fivonut
05-12-2010, 05:21 AM
(sorry, this is a long read)
I'm 34, I have a 2 year degree in electronics (since 99), I'm 3/4 of the way through a BS in management. 2 years ago I was certain that a management career with Miller Electric was everything I'd ever want. I had an excellent leader as a mentor, I was given leadership of a line within 6 months of starting for them, and they were paying my way through school. Then in late 08 the economy took a dive, 90% of my team got let go, I got displaced to another department and that's where it all went downhill.
The new management treated myself and the other 21 displaced employees like we owed them a personal favor for saving our jobs. They had no interest in letting me continue on the path I had started. One manager even told me within 2 weeks of starting there that I better make sure someone was going to cover my schooling before I took anymore classes. LOL, it was a company benefit. I sucked it up for many months and within the last 3 or 4 it's become too much to bear. The management is ignorant and inexperienced, I find no satisfaction in the work, and the environment is bad enough to make even the most optimistic person want to commit suicide.
I've been frustrated and angry with ignorant managers. I've been looking for other jobs and a couple weeks ago I saw a light at the end of the tunnel when a position similar to my old one became available in another department within the same company. So I posted for it and interviewed with the department HR rep and Production Coordinator. Everything I heard from them was encouraging and they seemed to want me there as much as I wanted to be there. Enter corporate politics.
Another guy had posted for the job, just to see what it was about. By his own admission and through personal conversation with him he was not really interested in the job and stated many times he probably wouldn't take it. By company policy when all candidates are considered equal the decision is made on seniority so the job was offered to him. He ho hummed about it for a day, saying he didn't want it, but due to other policies if he turned it down he wouldn't be able to apply for another job for 12 months, so he accepted it.
Here's where my temper gets me in trouble, I was venting to another co-worker and told them if he was standing in front of me now, I'd beat him to a bloody pulp. I should have known better, this other co-worker is the tattle tale type. Sunday night I went in for my regular shift and was met by a manager and HR. One day suspension until they figure out what to do. In the mean time I vented again, to a friend, saying the co-worker who turned me in better pray to god I never see them out and about. Someone was looking over his shoulder as he was reading the text and went to management. Decision made, terminated.
I know, it's my own fault. I shoulda kept my mouth shut and my temper in check. But, honestly, I was on my out. I've been applying for jobs for the last few months. All this does is move up the time table and take away my ability to be picky. The problem is, I don't know what I want to do anymore. I can't think of anything that would interest me. I don't expect to jump into a management role off the street, and I'm not 100% sure that that's even what I want anymore. I've always pictured myself being self employed, I enjoy the freedom and it's easier for my personality if I don't have to answer to some moron with a title who I don't respect. I don't have the luxury of time any more, but I don't know where to go or what to do either...
I'm 34, I have a 2 year degree in electronics (since 99), I'm 3/4 of the way through a BS in management. 2 years ago I was certain that a management career with Miller Electric was everything I'd ever want. I had an excellent leader as a mentor, I was given leadership of a line within 6 months of starting for them, and they were paying my way through school. Then in late 08 the economy took a dive, 90% of my team got let go, I got displaced to another department and that's where it all went downhill.
The new management treated myself and the other 21 displaced employees like we owed them a personal favor for saving our jobs. They had no interest in letting me continue on the path I had started. One manager even told me within 2 weeks of starting there that I better make sure someone was going to cover my schooling before I took anymore classes. LOL, it was a company benefit. I sucked it up for many months and within the last 3 or 4 it's become too much to bear. The management is ignorant and inexperienced, I find no satisfaction in the work, and the environment is bad enough to make even the most optimistic person want to commit suicide.
I've been frustrated and angry with ignorant managers. I've been looking for other jobs and a couple weeks ago I saw a light at the end of the tunnel when a position similar to my old one became available in another department within the same company. So I posted for it and interviewed with the department HR rep and Production Coordinator. Everything I heard from them was encouraging and they seemed to want me there as much as I wanted to be there. Enter corporate politics.
Another guy had posted for the job, just to see what it was about. By his own admission and through personal conversation with him he was not really interested in the job and stated many times he probably wouldn't take it. By company policy when all candidates are considered equal the decision is made on seniority so the job was offered to him. He ho hummed about it for a day, saying he didn't want it, but due to other policies if he turned it down he wouldn't be able to apply for another job for 12 months, so he accepted it.
Here's where my temper gets me in trouble, I was venting to another co-worker and told them if he was standing in front of me now, I'd beat him to a bloody pulp. I should have known better, this other co-worker is the tattle tale type. Sunday night I went in for my regular shift and was met by a manager and HR. One day suspension until they figure out what to do. In the mean time I vented again, to a friend, saying the co-worker who turned me in better pray to god I never see them out and about. Someone was looking over his shoulder as he was reading the text and went to management. Decision made, terminated.
I know, it's my own fault. I shoulda kept my mouth shut and my temper in check. But, honestly, I was on my out. I've been applying for jobs for the last few months. All this does is move up the time table and take away my ability to be picky. The problem is, I don't know what I want to do anymore. I can't think of anything that would interest me. I don't expect to jump into a management role off the street, and I'm not 100% sure that that's even what I want anymore. I've always pictured myself being self employed, I enjoy the freedom and it's easier for my personality if I don't have to answer to some moron with a title who I don't respect. I don't have the luxury of time any more, but I don't know where to go or what to do either...