Trying to move into a new position but it's not looking hopeful

Anonymous

November 20,2023 at 11:08PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Trying to move into a new position but it's not looking hopeful

I've been in my position for about three years and at this point, I'm thinking I'm getting close to the dead-end sign; I've been asking for training so I can start acquiring new skills for a different role. Sometimes it works out, but then other times I'm told I shouldn't need to take that training because we already have people on staff who have that training and can "help" me. Well, I'm not looking for their services, of course. I'm looking for the course so I can check off the box and move on to a higher-paying position. I think my boss understands this, but his hands are tied. I'd really like to get the training so I can get out of this dead-end role, but I'm starting to feel like it isn't going to happen. I think they may be a little disappointed that I want out of the job because I do it well. That said, though, I don't want to do it for the next five or ten years. What's the best way to say I'd like to learn something new but stay in the org and take a new role? Is it ok to just admit that and not expect to ruffle feathers? The only other promotion opportunity in my section was just taken by someone else, and she's not going to vacate it for a few years.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

10 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

10 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 11:51PM UTC
I think you can say what you want to. Perhaps see if your boss can arrange for those who can "help" you in the way of training to do just that. If they don't have time with their job duties to work this in or don't want to, that makes your case for getting the training via the course.
I do also see your point that you may be doing your current role to the point that they would have a challenge with backfill of your role, but they should see the benefit in retaining you at a higher level.
If they don't seem to see this, that tells you a lot about the company, and if you value upward mobility, start looking for a company where this is more apparent. Sometimes to get that upward mobility, you do need to change companies.. I found in the past that changing companies was also quite beneficial financially, even if the roles were relatively similar, as you are now performing at a much higher level than when you were first hired, and the new company would get the benefit of this.
Wishing you well - continue striving to contribute as much as you are capable of -- no reason to stay stuck in a "dead-end" job.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 21,2023 at 1:40AM UTC
Your boss should be having on-going discussions with you about your career goals and how he can help you grow your career within the company. Do you have regular one on ones scheduled with him? If so, I suggest you bring the subject up during your next meeting. If not, I recommend you try to get him to agree to regular meetings.
What, specifically. are you trying to learn? Is it a proprietary system to your company or is it something like software you might be able to learn elsewhere? There are lots of YouTube tutorials that might help you.
GOOD LUCK!
AnonymousNovember 21,2023 at 2:05PM UTC
If you do your job too well, it is easy to end up with one year of experience ten times rather than ten years of experience.
I learned this the hard way at my first job (luckily, I only did it for three years), and then left because I was "pigeonholed" as a subject matter expert and even had a hard time getting approved for time off to go on vacation because "something" might happen. There was nobody else who could do what I did. So I left and never looked back.
My best advice is for your next job. Once you get settled, volunteer to help other new people get started and make sure they know the systems and processes you do. That way, there is always someone to cover for you and someone who will allow you to move on or move up in the organization. I was at that job for 22 years and became VP of an R&D division. I only left there because they had a layoff of a middle management layer, and I was among the higher-paid individuals in my role.
Joan has the right idea about finding training outside the organization for your current situation. If your company has a tuition reimbursement program or helps pay for continuing education credits, use those to minimize out-of-pocket costs. If he balks at you improving your skillset, that speaks for itself, and move on.
GirlBossanova934974November 21,2023 at 2:25PM UTC
It is somewhat difficult to figure out how to respond here. What sort of skills are you looking for here? Are we talking a few hours of in house training, a few courses, or an entirely new vocation aka a new degree or certification? If we are talking a few courses, then the best thing to do is to check out tuition reimbursement requests at your company and/or contact in person your HR department on company educational policies. A new vocation is a lot more. You can also take some courses yourself on the outside, Universities usually have CONTINUING EDUCATION programs which you can enroll in.
AnonymousNovember 22,2023 at 2:16PM UTC
Not sure what skills you are looking to improve but LinkedIn Learning has a lot of courses that will help you check off those boxes of "training I've accomplished". Other than that, seek out training at your local community college and take some classes; usually, these are a lot less expensive than full blown week long seminars.
AnonymousNovember 23,2023 at 2:07PM UTC
There is nothing wrong with wanting to grow and increase your k owl age and skills most companies will at least say the want to promote growth , as suggested try linked in learning there are also free classes at udemy and edex.
good luck ! Dont get discouraged you may have to change jobs however get some education first also have you tried meetups? They are a great place to meet like minded people and
most are open to beginners and pros
AnonymousNovember 23,2023 at 4:08PM UTC
I'm in a similar position, except I took a Jr to me job with the promise of an equalizing promotion then they pulled it out from under me. Companies will do anything to keep people who are doing well in place without having to pay them better or promote them.
AnonymousNovember 23,2023 at 6:14PM UTC
Tell your manager that you would like to be challenged and to be able to do new things that you have never done before and to have some stretch goals. If that is not something they have for you, search for a company with a stronger parallel to learning and development along the career path that you want. Find a mentor perhaps outside of the business that can guide you and help you to understand the dynamics of growth. Good for you for wanting more, and though it may not exist where you work now make it happen for yourself irregardless.
AnonymousNovember 23,2023 at 7:38PM UTC
If you're determined to gain those skills (even though you don't seem interested in them except to move out of your rut - no judgement here), you can help it happen. Start trying to learn these things during your breaks or downtime or a bit after work. Ten or 20 minutes a day would go a very long way. Ask questions of the others. Show you're serious. And yes, online courses can help. More effective help has been watching YouTube tutorials when needing to increase my skills with new software, or doing the training that comes with the software.
This is how you change how they see you and what you get to do.
Kathryn CarrNovember 24,2023 at 1:37PM UTC
Is there anything in your employment contract stating that you're entitled to a certain amount of training?
If not, don't despair: there's plenty of great courses on Udemy going cheap that you can do at your own pace.
Plus, YouTube is great if it's just something quick that you want to learn.