Even though I have complained from time to time about my job, I am really starting to feel sad to be leaving here. Not for the job itself, but rather for the people and how comfortable I've become here. I'm also really excited to really center my life around my studies and to be going in a direction that is best for me. Going for a masters in Catholic Studies might not be appealing to many people, and perhaps even confusing for those who don't know me well, but I truly think that I have received so many small hints and blessing that I am doing what is right for me, that this can't be wrong. Everything seems to be falling into place so well! Not only did some other job possibilities come through right when I was on the brink of feeling like I need to quit work, but I have just been meeting with so many amazing people that I will have been blessed to know.
Your continued prayers and support are greatly appreciated!
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
My First Anniversary
In just a week from today, I will have spent an entire year working at my current job. As you know, it has been an interesting year full of both joy and pain. As a come up my first anniversary as an administrative assistant and a full-time contributor to society, I've decided to reflect on where I have been, what I am doing, and where I am going in light of this past year.
At the end of my college career, I took a nearly three week trip to Ireland and Scotland to sing with the Notre Dame Folk Choir and have one last trip and time with college friends before looking for the next step in my life. I returned from that trip refreshed and ready for life, but also anxious to know where I was going and what might be next for me. I admit that my faith, my Catholic faith that I love, suffered in the years before, and it was difficult to return to the peace and trust I had felt when I was in my high school and earlier college years. I was afraid I wouldn't find anything. I didn't even know what kind of work I was looking for to be honest. Perhaps this is what God wanted me to learn from, that I needed to trust in Him even when I have no clue what it is that's next.
I found the job at WRT within the first week and a half of searching, proving all my fears of the unknown to be entirely unfounded and worthless. But though my fears had subsided, the adjustment period had begun. The first few weeks in June and July were somewhat difficult, as it was my first time spending all day every day in the same place. I think what made me the most unsettled was that though I was fine with doing this for a year or two, I knew that this job is not where I was meant to be forever. And it scared me that once I was in, I might never get myself out. I don't devalue my role in the company. In fact, early on I learned that what I do here is among one of the most important and essential roles one can have in a company. If I don't do the work I do, no one else will be willing to do it, that's for sure. But it is all work that has to be done. I am certain that if anything, this job will make me eternally grateful for all the assistants and receptions I work with in the future. I know that their job is not easy and the rewards are not immediate, but surely they are most essential to the work that gets done anywhere.
Through the next few months I struggled with being at the office as well as figuring out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. It was in late September or early October that I first started thinking that the choice of what was next for me might not be my own. WRT started going through some tough decisions, beginning with firing the CEO and followed by two large scale lay-offs which took out about 1/2 of the company. I certainly lost any hope in job security and I realized that I needed to take my future into my own hands--I couldn't just assume that something, whatever it was, would come along.
It did and it didn't. The Catholic Studies program at the University of St. Thomas has been attractive to me for years. My interest was piqued in my junior year of high school when the new theology teacher, Mr. Gerlach, spoke highly of the program. When choosing which college to attend, the possibility of completing a Catholic Studies major weighed into my decision. When applying for jobs and thinking about my next step after college, I thought about applying for the masters program in Catholic Studies then. The one thing I did know, was that were I to go and get a masters degree (whether it was Catholic Studies, English, or something else entirely) I would have to have a definite goal in mind. That goal has continued to take shape throughout this year. So when I happened to check out the website in the beginning of February, I knew that it was not just coincidence that I had just enough time to get an application together to submit by the deadline.
I was accepted and with a few bumps along the way, I decided that this is the path I need to take to continue in my personal, professional, and spiritual development. This also meant that WRT was most likely not that path. Though there are a few things I still need to get into place before making any more life changes before starting work in the fall, I can say a few things about my first year as a "working adult" and my year at WRT.
I learned a lot about myself, what kind of worker I am, what my potential is, and where my talents lie. I need direction in my work. I believe I also need to be committed to a goal in my work that means something to me. Perhaps the main reason I am not excited about my job lies less in the work I do as an administrative assistant, and has more to do with that digital signage simply doesn't interest me. If my work is committed to a goal that I think essentially makes this world a better place, I imagine I would feel much more satisfied even in the mundane. But the fact is that I don't necessarily think that we are helping anyone or anything by contributing to the "more, more, more" attitude of materialism and marketing. Of course, there isn't anything inherently wrong with digital signage, and from the point of view of WRT, I am glad they have provided jobs, albeit less and less, for people to create a livelihood and a life.
The bottom line is that at WRT, I have so far had an irreplaceable and essential experience. It has been, in some ways, necessary for me to make the leap into my next stage in life. So, in a moment of nostalgia looking over the last year, I've really enjoyed being where I am. And though I look forward to the next step, I will surely always look fondly on my time here.
