17 January 05 - The return of Sound Off!

[editoruk]

Sound Off is back, so without further ado let's get straight down to business!

We've all been back at work for a few weeks now, had time to settle in to the New Year at work and get a handle on what 2005 might bring. So, the question is: What will be the biggest influence on your career in 2005? We could be talking about something or someone in your workplace, or something that's happening this year that will affect the profession as a whole. It's a biggie, so let's hear your thoughts...

[gee4]

Well as you know I had taken on working for an additional manager last summer as a favour.  This finally got sorted out this week would you believe.  Saying no is very difficult and although not really in my nature, I have learnt that you cannot do everything for everyone!  It is therefore something I shall try and take on board for 2005 and not be taken advantage of just because I have managed to multi-task in the past.  Don't get me wrong, I love being busy and working under pressure certainly is challenging, but there are limits and when things become too much, you have to speak up and say so.

G

[ecogirl]

Any change in my career will depend on what job I get next.  The maternity contract I am working on is due to finish in 6 weeks.  It was meant to be longer but the girl I'm covering for has decided to come back early and no one thought to tell me. I found out because of a note she left on one of the directors desk.  Anyway I've just completed the fifth year of my degree and would like to change direction and work in a museum or gallery environment.  However since starting my job hunting in this area I have become quite disheartened because they don't seem to employ anybody unless they have at least three years experience.  Now with only six weeks to go I have started applying for jobs I know I can do which probably means I will staying in the same type of position.

caroleanne

[sobriquetnic]

Hi Clare

Business wise, I think the biggest influence in my current job will be how the travel industry shapes up this year.  It's been a tough few years as the need for travel agencies seems to diminish further with the advent of the internet etc so fingers crossed that we will survive!

On a personal level, whilst still as devoted to my job as ever, I am finding myself wanting more of a family life and trying to develop my home life.  I would dearly love to work from home, perhaps as a VA.  My partner is also keen to work from home and as we live so far from any family, this move would enable us to locate ourselves more conveniently.  Can't quite see it all happeing though!  Seems a bit like a pipe dream.  Must be more positive and pro-active though I think!

All the best,
Nicola.

[diamondlady]

I agree with the travel statement.  Our company is always looking for ways to save money on travel and hopefully this year we can convince our Management of ways to avoid the travel agency fees and save some dollars in the travel industry, but with the travel industry the way it is, we really need to rely on the travel agency for the best possible options for flights.   We have several travellers in the company and most of them in Management, so they are more likely to feel the affects of the industry.

On a personal note for me, I'm still adjusting to a new home and living environment with the MIL and her dog with us full time.  She's 83 and fiesty to say the least, but a sweetheart.  We both have our good days and bad ones.  We take each day as we come to it.



Diamondlady fka chris68
Peer Moderator

[countrigal]

Without a doubt, the biggest influence on my career for 2005 will be my growing family.  Having Tanner changed my career, slightly sending it askew, and having this next baby will throw it further off-track, but that's alright.  I'm young and adaptable, and this is the perfect time for my career to take a slight detour, and who could think of better reasons?  The next influence would be my current boss, who is unknowingly pushing me out of my current position and into another job, which could open up my horizons even more down the line.  I'm not off course for my over-all goal, just taking a slightly different path than expected to get there, which is not a bad thing.  So in my search for that break into management, it appears that I will take a slight side-step and broaden my experience and knowledge-base before finally being able to step upward towards management.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[movinonup]

In 2005 I am considering applying for an executive assistant position--the highest spot available for an admin at our company.  Due to a worldwide reorganization, we will have a new vice president at our facility, in need of this support person.
The trouble is, I really enjoy the spot I'm in now.  It would be a huge change, going from supporting 12 engineers to one VP.  Lots to consider.

My personal life is becoming busier, as I've taken on the newsletter editor position for my chapter of IAAP.  I'm also considering joining the choir at our church.  I have more time for these endeavors, now that my two sons are closer to being completely "on their own."  My older son is in his 2nd year of community college, and the younger one is a senior in high school.  

Thanks for bringing back Sound Off!!


Movinonup

Edited by movinonup on 22/01/05 01:27 PM.

[semaxwell1]

What will be the biggest influence on your career in 2005?

