Our Blog Network on FacebookSince I got back from my ESL teaching gig in Indonesia at the end of 2006, I have been thrown into the world of temporary workers and contractors. Before that time, I always had permanent positions where I didn't have to fill out timesheets every Friday, and wait for supervisor approval. My current state is shared by many, especially during this unstable period in our economy. I feel a strange combination of uneasiness and freedom: I work for two companies, but have no allegiance to either one of them. It is all about the paycheck and the work experience. If anything, I have learned that I have to make serious changes in my life, so I am not doomed to go from temp job to temp job.
Being a full-fledged freelancer is something else entirely: you are your own boss, you make a name for yourself, you market yourself, you negotiate your own salary, and the money keeps coming in... hopefully. In addition to freelancing, I am also considering careers with much more financial stability attached to them.
Recently, a fellow contractor told me that she overheard a full-time employee at one of the companies we work at saying that we were "not important" and "easily disposable." While I was annoyed by the comment, I also know that a secure person wouldn’t say that. Is he afraid of becoming one of us? Does belittling us give him a false sense of superiority?
While I am thankful that my contracts at both companies have been extended until the beginning of next year, I also know that I can’t get too comfortable. I need to think strategically about my future plans now: will I go back to school to get another degree? Should I switch careers? Will relocating be necessary? I have much to ponder in the next few months.
Do you have any temp stories to share?
Contributors
CHICKS ROCK! Communities
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A Temp's Life
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
About CHICKS ROCK!
CHICKS ROCK! is a program of The Women's Mosaic® that provides a vehicle for women to share their experiences related to diversity and personal growth. Read more about our vision.
We encourage you to participate by reading, subscribing, commenting, emailing us with feature & forum ideas, or writing as a guest blogger.
Subscribe in a reader
OR
Subscribe by Email
About TWM
The Women's Mosaic® is a nonprofit organization that provides education, inspiration, and motivation for women everywhere to rise up and rock the world!
Check out our TWM eNewsletter Archives!
If you like what you see, or want to stay in the loop with what we're doing, subscribe below.
| Join Our Mailing List |
For Email Marketing you can trust
Check Out TWM On...
Support TWM
2 comments:
TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE TEMP WORLD! But again, I wouldn't trade in the flexible nature that temp work provides with the permanence of prison sentencing that working for many companies full-time demands.
Personally, I want to build my skill trade in needed fields - teaching, medicine, and socially responsible non-profit work has and will always be of interest to me.
Great blog Pauline!
I understand the temp world as well. It is very frustrating. I feel like so many of us work so hard and then get thrown into things like the temp world.
I finished my MA when I was 24 years old and have worked temp jobs with no benefits since. I had once supervisor say, "I don't know how much of a feminist you are these days, but I am sure you will be leaving us for greener pastures." Yes, I am a feminist and yes I will be leaving you for greener pastures. I have had worked office jobs where people used me as a temp worker. I have learned a lot in temp jobs. I am definitely changing paths right now and won't be doing temp work much longer. Its been challenging and disappointing to all the hard work I have done to work these lousy temp jobs. If I do a PhD, start a nonprofit or do Peace Corps I am going to end doing these temporary jobs. Its not where I want to be and am choosing to change that.
What changes do you want to make other than what you have mentioned here?
Post a Comment