I haaaaaate my job to death ... any advice

[JR0579]

I just hate it, hate it, hate it hate beyond any description. I work for a government organization as a network engineer and I have been with them for 7 months and it's just killing me. The reason is very simple; I have nothing to do. I sit at my desk the entire day without anything challenging coming my way. No new projects to work on, nothing is really happening because the environment is pretty stable. Some times I wonder why they even hired me or would hire any one for that position. I have always worked for the private sector where I rarely had the time to even scratch my head. I was always busy with new projects or something that needed fixing or upgrade. In this job, I feel that my brain has gone numb. I am smoking more than I used to and I have become more stressed out. When I talk about it to my friends they think I am crazy and tell how they envy me for having landed such an awesome opportunity to be paid for doing nothing plus the benefits of working for the government. I have been weighing the pros and cons and here is what I came up with :


Pros :
1. Close to home [ 15 - 20 minute drive ]
2. Relatively secure compared to working for the private sector.
3. Retirement benefits

Cons :
1. Not enough challenges and verrrrrrrrrrrrrry boring
2. No opportunity to learn anything new
3. Stagnant career

To me the cons outweigh the pros. Maybe I am just ranting out of frustration but can you guys pitch in and tell me what you think. Thanks in advance

 

[bonster]

My .02, very simple - from your first words---if you hate it change it---your friends who envy it aren't in your position. Doesn't necessarily mean moving--tell them you are underutilized etc and see if you can't get something to challenge you there---if not consider moving very seriously. You spend an awful lot of your awake hours at work, its best if you don't hate it, even better if you can enjoy it

 

[Debi]

I've known many engineers..worked with more...and the 'engineer' brain needs stimulation. LOL ( I say that with respect) you are bored..that is BAD. start looking....be choosey, but scope out something else that is a challange to your being. I know you (without knowing you..lol)...you NEED a change!!! good luck..get going!

 

[JR0579]

My .02, very simple - from your first words---if you hate it change it---your friends who envy it aren't in your position. Doesn't necessarily mean moving--tell them you are underutilized etc and see if you can't get something to challenge you there---if not consider moving very seriously. You spend an awful lot of your awake hours at work, its best if you don't hate it, even better if you can enjoy it

I did tell my manager indirectly that they are hiring contractors to do what I can do but no change. I am thinking of really getting the heck out there.

 

[SammiesDad]

Well if you hate it you should probably start looking elsewhere.

I am also a government employee in a similar field (I'm a programmer) and I face the exact same issues as you. What keeps me here, besides the pros you mentioned are the fact that I can take classes or attend conferences that relate to my job and this keeps me up to date. I am also able to choose the tools that I want to use to develop projects. If I wanted to I could keep using the same old stuff, but instead I insist on using the latest versions of everything.

If you are not in a position to make your job more challenging or "worth while" to you, then you should at least take a look at what is going on as far as jobs in "the real world"

From the movie Ghostbusters:
"I've worked in the private sector, they expect results!"

 

[bonster]

I did tell my manager indirectly that they are hiring contractors to do what I can do but no change.

leave... or become a contractor yourself ?????

 

[JR0579]

Well if you hate it you should probably start looking elsewhere.

I am also a government employee in a similar field (I'm a programmer) and I face the exact same issues as you. What keeps me here, besides the pros you mentioned are the fact that I can take classes or attend conferences that relate to my job and this keeps me up to date. I am also able to choose the tools that I want to use to develop projects. If I wanted to I could keep using the same old stuff, but instead I insist on using the latest versions of everything.

If you are not in a position to make your job more challenging or "worth while" to you, then you should at least take a look at what is going on as far as jobs in "the real world"

From the movie Ghostbusters:
"I've worked in the private sector, they expect results!"

I am also a programmer besides being a network engineer. What attracted me to the job was the promise that I 'll be involved in the web development and GIS programming. I have yet to see a web server. As for courses, I am allowed only 1 course / year on condition the course isn't any longer than 5 working days. Oh man, it just sucks

 

[JR0579]

I've known many engineers..worked with more...and the 'engineer' brain needs stimulation. LOL ( I say that with respect) you are bored..that is BAD. start looking....be choosey, but scope out something else that is a challange to your being. I know you (without knowing you..lol)...you NEED a change!!! good luck..get going!

Yeah ... you have a GSD so you know me Just like a GSD, being bored = being distrcutive

 

[shepluvr]

yeah..if you are that unhappy it is definately time for change...pray about it and you will get the right answer.

 

[Zoom]

I'd either find a new job and just go to that, or have a good possibility lined up and then go to your boss and tell him "I'm bored, I don't feel that my talents are being utilized and there's this great job that wants me. How badly do you want me to stay here?"

It's not *really* an ultimatum, because you're just telling him what's going on.

 

[JRTmom]

I am so sorry you hate your job so much. I used to help my mom and dad out when they had a thrift store. I would watch the store all day long and sometimes if the weather was bad or it was close to a holiday nobody would come in. It is very boring.

I am also the type that goes stir crazy if I have nothing to do. I also feel the need to contribute.

I would suggest looking elsewhere but don't quit your job until you've lined something else up first. I know, you probably already know that but it's still worth mentioning.

Good luck!

 

[Denaluvscorgis]

That has to be the all time worse when you don't feel mentally challenged by the job you're doing. That's kind of how I feel right now...I'm stagnant. I would also say that if you're REALLY not happy then you should change it. Life is toooooooooo short and we have to work sooooooooooo long for you to be unhappy.

 

[Debi]

Yeah ... you have a GSD so you know me Just like a GSD, being bored = being distrcutive

LOL YES, just like your GSD...you are intelligent..need stimulation to thrive, become bored with less! you think over everything..a person of detail. I'm not surprised at all given your job description that you aren't happy. I hope you find something else in the near future. lest you will start to chew things...and start to howl a bit.

 

[JR0579]

LOL YES, just like your GSD...you are intelligent..need stimulation to thrive, become bored with less! you think over everything..a person of detail. I'm not surprised at all given your job description that you aren't happy. I hope you find something else in the near future. lest you will start to chew things...and start to howl a bit.

I have already starting chewing on smokes ... howling will be very soon if things don't change

 

[JR0579]

pray about it and you will get the right answer.

That's the one thing I didn't do yet .... unfortunately. I'll start

 

[bubbatd]

I repeat all of the above.... Aren't Government jobs grand !!

 

[JR0579]

I repeat all of the above.... Aren't Government jobs grand !!

It's amazing the amount of tax payers money wasted .... unbelievable.

 

[JR0579]

or have a good possibility lined up and then go to your boss and tell him "I'm bored, I don't feel that my talents are being utilized and there's this great job that wants me. How badly do you want me to stay here?"

It's not *really* an ultimatum, because you're just telling him what's going on.

If I find something better ... I'll just leave. That's the way with the gover. and that's how it will always be.

 

[Debi]

hey, in the meantime...you get to be here, right? sooooo, that job isn't all bad.

 

[JR0579]

Thanks to all of you for the input. I will start searching and hopefully find something better soon. Again, thank you for your time.