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View Full Version : Opinions Needed on Job Dilemna


Winter Storm
09-08-2004, 02:30 PM
Ok, here's the brief scenario. I took my present job as a sales coordinator because I was desperate to leave my previous 'mall' job , I was a recent grad and was eager to get into the marketing industry.

Two years later, it is clear to me that this position (which is 80% adminstrative, 20% marketing) is going nowhere and I feel that I'm wasting my time making copies, filing, and double checking behind other people's work. I'm basically the middleman between everybody else with 'real work' to do. I feel stifled. I'm not learning anything, I'm not meeting people in the industry (I sit in a cubicle all day), I don't go to sales meetings, get phone calls or have any interaction with people outside this building. I want out.

Here's the problem, because I've barely learned anything about marketing (and sending out various spam emails does not count), I don't feel as though I've gained enough experience to really go for a better position. Secondly, the company is paying 100% of my grad school tuition, including books and I feel that I may need this degree more than anything to better my career.

I am only one year and a half away from graduating. I feel that it would be better to finish my degree before I explore the job market. But sometimes while I'm sitting here, cleaning out emails (or some other mundane office task), I feel like I'm wasting my talents and that I'm basically an office clerk. As much as 50% of my day is in downtime.

My boyfriend said to me today (he's a civil engineer with an exciting, busy, lucrative career), he never makes his interns file or type letters because that doesn't help them learn about the industry. His interns are doing better than I am!

Thoughts, please!

Winter Storm
09-08-2004, 02:34 PM
Oh, I also wanted to add that there is a marketing dept. here that I could possible transfer to for more experience. But they don't seem to keep people. Ten people quit or left that dept. in the past year, including the manager.

When I asked another marketing associate if she was going to go for the open managment position, she said you couldn't pay her enough to do that job. Very discouraging.

lynseymay
09-08-2004, 02:45 PM
OK can I just say how much I relate to your situation, ok so maybe I feel like I can relate to just about everyone on this site. I'm in a job, my first job out of college, and have been here for almost 3 years ack! I'm working as a application technical specialist for a medical software company which sounds exciting, but it's really not. I do a LOT of menial tasks, tedious tasks where I feel like I might actually die of boredom. And I"m looking desparetely for a new job and haven't had any luck. In terms of your job, I would highly recommend looking for a job. You'd be amazed how many companies reimburse you for tuition and even if they only pay half isn't your happiness worth that much. You may feel like you don't have any 'real world experience', but compaines are looking for more than just programming experience, they are looking for someone that can solve problems, communicate effectively, a quick learner, and who's enthusastic. So pound the pavement and emphasis those skills and I'm sure you'll be able to find a job in no time ;)