Job Advice

So I'm looking for a little perspective. Two years ago I jumped off the sinking ship known as newspapers and moved into the world of marketing. It was a major career change but I'm glad I've done it. I've worked for the same company for going on two years now, earning good reviews and a couple raises, but I'm getting bored.

I'm a writer through and through, but it seems like what I'm doing now is a little too cookie cutter to hold my interest. I like the company and my co-workers, but I find my attention drifting off after a few hours at work. I can write most of what's required of me using about 20% of my brain, and the other 80% is doing its damndest to distract me.

I work in the automotive field and press releases I have written have resulted in my clients being interviewed by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. I'm also managing most of our search engine optimization efforts and client blogs (20 of them).

The company is growing quickly, from 12 people when I started to 25 people currently, but account management seems to be the area where most hiring is happening - not content.

There's no room to move up because the company is too small and I already got the title upgrade from writer to editor at my one-year review and the work shows no signs of changing. Do I move on or stick it out a little longer to see if things shift?

Freelance?

Start drinking at lunch.........hide some vodka in the men's room behind the supply of TP......(that's what my coworker does)

If there's no room for growth or advancement, it's only going to get worse in your own mind. I feel exactly the same way in my job -- no mental engagement or stimulation, no utilization of my real skills -- and I HATE it. So much so, that I force myself to stay awake at night so the time passes more slowly before I have to go back to work. Unfortunately for me, I have 2.5 years left on my contract.

If there really is no room for advancement and you have somewhere else you can go where you can do what you're good at and enjoy, then go for it.

Ian F wrote: Freelance?

I've done that before. It's not for me. People seem to rank freelancers somewhere below lawyers and treat them thusly.

PR work for a race team or company part time ? Or hide hooch in supply room

I agree with both suggestions of stashing alcohol. The first poster mentioned his Co-worker stashed Vodka. Vodka (good quality only) is ideal since it doesn't make you reek like booze as much, or as quickly as other types of alcohol. Just in case keep some gum handy.

Alcoholism it is!

Actually, I'm going to start digging around for new positions. There are plenty out there.

You've got a good job keep it.

Start your own blog and write about the stuff you enjoy. If you can start generating hits use it as your own marketing material. Maybe find an automotive based charity to apply your skills to.

sachilles wrote: You've got a good job keep it. Start your own blog and write about the stuff you enjoy. If you can start generating hits use it as your own marketing material. Maybe find an automotive based charity to apply your skills to.

+1 on this. The internet is making it very possible to generate a serious following, and then bring that following to potential employers as a valuable commodity. Plus, it seems when you get a critical mass, manufacturers start sending you all KINDS of free shwag, even if it is not related to your field.

Web content. Many blogs out there only grow their following by having new and interesting content on a regular basis. I know I lose interest in a blog if they don't give me a review or keep me updated on industry rumors or news.

You may be able to volunteer your time as a writer for a blog of something your passionate about and go from there.

It's a growing company, so things will change, and opportunities will arise. Can't say you'll get them, but if you're loved and appreciated there, you likely will.

A job that takes little time to complete per day leaves you plenty of opportunity to expand your work. That can be pretty durn cool. It's all in how you look at it.

If writing is all that you do, you will bored in the next position as well. Try to expand your role a bit more where you are, and get the company into new things. Heck, take a photography class and go out and take photos for additional content. Instagram, Pinterest and even FaceBook are expanding the need for photography. Or how about shooting and editing videos for your YouTube Feed? A simple Hi-Def editing software is all you need these days. GoPro cameras are cheap, how about attending events and sticking a GoPro on some cars and making videos for your publication?

Getting in the field occasionally helps to break up the monotony.

He's actually already a very good photographer.

I'm out of practice, but thank you Seth: http://www.daveestey.com/

I like the blog idea. I'm going to bounce that around in my head a little bit today.

Here is what you do. Hillclimbing needs a central PR type of deal. Promote all the events. Promote the idea of working the event. The idea of driving for a beginner......for a seasoned track guy. Show the personalities of Neha. Basically a NEHA magazine. Profile sccnh, sccv and kssc other events. There is so much that makes neha an awesome place, and the story needs to be told. Write event round ups and submit them to GRM. There are a billion stories there. Years worth of info in John Reed, Smokey, Sherman and so on.

Oh, and Steve Jones has tons of archives of history that need to be told. Heck even Buffum has a lot to share about Neha.

This idea I like very much.

I like it too. Clubs, Non-Profits, and even businesses pay lots of money for a website to let it sit, ineffective at marketing that organization.

I like the above suggestions.

My suggestion is to write a book. Everybody has at least one book in them.

keep it grassroots....