Thinking about leaving my design career & hanging up my mouse!
onegirlcreative (1090 pencils) | Sat, 2009-12-26 20:53Well, not sure where to start, but the past few years, my jobs have been excruciating, not satisfying like it did in the beginning of my design career (7+ years ago).
With my current job, it has become a stressful nightmare and to be honest, I don't know how much longer I can take the subjectiveness that goes hand-in-hand with graphic design. It's frustrating because what I think is being done right and being done in a timely manner, is not to my boss and the other designer overseas. I feel like everything I do is wrong, and for the money that I have been getting paid, it simply isn't worth it. Unfortunately, in my field where I live, the salary is an embarrassment. Add to that I have a degree in my field and 7 years experience, but I could probably work at Starbucks for the same amount of money with limited to no stress.
It has caused me such anguish and stress these past few months that I am honestly considering moving on and never looking back. I dream of the day where I can come home from work and never look back. Maybe I need to develp thick skin, I don't know, but I do know that this field of graphic design has taken its toll on me these past few years.
Have any of you ever walked away from graphic design and never looked back? Or walked away temporarily and went back after a hiatus?
I have been contemplating applying to grad school for the past 4 years—I have my application and letters of recommendation all ready to send in, but never sent it in. Now I'm thinking about going back and applying to receive my MFA. Not to continue on with graphic design as I realize having a masters will not make me more marketable, but to allow me to teach at the college level or just at the K-12 level. The idea of teaching art to students sounds really appealing these days.
I guess in a way, I'm asking for advice.
Thanks guys. Glad to be back!
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
I think the future is now. Always.
Everyone could have disposal to learn, to make a variety of careers go on WITH NO REGRETS.
The industries left to China cause all concurrents make the same.
The eastern car makers rates will shrink, thanks to chinese invasion.
The easterns will need to catch every possible jobs to survive. =0
even travel to china to teach design =D (we've brazilians that do it)
let's learn chinese xD
yes I'm brazilian xD
?????
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
we need to be MULTITHREAD nowadays.
yes I'm brazilian xD
Do not worry. What is happening is completely normal. You're burned out. Try and work somewhere else for a few month. Do traveling on a budget for a few month. Take up teaching as you suggested. Try establishing a freelance career. It would give you freedom that you can't have with a job.
Thanks, Ivan! I thought I was going crazy, but to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way makes me feel better. I worked very hard to work in my career and believe me, I loved it in the beginning but this past year or two has been a struggle emotionally for me.
I think you're right. It's time to move on....
P.S. What's the deal with the pencils? LOL
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
sounds like youre in a crappy situation. not sure what "overseas designer" means. does your company have an office overseas? or are they just shipping work to india (or someplace) to save money?
either way. if youre not feeling good about it (and have the financial resources to do so) LEAVE. life is too short to be unhappy - IF you have the desire and resources to change your situation. go for it. but dont do it out of frustration. do it because you have something useful to share. there are already enough unhappy and marginally-talented or simply misguided designers out there teaching
if you dont love your job. leave it. teaching is a great option. but its no less stressful than being a designer. ive taught before and it has its own set of annoyances...
Yes, the company has an office in the UK (their first office) so their original designer is over there. Our U.S. office has only been here since July of this year and so I was just hired 3 months ago. Already my life has been sheer hell and nothing short of stress and anguish every day when I come home.
At first, I thought it was the PERFECT job and I was lucky enough to go over to the UK for 2 weeks for training, I was in heaven because I had never been to England before, and it has always been my dream. I was so pumped when I got back, I couldn't wait to get into the grind.
Well, aside from constant daily computer issues and network problems, the owner is a total nightmare to work for. Not only does she micro-manage everything and has obvious trust issues with her employees, but the morale in the office is awful. Everybody is afraid of her. I feel like I'm working in a sweatshop in China. Literally. We're not allowed to talk to one another (and there are only 5 of us, too), and if we're literally one minute late, she goes ballistic! These are just the many few things that sets her off.
