And now it is time for me to move on. For quite a few reasons, actually. Some more important than others, but all of them have played a part in my decision to leave.
- My responsibilities have changed. The company I'm with has undergone a consolidation, or merger, this past year. Most of my responsibilities have been parceled out to people "better designated" to do them. And it makes sense, it really does. Why should I plan the annual career fair, when we're gaining an entire Career Services department with the consolidation? Why should I create all the event flyers when we're paying a graphic designer to do that? It's all been whittled away; leaving me with only about 1-2 things that are mine. I've done hardly 2 days work in the past two weeks - not because I'm lazy or because I don't want to. Because there is nothing for me to do.
- There's a lack of communication and promises being broken. I had a promising job opportunity come up in December (it fell through), and I mentioned it to my boss to give him a heads up. With the consolidation, he's no longer my boss, and has agreed to be a reference for me. Next thing I know, my new boss (old boss's old boss) came in with promises that they are rearranging the organizational chart and moving me to a department-wide position. The job title and pay would be the same, but I'd be reporting directly to the VP - giving me a nice boost on my resume. The job fell through, but I didn't keep searching for another one, planning to give out the new position a try. Two weeks ago a memo hit my desk (which is odd itself because our office never uses memos) with the new organizational chart. Not only did they not put me where they promised, they actually moved me lower, so that I am on par with the temporary and student workers. After not seeing or hearing from anyone for almost two months, I got that news through a memo.
- Essentially in the next few months I'll be moving offices, changing job responsibilities (to a glorified student worker), and changing co-workers. It's a new job. One that I didn't choose, and that I honestly don't want.
- The hours are going to be ridiculous. It's a student-oriented job; which means that I need to be available for the students. Potentially, I could be expected to come in as early as 6 AM, and not expected to leave until midnight. The position is salaried just so they don't have to pay extra for extra-long work weeks.
- There is absolutely no room for growth. The company has come out and said no raises or bonuses for the next 5-10 years. There haven't been raises or bonuses in the 4 years I've worked here. And with the consolidation, a new "pay scale" is being put in place. You get paid based off your education. There is a maximum that I can be paid with only a bachelor's degree. If I got a masters, even if nothing else changed, I'd automatically in the system get bumped up the the next level of paygrade. Which means it is actually impossible for me to move up in the office unless I go back to school. While working salaried crazy hours.
I've reached a weird point in my job that if I stay any longer, it will actually be detrimental to me and any future job I might have.
So yes, I'm seriously looking for another job. I'd leave tomorrow if I could. (I'd actually quit if I could, but A. it's harder to find a job when you're unemployed, and B. I'm pretty sure you don't get unemployment if you quit - and we can't afford that right now.)
I've applied several places, and I'm still looking. Hopefully I'll hear back from some of them and start going on interviews. I'd like to have a new job by the summer.
