Looking for Advice

Anonymous

March 16,2022 at 9:33PM UTC

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Looking for Advice

About 2 months ago, I started working for a community college that

I didn’t know was so dysfunctional and I’m struggling to not put in my notice

and look for something else.

When I started my role as an Admin Assist, I learned shortly after starting that I am the only one in my position for Academic Affairs and the person in my role previously, retired before I could start, she was here 9 years. That being said, no one truly knew how to do her job and I was being trained by my boss’s executive assistant (who took some notes). While learning the job, shortly after, I found out that my boss’s exec assistant was accepted into a new role, and she left when I was here for about a month.

Now the community college I’m working for, is going through a major transition. They found out they are in a 4.5 million deficit due to being over-staffed and now they are laying off 28 administrators. There also is a great deal of strife due to a person on the Academic Senate accusing a person on the board of racism. My position is not in jeopardy, but I feel very overwhelmed by starting a new position the way I did and where most of the staff are incredibly upset and feel lied to. They also recently did a vote of no confidence for the board that we have here.

Everyone is saying that they feel bad for us newbies coming in at such a turbulent time but are hoping I stick it out saying that they are a “family”.

While at this job, I’ve been very unhappy due to not truly pursuing what I want to do (I’m a photographer) but was told about survival jobs being necessary while you build something on the side.

Would you stick it out at this job, or find something else?

Thank you ?

