has been a blessing because I don''t I would have wanted to enter the classroom at 22. The the extra year and a half has totally made a difference, plus given that I was in a number driven field, I feel that the work I''ve done will aide me if I end up teaching math. I double majored in chemistry and math, but I''ll be certified to teach all of the sciences and math. I don''t think I want to teach biology, but I had the coursework so I felt that it made sense.

However, even though I''ll be getting my masters in May. I won''t be working in the foreseeable future because I''m going to be a stay at home parent. As much as I want to be a teacher, I would rather be a parent so I might not re-enter the work force for a pretty good while. My household gets taxed twice and since I''ll never make as much as Nate being a teacher, so we are better served by my not working. And I''m totally content with that.


Needless to say, I do like my current job. I accomplished more than I ever imagined.

 

[MaryAlaina]

I''m in my last year of law school and working as a prosecutor for the misdemeanor unit of the U.S. Attorney''s office and I absolutely LOVE IT! My only regret is that they won''t be able to hire me once I graduate because AUSAs have to have 3-5 years of experience. The hardest part is still having to go to classes.......

 

[Joolskie]

After working for 14 years as a journalist and copywriter, I recently decided to pursue my second career dream. I am currently working part-time as a Library Assistant. Next year, when both my children are in school full-time, I am going to start a master's program in Library and Information Science.

I really like my Library Assistant job. I am learning so much and the fact that it is part-time allows for me to volunteer at my kids' school, etc. Eventually, I would like to work full-time as a librarian in either a public or academic setting.

 

[HollyS]

Middle management in the world of car dealerships can be a living hell. The cheaper payroll end of dealership management usually does a good deal more actual *work* than our higher paid fellow employees. But, if you weigh my job against other jobs, I have a lot of leeway, and receive decent perks -- and I get a demo (yeah!) so I don''t have a car payment and insurance.

 

[Nicrez]

Date: 12/4/2007 1:05:21 AM
Author: MaryAlaina
I''m in my last year of law school and working as a prosecutor for the misdemeanor unit of the U.S. Attorney''s office and I absolutely LOVE IT! My only regret is that they won''t be able to hire me once I graduate because AUSAs have to have 3-5 years of experience. The hardest part is still having to go to classes.......

Hi MaryAlaina:

Which office do you clerk for? What district? My friend was a criminal prosecutor for 10 years and works for Mike Garcia in the Southern District here in NY. I remember he had a colleague that graduated law school, took the bar while becoming an Assistant US Attorney right out of law school in the Honors Program. The guy had gone to Georgetown and started working with the Eastern District in VA, later transfering to NY.

I know some schools do offer programs, depending on the connection of the school to the district office, and how hard you push for it. I have an old coworker who clerked for a judge here in NY, and he got an offer to work for the office upon graduation, but he turned it down to make more money as a corporate litigator for a top tier firm (He was engaged and I think that had something to do with his choice).

But have you enquired with your school about such programs? Some offices will allow you to work there until you pass the bar, and then can make you a prosecutor without the "requisite" experience. Both people who had the experience/offer where people with previous careers (not legal) but sometimes the maturity is what helps their decision.... Good luck!!!

 

[Mara]

i really love my current job...and it''s the happiest i''ve been in a corporate lifestyle since 2000. much of it is the company and the people within it. i have been at countless other places since 2000 but nothing has felt SO right since then. my team is wonderful, we all fit together like pieces of a puzzle, 7 women who are all in similar stages of life who have become friends. my boss is amazing and there is mutual respect between us, i am in my field doing awesome things that will look stellar on my resume. like anything, who knows how long it will really last, especially in this volatile tech area...but i will enjoy it while i have it.

 

[butterfly 17]

I would say that I love my job and am sad that I may have to leave the area I am in due to my husband's upcoming promotion.

I honestly can't imagine doing anything else and working anywhere else and even though I am so excited about my husband getting his dream come true, I am so sad....

I currently work as a nurse in NICU (neonatal intensive care) and I absolutely love it. I like most of the people I work with, I like working nights although sometimes I am just exhausted and I love the types of patients I take care of and I am really good at it.

I even got an award this year at the Pediatric Graduation Party for Best Nurse for 2006-2007. I was picked out of nurses in the PICU, Peds. floor, NICU and Peds. ER, so I was completely shocked and happy at the same time.