In addition to that, I have to constantly have my designs approved by her AND the designer in the UK. It's frustrating because there is a 7 hour time difference so my delay time of getting anything done as a result of this causes even more stress. And they wonder why I can't work quicker. Add to that we are connected to their server in England (yes, in England) via VPN, so we're constantly getting disconnected and dropped throughout the day, thus causing my work to slow down that much more.
Add to the fact that she pays me sooooooo much less than what I deserve with my credentials and background, it's a joke what I am getting paid per hour (yes, we're hourly over here, not salary, but in the UK, they're all salary). Disgraceful.
I could go on and on, but at this point, I won't. It depresses me that much more.
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
We all have those who try to take the wind from our sails, but I've yet to meet one bad enough to sink my boat. I eye these types up as petty insecure assholes that should be pitied, not feared.
Teaching is a noble cause, Suzanne, if that's where your heart takes you, or maybe give freelance a shot or another area of design.
Whatever the case, I hope that all works out for you.
3dog
"Art -- the one achievement of Man which has made the long trip up from all fours seem well advised." - James Thurber
Thanks 3dogmama!
Nice to chat with you again, after all this time.
I will keep you all posted.
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
Hi, Suzanne. It's been a long time! Sorry to hear you're experiencing job woes again. Since last you struck out on your own, the markets have changed dramatically. There may be more free-lance opportunities out there than there once were, making it possibly a more lucrative choice for you. Certainly the situation you're in right now can't be profitable, if you assess "profit" correctly. Have you cast your net to see what you might catch? If you can do so on your own time, I would encourage you to do that.
You'll have to put your cards on the table with your boss about the practical obstacles the company (not you -- frame it as "the company") faces, and what your expectations as an employee are, in keeping with the conditions under which you accepted the position. The boss might go ballistic and fire you. With a little luck, this could get you the internal support you and your colleagues need. In fact, since the whole staff is suffering, maybe all five of you should confront the boss en masse. With a little more luck, you could get fired and get some Unemployment Compensation to tide you over until you land on your feet in a better place.
Best of luck to you, kiddo.
Mara
Thanks, Mara! I was hoping you'd respond. You always have such words of wisdom.
Actually, the good thing is, whether or not I quit or got fired, I could still collect unemployment from my last job that I lost back in September. I had gotten this job only a month later after being accepted for unemployment, so in the state of Colorado, I have a year to collect those benefits regardless of why I am no longer employed at my current job (which of course is why I no longer am collecting unemployment to begin with). So I wouldn't have to depend on unemployment through this job, as I can still collect it from my last job.
Hopefully that makes sense.
So in a way, it's a win-win situation because my benefits are about $800 less than what I'm currently making at my job with the stress.
Would love to pursue freelance again, believe me. Any advice and/or suggestions and how I would go about doing that? It's been a few years since I've done freelance and back then, it was before the economy got so bad, so I just assumed it would be worse with freelancing. But maybe you're right and most companies would prefer to contract their design work out instead of hiring a full time employee.
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
Ahhhh, deja vu.
Good advice all around. I'd like to add that if you can, freelance. I've worked for other people and it's just not as satisfying. All the best! Crappy jobs suck!
As an aside, I got this fascinating book from Paul Arden for Christmas, "It's not how good you are, It's how good you want to be." VERY motivating indeed. Also, if you can, pick up the Alchemist. I guarantee when you're done reading that book things will be a little clearer.
Leaky Penny
Check out what I've been up to lately!
http://petersonjoseph.com
I'm going to print it out and eat it.
-Unknown Artist
Wonderful. I will research those books for sure. Nothing to lose, that's for sure.
Right now, as I am getting ready to go to work, I have nothing but fear in my gut. I literally feel like I have to throw up. Did I mention that this job has affected my sleep and my health???
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
Quit and go it alone. The thing about graphics is the field is wide open. There are so many different things you can do, once you get on your own you'll probably naturally gravitate to what you like and/or do best. It's a little scary knowing the regular paycheck won't be there, but I've never looked back.
