What is money worth?

[mcrae]

I have a work/money/quality of life question for you all. Thanks so much in advance for your input.

 

I work at a university as an Administrative Assistant. It was my first job out of college, and now I've been here 4 going on 5 years. I started in 2003 (I was 23 at the time) as a last resort because I couldn't find a job and it was the first offer I got. I DID NOT want to take the job at the time. It is in the Business school... I got my degree in English and am much more of a philosopher, save the world type. But I needed a job, and at that point that was the bottom line. I remember SWEARING to myself I wouldn't be here for long, but here, nearly 5 years later, I am.

 

It's a unionized position, so it's pretty fixed and the way the system works you cannot get a raise, even if you put in extra work (which I have over the years, because I was asked to and that is my nature). You're not SUPPOSED to do extra work actually. You cannot get a promotion (you have to seek out another higher up job in the school and apply to transfer, which rarely happens. they seem to always want to hire outside of the company). Yet, I do keep getting more work and responsibility with every passing day, even though my salary and title remains the same.

 

That said, one of the great benefits of the job is tuition remission, and I started a degree at this school in Public Policy. For the past two years I've been a part time student in addition to working full time. I'm loving school.. I'm so passionate about what I am learning... And my job pays my tuition to the tune of about $25,000 a year (in addition to my $40,000 salary). I've got at least two more years of part time study till I'm done. But more and more each day I HATE my job. I want to just spend my time and mental energy focusing on my studies. I resent that they keep giving me more and more work at my job, and that I'm not recognized, appreciated, or respected. I've been asked to do the job of an Event Organizer (coordinate single handedly 3 conferences this May alone) with the same Admin title. I could bring it up with my union, but then I really ruin my reputation here, after I've spent 5 years of my life here and it's my only real professional experience.. The Business professors I work for are so full of themselves and selfish and arrogant. They exist in a bubble and are so out of touch. I'm SO burnt out. I've changed here.. Every day, I so strongly do not want to come here, and I think it has to be obvious. I'm filled with anxiety, dread, and negativity when I am here..

 

I cannot go to my parents for $$, and I'm saving for certain things that are very important to me. I'd hate to blow all my savings on tuition for two years and go into debt when I could have no debt... But is the alternative hating 40 hours of my life a week for the next two years (on top of 5) worth it???? I don't think so, at the same time we're practically in a recession and it's only looking worse. Money is a necessity and can be such a strong motivator.. By the way, I sometimes apply for other jobs, but I'm so busy as it is, and I live in a big city and the job market is extremely competitive. You will get maybe one interview for every 20 resumes you send out. So I haven't had any luck yet..

[mental_traveller]

Don't do anything drastic. You have put up with this for 5 years already, and now have a clear exit route in 2 years time. You're effectively making $65k per annum while doing this study course, which is hardly poverty level, and as you say the job market now is not amazing. Many people would give their right arm to be able to do a free 2 year educational qualification leading to a position in a field they love. A lot of mature students are flat broke whilst studying, struggling to pay rent, food and utilities, let alone getting $40k per year and free tuition. Count yourself lucky and remember the grass is not always greener on the other side.

 

So, my advice would be to stick out the job, and get your qualification, then apply for jobs in that field. Yes it will suck for 2 years, but if the goal is worthwhile then so what? Isn't getting into a career you can be passionate about (and which will pay more eventually) worth 2 years of hard work? Free lunches don't exist, so do the grind, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and just get on with it.

 

I would however advise you to change your working conditions. You are in a unionized college environment, so it is going to be difficult to get fired unless you truly screw up. So, why take on this huge burden of work? You should set a goal of making your next 2 years as easy as possible, just refuse to do any work beyond that which you need to avoid getting fired or getting a horrible reference. Refuse to work 1 minute beyond your official hours, refuse to take on additional responsibilities, just be a jobsworth and if they don't like it then say either they promote you and pay you more, or they learn to deal with it. They will not fire you since you have experience at the job and are competent, and any replacement candidate is a complete gamble. For $40k they will be happy just to have someone who does not screw things up.

 

On a personal level, you should work on standing up for yourself more, and being more selfish in general. As you have found out, people with your attitude tend to get exploited and walked over. In future, remember that at work you are not there to do people favours, you are there to earn money, so you can buy the things you want, and save up for a more prosperous future. Never do anything unless it is made worth your while (doesn't have to mean immediate pay rise, but it does mean the company has to value and reward your contribution over the long-term). If you don't get that, then you are being exploited and should go right ahead and exploit back.

[mcrae]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to give such a considerate response! It helps immensely to hear another perspective. I tend to get so down here at my desk and start to spiral out. But I know I'm very lucky to be in this position for a lot of reasons. I just have to stay grounded, focus on school, and look toward the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

I do try to say NO more now after seeing that doing more got me nothing. It makes things uncomfortable with the professors. They don't get that my job is fixed. They don't see that I get nothing from doing the extra favors they ask of me. My office is poorly managed in a lot of ways.. I used to have a much better rapport with them, and it makes things worse when there's awkwardness, but I guess it really doesn't matter in the long run.. I'm out of here and never looking back at some point not too far away.