Of Totalitarian States and Democratic Institutions
From May 2006 until June 2007, I had quite a trying period, in case you haven't gathered that yet. I went from being a coordinator in a clinical trials office to being a manager in the regulatory section of the same office. It was a job I honestly thought I could do. I approached it as an opportunity, and a position in which I could have a positive influence. Yes, this is what I thought despite the fact that my immediate predecessor quit the job after only a few weeks. And before her? Well, no one was in the position for nigh on 3 years. Add this to the regular turnover of staff and your starting to get the picture (I hired 7 new employees in that year, and lost 9 mostly due to upper management).
In the end, though, despite my dedication and far too many hours of work, I had to leave for my own sanity. Apparently the fact that I took initiative was an issue. And because my direct supervisor put me in an impossible position (which she and others readily admitted on a regular basis) I was eventually to be seen by a vice president who only talked directly to me once as not having any potential. It got to the point that I felt like the punching bag in a boxing gym.
But that is not the end point of the blog today. The real surprise to this situation has been the long-term outcome. After agonizing over my decision, I took a job with a health system 80 miles from my home. This means that I drive 1.5 hours each day, each way to and from work. But it's worth it. I love my job. I am appreciated, depended upon, and (brace yourselves) regularly thanked for both my abilities and initiative. What a change.
But tonight came an even bigger shock to my system than having a great job. While being appreciated has been such a rare thing in my career, and I'm still wallowing in the wonders of my new position, I found out that it's not just my new employer who thinks that I have some intelligence to offer. Tonight I sat down and opened my e-mail and to my wonder, another job offer is coming my way. This is a job I interviewed for about 2.5 months ago, it's not with just anyone and I had given up on getting it. To boot, it's actually with one of the most powerful institutions in my line of work - the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
To say the least, I am in great shock here. I have been beaten up for so long that just being thanked is delightful. Now this? The largest and most powerful regulatory body in the country thinks that I have ability and, gasp, potential? I'm still in shock over the e-mail and will have to look at it repeatedly to prove to myself that this is not a dream. And if it isn't? Well, wouldn't it be interesting to be part of an FDA audit team.
In the end, though, despite my dedication and far too many hours of work, I had to leave for my own sanity. Apparently the fact that I took initiative was an issue. And because my direct supervisor put me in an impossible position (which she and others readily admitted on a regular basis) I was eventually to be seen by a vice president who only talked directly to me once as not having any potential. It got to the point that I felt like the punching bag in a boxing gym.
But that is not the end point of the blog today. The real surprise to this situation has been the long-term outcome. After agonizing over my decision, I took a job with a health system 80 miles from my home. This means that I drive 1.5 hours each day, each way to and from work. But it's worth it. I love my job. I am appreciated, depended upon, and (brace yourselves) regularly thanked for both my abilities and initiative. What a change.
But tonight came an even bigger shock to my system than having a great job. While being appreciated has been such a rare thing in my career, and I'm still wallowing in the wonders of my new position, I found out that it's not just my new employer who thinks that I have some intelligence to offer. Tonight I sat down and opened my e-mail and to my wonder, another job offer is coming my way. This is a job I interviewed for about 2.5 months ago, it's not with just anyone and I had given up on getting it. To boot, it's actually with one of the most powerful institutions in my line of work - the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
To say the least, I am in great shock here. I have been beaten up for so long that just being thanked is delightful. Now this? The largest and most powerful regulatory body in the country thinks that I have ability and, gasp, potential? I'm still in shock over the e-mail and will have to look at it repeatedly to prove to myself that this is not a dream. And if it isn't? Well, wouldn't it be interesting to be part of an FDA audit team.
posted by Barbara | 11:03 PM
2 Comments:
That's my Sweetie, the G Man :)
and she gots a shiny badge, to boot!
~c
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