The job you love to hate, or the job you just hate?
A recent poll reports the surprising findings that five of the top ten “most hated jobs” in America are technology jobs. And the number one most hated job? IT director.
The poll is from a website called CareerBliss and it was reported by CNBC. I know nothing about CareerBliss, but they present themselves as an “online career community.” Matching jobs with job seekers is part of the business model, but their web site also bills itself as a resource for tools that “help people find joy in life through happiness in the workplace.” I’m all for that.
The survey claims to have input from hundreds of thousands of respondents (that’s a lot), all from this year (2011). As summarized by CNBC, “respondents reported that the factors causing the most job dissatisfaction were not lousy pay or a desk near the bathroom.” Instead, “limited growth opportunities and lack of reward drove the misery index up more than anything else.”
I was disappointed to see an IT leadership position like mine listed as the number one most hated job. I still feel that the IT career path, including management and leadership, has much to offer in terms of job satisfaction and personal reward.
But there’s no denying that the period we’ve recently lived through has been brutal. Many companies are entrenching and deferring IT upgrades and projects. Training budgets have been slashed. Staffs have been reduced, something painful for the cutter and the cut alike. For many in IT, there’s been no shortage of stress and dissatisfiers. And for those in IT leadership roles, like an IT director, the stress has only been compounded: pressure from above, flagging morale below. Not surprising that we’re pointing at limited chances for advancement and personal rewards that have been scaled back or deferred.
Things are tough all over, and I don’t mean that flippantly. The current recession has been long and deep and bitter. We may be headed for a second dip, or it may be a third; I’m losing count. Every company is forced to look at every expense and scale back even on essentials. No matter how beneficial an IT initiative may potentially be, it has to compete for funds, staff and attention with many other demands that are equally and sometimes more important. There are no untouchable budget items any more. When Social Security (the famous “third rail” of American Politics) is on the table in Washington, then no IT project can be safe from scrutiny.
Morale can be hard to maintain during such times, but I don’t think that IT should be any more or less stressful than other professions. I think when the economy turns around – and it will – with it will come increased IT growth, spending, opportunities, reward and satisfaction. And then we’ll see the IT director's job fall out of the number one slot on the list.
But what do you think? Are you an IT Director (or manager, or VP or CIO) and do you hate your job? Is that a recent phenomenon, coincident with the bad economy? And do you think better times are coming?
5 comments:
Good review but I believe it lists IT Director as the most hated job because IT is a lot like Quality (my job). When things are humming along and everything is going well, then you're invisible (hence no reward). Out of sight out of mind. But then something goes wrong! Where is IT, or where is Quality? How could you let this happen? How come you didn't see this coming? Why aren't you Nostradamus? FIX IT!
So you get high visibility when things are crashing and invisibility when things are well. And it's a wonder people are not happy in their jobs? These field are nightmares to navigate every day. Then again, it's the career we chose, isn't it. Can of psychological worms now open!
Nick P.
Well said, Howard! If it made the list, then we need to get the people who are saying "they hate their job" out of the field and find those leaders who are able to take the positive and negative that comes with the territory. Leading people though change and technology are two of the toughest things to do. Here's to giving opportunity to those who enjoy the challenge!
Lead on!
Molly
Hi Howard -
Interesting blog post. Let me know if you get a number of replies and if you'd like to discuss the possibility of tuning this topic into an ITAG Breakfast meeting where we invite IT Directors and other Sr. IT Execs to meet and discuss this as well as what the solutions may be for 2011 - 2012. I can foresee a 20 - 25 minute presentation of some thought provoking comments followed by a moderated discussion about possible solutions as well as what IS working at some of the participants' companies. Let me know if you'd be interested. Jim Lauckner ITAG Director
Interesting post. I suspect Nick P. hit the nail on the head about being "invisible" when it's all running well, and probably unable to please anyone when things go wrong. But, I also suspect that for many people, not just IT directors, hating the job is more a result of the work environment and/or being in the wrong field.
I love my profession - I can't imaging doing anything else but what I'm doing (and I have occasionally looked at other careers). The times I have been unhappy in my job were when the work environment was not good - bad management, no opportunity for meaningful advancement, or similar problems. Those were times when I started looking for a new job (in the same field!) - but I knew I had to leave where I was.
Point being - if you're unhappy in a career one of two major issues is probably in play - you're in the wrong field or the work environment is not a good one (at that time). And, if you can't leave or change careers at that moment, make the best of it. Tough advice, perhaps, but I think it's a matter of taking responsibility for one's self.
UGH #1 most hated. As a Director of IT, often folks don't like the honest answers we are responsible for conveying. That does add pressure to a position but is the nature of most management positions. Many folks in the position are stressed and uptight. I do see how some could interpret the obvious negatives.
I think, like in most parts of life, life/work is what you make of it. If the fit is not right, move on to a better fit.
Regardless of the times, creativity and innovation and turn difficult situations into learning experiences that lead organizations to explore ideas never explored previously. Keep positive and likely the situation and those around you will follow suit.
Post a Comment