Archive for the 'Uni/Work' Category
June 1 2010: Heading To Auckland
Filed under Travel & Uni/Work with 5 Comments
So, in the course of not-really-work-but-sort-of-related-to-work, I’ll be heading to New Zealand in June. The whole trip is totally gratis, which is a plus. I’ll be there from the evening of Tuesday 22nd June to the afternoon of Friday 25th June. Due to sort-of-work-commitments, I will only have time to myself on Tuesday night and Wednesday night, but would like to take the opportunity to see a few people!
If you’re an Aucklander (or surrounding areas), are you free for dinner on either of those nights? I’ve already arranged to catch up with Darnielle for dinner on the Wednesday, so you’re welcome to tag along to our dinner, or we could catch up on the Tuesday. I realise that it’s probably a bad time for most people as it’ll be in university exam time, but if you’re free, I’d love to catch up. Feel free to email me at acchamanda at gmail dot com, and we can arrange something via email!
May 18 2010: So Where Am I Heading?
Filed under Uni/Work with 3 Comments
Compared to a few months ago, I’m starting to get a better idea of where I see myself heading in my career. But first, to give you a background of where I currently am though, and why I see the need for fairly immediate movement in my field – I currently hold two positions, both as supporting roles in the Victorian disability sector.
I’m the membership and administrative officer at the professional association for disability workers in the state (since July 2009). This is a permanent 0.6EFT three days a week position. My list of responsibilities essentially means that I’m Office Manager, Membership Coordinator, Admin Assistant, Events Planner, Manager of Community Relations, Communications Coordinator, Marketing Manager and Accountant all rolled into one lowly-paid package. I am also the Events Coordinator at one of the top four largest disability services providers in the state (since March 2010), having been head-hunted for the role. This is a contracted 0.4EFT (two days a week) role for twelve months – with the potential to extend the contract or expand my job description.
After having had the chance to take on a role that totally encompasses all aspects of a small not for profit organisation, I know what type of work I most enjoy, and what type I’m best suited for. I am also certain that I want to continue working in the not-for-profit sector. The salary might not be as competitive as what I might be able to command in the corporate sector, but there are other benefits which make up for it – largely a flexible working environment, salary packaging with tax breaks, and the knowledge that you’re doing more for the community than just generating dollars for a rich man’s pocket. You’re making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate, and that kind of knowledge is worth its weight in gold.
Essentially, I would like to continue in community relations in the not-for-profit sector. This would encompass all aspects of event management, communications (both print and web) and marketing – basically any type of work that involves liaising with the wider community and promoting the interests and profile of the organisation I end up working for. That’s what I’d like to do with my life – I’m best in a role where I can use my organisational, linguistic, and social skills in an environment that can support my Gen Y need for variety.
I am currently actively looking to replace my Jill-of-all-trades with something else that: a) pays better (I get paid worse than a retail or hospitality worker, for a specialised role); b) is in a larger organisation for better chances for career growth; c) more related to directly liaising with the community, rather than with membership. If I’m successful in landing an alternative role, I will assess both roles in March next year – consider if I want to continue with two part-time jobs, or aim for a full-time position. It would make sense to continue with two part-time positions so that I have the flexibility to fit my university post-graduate commitments (which will be until December 2011 – or even later, if I pursue the PhD I’m considering) around work. Career-wise, it would make sense to opt for a full-time position in a reputable organisation that can offer me more chances for advancement.
Whichever route I decide to go down, at least I now know what kind of career I want, and what I am likely to find myself doing over the years. While I’m not ridiculous enough to lock myself into this decision (I may change my mind, you never know!), it is a relief to stop feeling like I’m a pathetic loser who doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life.
April 12 2010: How To Make More Money
Filed under Money & Uni/Work with 11 Comments
If you don’t think you’re earning enough, or if you find you’re struggling to make ends meet, there’s a number of options to help correct the situation:
- Find a higher paying job.
- Find alternate sources of income – sell things on eBay, walk the neighbour’s dog, whatever.
- Work more. Do as many hours as possible at your current job, or find another job for weekends and nights.
I’m actively pursuing number one, and always keep an eye on the employment market (almost obsessively, I check job listings every day). I believe I’m worth more than I’m currently being paid – so I’m negotiating for a higher salary. If I don’t get it, I’m finding somewhere who can afford to pay me what I’m worth.
I’ve done number two in the past, and intend on picking it up again – as soon as I get time to buy stock to sell on eBay! I’ve also re-registered as a weekend and weeknight babysitter on findababysitter.com.au – I’ve never had luck with it in the past, but every little bit of promotion helps.
As for number three, I pick up extra hours at work whenever I can (even if this means working twelve hour days). I’m also applying for whatever weekend jobs I can find – reception work, administrative work. The only thing I refuse to do is hospitality, retail, or call centre work. Been there, done that, don’t want to do it again. The problem is of course, if there’s a job available on weekends, I’m likely to be much too overqualified for it – most weekend jobs generally suit unqualified high school and university students, not a working professional.
Both my family and my boyfriend are against me looking for additional work on weekends. My boyfriend thinks that working seven days a week will make me miserable, especially considering I already become a grumpy hermit once I start working ten hour days during the week. My family thinks that working seven days a week won’t leave me enough time to concentrate on my studies. They’re both right of course, but I do want to earn more money to pay my mortgage off quicker so I stop stressing about the amount of debt I’m in. It’s not unreasonable of me to want to be financially responsible is it?