I'm dealing with a great deal of frustration at work lately, mainly I feel under utilized in my current position. I consider myself an intelligent, adaptive, quick learner, with a solid technical background. I approach every task with the mindset that if I apply myself I can accomplish any goal, until now...

I came to my current employer with the objective of learning new tools, skills, and furthering my knowledge base on a technical level. It was a drop from supervisor to technician with a small paycut, but one I was willing to accept due to the added experience I would aquire.

Problem is now that I'm in this position (for about 8 months now) I'm finding that I'm not being supplied with a consistent workflow, nor am I recieving anything which resembles training. On a positive side I have learned a lot through my own research and application. However, what I have accomplished is not acted on. I.E. identifying process inefficiencies, departures from ISO 17025 requirements, procedural errors...I can find these issues, recommend a beginning course of action, but it all stops at the management level, even if supplied with solid (here it is in black and white) data.

How does one work to their potential if they are not supplied consistent workflow. I prefer to be busy, I prefer to be under the gun, and have established responsibilities. I prefer to go home at the end of the day feeling like I've accomplished something worthwhile. Lately, however, I feel under valued, under involved, and quite thoroughly bored.:frust:

I've spoken to my manager on a few occassions trying to prompt more initiative, but to be honest, I don't think he had a defined objective when he created my position and I've been left to pretty much stay inactive until some circumstantial project comes up. As I said, I feel I can accomplish any task I set out on, but how can you succeed when you're not given the opportunity or don't have the participation of your management?

Has anyone else been in a similar position? What can I do to improve this, outside of seeking employment elsewhere?

I've spoken to my manager on a few occassions trying to prompt more initiative, but to be honest, I don't think he had a defined objective when he created my position and I've been left to pretty much stay inactive until some circumstantial project comes up. As I said, I feel I can accomplish any task I set out on, but how can you succeed when you're not given the opportunity or don't have the participation of your management?


Benjamin,

I hate to provide the worn-out, pat answer, but have you communicated with your boss? Just from within your thread, it sounds like your boss is a fairly workable kind of person, giving you opportunities you have asked for.

How can you help the company make more money? Have you worked up a plan?

By your threads, I have noticed you seem to have a fairly good knowledge in metrology activities. Can you expand your current scope of work? Could you accept external calibrations for additional income?

Hello Benjamin,

I moved your thread to this forum, which I think fits better. I hope that's ok?
As for your question, I think Brad is spot on, but must also point out that these things sometimes take a while. You have had your position for eight months, and though I agree that it shouldn't, it can take longer for things to settle.

How about others in the organization? Are you the only one suffering from this or similar problems? It could be a general problem...

/Claes

I'm dealing with a great deal of frustration at work lately, mainly I feel under utilized in my current position. I consider myself an intelligent, adaptive, quick learner, with a solid technical background. I approach every task with the mindset that if I apply myself I can accomplish any goal, until now...

We all experience this from time to time - trust me -it will pass.

I came to my current employer with the objective of learning new tools, skills, and furthering my knowledge base on a technical level. It was a drop from supervisor to technician with a small paycut, but one I was willing to accept due to the added experience I would aquire.

Have you learned something new - are you learning something new everyday?

Problem is now that I'm in this position (for about 8 months now) I'm finding that I'm not being supplied with a consistent workflow, nor am I recieving anything which resembles training. On a positive side I have learned a lot through my own research and application. However, what I have accomplished is not acted on. I.E. identifying process inefficiencies, departures from ISO 17025 requirements, procedural errors...I can find these issues, recommend a beginning course of action, but it all stops at the management level, even if supplied with solid (here it is in black and white) data.

Have you been told to stop? Try looking for the "small" things you can help improve (aka - low hanging fruit).

How does one work to their potential if they are not supplied consistent workflow. I prefer to be busy, I prefer to be under the gun, and have established responsibilities. I prefer to go home at the end of the day feeling like I've accomplished something worthwhile. Lately, however, I feel under valued, under involved, and quite thoroughly bored.:frust:

You may find that someday you will prefer NOT to be under the gun all the time. Trust this old timer - it wears you out! Have you tried to look for areas that you can improve on - streamlining your own process?

