When my co-worker left, I got promoted and absorbed their responsibilities in planning all the events we host and attend, but I loathe this event management work.

Anonymous

April 20,2022 at 5:59PM UTC

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When my co-worker left, I got promoted and absorbed their responsibilities in planning all the events we host and attend, but I loathe this event management work.

I hate the nit-picky details of event planning, and event management was never part of my career trajectory. I've become someone who's constantly stressed and on edge. I do have a direct report who helps with the logistics of our event planning. But I'm very much involved in the day-to-day since we're only a 2-person team and have a lot of responsibilities. I hate, hate, hate this new role. But I'm not sure what to do or even how to bring it up to my manager, since I'm the one who accepted the promotion. The only case I have is that I thought I'd be getting more support from our executive team, but they've essentially left my direct report and me on an island to fend for ourselves. I also cannot hire anyone else to help. Is it just time to start looking for a new job? Is there a way to bring this up with my manager? Any advice on what to do/how to talk about this would be so appreciated!

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AnonymousApril 21,2022 at 6:13PM UTC
I'd bring this up with your manager and be honest about how it's going — it's okay to try something new and not like it. I'd be proactive with ways that the two of you might be able to solve this and be explicit about where you need support.
Cyndy TrivellaMay 2,2022 at 3:20PM UTC
I feel your pain.
When you accepted the promotion did you know you would be assuming the event planning and management duties? If so, did you accept the new role knowing you were open to trying it but were not sure if it was your ideal situation?
If this is the case, there is no shame in meeting with your supervisor and explaining that you wanted to be a team player, keep an open mind, and give it a try to help out. Explain that this is not the job you want nor does it align with your skill sets and career objectives. but you are open to help hire and train the person who is a slam dunk fit for the role (if this is, indeed, true.)
Good luck!
Anita GetzMay 2,2022 at 4:05PM UTC
I was always the one to do the event planning at my last job, I actually enjoyed it. But I would say something to your boss. She/he can probably find someone else to do it. Good luck
AnonymousMay 2,2022 at 10:21PM UTC
What percentage of your job is this now? How frequent are the events? I'd approach it as, "My understanding was that I'd have more support from the executive team, which has not occurred. Because I spend so much time doing event planning, it is taking away from my time to be able to [insert important priority here]." There is also a slim chance it might grow on you as you gain more experience. I had responsibility for a bunch of POs dumped on me, which I absolutely hated and put off as long as possible. Now that I've been doing them a while, it's actually okay.