The economy is a big concern of mine too. I believe its one of the reasons the job market is so bad around here. And even at its best, the companies around here obviously have no regard for the value of a good admin if you judge by the salaries they offer v. experience/education they are looking for.
Ellen, you hit it pretty much on the nose. I have acquired different skills over the years and I'm scared of losing them from lack of use. If I can't use them, what's going to happen if the time ever come that I have to look for employment elsewhere.
I am just so frustrated. This company has been very good to me. I love what I do, I'm appreciated because I am able to keep a veritable database of job related info in my head - all they have to do is ask about something and 98% of the time I can give them the correct info without having to look it up, I'm not hassled when I need to take time off to take care of things for my kids (being a single parent that in itself is invaluable); I could go on and on. I understand the need for me to keep myself productive and occupied, but I have to wonder where their responsiblity kicks in to provide me with some work instead of expecting me to go looking for it all the time. After all, they hired me to do a job they needed done. If there is nothing to be done, why I am there?? And as for pursuing other interests - like the kids in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, I'm not interestd in anything really. At least nothing I want to spend the rest of my life doing.
On the upside, I did talk to boss #1 this morning about my concerns over upcoming work. He understands my frustration and asked me to try to make the best of it. Our industry is slow in our state right now. State DOT Funds just aren't there for new projects. And since we are getting a new ISP and they want to build a website, I have the go ahead to learn how to do that on company time and work on that. I also got the go ahead to pursue online learning for some of the things I'd like to check out on company time. Who know, maybe I can find something I enjoy doing and be able to make it a success like Andrea has done with this site.