For me it will be to continue my education and continue making good grades. Hopefully, I can get a clerical job in a medical office since that is the field of business I want to pursue. I will receive my Career Advancement Certificate in medical transcription at the end of this semester. Then I plan to take courses towards the same certificate in medical coding.

semaxwell1

[catsmeat]

I'm gradually finding more and more things on my plate, not that that's a bad thing!  I took over course admin when the previous incumbent left, as well as taking on a couple of extra bosses (not a great deal of work with them though, and the course admin is very much limited to two three-month spells of the year).  However, there's a huge, international conference coming up in 2008, and guess who'll be on the team?  I'm flattered, but scared at the same time.

[spitfire78]

The biggest influence on my career for 2005 will be my upcoming job interview!  Finally, after 4 long months of waiting, they having finally called to schedule the interview!  We're still negotiating the time (I'd like to do it on my lunch hour - they originally requested 9:30) - but I'll take vacation time if I need to!

[kjorg]

The biggest influence on my career this year will be my family time.
I am currently thinking of requesting a shorter work week - 4 9-hour days and having Fridays off work. Not sure if they'll take to it though. If they don't, then it'll be looking for another job in the same town I live in so I can at least go home at lunch and get some stuff done.

I know I need to spend more time at home. Eventually, I want to work part-time; either at my current position or doing some VA work at home.

kjorg

[mlm668]

kjorg,

Before you ask, make sure your "shorter week" isn't going to be an inconvenience for anyone else.  My co-worker was granted a shorter week and no one took into consideration the burden it placed on me.  No one asked me if I minded covering her work or if it would cause me any problems in completing my own work.  As it turned out, I could get nothing done on Fridays because I had to do her job of answering the phones.  Friday afternoons weren't to bad but the mornings were non-stop - especially if we had bids the following week.  What made me so upset about the situation was she told me it would be occasionally and after one week, it turned into every Friday with no one but me asking why she was being allowed to have this arrangement when she is our receptionist.  It also upset me because when I was given my promotion last year, it was with the understanding that she would start working all week, not just the four days she started out with and I would only cover on lunch hours, vacation days and sick days.  Two weeks ago we had very important visitors here for a meeting that I got called into and the girl that would normally help out was off site doing her own job.  It caused a major headache all around and presented a poor image of our company to these visitors.

I can understand your need for time at home.  I'm fortunate that I get to go home for lunch if I choose to do so.  However, I'm one that believes that if a business is open certain hours, those are the hours the employees need to be at work or at least at the office during the hours of their shift (unless their job is one that doesn't require them to work in an office).  If I have personal business to attend to that can only be done during my work hours, I take a vacation or personal day to handle it.  Everything else can be done at night or on the weekends.  I'm here to work for my company on their terms and hours.  Call me old fashioned.



Michelle

[kjorg]

Michelle-

No, it wouldn't be an inconvenience to anyone. We're headed into our slow season right now. I would still come in at month end, regardless if it's my "day off". And I would still work a full schedule during the busy season. Any work that couldn't get done on those Fridays will be left for me to deal with on Monday. No big deal. Any "burdens" will be on my shoulders, not my co-workers. (Reminder: I've been here 17 years - co-worker 7 months..... she hasn't learned everything yet and some things the "guys" only want me to do anyways. "Guys" being my bossies, managers, merchandisers, whatever they're called - I have two of them. Four of us total in this office.)

We're a small company and get very few clients or visitors coming in. Everything is done by phone, e-mail, and snail mail. As far as the phones, everyone here answers them, even the "guys"; we don't have a receptionist.

I'm old-fashioned too. I want to stay at home full-time. It's just not feasible right now. But it's both my husband's and my goal for that to happen. Another option I have is to quit now and get my profit share money, pay off ALL of our bills and my car, maybe even his truck and probably fix up the worst stuff on the house, stay home and live on one income without using credit..(ha).. But my company would be stuck with no one knowing how to do anything but the basics. Not good for them either. This would fit both of us right now.

Thanks for the input though.

kjorg

[mlm668]

I know how you feel being the only one knowing how to do stuff and that's why it was such an inconvenience to me for her to have a shorter work week.  It wasn't just the phones..........we have others who will pick it up if they hear it but they aren't listening for it so it rings to many time before someone else picks up for my peace of mind.  And the fact that's she'd been here only a year (less than six months at full time) when she was given the shorter week.  She's still learning the ins and outs of our company and does half of what I do.

I used to want to stay home when my children were really little, but being a single parent it wasn't in the stars.  Now I don't think I could keep myself occupied enough if I did.  Sad to say, but this job is pretty much my life right now.  My kids are nearly grown and are developing social lives that don't include Mom.  All part of their growing up.

Michelle