You're so right, Art! I NEED to go it alone because when I was doing it before, I was at my happiest. I also loved working on my pop art even more and was starting to sell quite a bit of it before I got my last job over a year ago. I guess I was too nervous to try it on my own and after I was unemployed for 10 long arduous months, I was desperate! But if anything about my last job that turned out good, was that it gave me a great deal of web design experience that I didn't have before.
Chalk it up to experience, I guess...
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
for whatever it's worth, the first time i got laid off, i struggled with freelancing on my own. i was completely unprepared and i really had no idea how to get myself started.
the second time i was laid off, i already had contacts from before. i was able to find some part-time hours working for a handful of studios that occasionally needed overflow or fill-in designers for busy times. between those and the 20+ hrs a week i found there and the handful of jobs i pulled in on my own, i was able to replicate my prior salary (sans benefits) rather quickly.
i have no doubt that, if i'd stuck with it, i'd have made at least as much, with benefits, in the long haul. i just don't like working for myself. too many things that i just hate doing are a big part of working for yourself.
anyway, my point is that you may find the road a bit easier this time, if you choose that route, because you're more prepared to hit the ground running this time.
one piece of advice i'd give you if you choose that route. talk to your regular vendors about work. i had 2-3 print sales people/managers who i've worked with a while that were scoping out work for me because they liked working with me. so they'd recommend me to studios as a potential freelancer. even got me a few full-time gig interviews.
That's a really good idea. I am actually working with a printer right now who I have a great rapport with and because of my nightmare boss, is always complimenting me on my patience. LOL
Gotta love it.
Great advice, Greg. Thanks so much! I think you're right. I have done freelancing twice on my own (for a total of 3 years, but not 3 years consistently), and I still have clients coming to me to do their design work for them. Although it's not regular, I honestly think with patience and determination, I could do it again.
Something to ponder, that's for sure.
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
glad to help.
don't overlook the idea of talking to studios about overflow work or filling in when someone's on vacation. you won't make as much per hour as you do on your own work, but it can really help fill in the hours and help you bring in steady money. and if they really like your work, you may even get some recommendations for work they can't take on.
also, look for other freelancers to work with. spend some time at AIGA or other similar events and get to know others in similar situations. when i took this current job, i was just starting to get referrals from other designers when they were too busy to help some of their clients.
Hey you!
Sorry to hear your trip to London didn't match up to the realities of the job back home.
To answer the question...
Yes I have moved away from graphic design, throughout my design career I always had fingers in other pies, so to speak, but this time it seems pretty permanent.
I haven't been directly involved in a daily design job for over a year now, I left after working on my last project which involved a lot of eCommerce, as I was working through things, I picked up a lot of knowledge in that arena and was asked to project manage the setup of a new eCommerce project selling books online through Amazon and associated websites.
It was a baptism of fire, I wasn't particularly good at it and my contract wasn't renewed after the 9 months I'd been taken on for, it wasn't that I couldn't deal with the project management, that is second nature to many designers, especially those of us who freelance, not was it the technical side of the eCommerce business, it was the soft skills I lacked to allow me to deal with the many, many stakeholders in a project environment and I was reluctant to 'push back' against peple technically higher than myself.
Anyway, I'm digressing here, the point is that I left my stable course, I got stuck in a job I disliked and was frankly glad that it ended. HOWEVER, now I've never been happier.
I didn't return to design, I stayed with project management and eCommerce but took it to a much different role.
Being a digital project manager means that I still have a lot of contact with fellow designers, I also have a foot in with marketing departments so am rapidly learning just how annoying we as designers can be at times from the other side of the fence.
My work to deliver a website on time, and on budget is a crucial part of the process, but because of my background I'm much more involved than their past project managers and I believe it's due to this that the site launching on Jan 14th is the first time ever that they will have launched a site on time.