At the end of my college career, I took a nearly three week trip to Ireland and Scotland to sing with the Notre Dame Folk Choir and have one last trip and time with college friends before looking for the next step in my life. I returned from that trip refreshed and ready for life, but also anxious to know where I was going and what might be next for me. I admit that my faith, my Catholic faith that I love, suffered in the years before, and it was difficult to return to the peace and trust I had felt when I was in my high school and earlier college years. I was afraid I wouldn't find anything. I didn't even know what kind of work I was looking for to be honest. Perhaps this is what God wanted me to learn from, that I needed to trust in Him even when I have no clue what it is that's next.
I found the job at WRT within the first week and a half of searching, proving all my fears of the unknown to be entirely unfounded and worthless. But though my fears had subsided, the adjustment period had begun. The first few weeks in June and July were somewhat difficult, as it was my first time spending all day every day in the same place. I think what made me the most unsettled was that though I was fine with doing this for a year or two, I knew that this job is not where I was meant to be forever. And it scared me that once I was in, I might never get myself out. I don't devalue my role in the company. In fact, early on I learned that what I do here is among one of the most important and essential roles one can have in a company. If I don't do the work I do, no one else will be willing to do it, that's for sure. But it is all work that has to be done. I am certain that if anything, this job will make me eternally grateful for all the assistants and receptions I work with in the future. I know that their job is not easy and the rewards are not immediate, but surely they are most essential to the work that gets done anywhere.
Through the next few months I struggled with being at the office as well as figuring out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. It was in late September or early October that I first started thinking that the choice of what was next for me might not be my own. WRT started going through some tough decisions, beginning with firing the CEO and followed by two large scale lay-offs which took out about 1/2 of the company. I certainly lost any hope in job security and I realized that I needed to take my future into my own hands--I couldn't just assume that something, whatever it was, would come along.
It did and it didn't. The Catholic Studies program at the University of St. Thomas has been attractive to me for years. My interest was piqued in my junior year of high school when the new theology teacher, Mr. Gerlach, spoke highly of the program. When choosing which college to attend, the possibility of completing a Catholic Studies major weighed into my decision. When applying for jobs and thinking about my next step after college, I thought about applying for the masters program in Catholic Studies then. The one thing I did know, was that were I to go and get a masters degree (whether it was Catholic Studies, English, or something else entirely) I would have to have a definite goal in mind. That goal has continued to take shape throughout this year. So when I happened to check out the website in the beginning of February, I knew that it was not just coincidence that I had just enough time to get an application together to submit by the deadline.
I was accepted and with a few bumps along the way, I decided that this is the path I need to take to continue in my personal, professional, and spiritual development. This also meant that WRT was most likely not that path. Though there are a few things I still need to get into place before making any more life changes before starting work in the fall, I can say a few things about my first year as a "working adult" and my year at WRT.
I learned a lot about myself, what kind of worker I am, what my potential is, and where my talents lie. I need direction in my work. I believe I also need to be committed to a goal in my work that means something to me. Perhaps the main reason I am not excited about my job lies less in the work I do as an administrative assistant, and has more to do with that digital signage simply doesn't interest me. If my work is committed to a goal that I think essentially makes this world a better place, I imagine I would feel much more satisfied even in the mundane. But the fact is that I don't necessarily think that we are helping anyone or anything by contributing to the "more, more, more" attitude of materialism and marketing. Of course, there isn't anything inherently wrong with digital signage, and from the point of view of WRT, I am glad they have provided jobs, albeit less and less, for people to create a livelihood and a life.
The bottom line is that at WRT, I have so far had an irreplaceable and essential experience. It has been, in some ways, necessary for me to make the leap into my next stage in life. So, in a moment of nostalgia looking over the last year, I've really enjoyed being where I am. And though I look forward to the next step, I will surely always look fondly on my time here.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Payroll
Warning: This post involves a lot of venting and whining about my job. BEWARE!
In an effort to consolidate resources once again, my company decided about a month ago to give me a couple of the responsibilities of one of the employees in finance who left the company. These include credit card reconciliation and payroll. The credit card is a little stressful, but at least doable. On the other hand, in payroll I generally have no idea what I am looking at. Even though my supervisor and I are working on it together, neither of us has the experience needed to make this transition without a little extra help. It seems like every time we come up to a payroll, we have to go back and forth with the HR companies before we figure out who is getting paid what.
Then, there is the fact that Erin and I have different ideas of how the spreadsheets and everything should work, and I hate feeling like I'm inserting myself with her, but I also don't want the information to be recorded improperly.