Because of my husband's new position, I have to switch now to an 11 to 11:30 position and the only two areas that have that particular position open currently are Surgical ICU and the ER, both extremely crazy, hectic areas to work in, esp. now that it is the holiday season.

Yesterday I was supposed to go to two interviews with both managers and one of them didn't even show up!!! She completely forgot that we had an interview scheduled.

I just hope that is not the way she runs the unit!!!

 

[treysar]

HEy butterfly! I worked on the NICu & The Family Birth Center! I''m not a nurse, I organized the lamaze and birht classes and the hospital tours - but it was a great place to work. I left recently because I''m having fertility problems and working there was KILLING me!

But in general, it was a great job - if there''s anywhere you want to work in a Hospital, it''s a floor where people are coming in for a happy occasion, not a sad one!

 

[Pandora II]

I have to say that I am deeply, deeply miserable in my job right now.

My job is completely impossible no matter what I do. My bosses all acknowledge this and know that all the difficulties are completely out of my hands and beyond anyone's control.

I have been struggling on this year and I am reaching breaking point.

I do political fundraising, but the party is doing very badly, has no chance of getting into power - and quite frankly I wouldn't give us any money! The company are happy with what I have done, but I just feel completely demoralised.

I was brought in 3 years ago to turn round some departments that were making big losses - I spent time doing analysis and then shut them down, thus saving us money, but not making any. They reshuffled all the offices round last year and gave me a new Director to work for. He has only ever worked her and has been there for 25 years. He also completely micro-manages everything I do. He let me 'sit-in' on the interview for my new assistant - and then didn't know what to ask the candidates as he has no idea what my job entails.

He then chose my assistant for me.

I have an appointment with a head-hunter tomorrow so maybe something will come out of it. The problem is that I have got so down that I have lost my confidence in quite a big way. I'm also 35, so people will look at me and think: 'maternity leave' (It's 9 months here).

I also have a very odd cv and have worked in many different areas. My skills are all transferable, but lots of careers want people who have been junior x, deputy x, senior x etc all in the same thing.

I wish I knew what I really want to do (that is practically ontainable - ie not being Laurence Graff's bag carrier.

)

 

[pennquaker09]

Sorry about that Pandora. I hope it gets better for you.

 

[MaryAlaina]

Date: 12/4/2007 10:32:17 AM
Author: Nicrez

Date: 12/4/2007 1:05:21 AM

Hi MaryAlaina:

Which office do you clerk for? What district? My friend was a criminal prosecutor for 10 years and works for Mike Garcia in the Southern District here in NY. I remember he had a colleague that graduated law school, took the bar while becoming an Assistant US Attorney right out of law school in the Honors Program. The guy had gone to Georgetown and started working with the Eastern District in VA, later transfering to NY.

Unfortunately it is common knowledge here that they won''t hire ANYONE right out of law school. I''m in the Eastern District of California. Their own web site says you need 3-5 years of litigation experience. Of course, I keep hoping that once we get to May, they will decide they can''t live without me, and will find a way to let me stay.

 

[akw94]

Gypsy, my problems with my job are the opposite of yours. The company is fine, it''s a gov. job, good benefits, very nice group of people but the work doesn''t satisfy me. I always thought it would but it''s just not enough. I have found through working here that I enjoy working with kids. But I''m not sure what direction to go from here. I have found that helping someone with their criminal case just isn''t enough for me. I want to make more of a difference in someone''s life. Solving their case doesn''t change their environment, friends, family, teaching.. it just solves the case. There are so many youth that need so much help in this society and I''d like to do more if I can.
So I''ve thought a lot about switching and maybe one of these days I''ll do it.

 

[zoebartlett]

I love my job as a teacher (elementary), and it feels right to work with kids. I''ve had other jobs where I wasn''t working with kids at all but it didn''t feel right. I''ve worked as an aide, an intern (student teacher), a reading teacher, and I''ve now been a classroom teacher for 4 years. I''m not planning on leaving but if I were to go back to school and posibly pursue something else, the field of library science interests me. I would think that being a children''s librarian (in an elementary school) would be a really great job. One of my coworkers is now applying to a library science program and I have to admit, I''m a tad jealous.