I do miss design, I did consider returning, I also considered study, but instead I looked at my skill set and used them to make a marked change in direction. As far as salary goes, that has almost doubled in just under 2 years, job satisfaction is way up on the scale and stress ironically is down, despite managing lots of people and sub projects.
At the end of the day it really depends what you want to do.
If you love design but not the job then maybe it's the job.
If you like design but you're not sure you want to do it forever then maybe look at a change. I don't know what it's like in the USA, but here a great way to change industries is to look at the 'third sector' and work for charities and non-profit organisations.
I'm not talking about volunteering, I'm talking about real, paid roles in fundraising organisations. Sometimes it's much easier to get a foot in the door here and the scope for development tends to be much higher than the corporate world.
Apologies for the lengthy rant, but I thought I'd put my 2 cents worth in.
I did design for corporate, I did freelance work too, freelance is too unreliable for me I need a little bit of security and I just wasn't getting it there, nor am I disciplined enough as a person to manage my free time well enough to prosper in that field.
Ultimately, though I love design I craved more. More money, more responsibility, more influence over output and that's what I have now, but my path isn't right for everyone, not by any means.
Good luck!
www.jamnittygritty.com
Brilliant! Thanks, Kevin! I was so hoping I'd hear from you, especially since you knew I was so excited about my training trip to the UK, etc.
You're right, the trip to the UK was everything I had expected and more, however, once I got into the grind of things back here in the USA, I realized that the owner micro-manages everything down to a T. It's simply annoying. Add to that, having to send all of my work over to the designer in the UK for approval. As you can imagine, it has significantly slowed down my design process tremendously.
Regardless, I love doing freelance design on my own. I actually thrived on it when I did it (although infrequent at best), but like you, I lack the discipline to really manage my time properly in order to be successful. Additionally, I never worked in it for a long enough time period to enhance my clientele. Yes, I still get clients coming to me for another logo design, business card design, etc. but I am so sick of logo design at this point, I could scream!
A part of me really would just like to walk away from it (maybe temporarily???) and go from there. Do something mindless and numbing for a while and see if that cures me. I imagine I'll be bored out of my mind, but the stress level would be zero! Maybe not.
Either way, I need to make a decision because as I was getting ready for work this morning, my stomach was tied up in knots all day! I simply cannot live like this for much longer.
Thanks again, Kevin! I remember when you started this new venture and you seemed so much happier, even with all of the traveling. I would love that.
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
My first PM role in part failed because of a clash with my line manager.
I dod not respond well to micromanagement at all, in my view, if you hire someone to do a job, you do so because they have the skills to do the job and they need to be trusted.
That said, I stuck it out because I could see the benefit at the end of it all.
If you can see a benefit, i.e. maybe it will look better on your CV to stay for 6 months, perhaps the company reputation is good enough for you to consider that?
Working in a job you hate is NEVER productive, but are there any ways you may be able to make things better? Have you considered speaking to your manager about it directly, if she doesn't know how you feel then nothing will change, maybe speak to HR about it? not sure about where you are, but most employers in the UK have some kind of employee assistance programme to discuss issues like this confidentially.
www.jamnittygritty.com
Unfortunately, no HR department. It's literally 5 of us—plus her, the owner. That's it. No HR, no supervisor. Just her the boss. Not very good as far as odds go, unfortunately.
My husband recommends I speak with her, as well, because at this point, I have nothing to lose. If she fires me, so be it, but either way, I need to let her know how I feel and let her know that I don't work well being micro-managed. You cannot imagine how bad she is. Like my Facebook said this morning, I literally received 33 emails from her yesterday. How is this productive? She doesn't trust anyone and she is so obsessed with being on time (even though we all arrive 5 minutes early), she is installing a time clock in the office. I am beyond amazed at this point. The last time I had to punch a clock was when I worked in retail and that was years ago. She is so obsessed about this that she called the other day from the UK at 6:55 (we have to be there at 7 a.m.) to see if we were all there.
