By some miracle of subconscious thinking, I realized today all of the reasons why I really don't like my job.
1) I don't have to solve novel problems. Virtually every project that I work on is either (a) cookie cutter new installation or (b) an upgrade of an existing system where I basically just have to figure out the best way to make new technology perform established processes. It never feels like I'm doing something that requires unique talents. It's basically like assembly-line engineering.
2) Almost everyone says this about their employer, but I'll say it anyways - the management is mediocre at best. Every person that is my boss on some level is dumb and/or focuses on frivolous issues. Every other meeting that I attend is embroiled in politics rather than real problems. Even the legitimate issues are usually blown out of proportion. I don't deal well with decorum and drama, so when those two things occupy 95% of my bosses' thoughts, it means that I'm almost constantly rolling my eyes.
3) There is no room for meaningful growth. I'm a contract employee, so the only real thing that I have to look forward to is possibly maybe hopefully some day getting hired on as a full-time employee. Every position of authority that I could possibly move into is a position that I don't want. Every level up just means the ratio of politics-to-real work goes up. I want to be a leader, not a manager - there's a fine line between the two but the difference is very distinct. Leaders solve problems, managers juggle bullshit. There's also the issue of being a leader on a ship that you don't want to be on. Or climbing up a ladder that leads to the wrong rooftop. Or whatever other metaphor you want to use.
All that being said, I think I'm going to stick with the job for at least another 13 months. I decided today that I'm going to stick around Omaha for a little while. Half of the reason why I broke up with my ex in April (the other half being the fact that it became clear that I was dating a friend and not a partner) was because I felt like I needed the space to figure out my life - what I want to do, who I want to be, where I want to be. It's been six months since then and I haven't really done any introspection to speak of. I think getting a place of my own in Omaha would afford me the chance to focus on me, myself and I. No roommates to distract me, and, more importantly, the firm knowledge that I have twelve months to get my shit together.
I already started looking at apartments today. I'm very intrigued by the new Midtown Crossing apartments. They're relatively expensive (> $1/sq. ft.), but damn do they seem almost perfect. Brand new (most units are available Dec. 1, which is exactly when I would be looking to move), pet-friendly, right next to a park and close to all of the places in town that I actually care for. I've been kind of a homebody lately, and in no small part is it due to the fact that it's such a fucking hassle to travel across town to the places I want to go to (Blue Line, Caffeine Dreams, Jake's, Nomad, et. al.). The commute to work would be slightly worse, but we're talking maybe 10 - 15 minutes difference so it's a moot point. I looked at some other places as well, but preliminary results are not promising - west Omaha is full of WASP types, downtown is surrounded by cement, Dundee is full of mediocre converted houses tailor-made for college students, and everywhere else is too far away and/or run down.
End transmission.
1) I don't have to solve novel problems. Virtually every project that I work on is either (a) cookie cutter new installation or (b) an upgrade of an existing system where I basically just have to figure out the best way to make new technology perform established processes. It never feels like I'm doing something that requires unique talents. It's basically like assembly-line engineering.
2) Almost everyone says this about their employer, but I'll say it anyways - the management is mediocre at best. Every person that is my boss on some level is dumb and/or focuses on frivolous issues. Every other meeting that I attend is embroiled in politics rather than real problems. Even the legitimate issues are usually blown out of proportion. I don't deal well with decorum and drama, so when those two things occupy 95% of my bosses' thoughts, it means that I'm almost constantly rolling my eyes.
3) There is no room for meaningful growth. I'm a contract employee, so the only real thing that I have to look forward to is possibly maybe hopefully some day getting hired on as a full-time employee. Every position of authority that I could possibly move into is a position that I don't want. Every level up just means the ratio of politics-to-real work goes up. I want to be a leader, not a manager - there's a fine line between the two but the difference is very distinct. Leaders solve problems, managers juggle bullshit. There's also the issue of being a leader on a ship that you don't want to be on. Or climbing up a ladder that leads to the wrong rooftop. Or whatever other metaphor you want to use.
All that being said, I think I'm going to stick with the job for at least another 13 months. I decided today that I'm going to stick around Omaha for a little while. Half of the reason why I broke up with my ex in April (the other half being the fact that it became clear that I was dating a friend and not a partner) was because I felt like I needed the space to figure out my life - what I want to do, who I want to be, where I want to be. It's been six months since then and I haven't really done any introspection to speak of. I think getting a place of my own in Omaha would afford me the chance to focus on me, myself and I. No roommates to distract me, and, more importantly, the firm knowledge that I have twelve months to get my shit together.
I already started looking at apartments today. I'm very intrigued by the new Midtown Crossing apartments. They're relatively expensive (> $1/sq. ft.), but damn do they seem almost perfect. Brand new (most units are available Dec. 1, which is exactly when I would be looking to move), pet-friendly, right next to a park and close to all of the places in town that I actually care for. I've been kind of a homebody lately, and in no small part is it due to the fact that it's such a fucking hassle to travel across town to the places I want to go to (Blue Line, Caffeine Dreams, Jake's, Nomad, et. al.). The commute to work would be slightly worse, but we're talking maybe 10 - 15 minutes difference so it's a moot point. I looked at some other places as well, but preliminary results are not promising - west Omaha is full of WASP types, downtown is surrounded by cement, Dundee is full of mediocre converted houses tailor-made for college students, and everywhere else is too far away and/or run down.
End transmission.
remember: i can help you buy stuff to fill the new place (pots, pans, plates, kitchen stuff, etc)