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Help! · Newbie Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hi I'm new. I'm a microbiologist, and employed and although I do like my job, it's great opportunity and if I stay for the whole duration, it might provide good future prospects, unfortunately, I've made no friends at work. Right from the beginning the people have been very unwelcoming and unfriendly. I was hoping they might warm up to me and new people coming might ease the situation, but neither helped. I'm very depressed and have had enough. I searched online for careers in my field, but haven't found anything telling me what I don't already know. The thing is, nothing I see advertised is as close to what I want to work on, as my job is, which is almost prefect. Also I've become so disillusioned.

Does anyone know of any exciting career ideas? It could be anything, not necessarily including microbiology. Ideally something involving travel, but not teaching, like with the JET program. Also any advice on getting along with the people would be great. Thanks. Smile

Pauloz · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 12:07 am Post subject:

Help!

I'm hesitant to suggest a way of getting along with people who aren't making an effort. I'm concerned it could lead to further disappointment, because some people are just like that.

This isn't your idea, and it isn't your fault.

Don't take this situation too personally. It's not you, it's them. It's a fact of life that some workplace environments are lousy. They're being quite unprofessional in acting this way, and their social skills must be terrible. Most near-average human beings do make some sort of accommodation with the people they work with. It's only the misanthropes that behave like this.

I've seen many people who've been put off their whole career by unfriendly workplace environments, and it's a real shame that you're in this situation.

My point is that if it wasn't for that quite unnecessary state of affairs, you'd be perfectly happy in that job. Remember, being a microbiologist isn't the problem.

A few suggestions and options:

1. It takes a while for the right position to come up. Be patient, and wait until you find something you want.

2. This is not the time to chuck yourself out into the snow. Don't make any sudden purely reactive moves. You've got your life ahead of you. The recession is still hitting employment hard, and positions are thin on the ground. Whatever you do, make sure you're stepping into a lifeboat, not off a cliff.

3. Other careers take time to start up. You'll need to do some preliminary qualifications, at least certifications, whatever you do.

4. It's a bit hard to suggest another career based on this information. What are you really good at? What's an area where you're confident, and sure you can do well?

I ask because talent is the best possible guide to career choices. These are the areas where you're in with a real chance of success. Doesn't matter if you're an acidophilus herder or a Zen golfer. If you select a career where you have both talent and enthusiasm, you'll get a lot further, a lot faster. You can also be far more productive and much happier.

In that sense an "exciting" career is a good idea, provided you're talking about something where you have real abilities, and can deliver on your hopes and expectations.

Think about this. If you've got any definite preferences, check those out first.

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