I feel like a sardine stuck in this small, confining space and we're not allowed to speak to each other or interact. Only if it's work related. No internet. No cell phones, no nothing! It's ridiculous.
It's just the way she is, unfortunately, so that will most likely not change.
Tell me, Kevin, are employers typically like this in the UK?
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
Hehe, there are two types of manager in my experience, the clock watchers and the results driven.
The latter invariably gets better results.
I didn't realise your boss was based in the UK, how long has your office existed? Is it possible she is nervous because she doesn't know what's going on day to day? Is there a local supervisor person?
To answer the question, no, employers are not generally like this anywhere. There will always be an exception to the rule, but any oppressive work environment where communication is stifled, be it verbal or otherwise, is doomed to fail.
I work in an office of about 150 people over 2 floors right now, we are positively encouraged to talk to each other as it helps you learn and stops problems before they happen, communication is critical. We have internet access and are allowed to surf freely providing we get our work done, which is more than fair.
To me it sounds as if there are reasons for her uptightness and general failure at letting go, it sounds to me as if she's either inexperienced or has had a bad experience. Either way it isn't productive and she needs to know that.
The design industry in general tends to be quite relaxed in my experience, this seems the polar opposite so quite rightly it's a shock to the system.
Chin up!
www.jamnittygritty.com
I agree with you completely, and given my experience in this field, what you say is definitely the norm. It's ironic because I live in a loft located above a graphic design studio and they are always interactive. I'm so envious of their environment.
Additionally, companies like Pixar and Apple promote a relaxed and playful environment because this promotes creativity and imagination. Not working in (as you say) an oppressive workplace.
She is from the UK and has an office there (about 5 years) and she just opened the US office less than 6 months ago, so she's here in the US temporarily. She is only in the UK for the holidays and will be back after the new year.
From what I have been told by the designer over there when I was training, she has never worked for anybody else before as she has always been her own boss. Her husband apparently has his own business, as well.
I have never encountered anything like this in my life.
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
To me, it sounds like she's really worried about not being able to see what people are doing from afar. I think you might need to nip this in the bud soon now to stop what's happening.
As hard as it may be, put yourself in her shoes, imagine investing a lot of time and more importantly money, in an overseas office and people, this has to work for her, she's out of her comfort zone, most likely battling to keep the business afloat as the first year of any new venture is incredibly tough.
I think this is the root of the problem, she is away from home, stressed, at risk of losing all that is dear to her if this doesn't work so she's reacting to it, unfortunately for you that reaction means her being a total bitch.
The good news is, even the most hardened bitch rarely knows they're actually behaving that way, more often than not they think they're fine and everyone else is the problem, if a job's worth doing you may as well do it yourself because everyone else will just FUCK IT UP!
That seems to be where she's at from my understanding...
While this must be real hard on you I think you need to look at it as a fantastic opportunity... This is a new office in the US, it's not perfect by any means, but rather than hating her, try and see if you can relate to her a bit more. I know there is a bizarre no talking policy, but try to take some time out to get inside her head.
It doesn't sound like you have much privacy there with such a small operation, but communication is key, the one thing that will bring down any relationship professional or otherwise, is a lack of it.
What do the other employees seem to think of the situation?
www.jamnittygritty.com
Kevin, just to elaborate—she is British and from the UK, she has been in the US for 6 months and is now back in the UK until the end of the new year. When I was training in the UK for two weeks, the designer over there (who has worked for her for 2.5 years) told me that she has always been like that, and apparently the business/office in the UK has been in operation (and successful at that) for 5+ years. When she's in the US and not in the UK, she is constantly inundating them with emails on a regular basis and while she's here in the US in our office, she is in our face every single minute of the day! She gives the term micro-management a new meaning, believe me!
