Today, a colleague asked me if I feel fulfilled at work. The short answer is yes. I explained that I get to do a bit of everything that I like in the university setting. Recruiting once a month, advising just before the semester starts, working with adult students, planning events, community outreach. Are there things I don't like? Of course. I would rather not spend so much time stacking chairs and moving tables, and I could live with never having to take the garbage out again.
The long answer is this:
Last summer, I took a job at a brand new branch campus of a large state university. I had heard exciting things about the campus from colleagues at other universities, and I could walk to the campus from my apartment. I got an interview, and clicked with the director. Even though the position was really for an administrative assistant, I needed out of the job I was in, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be the second person hired for the location. I still had a grad student mentality, and long hours and more responsibilities sounded like a fun challenge rather than a soul-crushing amount of work. Fast forward 6 months, and my view has changed a bit.
I went from a 2 sentence job description to literally pages of responsibilities. I went from answering phones to being an academic adviser, recruiter, manager of two additional staff members, secretary of the local merchant association, and photo taker for student ID cards. I really do enjoy all of that.
I don't like fighting with the bar that will be opening in our building next week. I hate having to clean up after people who rent our space, mostly because I am too short to open the dumpsters easily to throw all of their garbage away. I could do without working 50+ hour weeks because we are open more hours than we we have staff. And I really do not want to move another table.
So maybe the long answer is yes, this job is fulfilling, but it is also insanely difficult and pays like crap. But the reality is that higher ed is a small field with limited job openings. And I think that the things the university is trying to do are fresh and exciting and I want to be part of it. But I am exhausted. And I spend a lot of time hoping that SOMEONE, ANYONE at the main campus realizes how hard I am working and how much I am contributing to my location.
But for now, there are overflowing garbage cans that I need to take care of.
