Work sucks.... and here is why

Hurrah to underacheivers!

Published on May 12, 2005 By Keithpup In Work

So once again I find myself whining quietly, pushing down the questions I need to ask.
Like some sort of Herculean task I shove and shove against the raging tide of anger. I feel the anger pushing like bile against my blocking throat. Why am I so bloody angry? Work, of course.
I am another in a long line of idiots who sacrifice their time and energy to the IT Tech support gods in the vain hopes of hard work, excellence and personal responsibility being rewarded by others. It seems like for the 5th time in 3 years I will again be passed over for a promotion because I am not good enough at whining, and my temper won't allow me to discuss the problem with my supervisor.
You see I can't say nicely "I am so frustrated to see once again that I will hold my same position as the lead in this department, stuck at the same wage for 3 years (except for cost of living adjustments) despite doing all you have asked and more of me."
This newest affront to all I believe in is once again due to familial ties and not merit.
The technician in question is a nice guy, and he can do most of our current job. He does not excel at what we do, he does not take charge of tasks and refuse to let go until the customer is satisfied, he doesn’t research difficult tasks. If a job is beyond the same 7 or 8 he is used to working on (Spam, pop ups, slow drive, etc) he gives it to me. I had been ok with the way the others here hand me their hardest tasks. I felt it my job, since I was the only person in the department with college training and personal training in Tech support.
But this year he started taking the MCSA classes, mind you I was happy for him, since I have had my MCSA since 2001 or so. But now, he comes back from three boot camp classes and my director starts to talk about him "not wasting all that training" and his "potential" and now he is off in level 3 support.
What is a guy to think?
Am I such a complete ass that it is not worth it to move me up?
Should I take my 5+ years in this job and just walk away, or swallow my pride and find the composure to try and nicely ask WHAT THE F%ck they think they are doing? I find it hard to even envision being civil at this point.
I started training myself. on my own dime after I got to this job and I have never quit.
I came in with a college degree, A+ and Network +, in the 5 years since I have been certified in Microsoft (mcp and mcsa) Netware (CNA) as well as teaching myself SQL, and other needed skills ....
I am afraid to even look for another job but is that my only choice now?

My concern is that the bitterness i feel creeping up my spine and hanging over my brows like some sort of demon monkey will keep my words from coming out in a kind way. Instead I will sound agry and confrontational. Damnit ! I deserve some consideration, is it impossible for you to be promoted on your own credits?

Comments

just john

on May 12, 2005

I work for a small company. We have about 100 employees. At one point we had a staff of 13. We are and Oil and Gas Exploration and Production company. A few years ago I would have never guessed to move from desktop support to Sys admin. I have locked myself in as furniture around here. (We have a good # of 10+ year employees) We are now a staff of 4 due to changes in the business and our custom accounting system being all but done after 14 years.

I didn't make my advancements here on hard work alone. I have been known to make certain users wait months for simple programs such as WinZip. I sat back and observed which people in our organization had power. It's not the owner or necessarily the heads of departments. I figured out who was pulling strings and became their best buddy. And... here I am.

Keithpup

on May 12, 2005

Well there you go, those who refuse to play in politics do so at their own risk? I appreciate the real life experience. I guess thats my next "project" forget personal improvement, start working on buddying up and making noises ..

It so goes against my grain,

EmperorofIceCream

on May 12, 2005

Work sucks, period. You need to both excel in your job and know how to get noticed by and then get along with those who can advance you.

And no, you won't get promoted because you have intelligence, work hard, and get results. Because that's what they pay you for - the application of your abilities to making profit for the shareholders. In order to be promoted you have to be seen to be industrious, diligent and succesful by people who can give rewards; you have to be smart enough to work out what most impresses them and be able to supply whatever that is at every opportunity.

If you want to be promoted go impress the people who can promote you.

But thinking about it, if you were actually able to make that kind of impression you'd have been promoted by now instead of in here bitching about how you haven't been.

I think I know why you haven't been promoted. You must really suck.

MasonM

on May 12, 2005

People skills are as important as technical skills in the work environment. If it were me, I would approach the "boss" and have a CIVIL discussion about it. When I was working in the telecommunications industry I moved up pretty fast starting as an entry level field tech until I eventually became Plant Manager. I was advanced over people who had been my supervisors.
This was due to a combination of technical skills, continued education,and yes people skills. It really does require all three. Perhaps you should work on the one that is the weakest?
There is a difference between having good people skills and brown nosing.

Keithpup

on May 17, 2005

heh "emporeroficecream" must be one of those people who sits on the toilet really basking in his own stink everyday. What an ass.
I know why you chose such a stupid name, your iq is 72!!

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