Lastly, it doesn't help that recently they are continuing to let people go every payroll. First it was Rob. Then last time it was Dan and Carm. Now, it's four people in Canada. All of the terminations have something different going on with them, and we have to figure out how to treat them. It doesn't help that many of them have been in Canada, which means a lot of rules and regulations about terminations according to Canada's socialist government.
Basically, blame Canada.
I know that having this as a skill set will make me more marketable in the future when I am looking for a job (I guess if it ever came down to it, I might be sort of qualified to do payroll or something for a small company), but in the mean time it is frustrating and makes me realize why (not that I ever ever would have considered it) I did not major in finance during college. It also makes me glad to think that I might only have to do this for four or so months if I end up leaving WRT when I go back to school.
ughhhhhh.... thanks for letting me let that out of my system.
In an effort to consolidate resources once again, my company decided about a month ago to give me a couple of the responsibilities of one of the employees in finance who left the company. These include credit card reconciliation and payroll. The credit card is a little stressful, but at least doable. On the other hand, in payroll I generally have no idea what I am looking at. Even though my supervisor and I are working on it together, neither of us has the experience needed to make this transition without a little extra help. It seems like every time we come up to a payroll, we have to go back and forth with the HR companies before we figure out who is getting paid what.
Then, there is the fact that Erin and I have different ideas of how the spreadsheets and everything should work, and I hate feeling like I'm inserting myself with her, but I also don't want the information to be recorded improperly.
Lastly, it doesn't help that recently they are continuing to let people go every payroll. First it was Rob. Then last time it was Dan and Carm. Now, it's four people in Canada. All of the terminations have something different going on with them, and we have to figure out how to treat them. It doesn't help that many of them have been in Canada, which means a lot of rules and regulations about terminations according to Canada's socialist government.
Basically, blame Canada.
I know that having this as a skill set will make me more marketable in the future when I am looking for a job (I guess if it ever came down to it, I might be sort of qualified to do payroll or something for a small company), but in the mean time it is frustrating and makes me realize why (not that I ever ever would have considered it) I did not major in finance during college. It also makes me glad to think that I might only have to do this for four or so months if I end up leaving WRT when I go back to school.
ughhhhhh.... thanks for letting me let that out of my system.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Why I Like my Job (!)
It's a tough time for jobs right now. Those who don't have them, can't get them, and those who have them, don't want them. With recent downsizing in my company, I have done my fair share of complaining about what kind of job I'm in, the fact that I am doing the work of two people now and also the lack of compensation for it all. But in light of the fact I may be returning to grad school in the fall, I've decided to look on the things I enjoy about work (at least, I enjoy them enough to get me through the next 5-6 months...):
10. Making money.
Yes, I am that shallow. I admit, I feel a little embarrassed that this even makes the top ten list, but it truly is one of the best feelings I get on a bi-weekly basis when I check my bank account online and my wallet just got a little fatter. I like paying for my own car and every expense I have. This is not to say that I'm not still receiving charity in one way or another from the 'rents, but I'm still basically responsible for myself.
9.Saving money.
Sure, spending it is fun, but I've never had the experience of a savings account growing at so quickly a rate.The first thing I do on a pay-day morning is sign into that online banking and move a significant portion of that check into my savings. It fun to think about what it will go towards and what I will use it for. Maybe it will one day pay for my grad school bills, or it might be the down payment on a house. Perhaps it will allow me to take that dream va-cay someday. Or it could be there for a rainy day. Whatever it is, it's my choice, and I like having it.
8. Working on work only between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
Even though I often call my job mundane and unimportant, it's really nice to be able to spend my free time doing anything I want to do. I never do work outside of the office, in fact, I'm actually not supposed to. Since my pay is technically hourly, they would have to pay me for it, and let's just say they are none too happy about it when it happens.
7. Hourly pay.
Yes, the idea of a salaried job is really nice, since usually those pay more. But the fact is, I get the same benefits as any of the salaried workers at my work place (health and dental insurance, paid time off, etc), but if I work more than 40 hours a week, I'm getting paid time and a half for it. That would not necessarily be the case (and usually isn't) for a salaried position.
6. Greeting people.
I'm the first face they see when they walk into the office, and I like being friendly and helping people out. My boss told me a few weeks ago that she has only heard good things about my attitude with people coming in from the outside, so that's cool.
5. Helping out my fellow associates with their small requests.
It is really satisfying when I get an urgent request for something small, I get it done in like 5 or 10 minutes, and my coworker is just about ecstatic that I got it done so quick and I helped them out so much. Who new that making a binder spine or putting together a binder or editing a copy of some document could be so rewarding?
4. Doing tasks that I can check off of a list.
I like having the type of job that entails many projects that have a start, a middle, and a finish. I like the feeling of getting something done and just being done with it, period.
