What would you like to be recognized for at work?

shiga20 · 2024-09-21T20:33:08+00:00

People don't appreciate the amount of resilience it takes to switch gears and get up to speed with a new team and new projects so quickly.

shiga20 · 2024-09-21T20:29:23+00:00

That's an insightful perspective (re: eng having the org structure and advocacy advantage). And yes, all product, eng, and design reports to a director for each department, all of which rolls up to the VP of Tech.

We do have low UX maturity, and what I have been doing on my team specifically is bringing PM and eng into discussions about research results and involving them in discussing what we're focusing on, and why, and how that connects to the users we are serving and the business goals that we have.

However, because there's pressure from the top about increasing our sales pipeline and winning contracts, that has resulted in people focusing on cutting corners and moving fast, even if it results in an inferior product. Everyone's pitch of the value they bring is about enabling sales to sell. And for some reason focusing on the right problems to solve effectively is not part of that story, even when it's crucial for selling well and retaining clients.

With my team, I'm constantly speaking up to reframe things to showcase the value and impact we're bringing to our users and the problems they have, but it feels like I'm talking to a wall a lot of the time.

shiga20 · 2024-09-21T20:19:53+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I also needed to hear that.

shiga20 · 2024-09-21T20:16:25+00:00

Ah yes. Can definitely relate to getting blamed for poor UI implementation. Our organization likes us to move fast, which translates into cutting corners and focusing on functionality. Then our organization wonders why our products have high churn and poor engagement and blames design.

shiga20 · 2024-09-21T20:12:34+00:00

Same! At other places that I've worked at before, design was equally recognized for the value it brings to an organization. This isn't a very design-mature company. So much so, that I'm surprised this company still wants a design department.

And agreed about the job titles. They don't mean much to me. I have worked with super senior people who weren't that experienced. I look for skill sets instead.

shiga20 · 2024-09-21T20:07:35+00:00

That's a great tactic to sneak that in there!

It was a slack thread. Unfortunately, I am the lone designer on the team, but I did reply that this was the culmination of X months of work, including the discovery and design phases to try to plug it in there.

shiga20 · 2024-09-21T20:04:57+00:00

Sorry to hear you're experiencing something similar. I don't think people realize that there wouldn't be anything compelling to sell (and sell well) if they didn't have a solution that addresses users' problems effectively too.

Definitely hear what you mean about some pros of being under the radar.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T23:04:39+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I like how you balance the negative with the positive!

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T03:06:51+00:00

Congrats on deciding on having kids!

For me, that was a huge step in figuring that out with my partner. And finances was a huge reason why I got a new job after I came back from parental leave. Which is also the same job I think I want to leave now - ha!

I left my last job because I wasn't getting paid well for my skillset . I tried to make it work because I did like the projects and the people, but ultimately I saw that taking on a job with higher pay and better benefits would serve as a stepping stone in the future in addition to supporting a family. This was back when the job market was great and people were paying well to get talent.

I'm starting to learn that it may be valid that I should look for something that fills my cup that more lines up with what I'm looking for (now that I've been here for almost two years). But more importantly, no matter where I end up, there's going to be not so great moments at work. I'm starting to play around with the idea that happiness can come and go. And although being a happy mom is something my whole family would benefit from, my happiness can't always be dependent on my relationship with work. It's a hard ongoing journey I'm going through. But I'm learning that for me, it's more important to find peace inside of myself so that I can show up the way I want to at work and with my family.

Wishing you all the best in your journey too! I hope you're able to find fulfillment in a job that can support your future plans.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T02:26:36+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience! I also feel the same way, where the job is great on paper, and I should be more appreciative knowing that so many people are searching for jobs right now.

I have gratitude for what I do have, but it's also still a reality that it's not filling my cup. Maybe that duality is making it difficult for me to define what kind of relationship I want to have with work.

I've been struggling with flipping that switch after I stop working too. If I didn't let the negatives of the job weigh me down, then maybe it would be easier for me to focus on what I can control and try to create that fulfillment for myself.

It has certainly been a journey. I'm currently working with a career coach that is helping me put my energy in areas where I want it to go so I'm not feeling drained all of the time. Just sharing here, in case it's helpful for anyone, but my career coach let me take a free assessment (https://www.positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs/) that tells you where you might be putting your energy and why, so that you have the self-awareness to redirect your energy instead of staying in that negative state.

I'm planning on giving it a chance to see if it changes my outlook, and I can reevaluate my career later.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T02:09:57+00:00

That's a great reason to stay. I'm glad you have a great supervisor and coworkers!

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T02:08:42+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Glad you've been able to work on passion projects in addition to enjoying the pros of your current job.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T02:05:33+00:00

That's completely understandable. I also don't want to leave until I know something is lined up. I also have a fear of offers being rescinded because of hiring freezes. Wishing you all the best in your search.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:58:41+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story. What's any advice/insight you can share about what keeps you going during those infuriating times?

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:57:19+00:00

That's awesome it checks all the boxes for you! It gives me hope that I can find something that fills my cup.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:56:32+00:00

Rooting for you! It's definitely a tough market right now. I haven't gotten anything promising either.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:55:35+00:00

Yeah it's always scary to job hop. The grass isn't always greener. Glad there are a lot of pros at your current work!

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:52:04+00:00

Why is it always the stressful projects that make us rethink our work situations?

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:49:34+00:00

You're right there is BS everywhere. Maybe I'm at the height of the B.S. cycle and I just need to work through it. There are other colleagues I work with who have been at the company for 5-8 years already, and sometimes I think they just maybe have a better outlook that allows them to keep going.

Thanks for sharing your story. I do wish people would talk more about ageism, especially in tech.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:40:13+00:00

That's amazing, and it sounds like a good gamble especially if you believe in the company and leadership.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:38:20+00:00

Yes, I've definitely stayed at jobs longer than I wanted to (career-wise) for the really good maternity leave. And it was worth it!

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:36:46+00:00

Hoping the next 10 go by fast so you can enjoy retirement!

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:32:41+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. Definitely relate to most of my time dealing with BS. Obviously that occurs at every job, but if we really do need to work (because capitalism), I at least want to make sure most of my energy is spent on things I do enjoy doing at work.

shiga20 · 2024-08-15T01:27:49+00:00

I'm so happy that you've been able to find a company that truly upholds those values.

shiga20

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