Job satisfaction

[YW16]

@Kristen, I have to say, the best decision I ever made was to do my masters and now doctorate. I am so proud of myself and I genuinely love my research. I suspect how you are treated depends on where you get a job - I work at the smaller, lesser known university in my area and I suspect the environment here is very different to what is going on at the bigger institutions. If you want to go post-grad, go for it!

[kerin76]

I'm graduating with my BA in a few months--I thought I was going to apply to grad school for a while, but decided not to because all I ever hear are terrible things about the academic job market.

Things are pretty terrible in North America, but a lot can depend on your field, what you're willing and able to do, and where you're willing to go to do it.

[Jess Blaqk]

I had a shit job so I quit. I got another job for a way bigger company and I was so excited I no longer had to deal with the shitty conditions but it didn't last. My holiday hours were awesome because I was getting 30+ hours a week and the pay was ok. But now I'm lucky if I get 10-12 hours a week and since I'm only making $8.25/hr you can add up how much I'm scraping up every week. (I don't make shit!) They moved my manager that handled the two parts of the store that I work in (juniors department and childrens) and as soon as they moved him, everything fell apart. All the other ladies that work with me loved this manager because he's so sweet. The person they replaced him with is nice too but she's just way too young to manage 2 departments. They fired a woman who'd been there for 35 years of her life because she used a coupon more than once. (But when customers want to, we let them and no one says anything about it though it's against policy.) Another woman who'd been there for almost as long quit because of the shitty treatment lately. I'm afraid to even go to work anymore because my fellow co-workers and I are scared to death that they are going to fire us all on the spot for no reason. We are all on edge because we have no idea who they are going to get rid of next. It's terrifying. And they just hired 15+ more people even though we don't need them. Needless to say, I'm currently looking for another job.

[...chase]

When I start a project it usually lasts a few months and requires all my attention. It pays well and I have a better than average amount of personal time but, transitioning from being laid back to being absurdly busy is a rough adjustment. I make it work but, sometimes I wish for a bit more stability.

[beej]

I like my job... When the customers aren't LA butt heads... Some people think that they shit gold or something. A lot of my favorite co workers are gone or different people from when I met them. People change I guess. Sometimes being the only senior staff member sucks because I have to be a semi authority figure for them...

Idk I'd say lil bit satisfied

[daedin iarcaliel]

i used to work in customer care and it is a stressful job and not as rewarding as it should be.. i decided to return back to the field, though. it payed well and the odd customer a day who is totally cute about it because you help him.. that lifts the spirit! it's not what i studied and surely i'd want to work in a related field (always wanted to work for a charity..) but oh well, regarding the circumstances i'd say it's a job you can be satisfied with ^^

[xblaqkxrabbitx]

I worked in Customer Service for 2 1/2 years, all at the one store.
Both mangers treated different staff members with different levels of respect.
Some days were awesome and I came home happy and motivated.
Some days I came home and just cried all night.
Some customers were absolutely lovely and kind.
Others were cruel and abused me to the point of tears.

I recently got sacked because new management came in and they hired more high school aged kids.
So I was sacked for being too old at the age of 20.

They didn't call or say thanks for my 2 1/2 years there.

All I got was a printed out letter from head office saying I was no longer employed.

Not much satisfaction happening.

[daedin iarcaliel]

@xblaqkxrabbitx
the big problem about customer service seems to be that everyone thinks you can be easily substituted. this pisses me off so much. "well, yea, EVERYONE can do that job". hell, no. i hate it when i need something and the helping person is absolutely unfriendly, incompetent or has the wrong attitude. this job is NOT for everyone and once you are good at it, why do managers feel the need to replace you?? contra productive, really.. :/
i left from my job also because they'd just not give me a permanent contract. i really wanted that, but all i got were a few months. thanks for making me feel so valued. :/
during the period i left was a big wave of people quitting and they seriously had problems finding employees.. so it finally backfired and now they also give permanent contracts. i really hope i'll get one some day, too... :P

[xblaqkxrabbitx]

Exactly!
People think it's something anyone can do. But that is FAR from the truth.
And it's true! You get to a point where you know how everything works and all the processes and regular customers and how they like things then they decide it's time to get in younger inexperience people.

Like this one customer, only ever bought a few things but always asked for a bag, so I just always gave him one before he asked. It made him smile.

I'm currently looking around for a permanent part-time job. Fingers crossed!
And best of luck to you!

[Hammonds]

Have to say my customer service at times could be improved. Problem is I have very little time for people that are basically, well, fucking morons and/or have no common sense.

As for job satisfaction, as long as they pay me, i'll stay happy. Not gonna lie, i'm all about the money. Don't get me wrong, as far as jobs go I quite enjoy mine, and don't wake up every morning hating myself or my life. The money though, and the knowledge that there is no salary cap ahead is a pretty good motivator. So, as long as I stay on my boss' good side (which after 5 years, i'm not doing too bad at), and don't have too many fuck ups, then things should be all good.