Do you ever have a defining moment at work where you realize you're trapped?

[Symarip]

I'm a defense contractor, but more importantly I'm an educator of sorts (despite the fact that sometimes I'm pretty illiterate on the interwebz). I typically like my job fine, and feel like I'm an asset to the company and ultimately, to my country.

Today I had a meeting where I realized I am completely trapped. Those I work for, specifically one person who runs this operation, is hard charging our team to basically chase windmills. Our methods of measuring success, aside from nickels and dimes, is to compare similarities in products that are ultimately inferior in design and procedure. To convey to anyone reading this, imagine turning in an essay that fails by every perceivable method but patting yourself on the back for having all the i's dotted in a uniform fashion. For me to suggest and implement what I know to be relevant and proper would be to rail against the system and essentially bite the hand that feeds me. To stay the course, as I am doing now, will only lead to complacency and a loss of skills needed to do a good job. I am completely trapped.

Unfortunately, I'm in a unique position where the specialties I dabble in are specific to only this job, right here and right now. In the past, when I've tried to look for other work, I've found that I would have to sacrifice pay and security. The economy has also played an effect in our industry. I could look for a more commercial company dealing with other area's of training but I would most likely lose my security clearance which in itself, is a paycheck. Also, much of my background as it pertains to this job relies on proprietary systems that don't translate in a non defense based workforce.

Le sigh. Sorry to unload on a Tuesday morning on the Lounge. I'll get back to creating lulz shortly.

[redqueen]

1. ...

As for me... nope, I'm an admin. We're like little interchangeable cogs.

[Symarip]

3. I didn't really even get into the in's and out's of the meeting

Basically, everyone below the dungeon master running the show agrees it's fucked up, but instead of confronting him, we just point fingers and ego massage each other.

[redqueen]

5. So there's nobody over the DM's head...

(Cor! DM!) (sorry)

Whom you could appeal to as a group? At one small telecom firm I worked for, the programmers and engineers in our group did that. The VP who ran the show ended up out on his ass, but it took around six months to a year or so.

[mcctatas]

2. Daily...

of course, compared to your specialized skill set and rationale for staying, I would say that my condition falls under the category of "laziness"

[begin_within]

4. We called it the "velvet coffin" where I worked for a few years.

Some of the people are still there too!

[Symarip]

6. I can really relate to the coffin analogy

I wonder if I'm a vampire or a zombie? Both are coffin related.

[begin_within]

7. Well, it's an easy life, but...

you'll never really go anywhere in it or do what you really want to do. You can just remain there and be comfortable for the rest of your life, doing the same thing endlessly, and you will have your needs taken care of. That's what we called the "velvet coffin." But at the end, what have you really done? Just made someone else rich?

[Symarip]

8. I think it's the lack of purpose when there's something far more real to acheive.

I don't know. I'm stuck.

[Heidi]

9. If you have not already begun creating choices for yourself, START NOW.

If that means continuing your education, developing specialties outside your particular area of expertise or honing your skills to work in a field outside of defense that values innovative thought, do it now. Do not wait. It's the only way you'll ever get unstuck. "He not busy being born is busy dying." Someone famous said that.

[begin_within]

10. Thanks. That's what I did 12 years ago.

I jumped ship and went on my own. I certainly would have made more money over the last 12 years by remaining in the velvet coffin, but I would also be living with regrets, and I don't have any regrets in that department.

[Heidi]

11. Could be time to do it again.

I was a managing editor/journalist for more than 20 years; about 10 years ago I made the jump to mixed media artist. Less security, but no regrets, and I've kept my credentials alive in order to keep my choices alive. No regrets is one of the best things we can say about the choices we've made. With that mindset, you'll be okay.

[old mark]

12. Recently retired from a terrible series of jobs with a terrible employer.

Took a lower pension, but I just had to leave - I have already had 2 heart attacks and I really did not want to end this trip in that place.
I started painting again, have a few done and more in process. I don't need any money from then, so I don't need to deal with galleries, etc, which I hade - I just like to paint.

So I am. It will be a happy thanksgiving.

mark