I am the only person in my department with a technical degree in our field - are my coworkers sabotaging my professional development?

9 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 9,2024 at 2:52PM UTC

   Professional development and advancement are competitive. So I would think that this is your average, garden variety ambition. It's not directed at you so much as an example of healthy Professional ambition rather than personal sabotage.

   Everywhere you will go you will encounter ambition of smart capable colleagues. You shouldn't expect your peers to clear the way for your growth anymore than they should expect you to drop out and move out of their way

   I wouldn't withdraw your proposal. I would not quit trying to move ahead. Instead learn how to maneuver and grow your career by watching your most successful peers do it.

2. AnonymousOctober 9,2024 at 2:09PM UTC

   This advice is spot on. Don't always assume negative intent - the co-worker is just as likely not thinking of you at all but looking to develop themselves professionally.

3. AnonymousSeptember 9,2024 at 3:58PM UTC

   Don't withdraw, it will seem wrong to do so. Keep going and do your best work. If they select you great, and if not ask for feedback on the why it was no. Learn from the no if it is and move on.

4. Tami L CannizzaroSeptember 9,2024 at 4:29PM UTC

   Great advice from the others! I agree - don't withdraw! That looks like you are giving up. Make them turn you down. I get that you want to attend the conference as it's relative to your degree as well as the work you do, yet keep in mind that in many cases companies have little funding for training that may or may not translate into revenue. Yet if a client says, "We want her to attend for whatever reason", a company may agree as they could see additional sales/business from that client AND consider it an opportunity to spend more time with client decision makers. All this to say, it probably has more to do with a business decision than anyone resenting your degree.

5. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachSeptember 9,2024 at 5:56PM UTC

   Why would you withdraw it? See who gets it and if you dont, apply to the next one!

6. AnonymousSeptember 10,2024 at 2:30AM UTC

   Many times degrees do not top connections.

   It sounds like you need a stronger network.

7. AnonymousSeptember 10,2024 at 12:10PM UTC

   They could be but it may also not be true.

   Focus on the goals that you have for yourself versus overthinking the many possibilities.

   I would still submit the proposal or reach out to the team about being added to their proposal so that you all can work together on this desired opportunity.

   Get out of your head and focus on what’s needed versus being drained by the “what ifs.”

8. AnonymousSeptember 14,2024 at 3:37PM UTC

   Question: could you still go, even if you’re not presenting (I assume that’s what you mean by proposal)?

   If you don’t present, go anyway. If it’s a conference that’s related to the business, they’ll at least likely allow you to expense it, and you’ll be able to network and maybe drum up some business.

9. AnonymousSeptember 15,2024 at 4:44PM UTC

   Im a person who has a business degree rather than a technical degree, which several of my colleagues in my department have. However, my experience of 25 years in this industry suffices in lieu of a technical degree, so I am able to work in the industry that I love.

   You having this specific degree is something to be proud of, and will be a requirement at some companies to even get a job there. However, doesn't necessarily disqualify the other teammates where you currently work.