3. Sitting in front of a computer.
My eyes probably hate me for saying this, but I like that I am able to check my e-mail, read some articles, talk on facebook for a bit, and even watch some tv programs to relax and stay connected during the day. I'm able to keep up so well with some friends solely because of this aspect of my job.
2. The relaxed atmosphere.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoy dressing up and making myself look pretty. But I think the job I'm currently in is a nice transition for the recent college graduate who is used to rolling out of bed, and running to class. I don't have to drive far, so I don't have to wake up super early to look nice. But the kind of place it is don't make me feel the need to get up extra early just to straighten my hair and iron my suit. I like being able to wear my jeans. Usually more than once a week.
1. The experience.
It's got it's highs and it's lows, but working life is a good place to be when you're finally ready for that real world experience. I am sure that my time in this job will not soon be forgotten, if ever. The people and experiences here will always be the memory of my first full time job, and, barring getting laid off or run out of there on a rail, I will look back on it fondly.
So there you have it; my favorite aspects of my job. I thought about making a companion list of things I dislike about my job, but I figured that would just make me depressed. Also, I don't think I could confine that list to just ten spots...but really, I like working. And now I have somewhere I can look to when I'm having trouble focusing or am getting really stressed out from my work. :)
10. Making money.
Yes, I am that shallow. I admit, I feel a little embarrassed that this even makes the top ten list, but it truly is one of the best feelings I get on a bi-weekly basis when I check my bank account online and my wallet just got a little fatter. I like paying for my own car and every expense I have. This is not to say that I'm not still receiving charity in one way or another from the 'rents, but I'm still basically responsible for myself.
9.Saving money.
Sure, spending it is fun, but I've never had the experience of a savings account growing at so quickly a rate.The first thing I do on a pay-day morning is sign into that online banking and move a significant portion of that check into my savings. It fun to think about what it will go towards and what I will use it for. Maybe it will one day pay for my grad school bills, or it might be the down payment on a house. Perhaps it will allow me to take that dream va-cay someday. Or it could be there for a rainy day. Whatever it is, it's my choice, and I like having it.
8. Working on work only between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
Even though I often call my job mundane and unimportant, it's really nice to be able to spend my free time doing anything I want to do. I never do work outside of the office, in fact, I'm actually not supposed to. Since my pay is technically hourly, they would have to pay me for it, and let's just say they are none too happy about it when it happens.
7. Hourly pay.
Yes, the idea of a salaried job is really nice, since usually those pay more. But the fact is, I get the same benefits as any of the salaried workers at my work place (health and dental insurance, paid time off, etc), but if I work more than 40 hours a week, I'm getting paid time and a half for it. That would not necessarily be the case (and usually isn't) for a salaried position.
6. Greeting people.
I'm the first face they see when they walk into the office, and I like being friendly and helping people out. My boss told me a few weeks ago that she has only heard good things about my attitude with people coming in from the outside, so that's cool.
5. Helping out my fellow associates with their small requests.
It is really satisfying when I get an urgent request for something small, I get it done in like 5 or 10 minutes, and my coworker is just about ecstatic that I got it done so quick and I helped them out so much. Who new that making a binder spine or putting together a binder or editing a copy of some document could be so rewarding?
4. Doing tasks that I can check off of a list.
I like having the type of job that entails many projects that have a start, a middle, and a finish. I like the feeling of getting something done and just being done with it, period.
3. Sitting in front of a computer.
My eyes probably hate me for saying this, but I like that I am able to check my e-mail, read some articles, talk on facebook for a bit, and even watch some tv programs to relax and stay connected during the day. I'm able to keep up so well with some friends solely because of this aspect of my job.
2. The relaxed atmosphere.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoy dressing up and making myself look pretty. But I think the job I'm currently in is a nice transition for the recent college graduate who is used to rolling out of bed, and running to class. I don't have to drive far, so I don't have to wake up super early to look nice. But the kind of place it is don't make me feel the need to get up extra early just to straighten my hair and iron my suit. I like being able to wear my jeans. Usually more than once a week.
1. The experience.
It's got it's highs and it's lows, but working life is a good place to be when you're finally ready for that real world experience. I am sure that my time in this job will not soon be forgotten, if ever. The people and experiences here will always be the memory of my first full time job, and, barring getting laid off or run out of there on a rail, I will look back on it fondly.
So there you have it; my favorite aspects of my job. I thought about making a companion list of things I dislike about my job, but I figured that would just make me depressed. Also, I don't think I could confine that list to just ten spots...but really, I like working. And now I have somewhere I can look to when I'm having trouble focusing or am getting really stressed out from my work. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)