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AnonymousMarch 16,2022 at 10:59PM UTC
Hi! I also work at a dysfunctional community college with both layoffs happening across the college and facing financial issues. I stayed because I have a supportive boss and team who’s able to provide me with resources and help when I needed.
My boss and the other managers in our department shield us from all the dysfunctional things happening at the college. This makes a difference because I can focus on my work and area of interest instead of being pulled into the dysfunctional areas happening at the college.
AnonymousMarch 17,2022 at 12:07AM UTC
Thank you for sharing your experience!
I’m glad I’m not the only one and that it’s working out for you :)
AnonymousMarch 16,2022 at 11:52PM UTC
I would not stick it out. This is Not Family. This is a mess, a distraction and a waste of your time taking away from your dream.
If you took this as a survival job, I would rethink your strategy. You can work in the field of art as an admin for galleries, Museums and for photographers. You need to surround yourself with visual arts, make connections, offer free help to popular, working photographers on projects in exchange for helps with your portfolio. Life is not an either or situation. You must find ways to get involved in your passion. Find ways to work in and around art AND build your own network while paying your bills. Gett creative and get resourceful. Volunteer your services, barter your services, surround yourself with talented artists. The art community is notoriously generous and highly networked. Start building your network by figuring out ways to be a part of the art community.
Don't waste your time dealing with academics if you are not interested in being an academic.
What does being an admin in a college contribute to your passion for the visual arts?
AnonymousMarch 17,2022 at 12:32AM UTC
Wow, thank you so incredibly much for your advice.
You're absolutely right. I think for awhile I was trying to do what was "practical" and looked good on my resume. When I applied at the college, I also applied for being an Admin Assist in the Arts and Humanities department, but HR thought with my skills (I have 10 yrs of customer service and administrative skills) I would be a great fit being an Admin Asst for the VP in Academic Affairs due to overseeing a wide range of things.
As soon as I started this position, I realized I wish I would have taken the other one due to it being more in line with my career.
Thank you so much again.
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 12:45PM UTC
Could you go back to HR to ask about the other role in Arts/Humanities given the situation in your current department? They may be aware of the turbulence and try to transfer you to the other department.
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 10:29PM UTC
I wish!
Someone snagged the job. Although I felt sad - happy for them :) After yours and others great advice on this forum, I believe even more that it'll all work out.
AnonymousMarch 17,2022 at 12:25AM UTC
Wow...you sound very invested in your admin job at this dysfunctional college after just 2 months. How long do you plan to take a break from photography? I think the answer to that question will determine whether you stick this out.
AnonymousMarch 17,2022 at 5:13PM UTC
Hi, thank you so much for your advice and you're right!
I ideally wasn't trying to take a break from photography, but it has naturally shifted that way with starting a new job.
AnonymousMarch 17,2022 at 5:35PM UTC
If you are spending 8 to 10 hours being an admin, are you also spending 8 to 10 hours following your passion of photography ir at least around that industry? If nit, be careful because in 10 years time you'll look around and realize you're an Admin with a hobby of photography when you have time.
Don't trade your dream for survival. It's not necessary nor does it feed your soul.
Zofia JaneczekMarch 18,2022 at 3:55PM UTC
So agreed!
Unfortunately, most creative people are told, by the well meaning but misinformed- YOU can't do whatever you want, especially anything creative. You must oppress it, suppress it, hide it for a sensible "real job." No wonder people are so miserable at their jobs! I'd say stay but only if it's a good way to help you get out and go after your real calling. If it's that dysfunctional, leave. There are plenty of survival jobs out there, one just as bad as another! You can ALWAYS find another job, too many of them out there these days. I totally hate what I do and am looking for a way out/back towards becoming a self-sufficient creative again.
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 5:47PM UTC
Hi, thank you so much for your advice and sharing your story, you're right! Too many survival jobs out there, it's just about finding your type of crazy to work with while becoming a self-sufficient creative lol.
Good luck to you towards your goals as well, sorry you're also in this kind of position too - it sucks! Sending well wishes your way though, that everything works out for you :)
Thanks again!
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 5:50PM UTC
Hi, thank you so much for your advice.
You're right and what you said really resonates with me. I didn't realize that no matter what, time moves on. You can find yourself doing a mundane job years later still dreaming without really taking any action.
Karen GongawareMarch 18,2022 at 12:32PM UTC
Sure sounds like a family to me! Dysfunctional, disorganized, squabbling, yep a normal family. That said, only you know what to do with your life. This could be a great chance for you to organize your office and define your roles/duties. Make it work for you and don't get sucked into your siblings drama. At least that is what I would do with such an opportunity to create my own position!
Deasha CarterMarch 18,2022 at 12:41PM UTC
Couldn’t have said it better !!!
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 5:52PM UTC
Hi Karen,
Love what you said and so true haha!! Thank you for this wise advice, while I'm here I'll definitely do what you said.
It's too much getting sucked into the drama.
Crystal HowellMarch 18,2022 at 12:49PM UTC
Time to go, when money is missing,jump ship.
Find a recruiter here, and be happy.
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 5:53PM UTC
Hi Crystal,
Thank you for your advice! Really appreciate it :)
Connie PaulsonMarch 18,2022 at 1:19PM UTC
As a photographer myself, we were always told about survival jobs in art school. However, there are lots of mindless ones out there that don't involve the anxiety that you seem to be dealing with right now.
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 5:54PM UTC
Hi Connie,
You're right! I'll definitely keep an eye open for other opportunities, thanks so much for your advice :)
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 1:20PM UTC
I also work at a community college with similar toxic traits. If the pay and benefits are good, my advice is find ways to make this job work for you while looking for something even better. If they offer tuition reimbursement as a perk, take advantage of it and grow additional skills (including photography or small business entrepeneurship) to add on a resume. Put feelers out for other opportunities. As for the toxicity, try your best to shut out the chaos and focus on tasks at hand. Clock out when the shift is done to do what matters to you.
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 5:57PM UTC
Hello,
Thank you so much for this wise advice! What you said makes total sense. It really helps me put things into perspective, and finding ways to make it work for me as well. Thanks so much again!
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 2:48PM UTC
Last year, I accepted a leadership role within a startup company that afforded me the opportunity to lead a team and create organizational assets & processes all within a subset of an industry I was familiar with.
What I later realized is that I had to learn how to navigate a new role with little direction, a culture that wasn't responsive, with an owner who micromanaged in a sexist environment (I didn't receive responses to my inquiries unless one of my male bosses got involved). They trusted me but when it came to addressing my concerns, they turned a blind eye to those situations with the comment 'that's how it is'.
It proved to be a disheartening environment for me and my team; I tried to shield them from those instances while maintaining positivity in the workplace.
Fast forward, it was a four-month journey of seeking other opportunities while focusing on the good I was doing to bring value to the company filled with lots of learning moments while maintaining my positivity. I am happy to say, I am now in a situation that better aligns with my long-term goals. I stayed in my role until I found another.
Every situation is different, but at a minimum if you are not happy or doing something that doesn't align with your purpose, what steps can you take to set yourself up for future success? And remember, your situation is not permanent so maintain your focus on all the good you are doing as there are learning moments in every situation - good luck!
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 5:59PM UTC
Hi Eneyda,
Wow, thank you so much for sharing your story and for this wise advice. What you said makes sense, it's also all about attitude, taking steps towards something better, and doing the best you can.
I sometimes forget that this situation is temporary, so that reminder you gave me is incredibly helpful and keeps this in perspective.
Thank you so much again!
AssistantMarch 18,2022 at 2:56PM UTC
Unlike the others, I don’t see anything wrong with staying. The school is still going to continue, so your job is safe. With no one to train you, you can learn and create the details of the job yourself, design what works for you in terms of standard operating procedures. Working at a school, one of the perks could be finding out about a photography teacher job opening, using the schools darkroom or studio, building your resume by photographing campus events, being an advisor to the yearbook staff.
One thought is to also actually call the woman who retired and ask her for some guidance. If that’s not possible, then go with the flow. It’s all intuitive, or you can call around to find the answers you need from other staff somewhere. Or trust your instincts and create ways to do things differently than she did before you. You are smart and can figure it all out for sure. Stay and make it work.
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 6:04PM UTC
Hi Erica,
What you said makes sense, thank you so much for this wise advice. You're right, there's definitely ways to make this work for me as well! You also helped me see that this situation can open up different avenues, that I can seek out help from others and figure it out.
Thanks so much again!
AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 7:44PM UTC
Ugh. I'm not sure a workplace that considers itself "family" is a keeper.
Liz MilneMarch 19,2022 at 10:39PM UTC
Stick it out while you work on your photography - if you do things like weddings they tend to be at the weekends anyway - and then once you have a fair amount of income from photography you can decide if the work and passion is there to go full time, or if you're happy with a more secure income stream.
Jillian KnappMarch 20,2022 at 5:44AM UTC
This is a tough one. I look back in jobs I’ve had and to be honest I’ve done both: I’ve stayed too long in certain jobs that I knew better not to stay and I have also left some jobs too soon as a knee jerk reaction due my lack of maturity. My best advice is to set a date that you will reassess. Perhaps say to yourself for example “I’m going to re-think this job on April 18.” Until then give it an honest try. Be aware of things that may be better or worse and also observe whether it’s taking too much out of you that you can’t pursue your photography… or it may work. On the date you decide sit down and write a pros and cons list. Then make the call: Should you keep trying or start looking? Good luck!