Also while I was over there training, I was told that this is her way, regardless—she is very anal about tardiness, talking, using the internet, cell phone use (they MUST be turned off while we're at work, and if my 10 year old daughter needs to call me because it's an emergency, she has to call me on the office phone, not my cell phone), etc. It's VERY, very controlling. EVERY little thing I do has to be approved by the designer (who has never been a graphic designer before this job, as she has her degree in textile design) in the UK before I can do or finalize anything. And with the 7 hour time difference and continuous network issues, it's very problematic.
I'm sorry if I haven't been clear about my boss and the situation, but initially I wanted to be as vague as possible with fear of exposing anything relating to the company. But at this point, I don't care. LOL
Her business is extremely successful in the UK which is why she wanted to branch out in the US market—because it's huge here! It's a toy company, and the irony is, the work environment isn't fun at all!
My co-workers have discussed their concerns with me on a regular basis and they feel the exact same way, even the administrative coordinator who has been working for her since July, whereas I have only been working for her since mid-October.
There were many more issues happening today, but at this point, I won't go into it because even I am tired of rehashing my day on a daily basis. My husband and I have had really good talks for the past few weeks. Unfortunately, at her expense! ;)
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
At 12.01am EST on January 1, 2010 hit the send button after having copied and pasted this message (which you may use with no concern about copyright infringement whatsoever) into the body of an email:
Dear {insert name}
I quit.
Kind regards,
Suzanne.
Write a wise saying and your name will live forever – Anonymous.
http://theghostwriterinthemachine.blogspot.com
Ha. I love that! Thank you!!!!! :)~
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
Attach a picture of you flipping the bird to the camera with a big ol' Lens Flare ™ on the middle finger and this would be perfect.
Leaky Penny
Check out what I've been up to lately!
http://petersonjoseph.com
I'm going to print it out and eat it.
-Unknown Artist
you could stage a coup. rally all your coworkers and hand her the new demands, which if not met immediately you all will leave.
That is hilarious because my husband JUST mentioned this yesterday. He thought too bad your co-workers (all three of us...LOL) couldn't approach her with a list of demands. Too funny.
Too bad the other co-workers most likely wouldn't go for it. Oh well. Nice to dream. LOL
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
I know I'm WAAAY late in the conversation here... was on a lovely vacation for the last two weeks.
My initial impression is it's not the design work, it's the place you work for where the frustrations are happening.
I've been at other jobs, too, where I started feeling pretty disenfranchised with graphic design - but it was primarily because of a micro-managing boss who wouldn't trust ANYONE to do a design right - always had to have her mark on everything... or an extremely picky boss where I couldn't figure out what the flavor of the week was supposed to be with him.
My problem at those times where I started feeling depressed was I made the incorrect assumption that this is the way ALL design work IS... there's no possible differences out there. I'm stuck with this, and if I don't like it, then maybe I should change my career path.
I can be pretty good at fooling myself into believing that misery is a natural accompaniment to design work when I've had crappy bosses or companies to work for.
The thing is for me... it's not the work that's the problem. It's the PEOPLE.
When I started reminding myself of that, I again felt okay with doing design work... I just recognized my challenges at my jobs were only related to my relationships with the people, not because graphic design is just hard to do.
Wishing you luck in whatever course you decide to take. :)
Thanks, Kelly. I appreciate that. These last few weeks, while she has been in the UK, even though from many thousands of miles a way, she has still been a micro-managing pain in my ass, I love doing the design aspect of it—especially when I'm left alone!
But, of course, since she just happens to own the company and she's the culprit, I need to exit quickly. Her flight was cancelled a few days ago because of the snow they got in the UK, so we're expecting her to be in the office on Monday, so needless to say, I'm dreading it.
Thanks for the advice, it makes a lot of sense!
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
Suz, I've been where you are. A few alarm bells:
1. Company run by stodgy CEO. Penny pinching is a way of life for CEO's, especially CEO's in this economy.
2. No HR dept. means CEO treats the employess how they like, and this is almost always bad because they don't understand employment law.
3. Communication lockdown + VPN for server access is absurd. There are so many better ways to work than this, as you know. Why not use the cloud for the files or at least ftp?
