Frustrated and feeling like I'm spinning my wheels.

Anonymous

June 2,2022 at 4:54PM 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.

Frustrated and feeling like I'm spinning my wheels.

I started a job a little over a year ago as a coordinator to assist with he implementation of corporate level software.

It started out really well, I felt like I was learning a lot (new industry) and had a coworker with many more years of experience in the industry on the team who really approached opportunities and tasks with a mentorship mindset (so plenty of stretch opportunities at the beginning). Basically, including me and letting me lead.

That coworker has been gone for nearly a year and the other coworker who I am working closely with (also with many more years of experience in the industry) has the tendency to take over tasks and not let things go in general (think micro-manager to some extent). I'm essentially playing helpdesk/support for a particular software and am not really included on discussions regarding processes or process changes, particularly if they involve upper management (even though these are an excellent chance for me to have more exposure to our processes/industry - the why behind what decisions/changes are being made).

Overall, after a few discussions with my manager over the last 8 or so months regarding the goal for my role (essentially being *the* Business Analyst/Admin for this particular software) I don't feel like anything has changed. Any areas I was potentially supposed to have added to my role (like taking a more active role in data visualizations/reports for our software) are essentially on hold.

Ultimately, after coming from a semi-leadership role at my old job, I'm feeling bored and underutilized, with no real idea of what my current expectations are (much less medium and long term expectations). And all this is despite conversations/one on one's with my manager and voicing to my current coworker that I want/need more exposure to discussions etc.

I really like working for this company overall, but am incredibly frustrated and becoming unmotivated (which I hate). Is it time to move on, despite only being here for about 14 months?

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

7 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.

7 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 7:10PM UTC
Since your manager is not supporting your growth, are there any company wide initiatives or cross departmental project you can volunteer to work on? Anything that can give you broader visibility in your company? This would get you out from under your boss's control and allow you to build your experience with other groups and enjoy sharing your skills at a different level?
Cyndi RosenblattJune 2,2022 at 7:29PM UTC
Random thoughts, but can you reach out to the original coworker and ask for some advice on navigating the dynamics? Or ask if they need help at their current role? Beyond that, can you see yourself staying at this company in a different role? Consider if you can leverage your time working with the software to land a coordinator position with a different department. Staying within the same company mutes the future impact of a little position-hopping.
Kristie WhiteJune 2,2022 at 7:36PM UTC
It is very possible that your current manager is determined to keep the opportunities to interact with the upper management team under her control. She may be doing this because you are smart and upcoming and she is a little threatened. She may be doing this because she doesn't have a mentor mindset (it's not required.) And/or she may be doing this because she wants you to be support, nothing more. You may have been sold that this position would grow, but now that it is under your current management - she has redefined it to suit her needs and they don't include your growth. So...
She will probably not let go.
If something doesn't go well, she may throw you under the bus for it.
You will not experience upward growth under this manager.
If you want that growth, you need to look elsewhere. There may be an internal opportunity. For example, you could talk to IT (if you are not currently in that department), and tell them what you want. Tell them you thought this position was going to give you growth but now that has stalled and you want more challenge. They may know where a software coordinator is needed. You could also ask them about projects that may be going on where you could help - kind of volunteer time if your schedule permits. This will give you growth, help the other project team a LOT, and let you network with others in the organization in a friendly but purposeful way. If IT is not the best choice, I would use the same method to look around for a move internally if you like the company.
AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 11:39PM UTC
Unless you can find a way out of the shadows, you are destined to languish right where you are. Your coworker has no intention of allowing you access to meetings, calls or discussions to raise your profile and increase your involvement at a higher level. No matter how many times you bring it to their attention or anyone else's for that matter. She will block that at every turn.
AnonymousJune 4,2022 at 12:53AM UTC
I am having a hard tim understanding why your coworker has more control over your work received than your manager. Have you clearly articulated to your boss that you feel you can provide and support much much more than currently but do not feel your potential and skill set is being maximized? Find a diplomatic way to ask your major to give you ownership of more high visibility roles and see what they say. If they give you nothing but uncertainty and excuses start applying elsewhere until you land a role you feel is worth your growth and development. For the record there is nothing wrong with you. Sometimes jealous coworkers are meanspirirt and are unwilling to be team players when they feel threatened by other coworkers. If your boss is too blind and to see that and ensure you get the work that commensurate with your abilities find a place that does
AnonymousJune 6,2022 at 5:25PM UTC
It's a weird situation. We have a pretty small department and everyone reports to the director.
However, some of us are essentially unofficially "dotted line" reporting to the manager/mid level members in the department.
I have definitely let him know, on average, my workload is light (as is that of the other coordinators in the department). He's also called it out several times, with the implication that things should start picking up...eventually.
Ultimately, this department feels like a group of ICs, with trouble delegating.
AnonymousJune 6,2022 at 8:39PM UTC
See if you can schedule the 1 on 1 to address, but put in for bids for areas that interest you.