I've spoken to my manager on a few occassions trying to prompt more initiative, but to be honest, I don't think he had a defined objective when he created my position and I've been left to pretty much stay inactive until some circumstantial project comes up. As I said, I feel I can accomplish any task I set out on, but how can you succeed when you're not given the opportunity or don't have the participation of your management?

Can you take some load off your manager. He may not be responsive because he may not have the time - help him to have the time for these other projects.

Has anyone else been in a similar position? What can I do to improve this, outside of seeking employment elsewhere?

The grass isn't always greener - so they say.

JMHO

Thanks for the feedback, and thanks for enduring my momentary whine lol. I agree that discussing things in more detail with my manager is really the only logical action...perhaps this will mean redefining my role in the organization. I think some of it stems from my experiences too, going from a role where the sky is usually falling and there's not enough time in the day to get things done to a less urgent pace has been quite a change. Guess I'll have to tap into some of that adaptability of mine ;)

We all have our moments - and this can be a great place to vent.

Has anyone else been in a similar position? What can I do to improve this, outside of seeking employment elsewhere?

Just out of curiosity- why would you want to eliminate the possibility of going to another company if you don't feel you are getting ahead with your present situation?

I certainly haven't eliminated that option, just I prefer to make every effort to make my time here something I can consider positive and successful regardless of how long I stay. :D

My job was very similar to yours in the beginning. Complete with the rant to those of us here at the cove.

I found places that needed improvement and implemented changes. I always kept my boss informed of what I was going to do and only backed off when told. Most of the floor people didn't realize that I didn't have the authority to really do what I was doing, but perceived authority is a powerful thing.

As a result of my initiatives, I have been sent to training for Six Sigma Black Belt and should be getting certified at the same time as the President of my company. (with any luck).

So good luck, persevere and be the change you seek within the company.

Welcome to the real world pardner.

Is there any reason why you think your situation is different from 99.999% of other working people?

I was once promised a 3 meals a day, free clothes and travel, and all the excitement I could take and they delivered beyond my wildest dream....except for the 3 meals a day. Of course it was the Marine recruiter that made the promise and it was 1968.

What you are going to find out is that expectations will always exceed reality.

I'd suggest your situation is fairly typical these days with employees of corporations. Corporations are not providing to their employees carreer paths, training, extra opportunities -- and they don't see it as their job.

I'm a believer in Tom Peters and personal branding. You've found yourself one source of carreer training - The Cove. There are lots of other free opportunities. The Tom Peters folks just did a free teleconference last week. Now, this was in anticipation of a big, expensive shindig in Boston. If you have the bucks, you might want to go. But -- there is a lot of free stuff on his website. And there is In2In.org - which offers free teleconferences monthly on several good subjects. This month was a rep from the Ackoff Center talking on project management.

On the job, you need to seek out extra work. Volunteer. Do lots of stuff for other departments. A few thoughts of mine are at http://www.hanford.gov/rl/uploadfiles/VPP_23_Leadership.ppt

I come from a developing economy where 'good' people are in demand. Employers are constantly on a look out for good or proven potential employees (without the need to train them). If your bosses don't notice you, soon somebody will come along and 'pinched' you. If you don't demonstrate your capabilities by volunteering (if not given the opportunity), who can notice the diamond within a pile of broken glass?

Dear Benajamin,

Your situation is typical of any "indirect" employee, i.e. those who are not involved in "direct" 3x8 shift operations. Even with "directs" many times it happens that the asset utilization is low that he/she gets enough breaks (i.e. he / she gets less than 8 hour work). In my opinion anyone who is in an "indirect" job should utilize the time available for "educating" himself/herself in the trade they are in and improve his/her skills. This comes in handy when new opportunities arise, inside or outside the company. Be assured - you are not alone in experiencing what you have experienced, there are millions experiencing the same all over the world. It is up to you to make your workplace an interesting place to work and enjoy.

With best regards,

Ramakrishnan