For those who have been following on Twitter, work lately has been incredibly crazy. Within a matter of a few weeks, I have a new boss and a completely new organizational structure. Then, I negotiated an alternative work schedule to accommodate the lack of daycare options. This was all followed very quickly by the announcement of a massive two-year project that will take a majority of our current resources and change the way we completely do business. Within this last announcement came the shock that my co-worker of five years, the senior person in our small department of two, will be permanently assigned to this special project and will then retire after the project is complete. To say that I am discombobulated is an understatement.
There have been so many changes lately that I am honestly afraid to come to work because I do not know what else will be announced. Today, I had the pleasure of listening to my workload and my future position in the company being discussed by my new boss and departing co-worker, all from my desk because I was not part of the conversation. I feel like my career is quickly careening out of my control, and I’m not certain I like the feeling.
I do know that within this special project is the need for a full-time communications person. As soon as that position was announced, I perked up and expressed my desire for the job. I’ve been trying to volunteer for this special project for three months and have either not been taken seriously or have been ignored. But communications? This I can do well. I already have traction as the editor and founder of the company newsletter, something which has been met with tremendous success and continues to generate impressive responses from elsewhere in the parent company. I have proven that I can write communication pieces. I want this job.
However, when I expressed my interest to my manager, he was concerned that it is the exact opposite of everything I have been working towards for the past five years. This is indeed true. It is the opposite of what I have been doing…at work. This entire exchange has me more than a little concerned. Should I be pigeon-holed into a role solely because that is where my experience lies? At what point in time should reality limit your dreams?
See – I feel certain that even though I am volunteering for this special project and would be a perfect fit for the communications role, my request is going to be ignored. Why is this? For one thing, with my co-worker’s pending departure, the company is going to have to fill her role, meaning hiring someone new. When you work at something as important as pricing all of a company’s products, it is not a role that is easily replaceable. I do not see them letting both of us go, no matter how much I wish otherwise. Also, I think the fact that I have my certification and MBA in accounting, my manager’s incredulity will rule the day. Because he can’t fathom me wanting to switch career paths after all that work, he is not going to let me do so. This means that no matter how much I lobby for my dream role, I have no confidence I will get it.
So I ask others – at what point in time do you put your dreams aside and face down reality? Is it right to expect a company to allow me to switch career paths at the drop of a hat, even though it might cause temporary problems for day-to-day business? Should I continue to fight (and beg and plead) for the communications role, or should I muster up excitement at becoming the senior pricing specialist in the building, complete with more meetings, more teams, more bureaucracy, and a ton more work,
I am going to continue to make my wishes known, if only because my current role has exploded beyond what I ever expected or even want. I become fully vested on Friday, so I feel much better about my options. We shall see.
Argh this sounds like a very tough situation. There can't be any harm in continuing to shout for what you want and working in as creative a way possible to emphasise your communication skills until the last possible moment can there? I only worked the big corporate job 6 months but I know those kind of companies have such nitpicky cultures, so maybe you'd be unwilling to do that because you're in a culture where such action could hurt your reputation and your future prospects. But if you don't think that it will negatively impact then is there any harm in going for it? You will still be able to fall back on the position of specialist in your current position (and it sounds like there's job security waiting for you to come back to, even if you do chase other dreams if the position that becomes vacant will be hard to fill). Good luck whatever direction you decide on!
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Thanks, Jen! I know I've been miserable lately, and I can't tell if it is hormones or work or a combination of both. I normally love my job and have been wanting this extra job for four years now. I *should* be more excited. Hopefully, the situation will improve, or I will come to my senses!
You are exactly right. No regrets. I absolutely agree with your sentiment that we want to be happy at work too. Thank you for the boost!
This will be a huge test to see what they are going to do. Every other time I've reached a professional crisis and have been ready to jump ship, they've come through for me. I will be curious to see if it continues.
Yes I really think that if companies want to keep their employees they should treat them well, and work with them based on what they want. Not always possible, but if it is, they should jump at the chance! Not that my company does that. Sigh. Good luck!!!
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Thanks, girl!! Will keep you informed!
Thanks, Amy! The latest is that HR is trying its hardest to avoid filling this position at all. Work is such a mess these days!
I am going to continue to fight for it though because I highly doubt that my company will be able to change the rules at all on a project of this magnitude, like they seem to want to be doing.
Some would argue that companies owe you nothing because they are already paying you for your time. I tend to feel like you do, that it is a lot easier to keep me happy than have to have to fill two positions unexpectedly.
GO FOR IT! Major spirit fingers coming your way, suge! xo
Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that work has become such a headache for you. I think that companies are expected to help us grow our careers, and maybe they have a "path" mapped out for you, but I also think that they should take what you want into account. It is YOUR career, after all, and if they want to keep you they should keep you happy. I really do think you should beg and plead, just state straight out that it is the direction that you wish to take your career and you would be unhappy with the other option.
Of course, I am still young and naive to the ways of the world, some might say, but I still say that you should go for your dream and for what you want!
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