Anyway, I feel your pain, though unless you get all employees to voice concern at once nothing will change - and I don't see this person changing her ways anytime soon since she believes it's gotten her to where she is.
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Dirt and Rust
You're right, Nat. As you know with our constant network/VPN issues, it hasn't gotten better, in fact, some days it feels worse. It's a nightmare.
When you gave me that recommendation a few months ago about not using the VPN, etc. she was intrigued but basically did nothing about it. Apparently, she has spent several thousand dollars (or £) to upgrade their server in the UK, so I think at this point due to her frugality, she is apprehensive to spend more money to use an alternative method.
Oh well. Her loss.
But you're also right in the fact that while everybody sits around and bitches and moans about her micro-management style, nobody (myself excluded, of course) will have the courage to say anything to her and they will just continue on like clones! Sad.
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
What an interesting post. A few years back, 2003 to be exact, when I was a Jr designer. I went through similar situation, had a crazy micro-managing dept director. Back then I was able to walk away from design with ease because I had a second part-time job in production at a national magazine. Being a designer shouldn't mean you have to develop thick skin and put up with bs criticisms and certainly not micro-management...no one deserves that on a daily basis.
At the time, I was also given a promotion to become senior designer and take over my supervisor's position when he was promoted to art director. Even then, I knew I couldn't stay and be happy working for a dragon-lady. Fast forward to now, I turned my focus on prepress and production since I left design and is now a prepress manager. This would be a feel good story, IF I didn't cross road with a new dragon-lady boss that micro-manages everything I do... as of now, I'm ready to pack up and change career. Once again, i'm struggling daily just to get through a work day. Until the job market gets better, I suggest hang in there a little longer, and keep your eyes open for something better.
The lesson here is that no matter what you do and where you are, don't let lesser people push you around. They may walk around thinking and acting all high-and-mighty, but in reality (and I have seen many of these people), they don't really have skills outside their "expertise", they work so hard to drive and force everyone around them to work like them. That is their comfort zone. The saddest part is, I'm seeing more and more of these people making into upper management jobs BUT really lack the understanding and skills at managing talented people that gets work done for them. For example, my supervisor' boss don't even know what I do exactly...introduced me to a recent hired saying "he fixed things"!
Wow, that definitely sounds awful, and very similar to what I am going through now. However, unfortunately my "dragon lady" of a boss is the owner, so she's it. No supervisor, just her the owner and manager. Everybody is miserable there. We're in an environment and closed in like sardines. I kid you not.
The other day she caught me looking at my cell phone and gave me the most hideous look I have ever seen. As if I did something wrong? I check it 3 times a day to make sure my daughter (who is only 10) hasn't tried to call me for emergencies. You never know. That's all I do, I look at it. I don't text, I don't email nothing. She's just the devil woman, simple as that.
Since that happened, she has been very abrupt towards me and very dismissive. Like I'm her slave, which is how she treats us. Heck, I think inmates have more rights than we do because don't they get cable and internet???
Regardless, my husband and I have come to the conclusion that I am definitely going to stick it out until the end of January, and give my notice. I am miserable and come home in a depressed daze everyday. I take it out on my family. That is not good. I refuse to work like a slave for anybody especially for what she is paying me, which is a joke, BTW.
Since I was receiving unemployment from my last job, I have until October to collect it, so I can easily start receiving those benefits again once I become unemployed—no questions asked to why. So that is the biggest part of why I am able to walk away from this job without question. If I didn't have that unemployment, I'd be stuck.
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
LOL, I think we have enough horror stories to tell that can last for days. It's hard not to think about this stuff, get angry and wonder whose at fault here.
That said, I don't want anyone to think we victims here because we aren't. They can micro-manage or give you dirty looks all day, WE still have our right to choose to stay or to leave a job.
This is one thing, those folks will never learn. They usually believes they can replace anyone but when they truly lost someone with talent and skills, this will affect their bottom line. Even then they have this great ability to deny themselves to admit their errors and driving people away.